tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81245464736773920102024-03-19T00:28:07.410+09:00A Pinoy in KoreaAlphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.comBlogger1032125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-57416541465781546902024-02-21T13:45:00.002+09:002024-02-21T13:46:45.122+09:00Philippine History - CHAPTER 29: Don Miguel Jose Ossorio and How He Started Victorias Milling Company<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXg4BbF-L7lvu8aSKLYIaCAYVeOgSm-dfhTbiUslPjuiOqVJwHDLLMwu7peFLREUgJJupg5M24ImMJrfW9fbKPmyhJlWlYF9_wJyT3tJROnMP-v7F1iGbglkuTmAG8ZyOyxeCIuy50J0jrfTiXB1xMQZXk-708HlLK2G2H3evI2HPbDahHr0OL58mW4OK/s2048/423455130_1415624395743301_9008297246804314975_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1543" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXg4BbF-L7lvu8aSKLYIaCAYVeOgSm-dfhTbiUslPjuiOqVJwHDLLMwu7peFLREUgJJupg5M24ImMJrfW9fbKPmyhJlWlYF9_wJyT3tJROnMP-v7F1iGbglkuTmAG8ZyOyxeCIuy50J0jrfTiXB1xMQZXk-708HlLK2G2H3evI2HPbDahHr0OL58mW4OK/s320/423455130_1415624395743301_9008297246804314975_n.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In Chapter 28, the historical timeline started with Don Miguel Jose Ossorio’s plans to set up a centrifugal mill in Manapla after his visit to Negros Island. In the book “Victorias – A History in Pictures”, published by the Victorias Milling Company, Don Miguel recounted on March 1, 1950, the year he turned 60, the origins of his sugar mills. In this Chapter, I share that story as told by Don Miguel himself while adding notes of information and explanations for better understanding.</span></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">This is Don Miguel’s story:</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">When Don Miguel was working as a director of Hogar Filipino, a company that provided loans to businesses in the Philippines, they wanted to visit the Negros Island with the intention of providing loans to local hacienderos who needed more capital for their sugar business . This was in 1916 when mortgages in Manila had become limited; they had to explore elsewhere.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">So, Hogar Filipino appointed Don Miguel, then just 26 years old, as part of the three-man committee who would travel to the Negros Island; this was his first trip to Negros. The other two men were Don Antonio Melian, the founder of Hogar Filipino, and Jose Reguera, Hogar’s representative in Iloilo. The gentlemen engaged a certain Mr. Blanco to help them appraise sugar estates that would be used as collateral by the hacienderos for their loans. Mr. Blanco was the administrator of Hacienda Progreso in Isabela.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The first prospective borrower was Don Esteban de la Rama, a wealthy haciendero, who wanted to borrow P600,000 by offering 2,500 hectares of his land in Bago and a mill that produced centrifugal sugar. Don Esteban’s two-year old mill was manufactured by Blair, Campbell and Maclean, and was erected by him with the help of his mechanic. Don Esteban also offered warehouses he owned in Iloilo as well as a building next to the Sta. Cruz Bridge in Manila. The term of Don Esteban’s loan was 20 years.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">This trip, according to Don Miguel, “proved to be a turning point in my business career” as he never thought about the sugar business because he had never set foot in the Negros Island before. In his meeting with Don Esteban, Don Miguel asked a lot of questions about the sugar business that gave him encouragement and ideas about venturing into this industry. He also learned that the Negros Island needed sugar mills and capitalists who were willing to take the risks of ordering machinery, especially that war was going on in Europe. That time, the local sugar planters were just producing muscovado sugar and were losing money because muscovado was no longer in demand; the world market was shifting to centrifugal sugar.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(NOTE: Most machines for the sugar centrals that time were ordered from Europe, specifically from Scotland, since the 1860s with the help of the British vice-consul, Nicolas Loney, who was based in Iloilo and who saw the potential both in the importation of steam-powered mills for sugar manufacturing and the export of sugar directly from Iloilo, rather than letting the product pass through Manila. He later partnered with the Scottish merchants Ker and Co., naming their firm Loney, Ker and Co. Nicolas Loney, who spoke Spanish, is credited as having modernized sugar manufacturing; the ‘Muelle Loney’ in Iloilo City was named after him. Don Miguel described the machines of Don Esteban de la Rama as having been manufactured by Blair, Campbell and Maclean, a Scottish manufacturer that must have supplied machines in Panay and Negros on credit for decades since the time of Nicolas Loney. World War I, that hampered importation of machines from Europe, started on July 28, 1914 and ended on November 11, 1918).</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Mr. Blanco advised Don Miguel that, if ever he wanted to put up a sugar mill himself, the best place would be in Manapla on the northern part of the Negros Island. According to Mr. Blanco, Manapla was ideal because of steady rainfall that would allow the planting of sugar cane all-year round. Don Miguel then asked Mr. Blanco to bring him to Manapla after he was done with his professional duties in Iloilo, where Hogar Filipino also gave out loans to Mr. Guillermo Gomez, a collector of Customs in Iloilo, and his brother, Mr. Felipe Gomez, the chief of police in Iloilo, and Mr. Jose Gan, an agriculturist who received education in the US. Hogar Filipino lent money to this gentlemen for them to buy the hacienda of the Uruquijo Family in La Carlota; the said hacienda was later named San Jose. They also some of their real estate in Iloilo as collateral.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">After completing his tasked as an officer of Hogar Filipino and after he was left alone in Negros Island by Don Antonio Melian who went back to Manila, Don Miguel went to visit Manapla with Mr. Blanco. While staying at Hacienda Bilbao owned by Don Benjamin Gamboa, Don Miguel on horseback visited Hacienda Begoña that was recently purchased by Ruperto Mendieta and who was building a home there, and Balolan where Don Miguel eventually built a wharf in 1918. During these visits, Don Miguel was learning everything he could about the sugar business and was envisioning his plans for planting sugarcane, milling them into sugar, and finally shipping the finished product out of the Island to be sold.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>(NOTE: Don Miguel must have stayed at the home of Don Benjamin Gamboa where he later built the Gamboa Mansion; read link below to read about the burning of that Gamboa Mansion by the retreating Japanese soldiers on the last months of World War II)</i>.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-gaston-mansion-gem-hidden-in.html"><b><span style="color: red;">https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-gaston-mansion-gem-hidden-in.html</span></b></a></span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Don Miguel also visited three muscovado mills in operation during his ‘educational tour’, some of these visits were during September’s drizzly weather. Some mills he tried to visit were shut down as the milling season then started in December and ended in May. And as early as this visit, he asked Mr. Blanco to gather the sugar planters owning adjacent lands so that he could convince them to sign up for preliminary milling contracts to mill on a 50-50 basis for a minimum of 250 days, the details of which were patterned from the contracts used by San Carlos Milling Company that had been in operation for three years at that time. These planters were in need of a centrifugal sugar mill as focusing on producing muscovado sugar, which was now unsaleable, would bankrupt their businesses.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">After studying the sugar business and learning all he could during his trip, he immediately went back to Manila and saw the president of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Don Eliseo Sendres, who actually knew something about ‘Manapla’ because, when Don Miguel told him that he fell in love with Negros Island and was determined to put up a 300-ton sugar mill in Manapla, Don Eliseo’s reaction was positive and agreed that ‘Manapla’ was the place to be. Don Eliseo signified to Don Miguel that his bank would help him in his venture and even wanted to invest P10,000 of his own money should Don Miguel eventually incorporate.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Now having a bank supporting his business plans, Don Miguel went to look for manufacturers who could build the mill. As European manufacturers were out of the question because of the ongoing World War I there, Don Miguel negotiated with a US company, Castle Brothers Wolf and Sons, who were represented in Manila by Honolulu Iron Works, a company that also supplied machines to other sugar mills. The company sent an engineer named Powrie to travel to Manapla in order to draw plans for a 300-ton sugar mill that would include 12 kilometers of narrow gauge railroad, warehouses, and buildings for the mill; these were all estimated to cost P1,200,000. Don Miguel was able to put up P700,000 with the balance of P500,000 to be financed by the manufacturers themselves bearing an 8% interest. On December 23, 1916, Don Miguel signed the order to purchase the machinery at the offices of Castle Brothers.</span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Z0p76b3VIBU0urwLktmrLQsUa76gU0kzZgm_0my6TqscNrhn37on7GUGTxdHrvc8Jinui0D4qOy4eP553JUokGty4QBWMkt0k_uuKyaqFpsx-CCVB_D3FMG0ZxrCPGDRUg8dn_j6Aovknk02oiSirwSEYOGiXAIvaK4Yt5sYtKPCnfhQaEUvW65eptoK/s1879/423903914_1115432276554549_4973651759265359337_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1540" data-original-width="1879" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Z0p76b3VIBU0urwLktmrLQsUa76gU0kzZgm_0my6TqscNrhn37on7GUGTxdHrvc8Jinui0D4qOy4eP553JUokGty4QBWMkt0k_uuKyaqFpsx-CCVB_D3FMG0ZxrCPGDRUg8dn_j6Aovknk02oiSirwSEYOGiXAIvaK4Yt5sYtKPCnfhQaEUvW65eptoK/s320/423903914_1115432276554549_4973651759265359337_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In December 1917, Don Miguel formally established North Negros Sugar Company, or NONSUCO, in Manapla, and on August 1, 1918, its mill became operational just when the sugar prices began to rise; the prices steadily rose until 1920. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Seeing that Don Miguel’s business was going to be profitable, Mr. Ramon Diaz, his friend who happened to be a bond broker, must have introduced Don Miguel to the management of a new bank, Philippine Trust Company (PTC), which was established in October 1916, in order for Don Miguel to get more capital for NONSUCO. NONSUCO successfully issued a P600,000 bond with 8% interest and a term of 20 years that was then purchased by Philippine Trust Company at 99. (The Philippine Trust Company would later become one of the oldest banks in the Philippines, alongside Bank of the Philippine Islands and Philippine National Bank).</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">NONSUCO’s P600,000 bonds were later sold by PTC to “the Friars” for 105. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>(NOTE: In bond transactions, this means that when PTC bought the bonds from NONSUCO at 99, PTC earned a discount of 1% of the bond’s par value of P600,000. PTC paid NONSUCO P594,000 (99% of P600,000), and when PTC later sold it to the Friars for 105 of the bond’s par value, PTC received P630,000 (105% of P600,000. In total, PTC earned P36,000 from the two transactions of NONSUCO’s bonds)</i>. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>(NOTE: “The Friars” referred to by Don Miguel must have been the confraternities who ran the Obras Pias, a charitable institution created by the Spaniards in 1827 to receive donations that would be used for charitable, religious and educational purposes. This organization was formally converted into a bank in 1828 but was only established in 1851 as El Banco Español Filipino de Isabel II, or Banco Español Filipino, for short. During the American colonial period, in 1912, it officially changed its name to Bank of the Philippine Islands, or Banco de las Islas Filipinos, and was later privatized.)</i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">A year later, Mr. Phil C. Whitaker, the president of PTC helped NONSUCO issue another bond of P900,000 with a two-year term to finance the doubling of NONSUCO’s milling capacity. This was proof that the banks then had taken notice of the profitability of the sugar industry in the Negros Island and was willing to help provide capital to any sugar mill’s expansion plans, including those of Don Miguel’s NONSUCO.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">As NONSUCO’s capacity had doubled, Don Miguel negotiated with the hacienderos of Victorias, courting them to mill their sugarcane with him. The sugar planters of Silay and Saravia that time were sending their sugarcane to the Hawaiian-Philippine Company that also opened in 1918-1919. Don Miguel promised the Victorias sugar planters, that included the Benedictos, Montinolas, Ascalons, Gonzagas, Ditchings, Lopezes, and the Gastons, that NONSUCO would extend its railroad network to the Victorias area in order to transport their produce to the Manapla sugar mill. He also committed that, in case their sugarcane could not be accommodated in Manapla, he would build a separate sugar mill in Victorias for them. This decision of one man, Don Miguel Jose Ossorio, singlehandedly impacted the economic, political, social, cultural and environmental aspects of the town of Victorias.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOOhsZiQSOuuvJMPoxymh4QFzPVBqBjLlQRpIu69BMrNExi34jJO-IXPIw5kIeHDvSl5iK1fik1ypnJZeB3feJPIX1PBzua1W2bpwpbjs6ejEtPE7pFmRtgeukamdBkuFL5jtaGb41UiiWR_FdqPGcVKP-_momPHjJ2Xg0HqN2n3f_zpaUxYH941P5z2K/s1989/423619640_384295997563030_7194797378900430612_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1443" data-original-width="1989" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOOhsZiQSOuuvJMPoxymh4QFzPVBqBjLlQRpIu69BMrNExi34jJO-IXPIw5kIeHDvSl5iK1fik1ypnJZeB3feJPIX1PBzua1W2bpwpbjs6ejEtPE7pFmRtgeukamdBkuFL5jtaGb41UiiWR_FdqPGcVKP-_momPHjJ2Xg0HqN2n3f_zpaUxYH941P5z2K/s320/423619640_384295997563030_7194797378900430612_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Don Miguel, in order to convince the Victorias planters, offered them 45-55 contract and the option to purchase 25% of the stock of a company he would establish Victorias Milling Company (VMC). Some of them purchased stocks worth P200,000. Those conditions and the steady rise of sugar prices in the world market forced the planters to expand and plant more sugarcane which worried Don Miguel as to whether the capacity of the Manapla sugar mill would be able to handle the rise in volume of sugarcane to be milled.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUdRCj3UvXVIQRPgOTHkBZxMD4TynXniu5nr9JyMAVGJuT1XiMqa9Ga0Q78impfOGKo1WmC7kDoGLmfL7bLyLBClDcrJTuDOBkIlwLDVXiJWwCZt0rGKGHYkvLLuI1BWykXOU727sORs12sJFYlx4fT1STPj7mhtEH4PQewYOivKLUic5-LFQ6pHCmSur/s2040/423738001_275232925592275_5281908143868959225_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1372" data-original-width="2040" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUdRCj3UvXVIQRPgOTHkBZxMD4TynXniu5nr9JyMAVGJuT1XiMqa9Ga0Q78impfOGKo1WmC7kDoGLmfL7bLyLBClDcrJTuDOBkIlwLDVXiJWwCZt0rGKGHYkvLLuI1BWykXOU727sORs12sJFYlx4fT1STPj7mhtEH4PQewYOivKLUic5-LFQ6pHCmSur/s320/423738001_275232925592275_5281908143868959225_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In 1920, Don Miguel and wife Paz went to Singapore to bring their sons Miguel, Luis and Jose to a boarding school there. Sending children to boarding schools were popular among rich families, although Don Miguel did not mention the name of the boarding school, except that it was the same boarding school where his mother, Doña Emilia Lapuente de Ossorio, sent him and his brothers in 1898. After Singapore, they travelled to Java, then part of Dutch East Indies, to visit the sugar mills built by the Dutch and compared the ones built by Honolulu Iron Works for him. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In June 1920, Don Miguel placed an order for a “low-type factory” for Victorias.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In 1921, the Bank of the Philippine Islands experienced financial difficulties like other banks due to the declining prices of the commodities they were financing. Due to this crisis, the Bank needed to help of the Philippine Treasury. It was then Governor-General Leonard Wood (this was now the American colonial period) who told the Archbishop of Manila, the representative of the Catholic Church as the majority shareholder of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, that in order to receive the help needed by the Bank, the Archbishop would have to agree to the appointment of an American as its president. The governor-general appointed Mr. William T. Nolting as the Bank’s president.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Don Miguel recounted that his business relationship with William T. Nolting was difficult in the beginning as Mr. Nolting was questioning why Don Miguel’s loans with the Bank reached P3,000,000 and that the loan for the Victorias sugar mill did not even have any collateral.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Although Don Miguel reasoned to Mr. Nolting that his predecessors trusted him and believed that his sugar business would be profitable, Don Miguel had to agree to mortgage the sugar mill assets for the said loan with a term of five years. Stories that Don Miguel later heard were that some of his so-called ‘friends’ told Mr. Nolting that Don Miguel did not know anything about the sugar business and that he did not really need to put up a second sugar mill in Victorias. (This part of Don Miguel’s narration just showed that earning the trust of other businessmen, especially his fellow Spaniards at that time, was an important aspect of doing business, until certain Americans with a different mindset or who did not have an understanding of the culture came along.) </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">To please the Americans, Don Miguel appointed Mr. Nolting as president (probably just as a figurehead of NONSUCO) but Don Miguel was still the managing director. He then asked his friend, Mr. Alfred Cooper, to sit on the two boards of directors of both NONSUCO and VMC. Don Miguel needed to stay in Manapla for six months in order to make sure both sugar mills were managed well.