con't... (message board 10)

Name:   Cesar Torres
Contact Email:    Cesar1185@aol.com
Date:   25 January 2005

To Mr. Alexander S. Dabuet, Jr in the freezing US East Coast

Why not request DYMS also in Catbalogan to have your appeal aired in their radio programs?

Send $500 to the radio station and the DYMS people who are trying to maintain some sanity in the land you left behind. I think they would like to come to New York, where you are, or to San Francisco, where I am, but you know how it is. In the meantime, they have to survive with dignity.  Your $500 would go a long way in encouraging them to work harder.  They will be inspired.

 Then, subscribe to our "Gugma Han Samar Cyberspace Movement".  I think we are better than many other e-groups in the World Wide Wait of Ray Gaspay.

And we can communicate with you in several languages also:  "Klasikal Samarnon Binisaya", Pinenglish, (Pilipino-English); Spanish (you would not believe the eruditon and the competence of some of our fellow Samarnons in Spanish); French; the Calbiganon Binisaya (remember?), and even Capulnon (remember "Kapay-kapay si ka-aw"?)

Balitaw, frivolity, aside, the people in DYMS would be very, very glad if you can ask them to help you, and in the process help them also.  You don't have to send $1,000 every month.  We need their presence in Catbalogan and in Samar.  Information is, after all, power. You will be empowering them if you help them.

And finally, never, never forget Samar News.Com and this phenomenal website that Ray Gaspay has pioneered.  This is the Samarnons' gateway to the World Wide Web.

We are finally reaching out, and the world, like you famous Katbaloganons in New York, are reaching out to Samar, the Third Largest Island in the Philippines, the island which was the gateway of Christianity and Western Civilization to Ibabao.  Because of this fluke of historical event, and the fact that Hernando Magallanes was a lousy navigator, the Katbaloganons are celebrating the fiesta of St. Bartholomew, the Patron Saint of the Fishermen, all over the world. (But it seems that the fishermen in Maqueda Bay are living miserable lives.)

Perhaps, the famous Katbaloganons and Samarnons in New York can support Samar News.Com until Wall Street or Bill Gates become a sponsor of this fantastic website.

Diri na kita maawod if we hear that Nida Blanca song:  "Waray waray, waray bugas, bahala na bukas.  Manigas!"

Padayon Mr. Dabuet! To paraphrase the blazing lines of a poet:  "A century is too long.  Seize the day!  Seize the hour!"

Name:   Alexander  S. Dabuet,  Jr.
Address:   2735 Alice Terrace, Union, New Jersey  07083, USA
Contact Email:    lexdove@aol.com
Date:     01-23-05

HELLO!! there ...  Catbaloganons.

Was surprised to come across this website. You see, am not computer literate although I do know how to punch out some keys.  Actually, I would like to request if any of you do know or recognize some of these persons I'll mention below.  Allow me to thank all of you in advance if you do find some time to help me out on these.

For some feedback about me:  Was a resident of Catbalogan in the 40's and 50's.  Graduated from Sacred Heart College in 1951.  My father was the principal teacher of the Samar trade School in the town then at that time.  My Pa hails from Paranas -- the Dabuets I know come from there. Some of our relatives I remember are some Cincos, Singzons, Sisons, Rosales, Piczons, Pacolis, Lomuntads, et al.

Here are a few persons I'd like to get in touch with:

Once again, gamo nga salamat han ano man nga bulig tikang ha iyo nga nakabulig hin ano man nga information.  SALAMAT !!  HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL CATBALOGANONS.

Name:   Hermie Emik Sanchez
Address:   Piczonville, Catbalogan, Samar 6700, Philippines
Contact Email:     Jam_32ph@eudoramail.com
Date:   January 21, 2005

Thanks Manong Cesar for that very accurate observations, pero amo ngani ine nga we kept on prodding the true essence of Warays; ito ba nga 'natindog han kamatuoran, nanginginlabot han kaupayan, naato para han kamingawan'.  Anyway here another excerpt form one of my Siday's entitled KARAS (still remember it?) 