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">It was in 1922 when fertilizer was used and both sugar mills grew and improved their own varieties to increase production in order to be an example to the local planters who were encouraged to follow.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In 1923, the price of sugar reached P15 per picul, and in 1924, the debt to the Bank of the Philippine Island decreased to P3,000,000 after reaching P3,500,000 when the Victorias sugar mill was completed. (In 1926, this debt to the Bank was all paid off after VMC issued a US$1 million bond).</span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_iCSFD0y_V8OZDZpiSrROn0xkiE3xo-jx0FAyC1mzZotewuYmWupEY9PGEl7EYKlU0vEM29zVpvhyphenhyphenGzHKFb_DriQVPldhuvQXxeVkVxayhy1Nxmzp2TCS9DU0VF1JVMH-b4ASG3equxMJkoNJhQxSPm1RtMEqRwjAeXdcte3s610kh7GsyGBFz101n29/s1687/423221541_726784216101630_3452494884181423886_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1555" data-original-width="1687" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_iCSFD0y_V8OZDZpiSrROn0xkiE3xo-jx0FAyC1mzZotewuYmWupEY9PGEl7EYKlU0vEM29zVpvhyphenhyphenGzHKFb_DriQVPldhuvQXxeVkVxayhy1Nxmzp2TCS9DU0VF1JVMH-b4ASG3equxMJkoNJhQxSPm1RtMEqRwjAeXdcte3s610kh7GsyGBFz101n29/s320/423221541_726784216101630_3452494884181423886_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In July 1924, Don Miguel confided to his good friend, Mr. Alfred Cooper, that he wished he could travel to England with his wife, Pacita, to see their sons whom they had not seen in two years, but Don Miguel worried about how he could finance the trip. At this time, the two sugar centrals were practically new in the sugar business and were in debt. Mr. Cooper’s reaction to his wish, according to Don Miguel, “was the greatest act of friendship” ever showered upon him because Mr. Cooper told him, “Your I.O.U. up to P50,000 is good with me indefinitely.” He was willing to lend Don Miguel that amount with no rush to collect.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Don Miguel was very grateful for the gesture and decided not to borrow. Instead, he would sell 50 shares of NONSUCO at the par value of P1,000 that would still amount to P50,000. At this time, NONSUCO’s capital stock amounted to P2,000,000. According to Mr. Cooper, he believed in Don Migue’s business and it was his privilege to be an investor.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Don Miguel took the P50,000 cheque and obtained a letter of credit for US$25,000 which he would use for the trip. (That time, the exchange rate was US$1 to P2.00). Don Miguel then wired Mr. Nolting, who was also on a ship en route to the U.S., telling him that he was going to England with Doña Pacita to visit their sons. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In August 1924, the couple sailed from Manila on board SS President Garfield, taking 35 days to reach Marseille, a seaport south of France. They then took a train from Marseille, probably, to Calais, another sea port but on the northern part of France. From there, they took a boat to England and finally a train to London, where they stayed at the Grand Hotel in Trafalgar Square. In October, they flew from London to Paris on Imperial Airways. This was Doña Pacita’s first flight, and the couple did not enjoy it. (Maybe Doña Pacita suffered airsickness during the flight that ruined her first experience on a plane.) On their way back to London, they just took a train and boat.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">For Christmas and New Year’s, they rented an apartment at Kensington Palace Mansions so that they could be with their sons. It must have been a wonderful Christmas for Don Miguel and his family. This was his much deserved break, and probably his reward, for all the hard work and time he put in in the planning, searching for financing and expertise, establishing, negotiating with planters and his buyers, and managing the two sugar mills since 1916.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">After the New Year’s celebrations (this was now January 1925), they both traveled to Madrid and stayed at Palace Hotel. According to Don Miguel, this was his first ever visit to Madrid. (His father was born in Spain but Don Miguel was born in Manila.) There, they met up with Señora Maria Alvarez, his father’s widow from the third marriage, who visited them at their hotel with her children, Maria and Carlitos. They also met up with General Manolo Reguera, his father’s old friend and a general in the Spanish army. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Another friend they saw in Madrid was Don Eugenio de Saez Orozco, the former president of Banco Español Filipino, who was a prominent man in Manila. Don Eugenio was now retired and lived with his wife and daughter in an expensive apartment in Madrid that had a chapel. <i>(NOTE: “Don Eugenio de Saez Orozco” was Don Eugenio del Saz-Orozo de la Oz; his wife was Doña Felisa Mortera y Camacho. He was the last Spanish mayor of Manila and a president of El Banco Español Filipino. Their son, Jose Maria, was born in Manila, and became a Capuchin monk, adopting the name Jose María de Manila. He was martyred in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War and was beatified in 2013. Blessed Jose María de Manila is now the third Filipino to have been declared blessed by the Roman Catholic Church. During that visit by Don Miguel to the apartment of the Orozcos – no mention that Jose Marîa was there as well -, they would have never imagined that 11 years later, Jose Marîa would be martyred or that someday he would be venerated as ‘Blessed’.)</i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Don Miguel and Doña Pacita returned to London in the late January 1925. They then sailed for New York after booking their passage through American Express. Their ship, RMS Berengaria (also known as SS Imperator) was one of the biggest ships at that time. They arrived in New York in early February and was met at the pier by Don Miguel’s business friends, Mr. John M. Switzer, Mr. Webster and Mr. Pond of the Pacific Commercial Company. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In New York, Don Miguel and Doña Pacita stayed at the Pennsylvania Hotel but later moved to Roosevelt Hotel. From there, they made a trip to Havana, Cuba, via New Orleans. In Havana, they were hosted to a lavish dinner by old friends, LTC Harman Agnew and wife, Camille O’Connor Agnew, who used to live in Manila when Harman was still a captain in the US Army. They were frequent visitors at the home of the Ossorios at Padre Faura in Manila.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In April 1925, they travelled to San Francisco by train and were met at the train station by Mr. Alfred Ehrman in a red automobile which he used as an honorary chief of the fire department. The couple stayed at Palace Hotel.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">While Don Miguel was in New York, he visited the International Banking Corporation to seek help in refinancing his debt of P3,000,000 from the Bank of the Philippine Islands. He asked for US$1,500,000 but was turned away because the amount was beneath the bank’s minimum of US$10,000,000. In San Francisco, it was the same. Don Miguel and the banker he met with could not agree on the terms.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">On their way home to Manila, the ship they sailed on, SS President Taft, stopped briefly in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mr. John Fleming of the Pacific Trust Company met the couple and introduced Don Miguel to the presidents of four local banks to whom Don Miguel presented the financials of VMC and his quest for a loan. These meetings must have helped because in 1926, Don Miguel was able to negotiate with Pacific Trust Company through cable, meaning, through long-distance communications, for a US$1,000,000 bond issue. As Pacific Trust had an office in Manila, the paper work was completed there with the terms of 7.5% interest over 15 years and sold at 95.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Later, when Mr. Francis Greenfield, the manager of NONSUCO, was vacationing in Hawaii, a banker asked him about “Victorias”, meaning the sugar mill. Mr. Greenfield told him that the owners of Victorias were the same owners of the one he was managing and that they always put savings into their stock. These words spread around Honolulu and made VMC bonds popular, meaning, a lot of investors bought the said bonds and VMC was able to get the US$1,000,000, allowing Don Miguel to pay the Bank of the Philippine Islands his loan of P3,000,000, and to finally get William Nolting off his back, so to speak.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>(NOTE: When Don Miguel came home that year, a two-day thanksgiving celebration was held for producing the first large crop of 23,743 metric tons. Also, in December 1925, NONSUCO celebrated its 8th year.)</i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Don Miguel recalled that he finally heaved a sigh of relief when “the day the bonds were signed was the first time I could say I was really out of the woods financially after building the two centrals at Manapla and Victorias.” He was sure then that the two sugar centrals would be able to stand on their own and pay for the bonds, while providing employment for thousands and at the same time, taking care of their families, but most of all, produce the sweetest sugar ever.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">This is where Don Miguel Jose Ossorio ended his narration.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> * * * * *</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5nMTga1-LtWx-wb0NyfSrtfpRSsHMWUpYhoSw19CoE19HY4MQGOeMBdbkZTAeqht5PCvCK8A64_9gZ69fzWTNm9RN9GiSPoOlHNHKgeyl18QlnE5e30Y3QxB5ybZ-nvA9m6X2HJ0UJvLRC9BNVoWalaBwn_aXRhQZA_Jrw12jDxZDJxM8dN3zStlJhaL/s2048/423454820_326887999782191_8515313071743134851_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1634" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5nMTga1-LtWx-wb0NyfSrtfpRSsHMWUpYhoSw19CoE19HY4MQGOeMBdbkZTAeqht5PCvCK8A64_9gZ69fzWTNm9RN9GiSPoOlHNHKgeyl18QlnE5e30Y3QxB5ybZ-nvA9m6X2HJ0UJvLRC9BNVoWalaBwn_aXRhQZA_Jrw12jDxZDJxM8dN3zStlJhaL/s320/423454820_326887999782191_8515313071743134851_n.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Don Miguel’s story above, documented in 1950, happened when the repairs and rehabilitation of the mills, trains, machines and facilities of Victorias Milling Company were already completed. VMC must have benefited from the Philippine War Damage Act of 1946 that created the Philippine Commission that paid qualified beneficiaries, including US$13.1 million to sugar centrals all over the Philippines. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Immediately after World War II was declared over and the rehabilitation started, Don Miguel’s kindness extended, not only to his employees, but also to the sugar planters and their families by letting families live in the VMC compound while they rebuilt their homes that were destroyed during the war. They included the family of Don Felix Montinola whose mansion in front of the public plaza was deliberately set on fire by the guerillas so that it would not be used by the Japanese Imperial Army in 1942. Don Miguel offered the family of Don Felix Montinola to temporarily stay at one of the houses along the so-called Palm Avenue in the VMC compound while their new house in Victorias was being built. Their friendship dated back in the early days of NONSUCO when Don Miguel 'courted' the hacienderos in the Victorias area. At one instance, Don Miguel even offered Don Felix to choose which lands the latter wanted for his sugar plantation; Don Felix declined the offer. <i>(Read the link below about Don Felix Montinola, former mayor of Victorias)</i>.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-history-chapter-16-don-felix.html</b></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In all my research, readings, conversations with locals, and analyses of the personalities, events, and deeds of the people of Victorias of the past, I concluded that there are a very few worthy of a monument built in their honor and memory. On Chapter 4 and Chapter 6 (links provided below), I concluded that CAPITANA TUTANG and former mayor, ESTEBAN JALANDONI, are worthy of having a monument built in their honor. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #01ffff; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-story-chapter-4-ang.html"><b><span style="color: red;">https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-story-chapter-4-ang.html</span></b></a></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-history-chapter-6-eliodoro.html</b></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Capitana Tutang was a legend in the 1880s for her bravery and contributed to the story about Nuestra Señora de Las Victorias. Esteban Jalandoni, who came to Victorias on July 31, 1901, to work as the municipal secretary the next day, and finally was elected mayor in 1928, served the people of Victorias and left behind his memoirs that were rich of historical records. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">But also during my research, I discovered one classic example of historical negationism perpetrated by the people in position who put up a monument in the Victorias public plaza and approved an ordinance for a person they claimed donated the land where the current city hall and public plaza stand. I found out that the document (the Memoirs of Esteban Jalandoni) that they used to back up the said ‘claim’ is the same document that pointed to the northern banks of the Magnanud River as the exact location of the small land donation. And to get more evidence to prove that I was right, I wrote the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in 2019 about the ‘monument’; the Commission wrote me back telling me that they had no idea about the said person or his monument in Victorias. Let us all be vigilant about these issues that involve our history. Let’s not allow people in position to deceive us with their own version of fake history and use taxpayers’ money to perpetrate it for their own political agenda. (Read Chapter 8 and Historical Negationism on the links below).</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Victorias History: Chapter 8</span></div><div dir="auto" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-history-chapter-8-where-can.html"><b><span style="color: red;">https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-history-chapter-8-where-can.html</span></b></a></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Victorias History: Historical Negationism</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv xzsf02u x1s688f" href="https://www.facebook.com/VictoriasHistory/posts/pfbid02LnLmq2ehp82RLE6g9KkKP4PyLSBf5jcCRJsTCeHLmrP5JqPcXkd7P1emYskCfm4rl?__cft__[0]=AZWW_DfciGrXxqKAJ5lnD5jsW6HsCr3OVYpOKh5AkXkbBSKgjIcEwviFEATGccpFaWoJ2UN03VGjXwfi6zqKlFgSEFVejoiS5MkwyfmJua9M_81thLwO8eyr7lkgQYJYb2j636eRY9959ULHNtQP_d2q&__tn__=-UK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span style="color: red;">https://www.facebook.com/VictoriasHistory/posts/pfbid0Gvu4eMisxduESCoBjfcdNMKysMhRwK7oUr7WLSDTxJexXzpdxVySnywCAVnzgz9zl</span></a></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Now, going back to Don Miguel.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">After having learned about what Don Miguel had achieved as a hardworking and intelligent businessman, a generous employer, a philanthropist and a visionary, I now add DON MIGUEL JOSE OSSORIO to this list. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">What he had done for VMC and its employees, Victorias and its people, business enterprises, organizations, schools, religious orders, and a lot more in the Philippines and overseas (that probably we would never know) could never be quantified nor matched by any other Victoriahanon. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">He, like Nicolas Loney in Iloilo, deserves a monument standing tall and respected on a cleared plantation in Victorias. While Nicolas Loney is described as the “Father of the Sugar Industry in the Philippines”, Don Miguel is the “Godfather of Victorias.”</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In the words of Mr. Claudio Luzuriaga, Jr., “Don Miguel was a fair, kind and helpful man.” A story told by Mr. Claudio Luzuriaga, Sr. was that when he had difficulty paying his loan to the bank for the amount he used to buy his Hacienda Progreso, Don Miguel paid that loan and simply told Mr. Claudio Luzuriaga, Sr. that he could pay back Don Miguel only when he was able to. Mr. Claudio Luzuriaga, Jr. also recalled that during his long-distance conversations with Don Miguel (when he was already retired and lived in Connecticut), Don Miguel would always ask, “What more can I do for my people?” This just shows his mission in life was not to make money; it was to provide, not just employment, but to look after the welfare of his employees and their families as well. Don Miguel lived the words benevolence, generosity, charity, and kindness.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppjIZsM9a9E_IseSu3Mq2EMzMjsH6eRlapdep3AUupv4iNDwUBCFwRVRwDyoMdthyrViwtUhKlqkKQh8_r5_D_73W0TBetc9sNIMymT9C7ENlDlZcT3xyQMUAPeWoYoA0VGcEnovOE0kvuwpRrGrhKtYA6pMCzZyNbbFM6-dSd2QFN2QseGhMpX4ayAel/s2048/423454447_428858996275342_31558392608094621_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppjIZsM9a9E_IseSu3Mq2EMzMjsH6eRlapdep3AUupv4iNDwUBCFwRVRwDyoMdthyrViwtUhKlqkKQh8_r5_D_73W0TBetc9sNIMymT9C7ENlDlZcT3xyQMUAPeWoYoA0VGcEnovOE0kvuwpRrGrhKtYA6pMCzZyNbbFM6-dSd2QFN2QseGhMpX4ayAel/s320/423454447_428858996275342_31558392608094621_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Don Miguel Jose Ossorio’s parents were born in Spain; they were called peninsulares, meaning Spaniards born in the Spanish Peninsula. Since Don Miguel was born in Manila, Philippines, on October 1, 1890, he was an insular, meaning ‘from the islands’, or a Spaniard born in the Philippine islands. Don Miguel was sent to boarding schools in St. Edmund’s in Ware, England, the oldest Catholic school there, and later to the Christian Brothers School in Gibraltar. He married Maria Paz Yatco in 1910, a daughter of Don Luis Ronquillo Yatco, a rich ship owner whose fleet included 148 ships, a steamboat and Chinese junks that sailed to ports all over the country.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Don Miguel’s last visit to VMC was in 1962. He died on October 25, 1965, in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA. He was 75.