Ha baybayon akon nakit-an, iya baysay daw naparayaw
Ha hanang nasuksuk nasayaw

Kun imo hiabtan maupay
Kay ini ha kanan mga bata nakakaliaw

Aadi na an Karas dagmit!
Aton dakpon, ig-andam an garapon
Hoy, hoy, bata, bata, dagmit dagmit! Kay ine nga Karas masyado hin kamaabtik!

Name:   Marilyn Irinco Giray
Address:   Sydney, NSW  2093, Australia
Contact Email:   arlyn_girl@yahoo.com.au
Date:   19.1.2005

I am searching for my birth parents Veronica Irinco Giray born 30th September 1944 and my birth father Alejandro Giray. They are from Laong Samar Philippines. I was adopted in 1979. If anyone knows of these two people please contact me on the email address provided. Thankyou.

Name:  Cesar Torres
Contact Email:   Cesar1185@aol.com
Date:   19 January 2005

"Selling Songs of Leyte" by Eli Africa

This cultural-anthropological-sociological work of art by a Leyteno who is now in America has been adjudged the "Best Foreign Short Documentary" in 2004 in New York's International Independent Film & Video Festival.

It was through Ms. Loudette Avelino, CEO of "Building Futures Together", a foundation organized in New York with programs to help the children and the "poorest of the poor" in Samar and Calbayog that "Gugma Han Samar Cyberspace Movement" and the Filipino cyberspace world got to know of this work of art.

We requested a copy of the DVD. Mr. Africa sent it to us.  I owe him $13.00 I think.

If you want to read more about this award-winning documentary on a cultural tradition in Leyte, you can visit Mr. Africa's website:  "http://homepage.mac.com/eliafrica/" of course without the quotation marks.

Anyway, as I was watching the DVD, my eyes were misty and I noticed that my heart was beating faster.  The intensity of my emotion became more pronounced when the tune "An Iroy Nga Tuna" ("The Motherland") was being played in the background. 

(I am not sure about the history of this tune which conceivably may have compelled many young Samarnons and Leytenos to bare their breasts offering their lives to the motherland.  That is how it affects you, especially if you understand the lyrics of th song. Perhaps, Addi, Onding, Christine, and Mana Betty, and Eleanor can tell us more. I am not sure if the composer is indeed the late Diosdado Lucente, one of the giants of "Sanghiran Han Binisaya".  But it seems that this song was written when hundreds of Leytenos were crossing the Pacific to work in the sugar plantations in Hawaii and in the asparagus fields in mainland USA and the salmon canneries in Alaska during that period in Philippine history when the Filipinos were coming to America as "sacadas".  The song, as the story goes, was sang by a Leytena maiden, whose Hinigugma, her Beloved, was boarding the ship bound for Hawaii leaving her distraught and in despair. It seems she ended her life later. I am not sure about this.)

And then lo and behold we are transported into our own land, even if for us Samarnons, it is in Leyte because after all, we know that Leyte has been "Samarized".  You are now in familiar places, and you don't need to read the dubbings on the screen to understand what Mr. Africa's subjects are saying.

To go on with Mr. Africa's work of art -- I was so glad that a cultural tradition in Leyte has been preserved for posterity.  I was thinking that the UP in Tacloban, the Leyte Normal University, the Leyte Institute of Technology, the Samar State University, the University of Northern Philippines, other state colleges and universities in Region 8, should have programs that can document the disappearing cultural-anthropological-sociological practices of the Leyte-Samar-Biliran region. Obviously, there are other areas that need to be documented, preserved, and shared with our people, and the world.

Watching the very busy people in the market places, the "Ta'bo-an" in Northen Leyte, I think Carigara and Tanauan,  where Mr. Africa video-taped his study, I kept on thinking about our impression that we tend to be lazy. And I remember Quint and many of us, including me, who tend to share this impression. The people there in the Ta'bo-an were busy.  It is possible that those doing manual work had to appear very busy and occupied knowing that they were on "candid camera". But, I am sure they were not "faking".