</span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHC7zByVvIMH-FIFsbWqVxgoZOytfAO-SgCmoD7KCdkfjtGTvcL0ciNthM9B2gRG_DB_zkI0YodnIuc0IUqA5sIOJOAjQhcRawjCX4uCgfQhZh-s1CNfYcDoE1tLFEZK-W8xloRTDDDHjy4hb3DOA5uEzXXrDatP-VGU-r_-zMMNe6JHTORn806txueJB/s1801/423619335_3313535802278414_4288657427093236484_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="1801" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHC7zByVvIMH-FIFsbWqVxgoZOytfAO-SgCmoD7KCdkfjtGTvcL0ciNthM9B2gRG_DB_zkI0YodnIuc0IUqA5sIOJOAjQhcRawjCX4uCgfQhZh-s1CNfYcDoE1tLFEZK-W8xloRTDDDHjy4hb3DOA5uEzXXrDatP-VGU-r_-zMMNe6JHTORn806txueJB/s320/423619335_3313535802278414_4288657427093236484_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> * * * * * </span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505;"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/10/ang-kasaysayan-sang-victorias-kag-iba.html" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="color: #04ff00;">Complete history blog: "Ang Kasaysayan sang Victorias"</span></i></b></a></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Photos and other credits: “Victorias – A History in Pictures”, Mr. David Granada, photographer, Mrs. Mona Magno-Veluz, Mrs. Aurora Delgado, ANC, California Digital Library, <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://ancestry.com/?fbclid=IwAR2l4idK94f2ZYNbUjkwKy6JF0yurEV5nfp5PCiwT3TZZFRkgIgT0t3kZ14" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">Ancestry.com</a>, Duke University, U.P.-Economics Department</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#history #victoriaslgu #VictoriasCity #historyblog #history #victoriasmillingcompany #VMC #sugar #historyfacts #Negros #NegrosOcc #historian #victoriashistory #PhilippineHistory #nicolasloney #muelleloney #loney #alfonsoossorio #jacksonpollock #blessedjosemariademanila #bancoespanolfilipino #BankofthePhilippineIslands #BPI</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"></div>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0V3J7+FQH, VMC Compound, J. J. Ossorio St. Barangay XVI,, Victorias City, 6119 Negros Occidental, Philippines10.881185 123.06447-17.429048836178843 87.90822 39.191418836178848 158.22072tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-33792437745917039892024-02-08T14:36:00.013+09:002024-02-08T15:21:30.306+09:00Foto-óleo: A Portrait and The Lost Art Form<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I stumbled upon the exhibit (link below) of the National Museum of the Philippines titled "Larawan at Litrato: Foto-óleo and Picture Portraits of the Philippines (1891-1953) <i>(see link below) </i>and realized that I have seen recently this kind of a portrait somewhere at home.</span></p><p><span style="color: #04ff00; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #04ff00;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/nationalmuseumofthephilippines/photos/a.195151237175869/4257355054288780/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">National Museum - Foto-oleo exhibit</span></a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">So, I inspected the 'portrait' by following the description of a foto-óleo provided by the National Museum of the Philippines.<i> The 'portrait' is foto-óleo!</i>😄</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-history-chapter-16-don-felix.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">It's a portrait of Don Felix Montinola, former mayor of Victorias in the 1934-1940. It was during his term that the município of Victorias was built<i> (read blog here)</i>.</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">His foto-óleo portrait was made by Tinsay Art Studio in Manila before World War II broke out and was brought by the family to their old home in their hacienda in Manapla when they evacuated in the early months of 1942. Before the Japanese Imperial Army arrived in Victorias on May 27, 1942, the Montinola family already brought their belongings, including family portraits and furniture, to the hacienda. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Their original mansion in Victorias standing in front of the public plaza, like all big houses then, was eventually burned down by the Filipino guerillas to prevent the Japanese from using them. Even if the mansion was spared by the guerillas, <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-history-chapter-17-victorias.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">it would still have been burned down by the Japanese soldiers themselves when they had to flee Victorias to retreat to the mountains of Silay in order to escape the US Armed Forces of the Far East (USAFFE).<i>(read blog about Victorias during World War II here)</i></span></a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">This foto-óleo portrait was done around 1939-1941, a few years before World War II, to celebrate Don Felix Montinola's mayorship in Victorias. It must have been 'ordered' by her second eldest daughter,<a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2020/02/philippine-history-chapter-24-women-of.html" target="_blank"> <span style="color: #04ff00;">Salud Montinola, in Manila, and their relatives there must have recommended the Tinsay Art Studio, among other studios that made the same foto-óleo art then. <i>(Read blog about Salud Montinola here)</i></span></a>.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMac4fqT0lWi9MMO6rpRyDnR6Xarz_Hy9g9cZxeaWM72wsDO18CYD49uYYR7HOAFpFKB2Klm_8xtxjLcwLXTo6eCTB3wQntLl9LL1HaoLWc_JD3ebjuMyNhYnThdPoGYJIIrcEPlHezkIGXFeJiTqacPpNbPMAtdFFFedJFBeuVuqIQUFd3zV4YCJHxt6w/s2016/423221346_1414498509158504_5321460491179496299_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMac4fqT0lWi9MMO6rpRyDnR6Xarz_Hy9g9cZxeaWM72wsDO18CYD49uYYR7HOAFpFKB2Klm_8xtxjLcwLXTo6eCTB3wQntLl9LL1HaoLWc_JD3ebjuMyNhYnThdPoGYJIIrcEPlHezkIGXFeJiTqacPpNbPMAtdFFFedJFBeuVuqIQUFd3zV4YCJHxt6w/s320/423221346_1414498509158504_5321460491179496299_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">According to the National Museum of the Philippines, <i>"foto-óleo is an art form popular during the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries, prior to the invention of color photography. It was executed by applying oil paint directly on black and white photographs to make it more life-like and visually-pleasing.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>While the practice may be traced in Europe and the Americas, foto-óleo artmaking was adopted by artists in the Philippines and made them their own, turning unique portraits that highlighted jewelry, rosary beads and medals. Artists in Negros may have invented the decoupage style of portraiture, on which painted headshot photographs were fixed on the shaped wood and framed and glazed on both sides. In the course of our research, we found that foto-óleos were especially popular among prominent Filipino families. These were mainly kept by succeeding generations in family homes, serving as memento of loved ones. Among the photographic studios in which they were produced were Filipino, Hollywood Art, Luz, Luzon, Sabater, Tinsay Art, United Portrait Artists, Venus and X'or Studio." </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2wzq10Yz_Q5wxfIQjZ3rClNtTAtBsj7s2MAR7iAHABhvcAMqLyoBR_AkMl7VKjMJoSUnBwawSknW2TEJKqD4GzYZ10ptw6fo11-DBcMBQ74vZXBdnwoCbjBZhyphenhyphen4mDMzaDNiHmVogMa81w6EZtzWiKvRNnuhiwm4JujjHkUIp5o8viXC-bPNvtzzYNbky/s2016/423454382_1791321691352558_7975739096775337872_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2wzq10Yz_Q5wxfIQjZ3rClNtTAtBsj7s2MAR7iAHABhvcAMqLyoBR_AkMl7VKjMJoSUnBwawSknW2TEJKqD4GzYZ10ptw6fo11-DBcMBQ74vZXBdnwoCbjBZhyphenhyphen4mDMzaDNiHmVogMa81w6EZtzWiKvRNnuhiwm4JujjHkUIp5o8viXC-bPNvtzzYNbky/s320/423454382_1791321691352558_7975739096775337872_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Don Felix Montinola did not have to travel to Manila for this foto-óleo portrait. Tinsay Art Studio only needed his black and white photo which the studio then turned into foto-óleo.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuculrfUoJakvE6cZuMQcgb6N-ZYf3URGpDAfuuo4KxhkyftnEsZpS1dvby79wF7ZWRHl9PIt4-gZ5NFFPjWt8twuL3Jh1qt0I1_bs9E61uHboQHSjCweXmWQYdjJO8vHgkw8ju4_OpI4Dbtjh3qW_2Yf22YTNHcxZH7OpSaTGFTGkr2m3rlExUn7cgEd/s1728/423221463_948056540364794_800901109642737285_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1728" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuculrfUoJakvE6cZuMQcgb6N-ZYf3URGpDAfuuo4KxhkyftnEsZpS1dvby79wF7ZWRHl9PIt4-gZ5NFFPjWt8twuL3Jh1qt0I1_bs9E61uHboQHSjCweXmWQYdjJO8vHgkw8ju4_OpI4Dbtjh3qW_2Yf22YTNHcxZH7OpSaTGFTGkr2m3rlExUn7cgEd/s320/423221463_948056540364794_800901109642737285_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The portrait's size is 17 inches by 23 inches and is encased in a glass frame with heavy wood panels. The width of the panel is 3 inches, and the size is 23 inches by 29 inches. The back shows that the panel was closed by nails and has an eye hook for hanging. It was a surreal experience for me to run my hands on and around the wooden frame as I feel the artistry and the craftsmanship of the artisan who created this foto-óleo portrait that has since become a family heirloom.😎</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HEz3m8OUPdPfxiR2U3vC39MxE3Dp-1wOtB4tsSFtK4hNyDd-Czrj5dxeiXUHQmOOzImIMRoSZHalDQn5Dv9bYjOuE6NnAvTdJag2aktzNRFXicuX-mzSUlngp3NF0V2ldBlEhP4KfZtOh6VGLJb9IgGMjdllwx4OyNeni6nBD0i3twt3zZQfEJNGbcOH/s1728/423903686_733580115527547_6278635186514803507_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="1296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HEz3m8OUPdPfxiR2U3vC39MxE3Dp-1wOtB4tsSFtK4hNyDd-Czrj5dxeiXUHQmOOzImIMRoSZHalDQn5Dv9bYjOuE6NnAvTdJag2aktzNRFXicuX-mzSUlngp3NF0V2ldBlEhP4KfZtOh6VGLJb9IgGMjdllwx4OyNeni6nBD0i3twt3zZQfEJNGbcOH/s320/423903686_733580115527547_6278635186514803507_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In the exhibit of the National Museum, there are portraits from homes around the country, including the beautiful foto-óleo portraits borrowed from the <i>Balay ni Tana Dicang Museum</i> in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Don Felix Montinola's foto-óleo portrait was left behind in their hacienda in Manapla when the family went back to Victorias after the war ended and was kept there until recently. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The foto-óleo art form has been lost forever when color photography was introduced in the Philippines, which means these portraits are rare, and must be properly cared for and treasured.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>Do you have an foto-óleo portrait hanging in your living room?</i>😊 </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAfw0muf4g4Mdcyctd9lidPLGoQb1SYr1KHkS7oPAQtnEIpjOHWp6LV7o5b2EpDCR6U7mJovU8owCbcB2gIB9JC5_xC4tFJKRg-RUFO4KoUbDSU7ho71oL19Nqyldyrw222-LF57nuzd1x21JSPT8rQkCdQe49psRW8gW_Sp_3Nchr-LbMGVftBzihd0M/s1919/423422266_2757762607711509_5115336107729307417_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1919" data-original-width="1337" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAfw0muf4g4Mdcyctd9lidPLGoQb1SYr1KHkS7oPAQtnEIpjOHWp6LV7o5b2EpDCR6U7mJovU8owCbcB2gIB9JC5_xC4tFJKRg-RUFO4KoUbDSU7ho71oL19Nqyldyrw222-LF57nuzd1x21JSPT8rQkCdQe49psRW8gW_Sp_3Nchr-LbMGVftBzihd0M/s320/423422266_2757762607711509_5115336107729307417_n.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> (A painting of Don Felix Montinola y Lozada)</span></i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#nationalmuseum #Philippines #art #fotooleo #Tinsayartstudio #donfelixmontinola #history #historian #portrait #museum #heritage</span></p>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Padre Burgos Ave, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines14.5869356 120.9812491-13.723298236178845 85.8249991 42.897169436178842 156.1374991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-63447798414078235432024-02-07T01:31:00.021+09:002024-02-28T11:50:04.826+09:00Victorias City, Negros Occidental: Why The "Car-Free Day" Ordinance is BAD to the Environment, Economy, and Safety of the Victoriahanon<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVcfV2eWNa5EWt-c2GDeWEz04apGL2RtT7BSRFt5s4mOzMztnJTYvhj3jiR6hM8Qpd9JvE_g82DmRXccP1qV02A9cFgOVBEGGOSSwDhlmiLyD2VW-oyGIZeEtk6F2NE9MQhSmPlKIPaKRotRFQHSyQTYRH-9BDZKQmdP78hXatPg4ubMRszZtvQNZieYK/s877/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-06%20at%2021.34.40.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="877" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVcfV2eWNa5EWt-c2GDeWEz04apGL2RtT7BSRFt5s4mOzMztnJTYvhj3jiR6hM8Qpd9JvE_g82DmRXccP1qV02A9cFgOVBEGGOSSwDhlmiLyD2VW-oyGIZeEtk6F2NE9MQhSmPlKIPaKRotRFQHSyQTYRH-9BDZKQmdP78hXatPg4ubMRszZtvQNZieYK/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-06%20at%2021.34.40.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Amo ni example sang ordinansa nga wala guid guintun-an, wala guin-consulta ang mga 'stakeholders', kag wala guid guin-paminsar sang intsakto.<a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2018/11/victorias-city-negros-occidental.html" target="_blank"> <span style="color: #04ff00;">Daw nadumduman ko dayon ang ukay-ukay stalls nga guin butang sa atubang mismo sang Victorias Elementary School sang November 20, 2018 <i>(read blog here)</i>.</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Ang Victorias City Ordinance 2023-59 naga-promote <i>KUNO</i> "car-free" day, pero ang solution nila ipa-sira ang dalanon. Ang buot guid silingon "car-free" guina-discourage ang pag-usar sang salakyan para mas diyutay ang mga salakyan sa dalanon. Kag tungod guin pasira ang portion sang Montinola St., Yap Quiña St. kag Jover St. ang natabô nag-traffic sa iban nga intersection kay guin-IBANAN mo alagyan ang mga tricycles kag motorcycles (single), delivery vans, private vehicles, kag city and barangay vehicles.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Kon guin-paminsar lang sang author sang sini nga ordinansa nga indi kita dakô pareho sang Bacolod City nga damô dalanon, mahibal-an niya tani nga perwisyo ang dala sang pagsira sang mga dalanon, especially pakadto sa commercial center kag eskuwelahan. Biskan gani Bacolod, guina-traffic kon isira nila ang Lacon St., kita pa ayhan? 😡</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Nag-observe ako sang mga dalanon during "car-free day" sa gwa sang Victorias Elementary School (VES) kag Victorias Commercial Center (VCC), nagpamangkot ako sa mga tricycle drivers kag sa manunudlô. Ang hambal sang isa ka negosyante sa akon nga naga-baligya bugas sa VCC, tig-diutay guid nagabalakal kon sirado ang Jover St. side sang VCC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Sa mga guinpang-istorya ko, wala guid gali sila guin-consulta antes manirado dalanon. Ti, ambi.😢 Ang mga traffic enforcers guin-consulta man nila ayhan?😠</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">MGA RASON NGA-A HALIT ANG ORDINANSA 2023-59:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1. NAGLAYÔ PA GUID ANG LIBOT SANG TRICYCLE, <b>USIK SA GASOLINA, USIK SA ORAS, KAG MAS DAMO ANG CARBON EMISSIONS</b>. NAGLA-IN PA KAY <b>NAG-TRAFFIC PA GUID</b> SA IBAN NGA INTERSECTIONS SANG MONTINOLA/YAPQUIÑA, MONTINOLA/QUEZON, JOVER/JALANDONI, KAG JOVER/ARDOSA. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">KAG <b>NA-IBANAN ANG INCOME SANG TRICYCLE DRIVERS </b>KAY MAS DAKÔ ILA GASTO SA GASOLINA.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i><b>SAMPLE DISTANCE MEASUREMENT: NAG-LAYO PA GUID BIYAHE SANG TRICYCLE HALIN VNHS PAKADTO SA VCC</b></i><b>:</b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDOdgNhqipMaSctUu3-qsUlUDrCOgr1X_MAD_9KkhY3vDdPwypBEwv7R2kNIHsvk1dY7HkaKPQAyaCEXW-93REapL4-whGWN4n3IX2IXWqABcBhbHMRG9ytD3fhFDK-gSRJrzz2tq1qrxTpLvu4cqqM8rGCy5Zw8rwiMlWln_App6Z1WDo936ewyfHlwe/s1061/ROUTE_BEFORE.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1061" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDOdgNhqipMaSctUu3-qsUlUDrCOgr1X_MAD_9KkhY3vDdPwypBEwv7R2kNIHsvk1dY7HkaKPQAyaCEXW-93REapL4-whGWN4n3IX2IXWqABcBhbHMRG9ytD3fhFDK-gSRJrzz2tq1qrxTpLvu4cqqM8rGCy5Zw8rwiMlWln_App6Z1WDo936ewyfHlwe/s320/ROUTE_BEFORE.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b>ORDINARY DAY: 535 METERS DISTANCIA</b> HALIN SA VICTORIAS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL PAKADTO VICTORIAS COMMERCIAL CENTER <i>(GOOGLE MAP MEASUREMENT)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIly-PZ27763DDxq8sw8zUkEcBUSZ7dS7QqlzTHaU6A3kWKAaduRCp4nLxbgKdet_unIcM8GtEovd1NbyPTQ5oGZlr9LlP2tXZ9jtRJp6_C5J0zld9uczg6y3lJwP-i9BR0NbLyzGQO_kDaPxcZ_T5DvdqM7rlo0xWyadjdAL0N9GoFKQTOCYokDvJT6Uc/s712/ROUTE_DURING.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="712" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIly-PZ27763DDxq8sw8zUkEcBUSZ7dS7QqlzTHaU6A3kWKAaduRCp4nLxbgKdet_unIcM8GtEovd1NbyPTQ5oGZlr9LlP2tXZ9jtRJp6_C5J0zld9uczg6y3lJwP-i9BR0NbLyzGQO_kDaPxcZ_T5DvdqM7rlo0xWyadjdAL0N9GoFKQTOCYokDvJT6Uc/s320/ROUTE_DURING.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b>"CAR-FREE" DAY: 1,030 METERS DISTANCIA</b> HALIN SA VICTORIAS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL PAKADTO VICTORIAS COMMERCIAL CENTER KAY ONE-WAY ANG JOVER ST. <i>(GOOGLE MAP MEASUREMENT)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>VIDEO: FEBRUARY 5, 2024; 7AM SHOWING TRICYCLES/VEHICLES PASSING THROUGH MONTINOLA/QUEZON ST. INTERSECTION BECAUSE YAP QUIÑA ST. IS CLOSED.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwjnxE4asS02NmrJgvLaEPlMeasFdjD1AUGBDv7RfJWHhblJXfeHLUdF1H0tzIo310GGffGZ7au2F2VaoT4hg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></span></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">2. IMBIS MAPA-LAPIT SA GATE SANG VES, <b>NAGLAYÔ PA ANG LALAKTON SANG MGA ESTUDYANTE NGA MAY LUKDO NGA MGA SCHOOL BAGS</b>. KUN MAG-ULAN KAG MAINIT SA UGTONG ADLAW, MAS MABUDLAY SA KABATAAN MANAUG SA TRICYCLE KAY INDI KASULOD SA YAP QUIÑA ST.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">ANG ISA KA MISSION SANG LGU IS <b>TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY</b>. PERO <b>PASULAYON SA INIT KAG ULAN ANG MGA ESTUDYANTE KAG MGA TEACHERS</b> KAY INDI SILA MADUL-ONG SA GATE SANG VES.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>VIDEO: FEBRUARY 5, 2024; 7AM @ VICTORIAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL </i></span><i style="font-family: verdana;">(CERRADO ANG YAP-QUINA ST.)</i></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxvXvXFOv4TePtEIFOKnkb6mrjWE2WM2qqiXbjLIKdG3jgBrfdg8SragPBQLotSxHAJxGHKquOD9kK8Pvk1kw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">3. KON <b>WALA TRICYCLE MASAKYAN </b>ANG MGA NAGABAKAL KINILO-KILO NGA BUGAS, ANG DECISION NILA INDI NA LANG MAG-BAKAL, LABI NA GUID ANG MGA SENIORS KAG PWD KAY NABUG-ATAN KAY WALA TRICYCLE NAGA-HULAT SA ENTRANCE SANG VCC-JOVER STREET-SIDE. <b>NEGATIVE EFFECT SA MGA NEGOSYANTE</b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">4. KON CERRADO ANG DALANON PALIBOT SA VCC, MAY <b>NEGATIVE EFFECT SA EKONOMIYA</b> KAY GUINA LIMITAHAN ANG ECONOMIC MOVEMENT OF GOODS, PEOPLE, AND SERVICES -- A VERY BASIC ECONOMIC PRINCIPLE. <b>DAPAT GUINA-IMPROVE MO ANG FLOW OF PEOPLE, GOODS, AND SERVICES FOR THE GOOD OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY</b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">5. SA PAG-CERRADO SANG CITY HALL PARKING KAG PUEDE PARKINGAN, NAG-SAYLO ANG MGA SALAKAYAN KAG NAG PARKING SILA SA JOVER ST., MIRAFLORES ST., ARNAEZ ST. - <b>DIDTO NAG GUINOTOK TANAN</b>. KON <b>MAY EMERGENCY, BUDLAY AGYAN</b>. PATI DELIVERY TRUCKS, DIDTO NAGA-UNLOAD SA MIRAFLORES ST.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZ2cm7xg_wR1brTTI90Rzh-tvfZ_rIBJHfSb5zrnFQQr89UskKkMivzToBYwASL6JfpOIV0sOeufYuOkTA5UzyepwkE8uk8V1kDSi-CRtgKa_c0h80V3acRpRfWz3wefGzFlA8mQ298YaCav2_AVMPlMVWeIsr4HzaXubLYN9qNTsTyHInxRFty7kLSLl/s1728/423422531_1419357065654296_5774719122790660610_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1728" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZ2cm7xg_wR1brTTI90Rzh-tvfZ_rIBJHfSb5zrnFQQr89UskKkMivzToBYwASL6JfpOIV0sOeufYuOkTA5UzyepwkE8uk8V1kDSi-CRtgKa_c0h80V3acRpRfWz3wefGzFlA8mQ298YaCav2_AVMPlMVWeIsr4HzaXubLYN9qNTsTyHInxRFty7kLSLl/s320/423422531_1419357065654296_5774719122790660610_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">TRAFFIC SA JOVER ST.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_55eKZErScHB5ejQEoh5jW5HCfVeMBthGSKQBH3q4RKebF9Friu8fGBfDjPbaOSVlg0BXgdAb9W5CTzt_0UVNCp3SjayRp05vHYhbw4CbTISanod1KQX-AzG4U66ZY7tpIeIHYtr1aFo3eGU7ro3p930qd1d3oBD_gp0AQkyPelNtFh5LcJSBYoaB7kI/s1728/423600004_1454879652091354_3708415623245294178_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1728" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_55eKZErScHB5ejQEoh5jW5HCfVeMBthGSKQBH3q4RKebF9Friu8fGBfDjPbaOSVlg0BXgdAb9W5CTzt_0UVNCp3SjayRp05vHYhbw4CbTISanod1KQX-AzG4U66ZY7tpIeIHYtr1aFo3eGU7ro3p930qd1d3oBD_gp0AQkyPelNtFh5LcJSBYoaB7kI/s320/423600004_1454879652091354_3708415623245294178_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">HAMBAL SANG ORDINANCE POSTER TO <b><i>"REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION"</i></b> PERO NAG-TRAFFIC PA GUID GANI.😡</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">6. WALA MAN MAY GUIN PAKITA NGA MEASUREMENT SANG CARBON EMISSIONS BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER <b>TO PROVE</b> KON MAY <b>REDUCTION SA AIR POLLUTION SA VICTORIAS</b> ANG "CAR-FREE DAY".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">IMPORTANTE GUID: KON PAGSIRAD-AN MO ANG MGA DALANON PALIBOT SA CENTER OF COMMERCE SANG ISA KA LGU, MAY EPEKTO GUID INI SA EKONOMIYA SANG LGU. SA CASE SANG VICTORIAS, <b>KAGAMAY SANG ATON CUIDAD</b>, KON PASIRAD-AN MO ANG PALIBOT SANG VCC, <b>GUINA-PABUDLAYAN MO ANG MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE, GOODS, AND SERVICES</b>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">AND THAT IS <b>BAD ECONOMICS</b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">7. Lastly, tungod nag-salalaylo parking ang mga salakyan sang cuidad sa mga dalanon sang Jover, Miraflores, Arnaez, naggutok ang ini mga mga dalanon. Kon may emergency ini makadali-dali labay ang ambulancia, fire trucks, etc. This is contradictory to one of the missions of DILG: TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintM_iMh1yTr2dwSIVErQsQg0L1fx9pay7-NYKf-tKlAwZMWVYqp9qs_xu9c6w807khsNljP1BXmAeOAAl1ozD2EtuEGU4symY5pSi_lwn-TPwAv9kVaQIEyaUKcdAqlQrFt3nQLi2VKMysaT2_itaGpO6kWNTznP0b7oLzWP_mnZKB9FSdBEO-5NszvrS/s1039/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-28%20at%2010.46.54.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="1039" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintM_iMh1yTr2dwSIVErQsQg0L1fx9pay7-NYKf-tKlAwZMWVYqp9qs_xu9c6w807khsNljP1BXmAeOAAl1ozD2EtuEGU4symY5pSi_lwn-TPwAv9kVaQIEyaUKcdAqlQrFt3nQLi2VKMysaT2_itaGpO6kWNTznP0b7oLzWP_mnZKB9FSdBEO-5NszvrS/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-28%20at%2010.46.54.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">KON PARA SA MATINLÔ NGA ENVIRONMENT GUID MAN, ARI ANG <b>AKON MGA SUGGESTIONS</b>:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. <b>Educate the settlements/families </b>living along the river banks on the impact of throwing garbage into our rivers and waterways, and assign garbage drop-off and collection in their areas.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">2. <b>Educate the young students regarding environmental awareness </b>so they can, in turn, raise this kind of awareness at home.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hold <b>cleanliness and beautification competitions among barangays </b>in or near the city center, and a separate competition for barangays in the rural areas and <i>sitios</i> far from the city center.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cleanliness should include proper waste disposal, elimination of <b>dog poop</b> from the roads, getting rid of stray dogs from roaming inside Victorias Commercial Center and from city streets. <b>Penalize pet owners </b>who stroll around the city streets and the public plaza so that their dogs can poop outside their homes.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. <b>Clean up the small creeks and tributaries of the Magnanud and Malihaw Rivers</b>, and if possible, dredge them.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">* * * </span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is just to call out the local government of Victorias kay based on my observations and conversations, my opinion on this perwisyo-issue is that the said ordinance has <b>NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON VICTORIAS</b>. Sa Korea, <b>ang ila city government nagapamati guid sa pumuluyô. </b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ang hambal sa akon sang mga tricycle drivers nga na-istorya ko, wala kuno sila may mahimo kay tricycle driver lang sila.😢</b> Gani, I am doing this to be their voice.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>I'm calling on the mayor, the city administrator and the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Victorias City to look into this </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ordinance 2023-59 and its economic impact on tricycle drivers, business owners at VCC, its impact on the safety of the young students of VES, and all the stakeholders affected, and revoke it kay from my conclusions above negative ang impact sini sa environment, ekonomiya, kag pangabuhî sang Victoriahanon.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>(By the way, daw may Local Economic Development Dept. man ang cuidad? Nga-a wala ini nila guintun-an man?😡)</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I end this blog with my own original quote:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>"You won't see the problems of Victorias from inside an air-conditioned car, and you won't solve the problems of Victorias from inside an air-conditioned room."</i></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#environment #pollution #victorias #victoriaslgu #negrosoccidental #Philippines #kalikasan #economics #economist #publicsafety #safety #tricycledrivers #gasoline #gasolineprices</span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Philippines10.8698236 123.0901539-17.440410236178845 87.9339039 39.180057436178842 158.24640390000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-12186065651285952722024-02-04T22:10:00.012+09:002024-02-21T13:52:55.106+09:00Philippine History: CHAPTER 28: The Historical Timeline of Victorias Milling Company (1915-1989)<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Since its incorporation in May 1919, the Victorias Milling Company (VMC) has tremendous contribution to the economy of Victorias. According to Dr. Bernardo Villegas, in one of his Economics books, the VMC had been "fatherly" to its employees as it took care of them from birth to death. It had its won hospital, free housing for its employees that came with free water and electricity, and it had schools and a world-famous chapel within its compound. Its employees did not have to go to the 'town proper' of Victorias to purchase food and daily needs as it had its own market and grocery. It even had a small airport for planes that flew the Manila-Victorias route.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAz-84EfwNK8USsWhC7fUgZjm5yy7U-E2xY4aGfD46Vt3IiCaQM3xvN02rxcAXUFUPPV4DFKU64qNa_OCcVjQc6dmChCYwQE0vRbCkf27gYguo3Toy01FjZr_edq_a4gbvISM_Z33iD6vDenQ_TY8hDrzKCh9LQn1k0wyNFaZ9ZPPzHShdfheDOmEL1q1/s1958/403395988_737957181545170_239965500159218418_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="1958" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAz-84EfwNK8USsWhC7fUgZjm5yy7U-E2xY4aGfD46Vt3IiCaQM3xvN02rxcAXUFUPPV4DFKU64qNa_OCcVjQc6dmChCYwQE0vRbCkf27gYguo3Toy01FjZr_edq_a4gbvISM_Z33iD6vDenQ_TY8hDrzKCh9LQn1k0wyNFaZ9ZPPzHShdfheDOmEL1q1/s320/403395988_737957181545170_239965500159218418_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Although VMC has been mentioned in Chapters 14 and 17 (links below) in The History of Victorias City Philippines, the said mentions were very limited.</span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fapinoyinkorea.blogspot.com%2F2019%2F11%2Fphilippine-history-chapter-14-victorias.html%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3WTeYR5pRHraH99UbNGdFriyWK30yHuzs1sGeZbPkz4QaoW4m9_v2ynZM&h=AT0MxgJp-eXwZf5KHxD7EncKbllLwJj2centIx5VBv34NZBXBRlSOmxAOneY00aUjrIWbwmQi_ZyMFfKV7jWWX_GBThRnsxDD56Oqq95nPiWYVWerc8LyRalm9ldG2k37N2wxik&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT2jPQYYV9DXYYn8Na2v0-Vamvm8o44Wm4_PMCaLXU8t5bk01xFWc7NqUssZK6MMfMm9dhKNpwP0s2i842e-sc11Z4cvHnhvC8tCvBYPX2ukcvVERWEqMyBCsRiYocTFqYAhpBkKUFqXNyMH4AKrZg8d7JluJGqbLAhli1ycSnfYXccjtPYrCZBvLzP45A_27vGvs8X17_QL" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/.../philippine-history...</a></span></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fapinoyinkorea.blogspot.com%2F2019%2F11%2Fphilippine-history-chapter-17-victorias.html%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2JgS5SbFmOhHTFYkJEL7l_7nUL0wtPK-saABI487B0qxjNF51M88xkDf4&h=AT0KWToeU8vR6Uh3icw6J3mwPr63k9sM8hEGfTEmOfGMt2YMyKMe16SIqkNRYtgS98rqXa-XriRcVv54OG25FgUHAVStOdgD-e7gOhl1Au2z6-5s-dgjFwao2kiS1FF6ETtL_Bk&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT2jPQYYV9DXYYn8Na2v0-Vamvm8o44Wm4_PMCaLXU8t5bk01xFWc7NqUssZK6MMfMm9dhKNpwP0s2i842e-sc11Z4cvHnhvC8tCvBYPX2ukcvVERWEqMyBCsRiYocTFqYAhpBkKUFqXNyMH4AKrZg8d7JluJGqbLAhli1ycSnfYXccjtPYrCZBvLzP45A_27vGvs8X17_QL" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/.../philippine-history...</a></span></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">As a tribute to VMC and to the memory of its founder, Don Miguel Jose Ossorio, I am providing its historical timeline that I am quoting and paraphrasing from “Victorias – A History in Pictures”, a book of photographs and historical information published by the Victorias Milling Company. In the previous chapters about the World War II experience of the <i>Victoriahanon</i>, I only noted that the machinery and equipment of VMC were ruined during those years. The book, on the other hand, has more details that are worthy to share.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The history of Victorias Milling Company starts in 1916 when…</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The 26-year old Miguel Jose Ossorio draws plans for a centrifugal sugar mill in Manapla, Negros Occidental. Ossorio was a businessman born in the Philippines from Spanish parents. His team includes his brother, Jesus, an electrical engineer educated in England; Norberto Capay, a mechanical and marine engineer; and Claudio R. de Luzuriaga, Sr., a lawyer.</span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-fbieKfd7rR_Yyu5t0ZdARwCc_AYTi8gxllWY00BBtKAa1jA6_zCjyG8vnUctW-xTsblfift_5M6dixt46hibmMHQ5SkZZ527c48S0i8kPuYWYZHG2KbBPZeOV3JTP_2RnyzQEDYMSg95aAo-rZPZJD_m34wdtVnUlZQ26JXKcmbg9EPqsGQ3eJ5vrWz/s1939/403626777_1096999738330617_7454004161191644000_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1939" data-original-width="1571" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-fbieKfd7rR_Yyu5t0ZdARwCc_AYTi8gxllWY00BBtKAa1jA6_zCjyG8vnUctW-xTsblfift_5M6dixt46hibmMHQ5SkZZ527c48S0i8kPuYWYZHG2KbBPZeOV3JTP_2RnyzQEDYMSg95aAo-rZPZJD_m34wdtVnUlZQ26JXKcmbg9EPqsGQ3eJ5vrWz/s320/403626777_1096999738330617_7454004161191644000_n.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1916: The construction of a 300-ton per day sugar mill begins.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1917: In December 1917, the North Negros Sugar Company, or NONSUCO, is established with Francis Greenfield, a sugar expert from Hawaii as its manager.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1918: NONSUCO produces 43,752 piculs of raw sugar on its first year. (A picul is equivalent to 60 kilograms and is an Asian unit to measure weight. It is originally a Javanese term that translates to "to carry on a shoulder", meaning whatever a man can carry on his shoulder with a pole. Picture a man with a pole resting on his shoulder with two vats hanging on opposite ends - that is 'pikul'. The term was then adopted by Portuguese and Spanish colonizers.)</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1918: A drydock is completed in Balolan, Manapla.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1918: M. J. Ossorio starts his plans for a 700-ton sugar mill in Victorias and offers the sugar planters in Victorias 25% of the shares of stock of the new mill. The planters in Victorias buy P200,000 worth of shares.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1919: May 7, 1919, the new company, Victorias Milling Company, is incorporated with initial paid-up capital of P1,000. M. J. Ossorio is its managing director and chairman of the board of directors. VMC became the 17th centrifugal sugar mill in the Philippines.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1919: VMC’s magneto telephone is installed.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1920: The construction of the VMC sugar mill starts and is supervised by Norberto Capay and Jesus Ossorio, based on the design of Cornelius Johannes Hugo Penning, a Dutch, who is considered a master builder of centrifugal sugar mills.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1921: Production for crop year 1920-1921 is 180,084 piculs with revenues of P254,141.96.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1921: VMC’s Research Department is established. Its initial mission is to create a rational fertilization program in sugarcane agriculture.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1921: M. J. Ossorio invites Carlos L. Locsin, a chemist from Silay City, to join VMC. Mr. Locsin accepts. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1921: VMC’s port in the Daan Banwa area of Victorias becomes operational.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1921: NONSUCO’s farms start using fertilizers.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1923: VMC’s Department of Field Experiments promotes modern sugarcane agriculture methods among its planters. The Department’s two biggest concerns are the experiments on fertilizer response, and the tests on sugarcane varieties such as “Badilla H-109”,the outstanding Hawaiian hybrid, and “Negros Purple”, the dominant local variety.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1925: Cornelius Joannes Hugo Penning becomes the manager of VMC. He designed the mill.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1925: A two-day thanksgiving celebration is held for producing the first large crop of 23,743 metric tons.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1925: NONSUCO celebrates its 8th year in December.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1926: VMC pays all of its debts to the Bank of the Philippine Islands by issuing a US$ 1 million bond through the Pacific Trust Company of Honolulu.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1927: NONSUCO opens its railway through Cadiz in April.</span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopAC6p8RalHPGk3TxoWmINwZ2LSDHqYNyxfI6Rh_UNpcVG1uRabeYrpqdI-g16ipEsWBPvlLxYRUBLynhFcYx6qOpYjxVUCyYy7JHheg01E9BvFlBorE0oBF6SyZgnZANHNFYWBKYe6O4KSvW_Nr3pTxGzFSkXp8bkKuMMzM541uiQNra2PwM8d51d1Bo/s1935/403408812_140201135854007_3269045269091326315_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="1935" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopAC6p8RalHPGk3TxoWmINwZ2LSDHqYNyxfI6Rh_UNpcVG1uRabeYrpqdI-g16ipEsWBPvlLxYRUBLynhFcYx6qOpYjxVUCyYy7JHheg01E9BvFlBorE0oBF6SyZgnZANHNFYWBKYe6O4KSvW_Nr3pTxGzFSkXp8bkKuMMzM541uiQNra2PwM8d51d1Bo/s320/403408812_140201135854007_3269045269091326315_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1927: Tamasoc, a pest, starts to spread among crops of NONSUCO and VMC districts. Dr. Dwight Pierce, an entomologist from California, is hired.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1927: M. J. Ossorio buys a seat at the New York Coffee and Sugar Exchange.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1928: A refinery is opened in VMC, the second only in the Philippines.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1928: NONSUCO opens a distillery.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1929: NONSUCO exports first shipment of 2,800 tons of first raw sugar to US in October.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> Starting 1929, VMC and NONSUCO will export sugar to US. One of its biggest buyers is the American Sugar Refining Company (AMSTAR).</span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtoaB3Ouls6tz25ZeFII8AiaMuBE7K36jhhIIbbOIA1tPSc4sq4fzoM4NGkEuT4hTxSNBC5XXPGKrRqdjHtZxCelapqlVlPBvlGlKZ-VkW0CqKr68GT32nwRjmP0cvXJJpFqo6o-nEkHIqwmdHexdg1Q99XmUzf9tS2SWTy_uQKvyht1ZDQQS8RFfutJs/s2048/415987697_7896544687057339_350643786625609062_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1442" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtoaB3Ouls6tz25ZeFII8AiaMuBE7K36jhhIIbbOIA1tPSc4sq4fzoM4NGkEuT4hTxSNBC5XXPGKrRqdjHtZxCelapqlVlPBvlGlKZ-VkW0CqKr68GT32nwRjmP0cvXJJpFqo6o-nEkHIqwmdHexdg1Q99XmUzf9tS2SWTy_uQKvyht1ZDQQS8RFfutJs/s320/415987697_7896544687057339_350643786625609062_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1931: M. J. Ossorio’s second son, Luis C. Ossorio, arrives from the US to train in the management of VMC and NONSUCO.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1931: Jesus J. Ossorio assumes acting manager role after Cornelius Joannes H. Penning resigns.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1931: Carlos L. Locsin initiates the organization of the Philippine Association of Sugar Technologies in Bacolod and is elected as its first president. This association is the forerunner of the Philippine Sugar Technologies Association or PHILSUTECH.