Since most of the items being sold "with a song" were dried fish, I kept on thinking also on our impression that Maqueda Bay is dying and that its marine flora and fauna is in danger of disappearing. I bet that most of the dried fish in the Carigara and Tanauan markets came from Maqueda Bay, the fishing grounds off Catbalogan, Calbayog, and the surrounding seas.

The marketplaces were beehives.  People, people, people.  A testimony to the mushrooming population of the Philippines growing at 2.36 percent and estimated at 84 million right now and expected to reach 170 million in less than a generation. More families are below the poverty line, defined as an income of 50 pesos (90 US cents) a day, two years ago.

In 2003, it was estimated that 40 percent of Filipinos lived below the poverty level; this was up from 38 percent in 2001.

And then I asked myself:  With all those people, and our population growth rate, can the Philippines ever hope of providing the basic needs of the Filipinos in the future when at present we are barely able to provide them with a meal a day?

In Catbalogan, in provincial and almost rural Catbalogan, I have been informed that children are sniffing shabu or some drugs so that they can assuage their hunger.  They have nothing to eat.  And this is in Catbalogan, in Samar, the third largest island of the Philippines!

Perhaps, Mr. Africa's award-winning documentary can provide us with some insights how we can answer some of our nagging questions, including our population explosion, our poverty, our hunger, and our corrupt and incompetent politicians who do not see the hand writing on the wall.

Finally, perhaps Dr. Francisco Nemenzo, Jr., the outgoing President of the UP System, can appoint Mr. Eli Africa as a Visiting Professor in the UP at Tacloban so that he can help the dean and the faculty in undertaking some  projects that can preserve the culture of our people.

Our erudite Basaynon from Minnesota, Mr. Adelbert Batica, supported by Ms. Charo Nabong Cabardo in Catbalogan, can hopefully assist the UP in Tacloban and Mr. Africa to undertake a video documentary of the "Manangetes" (Tuba Gatherers) in Samar and Leyte and the rhythm of their Pananggot (Tuba Preparation), the Tiklos (Bayanihan in the Katag-alogan), the Pamari (Harvest Time), the Pamayo (Pounding Rice).

Mr. Batica wants to include a video documentary of one of the native industries of Samar and the Philippines, Banig Making in Basay.  (I have four banigs from Basay which I intend to give as gifts to Americans who would donate some amounts to Gugma Han Samar Cyberspace Movement.)  This is sisiw or a piece of cake, as the saying goes.  Just two curacha and the gala during a fiesta of the "Basaynon Katig-uban in America and Canada" when they celebrate their fiestas and say their novenas will be enough to generate funds for this propose project of Mr. Batica.

At least the Basaynons all over the world can watch a DVD on Banig making before they go to heaven as a reward for their devotion to their Patron.

Of course, Gugma Han Samar Cyberspace Movement will help sell the DVDs.

So, get copies of Eli Africa's DVD. For our non-Samarnon friends, you can ask your friends in Iloilo, in Pampanga, in Negros, in Bicol, to do what Mr. Africa has done.

Actually, when I was growing up in Samar, I vaguely recall a similar practice among the sellers of fish in Catbalogan and I think Villareal also. Perhaps our Samarnon cultural anthropologists can clarify this matter.

Congratulations Mr. Africa.  You are a true alumnus of the University of the People.  I think UP Presidents Dr. Jose V. Abueva and Dr. Francisco Nemenzo, Jr. would be proud of you.  It is not every day that there is good news coming from the Leyte-Samar-Biliran region.

Name:   Marita Flores Strand
Address:   Krenken 6-a, Krenkenflot 6a, Odda 5750, Norway
Contact Email:   mfstrand@online.no
Date:   jan. 19, 2005

Halo , To Mrs. Blanca Labro nga nangumusta ha akon didi ha norway, Thanks at dere ko nabasa dayon kay busy ako sa trabaho naming mag asawa dito sa office namin. Si Alona Masterlero yana ay sister in-law ko kay nag asawa han bogto han akon mr. didi ha norway. Duha na iton iya anak, ngan komusta ikaw yana sege paba iton imo pagtotdo dida ha samar high ? Mauli kami ha next year makada kami ha samar high para makita man la eskwelahan.