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1932: Shiras M. Jones takes over the management of NONSUCO and VMC when Jesus Ossorio gets sick due to appendicitis while Francis Greenfield, NONSUCO manager, is in the US for vacation.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1932: VICMICO Athletic and Social Club opens a store, billiard and table tennis halls, a bowling alley, a barbershop, and a refreshment shop. Later, a rice mill, an ice plant, and a soap factory are added.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1933-34: During the crop year, POJ high yielding cane variety from Java gives VMC and NONSUCO their all-time prewar high of 990.342 piculs and 1,225,737 piculs, respectively. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">VMC refinery also produces 337,129 bags (100-pound bags).</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1934: Jose Maria Ossorio, the third son of M. J. Ossorio, arrives in the Philippines from the US to start his management training in NONSUCO and VMC.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1934: In July, VMC signs a contract with the US Army in the Philippines to deliver</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1,300,000 pounds of refined sugar.</span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhV-aAms6tUh7QS4zIkuAtMEDb6X2YatYyyVQcC4q1dRBL35DSYHN3pJ_qsEPdWwIzYHYMr7b_8FFHSTE-ItQfSQxdnhg8eQjU01Un3Cp_qjInZVJMBQCToobXV0RE8d8r5ithZhMkeuimAGK_B2zt-XvrP8ZEQZet3u2YBB7yX0sXkAnHWmYK2hDJYttr/s2048/423766150_416364037501515_7045991517718197944_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="2048" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhV-aAms6tUh7QS4zIkuAtMEDb6X2YatYyyVQcC4q1dRBL35DSYHN3pJ_qsEPdWwIzYHYMr7b_8FFHSTE-ItQfSQxdnhg8eQjU01Un3Cp_qjInZVJMBQCToobXV0RE8d8r5ithZhMkeuimAGK_B2zt-XvrP8ZEQZet3u2YBB7yX0sXkAnHWmYK2hDJYttr/s320/423766150_416364037501515_7045991517718197944_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1937: M/V Nonsuco is purchased for interocean operations and sails for the first time in September.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5K1wAroz3XSYuXmH2lHXkzJjJ_RcNFI6ufwWtw5Q3_Z7bUaLW26gQESkoqK1wSp_5yXxCSCJ3QV1qmCVl7FZtwSkd96KvgnnWkMAfJZSHam0jrOwtnl-rUahoQ3tuKkKjE0mzY9jZ71b2u4jHLdKiyUunO_xU0UYUOKIW3jnAH2SGXPnYfmAKjpN5E5Yp/s1850/423568326_902416991389663_6369149522431519844_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1850" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5K1wAroz3XSYuXmH2lHXkzJjJ_RcNFI6ufwWtw5Q3_Z7bUaLW26gQESkoqK1wSp_5yXxCSCJ3QV1qmCVl7FZtwSkd96KvgnnWkMAfJZSHam0jrOwtnl-rUahoQ3tuKkKjE0mzY9jZ71b2u4jHLdKiyUunO_xU0UYUOKIW3jnAH2SGXPnYfmAKjpN5E5Yp/s320/423568326_902416991389663_6369149522431519844_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1938: Saint Joseph’s Hospital is established with Dr. L. Greentree as its director.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1939: Jose M. Ossorio takes over as manager of VMC in Manila as Mr. Francis A. Greenfield, NONSUCO manager, dies in a car accident in California.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1940: A sugar bag factory is set up.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1940: Dr. L. Greenfield resigns as director of St. Joseph’s Hospital. He is replaced by Dr. D. Davies.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1941: Preparations in Manapla and Victorias for the impending war: air-raid shelters, war drills conducted by the Philippine Constabulary, organizing a group of civilian guards, building of evacuation sites at the Aloyan Hills in Cadiz and Cansilayan in Victorias for employees and families who will stay behind to guard the centrals.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1941: Able-bodied NONSUCO and VMC employees signed up to join the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), including Luis C. Ossorio. Don Miguel, Doña Paz and the Ossorio clan stay in the US, except for Luis, Miguel Jr., and Jose, who stay behind to manage the two centrals. Luis is sent to Lanao del Norte as part of the Panay Regimen of the USAFFEE. He brings most of the staff and supplies and equipment from the Saint Joseph’s Hospital.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1941: War comes to the Philippines on December 8 when Japanese warplanes bomb Manila.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1941: By the time the war broke out, the production of NONSUCO and VMC was 1.5 million piculs of raw sugar from 17,000 hectares of plantations.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1941: VMC’s total production is 397,523.62 piculs of raw sugar and 152,305.48 100-pound bags of refine sugar.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1942: Management orders Norberto B. Capay, the supervising engineering, to render the NONSUCO and VMC mills inoperable by dismantling the crucial parts of the machinery and hiding them at Sitio Magbanua in the Marapara Peaks of Silay.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1942: May 20, the Japanese Imperial Army lands in Bacolod City. Jose M. Ossorio and family evacuate to Aloyan Hills in Cadiz. Carlos L. Locsin is left to guard NONSUCO in Manapla. The Japanese soldiers later took over the NONSUCO and VMC centrals.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1942: June 20, Jose. M. Ossorio, his family and other nationals allied with the US surrender to the Japanese army and are temporarily detained in Bacolod City. They are then shipped to Manila and detained at the University of Santo Tomas campus during the war.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1942: Norberto B. Capay, supervising engineer, is left to manage NONSUCO and VMC as Carlos L. Locsin has to flee Negros with Don Claudio R. de Luzuriaga, Sr. due to threats to their safety.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1942: Norberto B. Capay also flees Negros on November 14 for his safety. NONSUCO is now managed by Mr. Sensake while VMC is managed by Mr. Noda.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1943: NONSUCO mill is reactivated to produce final molasses that will be turned into alcohol needed by the Japanese for fuel.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1944: VMC is also reactivated to produce final molasses to produce alcohol. A distillery is built at the site. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1944: On October 20, General Douglas MacArthur and the US liberation forces land in Leyte.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1945: The VMC distillery produces 47 drums of alcohol for the Japanese military.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1945: The detainees at the UST compound that included Jose M. Ossorio and family are liberated by the 1st Cavalry Division of the US Army on February 3. They are later reunited with Luis C. Ossorio and family, and with Michael Clive Ossorio, the eldest son of Jesus Ossorio. They all leave for the US on board an American troop transport ship.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1945: On March 25, the Japanese soldiers occupying NONSUCO leave for the mountains of Patag in Silay where they make their last stand. The NONSUCO central is left in ruins.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1945: On March 30, the Japanese troops leave the VMC site after destroying machinery and setting on fire homes and sleeping quarters. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1945: On the night of March 30, Bacolod is liberated by the 40th Infantry Division of the US Army.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1945: On April 8, Norberto B. Capay returns to VMC from Panay and restores order to stop the looting.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1945: On May 9, the Japanese resistance at Patag falls to the American and Filipino guerilla forces.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1945: In June, NONSUCO is secured from looters.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1945: In the later months of the year, 400 hectares of land are planted with cane seedlings to be sold to the planters to start the rehabilitation of the plantations/district covered by VMC. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1945: Total damages from World War II for NONSUCO and VMC total P1,957,595.91.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(NOTE: Under the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946 passed by the US Congress, the Philippine War Damage Commission compensated sugar centrals that existed before World War II and suffered war damages a total of US$13.3 million for war damages. VMC must have had received part of this for its rehabilitation).</span></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1946: Management decides to give up the NONSUCO central as damages were too costly for rehabilitation. Surviving machinery and assets are integrated into the VMC central.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1947: On April 28 and May 6, the refinery and raw sugar factory, respectively, restarted operations. For 1946-47, the post-war operations, VMC produces 122,208.33 piculs of raw sugar, 2,711 tons molasses, and 121,889 100-pound bags of refined sugar.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1948: The Pension Fund for employees is set up.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1948: Saint Joseph’s Hospital is reopened with Dr. Ricardo Jara as director with Maryknoll Sisters handling the administration.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1948: The athletic and social club is reopened.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1952: The St. Joseph the Worker Chapel is completed. Frederick E. Ossorio has been the prime mover behind the building of the Chapel. Alfonso Ossorio paints the Angry Christ at the altar of the Chapel. The 'Angry Christ' painting made the chapel famous around the world.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1952: Carlos L. Locsin is appointed vice-president and a member of the board of directors.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1952: VICMICO Elementary School is established.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzOaR3qAfsAeQgMsFFfQhdUKn_f1VEKjR101U56UyLlZ86MUQVc8Ws2oGnAqurxMJiY7sxu6adacXibaT5FxAlltgfk8CcQybC7xVz5837rEiRU_LLkEH-8eIKd8gvPJHuYlDWxrl71lggqMpAVlDWPT_nAKPTHPd2DJOuVPHF4AJdaLX4Vl9agQpYTNy/s1844/403411700_238463809268320_1802717523016732133_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="1844" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzOaR3qAfsAeQgMsFFfQhdUKn_f1VEKjR101U56UyLlZ86MUQVc8Ws2oGnAqurxMJiY7sxu6adacXibaT5FxAlltgfk8CcQybC7xVz5837rEiRU_LLkEH-8eIKd8gvPJHuYlDWxrl71lggqMpAVlDWPT_nAKPTHPd2DJOuVPHF4AJdaLX4Vl9agQpYTNy/s320/403411700_238463809268320_1802717523016732133_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1952: Don Bosco Technical Institute is established after the Salesian Order in Hong Kong accepts the offer of M. J. Ossorio to open a school in VMC. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1953: Norberto B. Capay, the supervising engineer, dies.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1953-54: VMC produces its biggest post-WWII production of 2 million piculs of raw sugar and 1,745,000 100-pound bags of refined sugar.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1955: Carlos L. Locsin is appointed president, succeeding M. J. Ossorio who relinquishes his position as managing director.</span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJO0rxbtCi7p1KDT1n8VTUbPn1-oUHrOgUpCV8kQhyphenhyphenEh-YzyxEEKs_w4QbrBnz7X17069dPV0M2AIkcUAgPB-JRt-bWp9yU5J39XF4TADb2_l8SaJ_Txdl26HKR-0sfmP0xeo4M-A4O0i-z-POSyBFViJU1FvXTxeGPsRG4XnGpuYiVlcHYvzpidpYLCsL/s2048/423600020_1183795272597544_2849909343183025389_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1446" data-original-width="2048" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJO0rxbtCi7p1KDT1n8VTUbPn1-oUHrOgUpCV8kQhyphenhyphenEh-YzyxEEKs_w4QbrBnz7X17069dPV0M2AIkcUAgPB-JRt-bWp9yU5J39XF4TADb2_l8SaJ_Txdl26HKR-0sfmP0xeo4M-A4O0i-z-POSyBFViJU1FvXTxeGPsRG4XnGpuYiVlcHYvzpidpYLCsL/s320/423600020_1183795272597544_2849909343183025389_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1955: In July, the Balolan drydock reopens.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1955: The Industrial Engineering Department is created.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1955: The Pension Plan with group life insurance becomes effective on November 1.</span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyQGvANLQZ_pGW1WZ_rS4RdYvg0MoH40YTV8IQ62BqydttZlFldeGs5US7knSs7Kgon9b_7lesYlgCleoiGSJoPUoXCJi17NqUo8ctwi4ffrDqDEbAhxT9g-EVwjhd32yW0HaVQhx2kIkpIkXWydVvdep_HAkp-iSHFJdT9VmA4FD1wUKa2BJpsswm0YI/s2048/416020857_2420489654812555_8376658026451443533_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="2048" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyQGvANLQZ_pGW1WZ_rS4RdYvg0MoH40YTV8IQ62BqydttZlFldeGs5US7knSs7Kgon9b_7lesYlgCleoiGSJoPUoXCJi17NqUo8ctwi4ffrDqDEbAhxT9g-EVwjhd32yW0HaVQhx2kIkpIkXWydVvdep_HAkp-iSHFJdT9VmA4FD1wUKa2BJpsswm0YI/s320/416020857_2420489654812555_8376658026451443533_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1955: Claudio R. de Luzuriaga, Sr. takes over as the treasurer, vice-president and manager of the Manila office when Harry J. Young dies.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1960: On March 31, the first issue of VICMICO Gazette, the newspaper for employees, is published.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1960: In September, the C-Mill, the first automatic mill in the Philippines, is installed at the raw sugar factory.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1960: The first diesel-electric locomotive (train) is added to the fleet.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1960: Claudio R. de Luzuriaga, Jr. becomes the vice-president and a member of the board.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1961: In January, the St. Joseph’s Arts Guild Choir is organized.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1961: The first pig iron in the Philippines is produced in the blast furnace.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1961: The VICMICO Industrial Workers’ Association is organized.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1964: The foundry is established.</span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8UayPfEX9FVUPJied0h36rFVd8ZzCAwG9bmhWVkmpdIvpPNg2b9IQM8RFlHzcfb7xHlL5yUryRAsZKm_WarRlxvu9pCSR0Pn3c_QKIrW3WiVgBWHbjM7FWsgSoq5Pou39rIT4ppYOKbmECnKnJxRW5wHfNkqSSJ1iQC8XMhAdpdKScnWby_hGKcOFVHw/s1539/423735865_3698273583784369_6154256160121160113_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1009" data-original-width="1539" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8UayPfEX9FVUPJied0h36rFVd8ZzCAwG9bmhWVkmpdIvpPNg2b9IQM8RFlHzcfb7xHlL5yUryRAsZKm_WarRlxvu9pCSR0Pn3c_QKIrW3WiVgBWHbjM7FWsgSoq5Pou39rIT4ppYOKbmECnKnJxRW5wHfNkqSSJ1iQC8XMhAdpdKScnWby_hGKcOFVHw/s320/423735865_3698273583784369_6154256160121160113_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1964: The Rosary Kindergarten is renamed as St. Mary Mazarello School after it is placed under the care of the Figlia Maria Auxiliatrice nuns.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1965: Pacific Airways Corporation, a subsidiary of VMC, starts its airline service between Victorias and Manila.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1965: M. J. Ossorio is elected chairman emeritus while Carlos L. Locsin is elected chairman of the board. Mr. M. Mendez becomes president.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1965: On February 10, Francisco P. Ossorio dies in Spain.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1965: On October 25, M. J. Ossorio dies in Greenwich, Connecticut.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1965: The VICMICO Rural Electric Service Cooperative (VRESCO) is established.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1966: M/T Cadiz, the first company-made tugboat, is launched at the Balolan Drydock.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1966: In November, Jesus J. Ossorio is elected to the board.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1967: Large-scale cane breeding and selection programs are started by the Research Department for high-yield varieties</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1967: Jose Maria Ossorio is elected chairman of the board directors.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1967: Carlos L. Locsin is conferred the lifetime title of chairman emeritus.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1968: Cattle and swine breeding and fattening operations are started.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1969: A carbonation plant is set up, the first in the Philippines.</span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbnEU1nOR7QERtfEhi0-5SADzgmuoC-z8FsQL1IqtolYcCW-nzitQXX01h6mi9Efy4C1vPXJXL-JzxeoqsBjB32CtTA6sL0_qJmSK_nObGLY-cjxBVn4XQrr1aqfDfm92o24MPq0tP492Dd0rrF3mA1YapFAZJCA3xnj-dqXNKspyNCB5vpVFg8GlovoU/s1898/403404054_1144565856518083_3770634606059938931_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1898" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbnEU1nOR7QERtfEhi0-5SADzgmuoC-z8FsQL1IqtolYcCW-nzitQXX01h6mi9Efy4C1vPXJXL-JzxeoqsBjB32CtTA6sL0_qJmSK_nObGLY-cjxBVn4XQrr1aqfDfm92o24MPq0tP492Dd0rrF3mA1YapFAZJCA3xnj-dqXNKspyNCB5vpVFg8GlovoU/s320/403404054_1144565856518083_3770634606059938931_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1969: On May 7, VMC’s 50th anniversary is celebrated.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1969: Management Information Service is established.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1970: The largest ever production of 3,385,209 piculs of raw sugar is achieved.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1970: Manuel V. Locsin becomes president of VMC.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1972: Victorias Chemical Corporation (VICHEMCO) is the first company affiliate is established.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1973: Another record high of 3,408,322 piculs of raw sugar is achieved, breaking the record set three years before.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1974: VMC takes over the management of Insular Refining Company in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1974: Doña Paz Yangco-Ossorio passes away in Greenwich, Connecticut.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1974: A new milling contract is signed with a group of planters in Panay Island.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1974: On October 31, the Maryknoll Sisters turn over the administration of St. Joseph’s Hospital to the staff.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1974-75: Sugar price goes up as high as US$ 0.65 per pound in the world market.