Halo, han akon classmate nga hi Christine Delos Reyes kon aada ka ha America pag message gad ngadi ha akon. Remember me Marita Flores ha samar high, Kumusta na ikaw yana kon mabasa man ngani ini nga nakilala kan christine paki sering na aadi ako nga iya classmate ha Norway. Dere ako maaram kon hain ka yana, an akon balita aanhi ka daw ha america. Nagpakiaana ako ha imo han pag uli ko didto ha samar high. Nasering an aton teacher nga hi Blanca Labro nga aanhi na daw kamo ha united state. Kon hino man an akon mga clasmate ha catbalogan nga nakilala pa ha akon, paki message naman para ma enjoy ako nga makipag tsismisan dinhe ha catbalogan nga akon ka kilala.

Name:  Luzviminda Cajipe Jackson
Address:   2300 Shallowford Rd., Marrietta, GA 30066, USA
Contact Email:   luzjak@yahoo.com
Date:   01-18-2005

Hello everyone, I'm looking for Mr Agusto Collantes, he use to be my classmate in Leyte Colleges. The last time I knew he was in Michigan he's working as a doctor. If anybody know's where is he now pls contact me were trying locate all our classmates..thank you..more power this web site.

Name:   Jun Ramos
Address:  San Francisco St., Salug District, Catbalogan, Samar 6700, Philippines
Contact Email:   aramos9357@yahoo.com
Date:   January 18, 2005

Hello to everyone who subscribes to this message board.  I just want to make known my new email address.

Name:   Cesar Torres
Contact Email:   Cesar1185@aol.com
Date:   17 January 2005

Jama,

The Siday is beautiful.  It evokes a thousand images and emotions in my mind and my heart. However, I feel I have to say something about your reference to "Waray".

For a long time now I have been taking exceptions on calling our "Samarnon Binisaya" ("Lineyte-Samarnon" in the linguistic literature) "Waray". Or kita as "Mga Waray"

Frankly I feel insulted.  For non-Samarnons calling us "Waray", I tell them it is condescending. I ask the Tagalogs how they would feel if they are referred to as "Mga Wala" or the Ilocanos if they are called "Awanens" or the Cebuanos if they are called "Mga Wa'y".

This "Waray" reference becomes more aggravating when we note that we are indeed poor -- squatters in Metro Manila, perhaps the majority in Payatas, menials, servants. So the "Waray" label sticks in my craw.

And then that song of Nida Blanca does not enhance my sagging spirit with lines of:  "Waray-waray, bahala na bukas, waray bugas, manigas!"

If our leaders in Samar -- as well as Leyte -- had any sense of pride at all, they should have protested right away when that movie and that song was shown in the Philippines. I saw the movie in Catbalogan.

But that is the kind of leaders we have in Samar...and the kind of people we are. 

So Padayon! Irignom kita!  Aro hin kinawat para tumangway. Kanta kita: "Waray-waray, bahala na bukas, waray bugas, manigas!"

Name:   Hermie "Emik" A. Sanchez
Address:   Piczonville, Catbalogan, Samar 6700, Philippines
Contact Email:    Jam_32@Eudoramail.com
Date:  January 18, 2005

Hello everybody!

I've been a fellow of the 43rd UP National Creative Writing Workshop, and I'm very proud that Waray poetry (Siday) is still getting adherence.  I'm thankful for this message board, and I hope this could help me to revive the treasure & beauty of Waray language, particularly Waray Poetry (Siday).  Here is an excerpt from one of my Siday, entitled, "Kamingaw"

Ako natindog ha atubangan han Maqueda
Ha dughan gindudumdum an mga kabaraka
Ha imo paglakat dara ko an pangaraba, kun ikaw mabalik pa ako maghuhulat la

Inin mga balud hi ako ginliliaw
Ha kalalawdan han Maqueda hira namarayaw
Ha akon pagsiplat hira nagsasarayaw
Bagabaga han kakarabwan malaksi nga nandadadlagan...