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1975: Canetown Subdivision is set up through a subsidiary, Canetown Development Corporation. The Subdivision’s Phase 1 covers 27 hectares and is divided into 440 residential lots. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1975-76: Victorias Agromachinery Corporation is established.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1975: On June 17, VMC starts Panay Cane Purchase Project with the planters of Panay Island.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1975: On July 6, the cane transloading station in Bay-ang, Ajuy, Iloilo, is inaugurated.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1975: The 1920 telephone is improved with the installation in the VMC compound of a new dial system with 410 lines and 40 connections.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1975: On September 18, VICHEMCO’s furfural plant starts operations.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1975: The post office in the VMC compound is established.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1976-77: New production records are set: 3,951,241 piculs of raw sugar for the crop year, and daily production of 28,770.32 100-pound bags.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1976-77: Agribusiness Division and Management and Administrative Services are established.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1976-77: St. Joseph Cottolengo School for the disabled is established.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1976-77: Claudio R. de Luzuriaga, Jr. succeeds Manuel V. Locsin as president.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1977: The VICMICO Institute of Management is established in partnership with the Univesity of Negros Occidental – Recolletos in Bacolod City.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1978: The refinery produces the all-time record of 8,095,894 LKG.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1979: VMC acquires North Legaspi Land Development Corporation and inaugurates the building onwed by the subsidiary located at Legaspi St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1985: VMC food processing exports tuna chunks to Canada.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1987: The First Planters’ Day is held. VMC confers awards to outstanding planters.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1988: A Yoshiimine boiler is operated to add steam supply and add electricity-generating capacity to bring down bunker oil consumption and electric power cost.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1988: VMC, through its subsidiary, Canetown Development Corporation, turns over to the University of St. La Salle a new building and a 1.8 hectare lot for a Victorias Campus of the University.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1988: Prawn ponds expand to 35 hectares in Guisok.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1989: In March, Michael Clive Ossorio dies. He was a former resident director.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1989: In May, Luis C. Ossorio dies in Greenwich, Connecticut. He was a former vice president and director.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The timeline in the book ends in 1989.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> * * * *</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">VMC is the reason why Victorias, now a city, is in the map, so to speak. With the billions of pesos in economic activities that VMC has created, be they direct or as a multiplier, it practically transformed a sleepy town into a city. Since 1919, it has caused the migration of people, attracted skills and labor, introduced and created new technologies, and enabled local businesses to flourish in Victorias, although the financial crisis that forced VMC into debt restructuring in late 1990’s revealed stories about mismanagement, corporate corruption, improper use of bank loans, and other practices that brought it to its knees.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjethKTyCp9X-9Tz3EkPtUfGmfoss2B-bVw5pvmFLD0ZQqCBAVrE5dQxYK7s5uUhjiD2PlapJVlQaPfIM18IE8Pkd9G0mWsuLk-qBisBhaoWk2qUwQztzJiVf6atifGMkHCLUN1-xkSpLHihyphenhyphen1WTBZv562IUQ6dAgSFjNDm1BcPj8PkEzcr6MQe4CJW3Y3R/s2016/416049426_913769956712484_466109750889679227_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjethKTyCp9X-9Tz3EkPtUfGmfoss2B-bVw5pvmFLD0ZQqCBAVrE5dQxYK7s5uUhjiD2PlapJVlQaPfIM18IE8Pkd9G0mWsuLk-qBisBhaoWk2qUwQztzJiVf6atifGMkHCLUN1-xkSpLHihyphenhyphen1WTBZv562IUQ6dAgSFjNDm1BcPj8PkEzcr6MQe4CJW3Y3R/s320/416049426_913769956712484_466109750889679227_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">One other legacy that its founder, Don Miguel Ossorio and his brother, Jesus, left in Victorias City is the church of the Our Lady of Victory Parish that is located along Osmeña Avenue. The Ossorios helped construct the church through building materials and labor.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">VMC celebrated its 100th year in 2019.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> * * * * </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Photo credits: “Victorias – A History in Pictures”, Mr. David Granada, photographer.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#history #victoriaslgu #VictoriasCity #historyblog</span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#victoriasmillingcompany #VMC #sugar #NEGROS #NegrosOcc #historian #victoriashistory</span></div><div dir="auto" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/10/ang-kasaysayan-sang-victorias-kag-iba.html">Previous chapters of the Victorias History blog (click here)</a></span></i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2024/02/victorias-history-chapter-29-don-miguel.html" target="_blank">Chapter 29: Don Miguel Jose Ossorio and How He Started Victorias Milling Company</a></i></span></div></div>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0V3J7+FQH, VMC Compound, J. J. Ossorio St. Barangay XVI,, Victorias City, 6119 Negros Occidental, Philippines10.881185 123.06447-17.429048836178843 87.90822 39.191418836178848 158.22072tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-60034913251842189552024-01-24T09:05:00.015+09:002024-01-24T11:28:08.372+09:00Remembering Bro. Schmidt<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">For more than three decades, the students of Don Bosco Technical Institute in Victorias, Philippines, knew him as a coach and a friend on the football field. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">On any school day, just after having lunch, students would stand by his room at the dormitory waiting for him to come out with footballs🏀 in hand, and like the Pied Piper, he would lead them to the center of the football field where he would start a football match with a kickoff. Whoever wanted to play was welcome, and he did not care if there were more than the regulated 22 players on the field. It was a free-for-all game because the intention was not to win, but to have fun🏆. And there were always students who stood as goalies, each one defending the goals at the dormitory side and the school gym side of the field. Even under the noontime sun, amidst the heat of the tropics, he ran, sweated and yelled with the boys of Don Bosco in Victorias just like what the saint himself did in Turin more than a century before.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Bro. Charles Schmidt was our Trigonometry teacher 📘from Germany. He was stern, robust, and just like any German, had blue eyes. His favorite word in class was "hopeless" - to describe his students who couldn't answer his Trigonometry question <i>(I included!)</i>.😂 Most of us probably didn't care about sine, cosine and tangent, much to his disappointment. He must have been very strict in the classroom because, for him, knowledge and education were first, football skills second. He wanted us to learn more from him inside the classroom than in the football field.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">A month ago, after years of being told about his death, I was finally pointed to his grave at the Saint Joseph Memorial garden in Victorias City. His grave was surrounded by tall weeds, his tombstone grayed and his headstone broken. He has been buried here for more than 33 years, and time and the elements have certainly done their part. Solely occupying a large lot, he is kept company by a tree that welcomes any visitor with a shade. I saw no melted candles or wilted flowers on his grave.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Wanting to do something for Bro. Schmidt, I shared an idea with my batchmates and they generously responded, though the amount needed was not much.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And just weeks before the feast day of Saint John Bosco, Bro. Schmidt's grave was cleaned and painted, the weeds around it cleared, and his headstone repaired and his name reinked, and two candleholders were placed on it to allow any visitor with candles to light a flame for his eternal peace. The two small benches next to his grave were also repainted so that anyone who wants to stay longer and say a prayer for him can do so in comfort.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECPRaByXpS5VXnmlSy8VuyOAI5zwOeF839663ukNacUH-QxpjCT-SwSd4b23LcI8bsyac518Gv4mCPcbxzz6t13DaBbz1MDsSIvg3eOy1yVeCEclWaWoIBTV6enEJU9Tn4y-3L11OtVwSg919yiUBigL-3RO7SEF1cb9jdkG82-7loPanXu9dTt99t1qr/s2048/CANDLE_A_415789742_1064574888136158_5309692894214563582_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="981" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECPRaByXpS5VXnmlSy8VuyOAI5zwOeF839663ukNacUH-QxpjCT-SwSd4b23LcI8bsyac518Gv4mCPcbxzz6t13DaBbz1MDsSIvg3eOy1yVeCEclWaWoIBTV6enEJU9Tn4y-3L11OtVwSg919yiUBigL-3RO7SEF1cb9jdkG82-7loPanXu9dTt99t1qr/s320/CANDLE_A_415789742_1064574888136158_5309692894214563582_n.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmSuKC_GoVEV5vNWjeN7u__UUL9LP-L1-GMVyM-VEsQw3kZU2D1NmzfFhr6ik-cP8ovIdrMxmoqX5ELq05XkkJEoqj9X73yDdtQ3RPsvr1ZbgXv74fGbgAOHxhVwP6p8e3VnkuxU-_0KZx02gz5dJF6y0AaYr43-AnKMMDYpBD3_q3XVfTvC91H6i2EaO/s2048/CANDLE_B_415627768_292843113411877_2299421292947973663_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="2048" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmSuKC_GoVEV5vNWjeN7u__UUL9LP-L1-GMVyM-VEsQw3kZU2D1NmzfFhr6ik-cP8ovIdrMxmoqX5ELq05XkkJEoqj9X73yDdtQ3RPsvr1ZbgXv74fGbgAOHxhVwP6p8e3VnkuxU-_0KZx02gz5dJF6y0AaYr43-AnKMMDYpBD3_q3XVfTvC91H6i2EaO/s320/CANDLE_B_415627768_292843113411877_2299421292947973663_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">We may have heard stories about his origins or about his drinking, but what I would want to remember about Bro. Schmidt, among the good things he had done for us, was how he made the sign of the cross. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Had you seen him do it, you would have also admired the way he elevated the sanctity of this Catholic ritual: it was done slowly and silently with his right hand taking its time to touch his forehead, his chest and then his shoulders like it was indeed a profession of his faith. And at the end, you'd hear clearly the 'Amen' spoken in his husky voice.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">His weekend hiking was legendary. Even under the hot sun, he trekked for kilometers around Victorias and Manapla, covering the distances of the national highway and the dirt roads of the haciendas to the north and south, and even meandering through the highlands of<i> Gawahon</i> while mingling with the locals he met along the way and always carrying a walking stick.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Whoever he was in the past should not matter to us. It was his dedication in helping realize Don Bosco's dream of teaching young minds and molding young characters through his teaching and his football here in Victorias that we, Bosconians, should remember and honor. He might not have been officially a member of the <i>Salesians of Don Bosco,</i> but to us, he was <i>'Brother Schmidt'</i>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">On his headstone is written:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> "RIP Karl</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> Bro. Schmidt</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> BORN: Aug 22, 1912</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> DIED: July 26, 1990."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>"As I light these candles, I pray that you rest in eternal peace."</i>🙏</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nX5pH6v43e_Akh20VyD1DxCXon-Td83tQXWqHbeYXtHj5lJRMR7Klhed_ALSZBaicRwWaF9caMcrMG5M5_KkOg9hDNhzcwQimG5psM1XP23fbjNtCiKeOS6ShlmygzAP5umZCV8uygqOo7TV3sjxB77kDRbiqUsi0g5andvlk-9gYhuClFEnPBzNP88n/s1728/ME_416018169_1086672592365159_4712163814198696112_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nX5pH6v43e_Akh20VyD1DxCXon-Td83tQXWqHbeYXtHj5lJRMR7Klhed_ALSZBaicRwWaF9caMcrMG5M5_KkOg9hDNhzcwQimG5psM1XP23fbjNtCiKeOS6ShlmygzAP5umZCV8uygqOo7TV3sjxB77kDRbiqUsi0g5andvlk-9gYhuClFEnPBzNP88n/s320/ME_416018169_1086672592365159_4712163814198696112_n%20(1).jpg" width="153" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> * * * * *</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">These are the photos of his grave on my first visit:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYRXnGwan1d9-spVo80K7BDhOi_hUVOFaFZakh5rk6ahIipc2MP51zgQHWEC52CPTFn4kKq92VMfTXQxBBKIdT9IvuPQcvwE4IOAXZ5vQ1KGSnRcHOVqz3GoX8JCxSFJhEfjmXPpFi5hd-dgwbP63kZE3R1VE7n8N_70pncYQVBGlLQa8DLWwhNILQDi0/s2048/AA415751521_683478187306592_8510833642146324393_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYRXnGwan1d9-spVo80K7BDhOi_hUVOFaFZakh5rk6ahIipc2MP51zgQHWEC52CPTFn4kKq92VMfTXQxBBKIdT9IvuPQcvwE4IOAXZ5vQ1KGSnRcHOVqz3GoX8JCxSFJhEfjmXPpFi5hd-dgwbP63kZE3R1VE7n8N_70pncYQVBGlLQa8DLWwhNILQDi0/s320/AA415751521_683478187306592_8510833642146324393_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0qRjiiLKKcwcdTBe9cLQZP1sRsVVALJ8pyWt1H4XmYOkCqWDLm__u-1j1rsOUQ-wQ42bFTWZIVSX60oBay36w_ltlyBZvRuqeyiXgp91Ks1VaR1Y6Y70wxalLUWwEvJqewEz9yqBH2g8XXqdB5B_oX3tWSyfeqttMgxgDuNp9_5KOBlJuTX63QVm6wQi/s2048/B.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="2048" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0qRjiiLKKcwcdTBe9cLQZP1sRsVVALJ8pyWt1H4XmYOkCqWDLm__u-1j1rsOUQ-wQ42bFTWZIVSX60oBay36w_ltlyBZvRuqeyiXgp91Ks1VaR1Y6Y70wxalLUWwEvJqewEz9yqBH2g8XXqdB5B_oX3tWSyfeqttMgxgDuNp9_5KOBlJuTX63QVm6wQi/s320/B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9Qa1HVEDu3fJ1BlizYkKvY8nUiJH2Eu2wugrytuswhSgtkmkt-F8Qwq6krIxMjQQPiifivKdqSWm2Tic__5G7G5zHtXgDzt-dYfic061xVbxrd0rzhg9WAMAAhwyE5ojNuGP8uMJUZRclM2bhr5Bc3ONgFcf9ea3h1Nc5hxwqOmH022jFar-iZcvjQ_B/s2048/C415591643_1405982176665864_6641022240499872780_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="2048" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9Qa1HVEDu3fJ1BlizYkKvY8nUiJH2Eu2wugrytuswhSgtkmkt-F8Qwq6krIxMjQQPiifivKdqSWm2Tic__5G7G5zHtXgDzt-dYfic061xVbxrd0rzhg9WAMAAhwyE5ojNuGP8uMJUZRclM2bhr5Bc3ONgFcf9ea3h1Nc5hxwqOmH022jFar-iZcvjQ_B/s320/C415591643_1405982176665864_6641022240499872780_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyd0zwDk-uO82DV9Q2PIDgOxnL2zsYKZdbn9XQK1vd0aHk_E2Y4zhyFNCMwes_zGsJWwJslp4brwZawkjnXBxUD_K2z04W_bVuqOpPamD-Oq01h-GLVyrVrx25fTJjZ4nhuN6TZxM5la8QcR_Dn-lN6aZIpdU_CHsgK5CSSIS8hJQ3j7wqZ_Z-1bJsR-G/s2048/D415554856_3597700183838951_2258188927266192221_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="2048" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyd0zwDk-uO82DV9Q2PIDgOxnL2zsYKZdbn9XQK1vd0aHk_E2Y4zhyFNCMwes_zGsJWwJslp4brwZawkjnXBxUD_K2z04W_bVuqOpPamD-Oq01h-GLVyrVrx25fTJjZ4nhuN6TZxM5la8QcR_Dn-lN6aZIpdU_CHsgK5CSSIS8hJQ3j7wqZ_Z-1bJsR-G/s320/D415554856_3597700183838951_2258188927266192221_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Bro. Schmidt's grave now looks like he is indeed remembered:</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboY7RcdvGKBwgN4QzIfKVYt6O7GjlCQ7FP5C8syNL1nnFlYnMTTdz3095vyLrK1QEhP09RGLOWfZ2a1XJwONz4WV-MHGFv1xPaRu98b3tIx6YICCsVdbXZUmKY6iMZlrqG3x-GUIGJ6w_D95pU6A9RFy1FggZ3OxWDTqKwt5VO-mTfulEHxG5Mu5QiJ6N/s2048/WHITE_415823129_919879262880907_5649183366508713701_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="2048" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboY7RcdvGKBwgN4QzIfKVYt6O7GjlCQ7FP5C8syNL1nnFlYnMTTdz3095vyLrK1QEhP09RGLOWfZ2a1XJwONz4WV-MHGFv1xPaRu98b3tIx6YICCsVdbXZUmKY6iMZlrqG3x-GUIGJ6w_D95pU6A9RFy1FggZ3OxWDTqKwt5VO-mTfulEHxG5Mu5QiJ6N/s320/WHITE_415823129_919879262880907_5649183366508713701_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqiBZ2F1F5shxkK1v-LqUxASdbq-9G3lwGa3b2FPmmn2e9UODyOopgmaDGTXjE7V2cb6jhyphenhyphendXHquWKRFSCmQTlcjVF_xEyupaXuYNqJKGwO_GVcT2l4tKzSHXjd_QiCvQOLz0VbvkVaHdtEZ_tnO3b035iVquMrUUun18nnj7JaW-imz3e9DfhQGbEOTh/s1728/415732445_690904066241858_7137445347737379101_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="828" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqiBZ2F1F5shxkK1v-LqUxASdbq-9G3lwGa3b2FPmmn2e9UODyOopgmaDGTXjE7V2cb6jhyphenhyphendXHquWKRFSCmQTlcjVF_xEyupaXuYNqJKGwO_GVcT2l4tKzSHXjd_QiCvQOLz0VbvkVaHdtEZ_tnO3b035iVquMrUUun18nnj7JaW-imz3e9DfhQGbEOTh/w229-h373/415732445_690904066241858_7137445347737379101_n.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">A short clip of the grave:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwIrSV-YuQRGY6Lk2Tx-X_uaFpTCUXn2sSY9LPumEygGXS2xyGM5D9EyUdMNiepR60NfEAlx2ATyt8rgiNQ2A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">His grave is at the western end of St. Joseph Memorial Garden, second to the last plot before the closed gate and marked by a tree.🌲</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT75xuj8js_NgG8VFGqDTD4YBzYYiPbynk7zEaCLdgeYrARfwgXaXWDdXMO2XrgNLuNjnOzXSi73eeGbKW9efuVWBodVnQhs4qPI2SIB65-InWewSiWdYnsy6c0XEEc_uzUeUJGyAmrSkJGhTuU9ox_bE6ETVlQi6CVPU6Vn9nZTtOd4yJGMc2Jn58VvaP/s2048/LOCATION_416048486_1118161452647211_6471790439264600280_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="2048" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT75xuj8js_NgG8VFGqDTD4YBzYYiPbynk7zEaCLdgeYrARfwgXaXWDdXMO2XrgNLuNjnOzXSi73eeGbKW9efuVWBodVnQhs4qPI2SIB65-InWewSiWdYnsy6c0XEEc_uzUeUJGyAmrSkJGhTuU9ox_bE6ETVlQi6CVPU6Vn9nZTtOd4yJGMc2Jn58VvaP/w557-h247/LOCATION_416048486_1118161452647211_6471790439264600280_n.jpg" width="557" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#donbosco #sangiovannibosco #bosconian #salesians #famigliasalesiana #dbtivictorias #victorias #donboscophilippines</span></div><div><br /></div>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com1V3R6+QMX, Victorias City, 6119 Negros Occidental, Philippines10.891996 123.0617259-17.418237836178847 87.9054759 39.202229836178844 158.2179759tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-91391490608170771232024-01-09T01:57:00.003+09:002024-01-09T10:53:27.034+09:00A Breakfast Reunion @ New World Makati's Café 1228<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-doreen-gamboa-fernandez-food.