Mabuhay an Waray Language!!!!!! Pls. post excerpt of your Sidays here, ty! Ty Ray for this MB!!!!!  More power!

Jama

Name:  Blanca M. Labro
Address:   849 Mercedes, Catbalogan, Samar  6700, Philippines
Contact Email:   blanca_labro@yahoo.com
Date:  January  16, 2005

Hi! to Marita Strand and to all Catbaloganons out there in Norway.

Name:  Nikko Buenaseda
Address:  Los Angeles
Contact Email:   admin@philstudies.org
Date:  Jan 14, 2005

A new book titled  "The Untold People’s History: Samar, Philippines" is now out. It's a greak book about the history and struggles of the people of Samar writen by Rico Santos and Bonifacio Lagos. You can read more about it at www.philstudies.org

Here's an excerpt from the book:

“The history of Samar continues without let-up. It is a history of a people who once wrote their own history in pre-colonial times, but who since then, for over four centuries now, have been subjugated by foreign interests and local collaborators who have arrogated upon themselves the power to write it for Samar and for the Samarnon people.

“Today, the people are struggling to reverse this historical iniquity. They are moving to rewrite Samar’s history and future story with the glory and greatness it deserves. The challenge for Samarnons is to write the living history of Samar, while fully understanding the rich lessons the past and present have to
offer.”

Name:  Cesar Torres
Contact Email:  Cesar1185@aol.com
Date:  12 January 2005

Agui Iday Liesel!

Aada ka na ha Catbalogan.  Aada ka la ha UP Tacloban nag-e-eskuela.  I know that the road between Calbiga and Catbalogan is terrible.  And I know that going around Catbalogan can be dangerous.  And I know that information dissemination in Catbalogan, in Samar, in Region 8, in the Philippines leaves so much to be desired.  And sometimes, even among fraternal groups, the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.

However, ura-ura na manla kamo nga waray na kamo initiative pag paki-ana kon hain kamo makakakuha in data about that contemptible case in Samar!

Internet pa iton kinahanglan.  Why not browse Samar News.com?  Ask Mr. Ray Gaspay. Send him an e-mail because he is so poor he will not favor you with a response to your text unless you tell him that a beautiful blondie is waiting for him in San Francisco, California.

You should be able to generate some data from Samar News.com.  There are pictures. Go to BBCS or Net Zero and have those pictures printed, or use the colored printer of your boy friend. Then go around the town and ask every tricyle driver if they would know those people in the news with clinched fists facing the capitol who are shouting "Mag-isog kami!  Diri kami nahadlok! Bisan kinabuhi ig hahalad para han mga kablas ug guin tatalumpigos nga mga Samarnon! Basta waray la ungod nga fusil ha or binalhag!"

Or go to DYMS. Ask Ms. Emy Bonficacio.  I think she has been interviewing some people associated with "Isog Han Samar" movement. While there, you can sing a song.  Dedicate your song to "Mga Uwat Nga Mga Lumalangyaw nga Pilipino o Samarnon" sugad hini nga mga api han "Gugma Han Samar Cyberspace Movement" nga puro la hangin.

Frivolity aside, at least you are doing "research", uncovering new knowledge, in an area that used to be my field of specialization in UP Tacloban and in the Dept of Political Science in Diliman.

Sigue Iday.  Pag-research.  Ask your professor in UP Tacloban to share his studies with us on Samar's political and civic culture. Kay ano kuno nga mga hubya kita, to use the words of Mr. Quintin Lambino Doroquez in California, sanglit mga kablas kita ngan uruwaton!

Cesar Torres
Formerly, Assistant Professor of Political Science
College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines
and Chair, Skeletal Task Force that Organized the UP at Tacloban
and Moderator, "Gugma Han Samar Cyberspace Movement" as designated by Mr. Ray Gaspay

Name:  Liezel M. Sumbise
Address:   121 Brgy. 12, Catbalogan, Samar  6700, Philippines
Contact Email:   rogue87_liezel@yahoo.com
Date:  Jan. 12. 2005

Good day,

I, Liezel M. Sumbise, a Political Science freshman student, in the UPVTC under Prof Mangada, is taking up a Pol Sci 11. Under the said subject, we are task to conduct a term paper regarding the groups behind the ousting of Gov. Mila Tan.