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">Deciding to travel to Manila to receive my prize at the 2022 Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Award <i>(read blog here)</i></span></a>, I knew I had to meet up with friends and former colleagues when I was there. And what better time to do it than breakfast! Talking about starting the day right!😎</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">We used to work together in a professional services firm in Makati and we haven't seen each other in years. We would meet up during my Christmas vacation from my work in Seoul, and would talk away the years over dinner.😊</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">So, on one Friday morning during Christmastime, we all met up at the Café 1228 of the New World Hotel Makati. It was my first time in this restaurant and I was happy, not only with the breakfast choices, but also with the space.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">We were seated at a quiet corner of the lounge area, away from the noisier and crowded section that was just next to the food displays. There, we were allowed to laugh and be our chatty selves. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And in between trips to the fresh fruits and salad, cold cuts and cheese, omelettes and juices, we chatted the morning away with stories and laughter about the years of working together.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gI5FlOioTtvugwnPfcAAK-j2AJQVzXRdEjbow1PLE5viCcIdmkARFs6GEv7FPlhlYwSEuq3dEU8iv76IGLaavgK5mS3SWWEgXr7JaiWPijExlu9FX5GpaWf9vt2Vv4-NggUCOo9pkBEbPpaak8W6Xo714DSLQC620qa-xnmUrdILzwR3BR-LgUg8Hi0B/s1909/411652093_347706874658620_217339012341328908_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1909" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gI5FlOioTtvugwnPfcAAK-j2AJQVzXRdEjbow1PLE5viCcIdmkARFs6GEv7FPlhlYwSEuq3dEU8iv76IGLaavgK5mS3SWWEgXr7JaiWPijExlu9FX5GpaWf9vt2Vv4-NggUCOo9pkBEbPpaak8W6Xo714DSLQC620qa-xnmUrdILzwR3BR-LgUg8Hi0B/s320/411652093_347706874658620_217339012341328908_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Since I was always on the lookout for something Filipino in an international breakfast buffet, I was impressed with Café 1228's <i>tahô</i>! But I wondered why it was huddled away at a corner. Luckily, I spotted the <i>tahô</i> because, when in buffet restaurants, I would always walk around first to check the food choices that are available for me to enjoy and later decide which ones I should put on my first plate.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2S6Tkt_x54A01yj-7I2jGw1nW5UznHbVkt1dnhPa54y6NxkFdrah21qd-AD4OZ38ke4U5TqqMyLANUPeiDx0fyFm_PqrVJoPh56E4JRIrzZ3uAfO0AY0tUH7gcRsHgYrHZoXD3a2krQ6Ar_M0rIRgzf6pL2VT_KFRkKo5qe4Y6K8GDt3S03qA1t5kknzK/s2016/411464446_207133145788452_4577698015726879911_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2S6Tkt_x54A01yj-7I2jGw1nW5UznHbVkt1dnhPa54y6NxkFdrah21qd-AD4OZ38ke4U5TqqMyLANUPeiDx0fyFm_PqrVJoPh56E4JRIrzZ3uAfO0AY0tUH7gcRsHgYrHZoXD3a2krQ6Ar_M0rIRgzf6pL2VT_KFRkKo5qe4Y6K8GDt3S03qA1t5kknzK/s320/411464446_207133145788452_4577698015726879911_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Just like the reunions all over the town during Christmas, ours was so much fun. While the many choices of Café 1228's breakfast buffet were topnotch, it was the accommodating service staff that made it memorable for us. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDE4kiD8U6Fw9ci5eoB0sWhmI25icbPEQ0vA0RNZInFGgVt6Ho9cG085nyv-Pme0XwPxyGxsXOooDWhLkR1jwcMjtzaRR3IXC-wZQXBCQAQWR64ISIyCTg8RXqbMwrmhxV5jCSQEBmUDORbHQ2vvfmgIbepfVmyTpHjPqHeFC82bUYeHez47tOHKvJytbD/s2016/411347350_1038517934049375_3814910611295755672_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDE4kiD8U6Fw9ci5eoB0sWhmI25icbPEQ0vA0RNZInFGgVt6Ho9cG085nyv-Pme0XwPxyGxsXOooDWhLkR1jwcMjtzaRR3IXC-wZQXBCQAQWR64ISIyCTg8RXqbMwrmhxV5jCSQEBmUDORbHQ2vvfmgIbepfVmyTpHjPqHeFC82bUYeHez47tOHKvJytbD/s320/411347350_1038517934049375_3814910611295755672_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Although the breakfast buffet was only until 10AM, we were allowed to finish our chitter-chatter until past 11AM! <i>Now that's first-class hospitality!</i>😍</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Most restaurants have perfected their menu and recipes, but it's the quality of service, cleanliness, and hospitality that put others above the rest.😋</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I once heard the poet Maya Angelou saying, <i>"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Well, someday, I'll probably forget what I ate and forget the jokes we shared, but I will never forget the fun I had that morning with my friends, and we'll never forget the service, ambiance and hospitality we received from Café 1228's staff.😃</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Thanks to Verj, Selyn and Precy for the fun reunion, and especially Precy for the treat!😀</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Happy new year, everyone!😊</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_gOoV90lwab8o2UMm6FuEmvPD4OlO-wZ4Sob2w6svXqV8CHhW2pGw7pzDxWvHZuLq0TB9aLKJcWSuiatSLqNxnnf2_7W0spFVzvc7VSrV0sul-UZ8qQ8ICzeu7XvLzMLfm2g-Gf3fdfAa6Y_zzfq-T3dkKEN_RykG8V4tsJIyGdpkC6yDYdjBcxG6aeU/s2016/415826454_6510029915768262_3828751155804196395_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_gOoV90lwab8o2UMm6FuEmvPD4OlO-wZ4Sob2w6svXqV8CHhW2pGw7pzDxWvHZuLq0TB9aLKJcWSuiatSLqNxnnf2_7W0spFVzvc7VSrV0sul-UZ8qQ8ICzeu7XvLzMLfm2g-Gf3fdfAa6Y_zzfq-T3dkKEN_RykG8V4tsJIyGdpkC6yDYdjBcxG6aeU/s320/415826454_6510029915768262_3828751155804196395_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#Cafe1228 #NewWorldHotelMakati #NewWorldHotel #Makati #Christmasreunion #breakfastbuffet #breakfast</span>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0New World Hotel, New World Hotel Makati, Esperanza St, Makati, 1228 Metro Manila, Philippines14.5509972 121.021415-13.759236636178846 85.865165 42.861231036178843 156.177665tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-74797939366432536932023-12-25T20:54:00.007+09:002023-12-25T21:06:00.074+09:00A Stroll Along Ayala Avenue and Ayala Triangle on Christmas Night<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I joked with my friend and former colleague, Mario, who now lives in Canada, that we must have memorized all the names of the buildings and familiarized ourselves with all the street names in the Makati Commercial District during our days as young accountants working in an accounting firm in Makati City, Philippines.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">One of our duties as junior auditors was to deliver confirmation letters to financial institutions, law offices, and other entities as part of the audit process, and their offices were mostly scattered around Legaspi and Salcedo Villages, and along Ayala Avenue. <i>And this was pre-Google Maps!</i> To make sure we wouldn't get lost, we would call the addressee's office if it was in the labyrinth of streets inside Legaspi and Salcedo Villages, or ask our colleagues in the office who knew the location. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Those days were fun because we could stretch our legs outdoors instead of just sitting in the office the whole day among piles of working papers, and we could also stroll around Makati like it was our park! Even on hot days, walking seemed fun!😎 </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAizpnYnvUaMtMI_aYp_f8ojKu8tGHf-ST-MrSfHzSm70MfiwagsU_gokLfUpjGZ3XmhrQaNJN1QIrBto9dnqXk_mc8N_Wd7ZFvDiWAK4og05uQKTgqnhlmqsPdYgHlIX3vUvuT00PBE1KgOQNqXvdr5Rm9eQqaT_KpKRZOh9CEJkTwVhpBFW5oBVtASE/s1910/A03646990_1038517667365586_3576957291009548801_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="1910" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAizpnYnvUaMtMI_aYp_f8ojKu8tGHf-ST-MrSfHzSm70MfiwagsU_gokLfUpjGZ3XmhrQaNJN1QIrBto9dnqXk_mc8N_Wd7ZFvDiWAK4og05uQKTgqnhlmqsPdYgHlIX3vUvuT00PBE1KgOQNqXvdr5Rm9eQqaT_KpKRZOh9CEJkTwVhpBFW5oBVtASE/s320/A03646990_1038517667365586_3576957291009548801_n%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> (The Ayala Avenue pedestrian tunnel)</span></i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">A few times, we would ride a jeepney going to Pasong Tamo when it was in that area, and once, I took a cab because the addressee's office was at a residence inside Dasmariñas Village! I just told the cab to wait for me.😋</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And before we headed back to the office after one of those 'legwork' (that's what we call the task), we took a side trip with my film camera and went to the rooftop of a building at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas and had our own photoshoot! <i>I still have the photos!</i>😂</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6LymT29kVbUjcSskYkAAX0N62Nc_GA0R1V7qJFNiYvTh9JJkCUhQyLPbHpL8lPzeBaYE2qSHQiS_dHR_4NlfzxY_SRevfJ5ZEYG49TtKwT8fChbWMlRia3TbdAlD9ODmfLp1RQIQuwmxmcoOutv4y-D2af43_EHwQjRfQ0fQ9ljov7MpwNVlQlAmyzmk/s2040/B386856591_886342013037761_2078927647748099317_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2040" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6LymT29kVbUjcSskYkAAX0N62Nc_GA0R1V7qJFNiYvTh9JJkCUhQyLPbHpL8lPzeBaYE2qSHQiS_dHR_4NlfzxY_SRevfJ5ZEYG49TtKwT8fChbWMlRia3TbdAlD9ODmfLp1RQIQuwmxmcoOutv4y-D2af43_EHwQjRfQ0fQ9ljov7MpwNVlQlAmyzmk/s320/B386856591_886342013037761_2078927647748099317_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOxZ84l5jV55PQTPAGO7IiVgjmuPJG24-SdRMM9Aqr19d-GGqnVfFrUCOfwZCtRcDSjjrgYmZ1sT-WqT-zDFU_Nag-G_BkTfHnX9ED166upfUcIXg5mEphsSr49lIycOiHebJyve-8SY7kMJn9J6xptbh1CCLzFBXWqRj3-BDKQndCdp-z4FU_xn75_1I/s1728/C411509522_3678539799048040_6279508485570531502_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1728" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOxZ84l5jV55PQTPAGO7IiVgjmuPJG24-SdRMM9Aqr19d-GGqnVfFrUCOfwZCtRcDSjjrgYmZ1sT-WqT-zDFU_Nag-G_BkTfHnX9ED166upfUcIXg5mEphsSr49lIycOiHebJyve-8SY7kMJn9J6xptbh1CCLzFBXWqRj3-BDKQndCdp-z4FU_xn75_1I/s320/C411509522_3678539799048040_6279508485570531502_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And during all those Christmases that always brought really bad traffic jams on Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue, and Paseo de Roxas, our busy work lives would be momentarily distracted by the Christmas lights and decorations of the buildings in the Makati business district and on the island along Ayala Avenue.🎅🎄 </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXJKQ-7VF9TVpjGwEN5bd3otfixBBKqLfZIO41dA6MaBvteTRoc1wv7Ae1KRbIpKY8trcJ9IARZ-0LKpVxvp20HVsyoUNB99NIswUCvxZ156eZeVq8_7q6ddGMk7iSs_UuPNtqsHdocS3CJzgm8Q1Jk9x9609_5gfD5it2SBgwflqsHeem_tt9xn4I8U9/s2040/D403408858_741352410742205_2697622964441120617_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2040" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXJKQ-7VF9TVpjGwEN5bd3otfixBBKqLfZIO41dA6MaBvteTRoc1wv7Ae1KRbIpKY8trcJ9IARZ-0LKpVxvp20HVsyoUNB99NIswUCvxZ156eZeVq8_7q6ddGMk7iSs_UuPNtqsHdocS3CJzgm8Q1Jk9x9609_5gfD5it2SBgwflqsHeem_tt9xn4I8U9/s320/D403408858_741352410742205_2697622964441120617_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLlyhcYwYXFjZOnWus2HnEGkhFyEWDlmwH5Ns-5IC9GggW-4juSZxssseqUMuaC7pxUQKb38eUIvvW7_C8ULWyCEH_-XVRguscZJ5BZPMFKNTUbx06UnBF7uDBCTcabyB3eDhigU2kE_b27-A7BGjKtZrUcCXNm4fFnAxm6z2ZpHy70_sg3Y1grVb3ADD/s2048/D411207501_3563325090547224_6038903754182037360_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="2048" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLlyhcYwYXFjZOnWus2HnEGkhFyEWDlmwH5Ns-5IC9GggW-4juSZxssseqUMuaC7pxUQKb38eUIvvW7_C8ULWyCEH_-XVRguscZJ5BZPMFKNTUbx06UnBF7uDBCTcabyB3eDhigU2kE_b27-A7BGjKtZrUcCXNm4fFnAxm6z2ZpHy70_sg3Y1grVb3ADD/s320/D411207501_3563325090547224_6038903754182037360_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">So, when I was in Makati City lately, I did not pass up the chance to stroll once more along Ayala Avenue and the Ayala Triangle to enjoy the Christmas decorations that bring the Christmas spirit to the busyness of the place.😋</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfe3mga1O-C27pfGzuSKTgTJfV5wnbQQ2eDga0ZLwdjWXrNFPNV0jhYLO-f7LZw2leCFwZsNfMXH8yN8o0L_8smfvaxoR8FvX9QNn_zVA92z7ge7J95zWNn_UVI6iv2jRMowRUow55sox03UcPVUBIWrjaVEeVoQFUhaZ7x64UF3JGcLIbVVhmN7kvcMy/s2040/E411408392_654308340244523_3878325174849459967_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2040" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfe3mga1O-C27pfGzuSKTgTJfV5wnbQQ2eDga0ZLwdjWXrNFPNV0jhYLO-f7LZw2leCFwZsNfMXH8yN8o0L_8smfvaxoR8FvX9QNn_zVA92z7ge7J95zWNn_UVI6iv2jRMowRUow55sox03UcPVUBIWrjaVEeVoQFUhaZ7x64UF3JGcLIbVVhmN7kvcMy/s320/E411408392_654308340244523_3878325174849459967_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ_13Qs-pH24XJ3sY0PPebZ1R6QHr-eQSQ_-K_OWh3t1kzRCetnihp72v4LTKB96diZXuY6fFbojp2htT5xf-slDDcGQhuUENHunrki4fqukY_O4VGfmqzhvdyUtH_lZkBO__AjZeDcBBjWJtMtJU3ogkrLqdnrgfmIj_cyhYZETXeLmiMxM3qn2NHzxl/s1827/F403406818_274126198996419_3009836341949735839_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1827" data-original-width="1371" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ_13Qs-pH24XJ3sY0PPebZ1R6QHr-eQSQ_-K_OWh3t1kzRCetnihp72v4LTKB96diZXuY6fFbojp2htT5xf-slDDcGQhuUENHunrki4fqukY_O4VGfmqzhvdyUtH_lZkBO__AjZeDcBBjWJtMtJU3ogkrLqdnrgfmIj_cyhYZETXeLmiMxM3qn2NHzxl/s320/F403406818_274126198996419_3009836341949735839_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">From the Greenbelt area, I simply walked towards Ayala Avenue, not via Paseo de Roxas, but through the De La Rosa Street side using the pedestrian tunnel near the PLDT building. I decided to go there before 10PM when I thought there would be less people on the streets. A few times that night, I stood still and just looked up to the tall buildings, and reminisced the days of my professional life <i>(and legwork days!)</i> as well as the fun Christmas memories with friends and colleagues.😍 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Looking at those office buildings, I could almost see deadlines, work pressure, and stress!😂</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfzYpiaq1YLHZTpTG0tyxyNoOt5HbRWJOPteT_DA12FmZ4R5Zy6EI6jHP34qp9BKEcnaAM4ezdf0HhxJhwK6MYtCqj9D6pJvmHad6jsX6H1_wWv70Erpn_spACHUS8YSSalF1Xv0GQSD_-wNSeozvVr6CvhvdccZmbGGL9fnlxYyAd9BdXnyJTGAyXqZw/s2040/G403408799_3289955497971156_6058970324878132357_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2040" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfzYpiaq1YLHZTpTG0tyxyNoOt5HbRWJOPteT_DA12FmZ4R5Zy6EI6jHP34qp9BKEcnaAM4ezdf0HhxJhwK6MYtCqj9D6pJvmHad6jsX6H1_wWv70Erpn_spACHUS8YSSalF1Xv0GQSD_-wNSeozvVr6CvhvdccZmbGGL9fnlxYyAd9BdXnyJTGAyXqZw/s320/G403408799_3289955497971156_6058970324878132357_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRW5LmFZm5w8hssj3h27r-SOdX_ZWraxTFKBoCvKKlNIw0k2I3n0eYxehiGytnmx81Rb0o_MaSbPj0nwaggZXb6-g8NjP_YROCFhmLNwAftkIDNtj60MsdpOmte-VpdFbWhT7JnPxGjZhqnvOh2VmNg4rRQFs2VCCi8hnswNkLB6jopPSTIOyNv9tqKHc/s1728/K409338150_1070650407470190_5324918123738321192_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1728" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRW5LmFZm5w8hssj3h27r-SOdX_ZWraxTFKBoCvKKlNIw0k2I3n0eYxehiGytnmx81Rb0o_MaSbPj0nwaggZXb6-g8NjP_YROCFhmLNwAftkIDNtj60MsdpOmte-VpdFbWhT7JnPxGjZhqnvOh2VmNg4rRQFs2VCCi8hnswNkLB6jopPSTIOyNv9tqKHc/s320/K409338150_1070650407470190_5324918123738321192_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The best time to visit is late in the evening when there are less vehicles cruising along Ayala Avenue, and make sure you enjoy, not only the lights and decorations, but also the spirit of the holidays.😀</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3qJ6ZFrbnlAUW1cVjPbGr_1UsQMLMbe47Ypntc1_cSkVQtdXF3JvHCblYalQ4hgj3ju7HVjzSkcThg_K7QkofbzcCiNZIEdRyRqf9n5zoTkpoiahwERlsuBTxnDwK6lB4fhljgEzKGqxL9OoL_iysG5Osz2hQPbK3PJhxgiL4AMz0pIrQIPTYBnoSfAY/s2040/L409551382_1291822248077290_7884599264295932948_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2040" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3qJ6ZFrbnlAUW1cVjPbGr_1UsQMLMbe47Ypntc1_cSkVQtdXF3JvHCblYalQ4hgj3ju7HVjzSkcThg_K7QkofbzcCiNZIEdRyRqf9n5zoTkpoiahwERlsuBTxnDwK6lB4fhljgEzKGqxL9OoL_iysG5Osz2hQPbK3PJhxgiL4AMz0pIrQIPTYBnoSfAY/s320/L409551382_1291822248077290_7884599264295932948_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNoqr5JrQJ-8cH8pcVx_eaVyrHT1X71vp8ovdFESeG00U0E1ETyY8IhODKmTWGs6_psznqDJ-ouBRncLBO4KtmjE6TZ77_roogH3t3LOfVxs7K8qqut9Fjw6M9J7nurIHSh6Sf3IHv46jIx32Mtg5R5KieDJ4Hp1YjV4dlht-h1Eh70K4pxoHLafuxCpQg/s2040/M411330149_919890202825507_2275669597696978892_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2040" data-original-width="1530" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNoqr5JrQJ-8cH8pcVx_eaVyrHT1X71vp8ovdFESeG00U0E1ETyY8IhODKmTWGs6_psznqDJ-ouBRncLBO4KtmjE6TZ77_roogH3t3LOfVxs7K8qqut9Fjw6M9J7nurIHSh6Sf3IHv46jIx32Mtg5R5KieDJ4Hp1YjV4dlht-h1Eh70K4pxoHLafuxCpQg/s320/M411330149_919890202825507_2275669597696978892_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">These are the photos and videos of my 2023 Christmas stroll along Ayala Avenue and Ayala Triangle.😀</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Merry Christmas! Maligayang Pasko!😎</i></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwIgdGqQUXQxt47xc-CFWl4gaL0QnlkAYS8xd4ddsfwElZ45ahgu4ip4qNoUbYkmR9WsO0z5ByknAleTDhBTw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dykXcfB5J3dpaLWg9b2m6GZpZFF-fD93UhxyynjtZ58CFrh3a-MAHh1zLhUkr5phnFsA4We2sMOzqooBj_Tvg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vVYyBt82g4Y" width="320" youtube-src-id="vVYyBt82g4Y"></iframe></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#christmas #pasko #AyalaAvenue #AyalaTriangle #paskuhan #Philippines #travelblog</span></p>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Ayala Triangle Gardens, Paseo De Roxas St Cor Makati Ave, Cor Ayala Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro Manila, Philippines14.5570948 121.0229594-13.753139036178846 85.8667094 42.867328636178847 156.1792094tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-19229293627240628802023-12-17T14:52:00.016+09:002023-12-18T11:27:39.481+09:00The Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Awards @ Chef Jessie's Place<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">All those years of living in Seoul and writing about the <span style="color: #04ff00;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-unique-korean-lunch-in-box-at-tong-in.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">Korean dishes</span></a>,</span> and <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2013/05/and-most-popular-guys-in-namdaemun.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">desserts and delicacies</span></a> I had for lunch or dinner must have prepared me for this writing competition.