In behalf of my partner, Ma. Cristina Abalos taking up BASS Psychology, I would like to know the groups who participated in the Isog Han Samar Movement. This groups can be the NGO's, schools, and other organizations who participated actively in the said rally.

Your response is badly needed.  Thank you!

Name:   E. Nunez
Address:  Las Vegas
Contact Email:   enunez3734@yahoo.com
Date:  01/09/05

I just click the special report and read the Leyte Landing story. I find it very interesting. But nobody bother to mention who is the sculptor of this giant magnificent statue. I'm just wondering if anybody know who was the sculptor of the famous McArthur landing in Palo, Leyte. From what I heard the folks in Catbalogan he was one of the (tominongnong) han Catbalogan.

Name:   Roja Bacsal
Address:   Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Philippines
Contact Email:   msroj80@yahoo.com
Date:   1-9-2005

Uy!!!! kumusta kita dinhi nga mga waraynon?!!
Pag uli ko ha aton, kamalain hit kadalanan! Ano an nahinabo ha aton?
Maupay ngay an nga adlaw ha akn bacsal family!
Uy mga bacsal, mayda baya kita reunion pirmi.

Name:   Martin Flores Strand
Address:  Krenken 6, Krenkenflot 6a, Odda 5750, Norway
Contact Email:   mfstrand@online.no
Date:   Jan. 9, 2005

Komusta an taga samarnon labina iton catbaloganon dinhe. Ngan ha imo Ray madamo nga salamat ha aada inin web site ha catbalogan. Kami nga aadi ha Norway sege iton amon pag kinita hini nga samar news .com kadako han pag asinso han catbalogan yana. Taga solangan ako ngan dida ha samar high nag high school. ngan ha sacred heart, Pag uli namon dinhe mabisita kami han akon sister inlaw nga taga solangan liwat dida ha imo ray. Ngan mabisita liwat kami ha samar high kay madamo ang memory namon han 4 katuig pag binalik balik hito nga eskwelahan dinhe ha catbalogan. Ngan kon may mga classmate ako nga makabasa hini , dere ako maaram kon hain na ito hira kon ha abroad ba? Ngan waray pa ako maka attend han alumni han samar high. Year 84/85 ako nga tapos han waray ako kontak hinin akon mga classmate, Kaupay gad konta kon magkirigta kami ngan mahibaroan kon ano na iton ira kamotangan. Sege Ray salamat hinin imo web site. Ngan komusta an akon mga kamaganakan dida ha solangan ngan iguid, ngan an taga Leyte Leyte ako Wague Leyte Leyte ako pinanganak.

Name:  Ruel Picardo Madeja
Address:   Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic), P.O. Box 11115, Jubail Industrial City 31961, Eastern Province, KSA
Contact Email:   Madejarp@sabic.com
Date:   2nd January 2005

Happy New Year!!! sa mga former classmate ko sa Seminario De jesus Nazareno na hira Fr. Deo Gayo, Fr. Cesar Aculan, Fr. N. Abejuela, Fr. Edwin Juaban, Fr. Jimmy L. Tiu, etc. mga kasangkayan ko ilabi na hi Engr. Rey Hong of Catbalogan and Vicente Bacho.

Name:   Pamela Chu Colonia
Address:   #100 - 3180 E. 58TH Ave., Vancouver V5S 3S8, B.C., Canada
Contact Email:   maxin_e@hotmail.com
Date:    Jan. 1 2005

Calling all the SSAT Batch Class of 1979 we are having the alumni homecoming from April 11 - 17, 2005. We are the host, it would be great if everyone will be able to attend. Contact person in Catbalogan is Peachy Yboa Daguman and Carlito Yu , in Manila, Pboy, Noel Amistoso and Roy Mate. They need all the help they could get.