</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Since 2009, the year when I set up this blog, I have been writing about Korean dishes and my experiences with Korean cuisine. From my Korean lunch favorites like <i>soondae</i>, <i>altang</i>, <i>mandu</i>, and buddae-jjiggae, to desserts like <i>hotteok</i> and <i>patpingsu</i>, the flavors of these Korean dishes and delicacies would once more dance in my mouth when I blogged about them.😋</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And whenever I was home in the Philippines, I would also write Pinoy delicacies that I missed when I was away from home: chicken inasal, <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2011/01/pinoy-in-iloilo-best-bibingka-in.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">bibingka</span></a>, <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2013/07/puto-ng-ina-mo.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">Manapla puto</span></a>, batchoy, and those famous Silay delicacies.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I guess being home now in the Philippines has allowed me to discover the Pinoy cuisine, not just the different flavors of our favorite dishes, but also the history and the evolution of Pinoy food. Thus, this better understanding of our cuisine provided me with a different perspective on how to write about it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtP_4SojOZPDhSx8TrZGRSoZ1QMAlVIQuQAh1LDudm5NqAx4998rWRly4lhKoQYcC9PtcmF0bpUj-PCfUIhpkT8r2ykFv30MZV8R4_xrlSAKGGKNX5aHbHogdwoL86yHWts0iG62IDLfpc7U43jRqZVecFE6_1RMYrpvQzqCyGPlFwpPgZ9IDbVzRPNI-B/s1080/A%20PHOTO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtP_4SojOZPDhSx8TrZGRSoZ1QMAlVIQuQAh1LDudm5NqAx4998rWRly4lhKoQYcC9PtcmF0bpUj-PCfUIhpkT8r2ykFv30MZV8R4_xrlSAKGGKNX5aHbHogdwoL86yHWts0iG62IDLfpc7U43jRqZVecFE6_1RMYrpvQzqCyGPlFwpPgZ9IDbVzRPNI-B/s320/A%20PHOTO.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLON2lu4eaEgeUeRglE7intsPvpUu04WRcYsx7C9Xt-Y1cYLetFew87yoFAZ5z6IV0SOoNlZsm8jkAXPILdJCoJNxzd-s94K1SwOduLzLhyphenhyphenlCqEnDIFuw9XTplorbAtE5p9u5uD7hyphenhyphen_3ocWNhCSlDl6O3CGdYrn63seMyFZdKgEpMtI2jifYMMRfgTd7MH/s1600/B%20PHOTO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLON2lu4eaEgeUeRglE7intsPvpUu04WRcYsx7C9Xt-Y1cYLetFew87yoFAZ5z6IV0SOoNlZsm8jkAXPILdJCoJNxzd-s94K1SwOduLzLhyphenhyphenlCqEnDIFuw9XTplorbAtE5p9u5uD7hyphenhyphen_3ocWNhCSlDl6O3CGdYrn63seMyFZdKgEpMtI2jifYMMRfgTd7MH/s320/B%20PHOTO.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In May 2023, <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-breadfruit-superfruit-and-so-much.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">when the winners of the 20th Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Awards (DGF) were announced, I was thrilled and honored <i>(read blog here)</i></span></a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And on November 22, 2023, I flew to Manila to attend the awards luncheon at Chef Jessie Sincioco's Place in Makati City, Philippines. I told myself I had to attend as this may be my first and last time to win.😁</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWA8f29s7SlqviLH3BzVapLt1j0wv0usLt7X_2vowViRkDslht3qiO75FP2cHPBojq6cpg2UBUjuio13aBfBCy8YYfswvKpKwlBMdCpU_bY4ybWU8bR8X_-3A4D_ERo0Uhh6Bg3-FPVwZBOXZJDrgJdu3fcLh2qraMU2zN7fVFx-V9LNkvpFrF12ym1NR/s1600/C%20PHOTO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWA8f29s7SlqviLH3BzVapLt1j0wv0usLt7X_2vowViRkDslht3qiO75FP2cHPBojq6cpg2UBUjuio13aBfBCy8YYfswvKpKwlBMdCpU_bY4ybWU8bR8X_-3A4D_ERo0Uhh6Bg3-FPVwZBOXZJDrgJdu3fcLh2qraMU2zN7fVFx-V9LNkvpFrF12ym1NR/s320/C%20PHOTO.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClwsC_Dh5vL4ZSDI0KZOvK8dx3r55cYH6hAbOFzfRnKQRJPCuHIKwVxUlZN1jkIfPHdsG_wfbT9BdLoLKmbPoODOFk5fGrun77XhKaz_NWAiFV3azDQs5SiM1BjeFHMalPK31flIgE2YzKG6yWGHDt_er2ld_pxLK-M3AYty43IQLNDT7027YeL8ZueYB/s2048/D%20PHOTO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClwsC_Dh5vL4ZSDI0KZOvK8dx3r55cYH6hAbOFzfRnKQRJPCuHIKwVxUlZN1jkIfPHdsG_wfbT9BdLoLKmbPoODOFk5fGrun77XhKaz_NWAiFV3azDQs5SiM1BjeFHMalPK31flIgE2YzKG6yWGHDt_er2ld_pxLK-M3AYty43IQLNDT7027YeL8ZueYB/s320/D%20PHOTO.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">It was the right decision to travel to Manila because I met the food writers extraordinaire and chefs behind the Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Awards: Ms. Micky Fenix, head, Mr. Alfred 'Krip' Yuson, Chef Myrna Segismundo, Chef Datu Pendatun, Ms. Ana Ozaeta, Ms. Maya Besa, Mr. Ige Ramos, and Ms. Nina Daza-Puyat. Ms. Felice Prudente Sta. Maria and Chef Jessie Sincioco were out of the country that day. Mrs. Clara Reyes Lapus, representing the <i>Mama Sita </i>brand of food products, was also there to share some <i>Mama Sita</i> goodies with the winners. We're grateful to these individuals who organized the DGF in honor of Doreen Gamboa Fernandez, and at the same time, for championing Pinoy food!😋</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXgpbnF_C71OHqxVitlKyVblnXsF555hnHKPK2d9pS421nh_0af7vknGdVLgolvUAl4W2VKPSkK9Chii-r2Hc5IpYw5NWZV4yUhFzQ7_TY0ouqF9zgk7bp5yih27BvfGtaORgxxINyDdBUocXV0x7AfEMstL05NvacTEfEDR_0-x7Nd5PjOVi4Yeuuquq/s2048/E%20PHOTO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXgpbnF_C71OHqxVitlKyVblnXsF555hnHKPK2d9pS421nh_0af7vknGdVLgolvUAl4W2VKPSkK9Chii-r2Hc5IpYw5NWZV4yUhFzQ7_TY0ouqF9zgk7bp5yih27BvfGtaORgxxINyDdBUocXV0x7AfEMstL05NvacTEfEDR_0-x7Nd5PjOVi4Yeuuquq/s320/E%20PHOTO.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2zyU_IQPeoC7ens0ZTetrdyIfsUnnT9Tm8WtEIkQUC8BWw52w54nYKWyXPaEs9fxmv1NISkiDMS2M7Owy3LbirikV0pUgh5DvIjxc57m22KRi90jP9Cjujmhyphenhyphen5HcFiESXmR7J7sSJ9YsZ9_IL4XOsLfccaA5-quNBVpgIAIscWE7hK4TS8qdWYXtAYGc/s2048/F%20PHOTO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2zyU_IQPeoC7ens0ZTetrdyIfsUnnT9Tm8WtEIkQUC8BWw52w54nYKWyXPaEs9fxmv1NISkiDMS2M7Owy3LbirikV0pUgh5DvIjxc57m22KRi90jP9Cjujmhyphenhyphen5HcFiESXmR7J7sSJ9YsZ9_IL4XOsLfccaA5-quNBVpgIAIscWE7hK4TS8qdWYXtAYGc/s320/F%20PHOTO.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I was able to meet my fellow winners, Reynadel Cayetano (1st prize) and Kaye Leah Cacho-Sitchon (co-3rd prize), while Jeanne Jakob-Ashkenzi (2nd prize), based in Spain, was not able to attend.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDVQaafTiW7xBKf75zx33npOvtGK8o_daA0RMNiOOMIj6iRWWNzQIVy4muGYfm0iXRgrIs2qWECaHf9CSNebPx2BYD-nhiRKtYGPq8f9HPEO8hzW7a4me5cP2aIqFyqY1vLApV-Fs4JgktTT4sg3HuZ2eVQFLgJsDyQ-N3LwMgnjPYbgZCspT2qIJIppj/s2048/H%20PHOTO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="2048" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDVQaafTiW7xBKf75zx33npOvtGK8o_daA0RMNiOOMIj6iRWWNzQIVy4muGYfm0iXRgrIs2qWECaHf9CSNebPx2BYD-nhiRKtYGPq8f9HPEO8hzW7a4me5cP2aIqFyqY1vLApV-Fs4JgktTT4sg3HuZ2eVQFLgJsDyQ-N3LwMgnjPYbgZCspT2qIJIppj/s320/H%20PHOTO.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha85cLBm37ZVr6jiRx1MQRszJItxhjScqkduliKqyFu0ZgvEHhLaRTAdWWJzu_Sylml20ZqGAKPfxeFBR8olBtMR9CZ0h1_AccAYsTiOfw9GB0VuDHPkDOXR4CN4kL6teSr_zAW_fDej04oEjObG7XqdhPYE-iHa2hI3Xzum5Fw_-IHfy1QQQPGdxLDHVK/s1080/G%20PHOTO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha85cLBm37ZVr6jiRx1MQRszJItxhjScqkduliKqyFu0ZgvEHhLaRTAdWWJzu_Sylml20ZqGAKPfxeFBR8olBtMR9CZ0h1_AccAYsTiOfw9GB0VuDHPkDOXR4CN4kL6teSr_zAW_fDej04oEjObG7XqdhPYE-iHa2hI3Xzum5Fw_-IHfy1QQQPGdxLDHVK/s320/G%20PHOTO.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Before I received my award, Mr. Alfred Yuson, one of the judges and a Palanca hall-of-famer, read an excerpt from my winning essay. Having a legendary writer read my written words is an honor and a highlight of my years of writing.😎Thank you, Mr. Yuson!🙏</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SpR37x6wU9Teq_v02bqULSKDu2aTFJl4vatbSgTy8lAbueaMFMZIq1b34A2VZmm3qnnkj89r5RMll4b4Ji9yWJd25OfyaU0m3CrT1sCZDMU9mQUF4Eh_aYsggDb_MB5RFQwdBDu5nUOjsTrecrLlV6ZSeyegFL5gOEFelEgJsxdHJ5Ei9wm3N7eyMZdv/s2048/I%20PHOTO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="2048" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SpR37x6wU9Teq_v02bqULSKDu2aTFJl4vatbSgTy8lAbueaMFMZIq1b34A2VZmm3qnnkj89r5RMll4b4Ji9yWJd25OfyaU0m3CrT1sCZDMU9mQUF4Eh_aYsggDb_MB5RFQwdBDu5nUOjsTrecrLlV6ZSeyegFL5gOEFelEgJsxdHJ5Ei9wm3N7eyMZdv/s320/I%20PHOTO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6w9a1yMGUOV3d6GfOXd3TdmOrTQRHvQ98A7Dg-PWYbHv5A6pAoY-JeVSydvrM4SzEds8JLMlQEvIiCD15DXlBS3wT2dEudvst7_hg7EaR0O6FwYpsoVnTpFzmrp4j9dI3HrHwje5fjneSe76dvfEbXeRxRSAaYd_EcR3ESUUJJ5rmXho-__x8elli2sU/s2048/J%20PHOTO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6w9a1yMGUOV3d6GfOXd3TdmOrTQRHvQ98A7Dg-PWYbHv5A6pAoY-JeVSydvrM4SzEds8JLMlQEvIiCD15DXlBS3wT2dEudvst7_hg7EaR0O6FwYpsoVnTpFzmrp4j9dI3HrHwje5fjneSe76dvfEbXeRxRSAaYd_EcR3ESUUJJ5rmXho-__x8elli2sU/s320/J%20PHOTO.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">With treasured book prizes like the <i>Flavors of Iloilo</i> by Chef Rafael Jardeleza, <i>The Ultimate Filipino Adobo</i> by Claude Tayag, <i>Sangkap</i>, <i>Table for Ten</i>, and the brilliantly conceived, bilingual book, <i>Ang Alamat ng Lumpiang Shanghai</i> written by Ms. Nina Daza-Puyat, I am inspired and encouraged to continue writing about our Pinoy food and cuisine, lending my words to the efforts of preserving and promoting our culinary heritage.😊</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKiJWADUPfUeoeLOK8BhQnShFKdZ9aoZeQrKjVpje-mrbOQIm9e6iFQlsBRFrJOary2gM_LlwyBeKW4knIC0XsUvnzlZwFjogA8kK5Pi0SSMBn7UWvz212yhqEV4l4Q5EF-ptHQ8c3avVAcOoy8T-SNreD9PlfzkJrywmlAFsmqFuaaccLOZ2PDyiF1dR/s2048/K%20PHOTO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="2048" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKiJWADUPfUeoeLOK8BhQnShFKdZ9aoZeQrKjVpje-mrbOQIm9e6iFQlsBRFrJOary2gM_LlwyBeKW4knIC0XsUvnzlZwFjogA8kK5Pi0SSMBn7UWvz212yhqEV4l4Q5EF-ptHQ8c3avVAcOoy8T-SNreD9PlfzkJrywmlAFsmqFuaaccLOZ2PDyiF1dR/s320/K%20PHOTO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjseCY0dceGq_H1lD2B14npfNkI1D-FNkJsy_wwDe-m_rpQWZ3sL-jSjOY6urWAuhAkVk2EEjR6Mw5o9mpN4Pat9pocBI-gMDdC_pG5LHQ6YBFEtz_AIJMX2QxwGdSXpys0Q_8VAgzSM2e_O1lJU51sNzkA0-ZSYhCJlFFZQoKumjbCaneaD0GnKdsKN_D/s2048/L%20PHOTO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="2048" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjseCY0dceGq_H1lD2B14npfNkI1D-FNkJsy_wwDe-m_rpQWZ3sL-jSjOY6urWAuhAkVk2EEjR6Mw5o9mpN4Pat9pocBI-gMDdC_pG5LHQ6YBFEtz_AIJMX2QxwGdSXpys0Q_8VAgzSM2e_O1lJU51sNzkA0-ZSYhCJlFFZQoKumjbCaneaD0GnKdsKN_D/s320/L%20PHOTO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The link below is the Facebook page of the Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Awards. The deadline for the essay and short video competitions is March 31, 2024.😍</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #04ff00; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DoreenGamboaFernandezFoodWritingAward">h<span style="color: #04ff00;">ttps://www.facebook.com/DoreenGamboaFernandezFoodWritingAward</span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PFKJLp8qMSKthNY1zn2MPrWt6UL2xL9PNjdq1l7y4aIRcll5c_To5Nq09oYagctBjAewsgeB66silrltlY46AZwyaqRg2LjTr-o98wyiAolDLbufXo535HgQmtnH7gKCcn6YUYIC2TmubCpSr2qyUeP3gdff2bq4swVLgztOT7iW5dNt7N-B0bwEmu5i/s2048/M%20PHOTO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PFKJLp8qMSKthNY1zn2MPrWt6UL2xL9PNjdq1l7y4aIRcll5c_To5Nq09oYagctBjAewsgeB66silrltlY46AZwyaqRg2LjTr-o98wyiAolDLbufXo535HgQmtnH7gKCcn6YUYIC2TmubCpSr2qyUeP3gdff2bq4swVLgztOT7iW5dNt7N-B0bwEmu5i/s320/M%20PHOTO.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwzBWNd-DerGAdnWUx1fYUAjHRGZloBEFhUQsRECrcOfOJatL2j9-EGP4WWQj-KI7zzQm2ADMLTUpioK9-lhKnT7EC6VlJLtpdjsuzp5n4pM2ggndCSyOqybRJtxfvlARPBDYZtERixSjlar6RdnhWcllUkn3-eRGP6Ui75sDZ6cmN2jCtZNRjp6Sge0Z/s2048/O%20PHOTO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwzBWNd-DerGAdnWUx1fYUAjHRGZloBEFhUQsRECrcOfOJatL2j9-EGP4WWQj-KI7zzQm2ADMLTUpioK9-lhKnT7EC6VlJLtpdjsuzp5n4pM2ggndCSyOqybRJtxfvlARPBDYZtERixSjlar6RdnhWcllUkn3-eRGP6Ui75sDZ6cmN2jCtZNRjp6Sge0Z/s320/O%20PHOTO.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixX0wdiUj3ZzHNrCuwRUI3gutOuGKgxDjEtx6X-dbHk4svHQAwhtXTOIkIfckaxguLdn5y4M96ypzc9u_Wak635FT-5j0NH1uKMahsyz2mTVlwdVvAsp_hyWiLKtnKGgHLEFFXKRN6GzVlIQcII7Tii-2pJt-bmIwo_5HTinEDgGK5Z_1il9gCSlMhtSVm/s2048/N%20PHOTO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixX0wdiUj3ZzHNrCuwRUI3gutOuGKgxDjEtx6X-dbHk4svHQAwhtXTOIkIfckaxguLdn5y4M96ypzc9u_Wak635FT-5j0NH1uKMahsyz2mTVlwdVvAsp_hyWiLKtnKGgHLEFFXKRN6GzVlIQcII7Tii-2pJt-bmIwo_5HTinEDgGK5Z_1il9gCSlMhtSVm/s320/N%20PHOTO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The awards luncheon was even more memorable with special dishes whose flavors my palate still remembers. The charcoal-grilled lemongrass chicken and the milkfish belly roll were amazing! And the ube panna cotta was sublime! These were all curated by Chef Jessie herself. Thank you, Chef Jessie!😀</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Here's the clip where Mr. Alfred Yuson reads an excerpt from my food essay. I was over the moon with pride and honor as he was reading my piece.🙏</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wiGjVatUxYI" width="320" youtube-src-id="wiGjVatUxYI"></iframe></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>Mabuhay ang Pagkaing Pilipino!🍴</i>😎</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com01997 Pililla St. corner Obrero Tanay, streets, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines14.5705785 121.0237682-17.730156656717877 85.8675182 46.871313656717874 156.1800182tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-83217030813092719992023-11-21T00:18:00.006+09:002023-12-05T22:35:04.172+09:00A Hundred Years of Tita Isa's Dulce Gatas: Sweet Memories of a Sweet History<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">It was now past 11PM, cold but not freezing. The airport bus finally arrived at Hannam-dong in the Yongsan District, my home in Seoul. My plane from Manila just landed over an hour ago. It was time to go back to work; my Christmas vacation was over. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">As I waited on the sidewalk for the bus driver to pull out my <i>maleta</i> from the luggage compartment of his bus, Seoul welcomed me with a drizzle. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wanting to get out of the cold, I started dragging my 30-kilo luggage with my left arm while my 10-kilo hand-carry bag burdened my right shoulder. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The final leg <i>(pun, intended!)</i> of my journey to my home-away-from-home would require me to walk for 400 meters and traverse two pedestrian lanes that crisscrossed one of the busiest intersections in Yongsan. I was now very tired and hungry.😩</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And as I stood alone waiting for the green light at the crossing, the exhaustion from my cargo was too much that I looked up to the dark winter skies, my face wet with mist, and wanted to wail as the honking city buses and cars drove past me.😢</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I then realized that, among my clothes and shoes, were the prized contents of my bags: dried mangoes for my Korean friends, homemade<a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-frozen-brazo-de-mercedes-in-freezing.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;"> <i>brazo de mercedes</i> from Tita Gamay</span></a>, <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-pinoy-in-binondo-salazars-hopia.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">Salazar hopia from Binondo</span></a>, <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2012/07/mary-grace-cafe-everyones-reunion-cafe.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">Mary Grace chocolate truffle cake (in a plastic container) and ensaimadas from my friend Cielo</span></a>, <i>piaya</i> from Bailon's, Dolor's sapin-sapin, <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-pinoy-in-silay-city-enjoying-my.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">El Ideal's bread snacks</span></a>, packs of<i> tablea tsokolate</i>, <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2013/07/puto-ng-ina-mo.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">Manapla puto</span></a>, and <i><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2011/07/yummy-gifts-of-magi.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">Tita Isa's dulce gatas</span></a></i>!😁</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instead of crying, <i>I started to chuckle!😅</i> I wasn't carrying ordinary cargo. I was carrying goodies from home! These weren't burden; these were delights!😄</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIb8q1uUoigU8Cbm8makAvMP-PtQnsZEyXVi1qm-rFfyc7nnwEx7h-ZaXUDF8cjVPj7SO84kOtSES-xEnTA2UB5u-MxjKF8Q23kgcAgf-ktioX0kuiMRGzxCzrRHzxyjMSPND4PfVpfsL46xZ0xABLAHTuYMeus5hL_b-ucKnoGSFqwOZiVuBx2Iz10Gv/s800/IMG_4907%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIb8q1uUoigU8Cbm8makAvMP-PtQnsZEyXVi1qm-rFfyc7nnwEx7h-ZaXUDF8cjVPj7SO84kOtSES-xEnTA2UB5u-MxjKF8Q23kgcAgf-ktioX0kuiMRGzxCzrRHzxyjMSPND4PfVpfsL46xZ0xABLAHTuYMeus5hL_b-ucKnoGSFqwOZiVuBx2Iz10Gv/s320/IMG_4907%20(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> (Tita Isa's dulce gatas from the maleta)<br /></span></i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">That was how these Philippine delicacies cheered me up in Korea. Even during freezing winter mornings in Seoul, when I couldn't go out because of heavy snowfall, I'd steam a pair of <i>Manapla puto</i> and melt<i> tablea tsokolate</i> in hot milk, and my day would feel warm and better. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">At times, after a busy day in the office, I'd try to forget the stress and irritating office characters with a bar of <i>Tita Isa's dulce gatas!</i> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">These flavors that reminded me of home always made me feel not so far away from home. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">But now that I was, it was a delight to be 'reconnected' again with <i>Tita Isa's </i><i>dulce gatas!😊</i> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">Right in the middle of the <span style="color: #04ff00;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2017/11/kaon-ta-enjoying-silay-citys.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">2023 Kaon Ta Festival at Balay Negrense in Silay City</span></a> </span>I met Tita Isa's daughter, Mrs. Sonia Javier-Tordesillas who has continued her mom's dulce gatas business. 'Tita Isa's Dulce Gatas' was one of the stalls of other Silaynon heritage recipes at the food festival. <i>(According to my mom, it was Mrs. Sonia Tordesillas who took her orders when she phoned.😊)</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjfZOmB8r2GPFWiLlinXAms6WDXXn3_i8mLddTreGz1zyGJ9ZYGtEbMwE-SO1IoCHcXfTcWfty-7hYTooMgUksLncVYBzV_4ZG_pBqaU44AJi1Le0xoS7aYSjyBw38LwDjdhg1JCNiODu0OwYXpvW0qkk_RqJzhOCDYzJrXu7j35wAmatwuL1xJbYXCMG/s2048/370270853_882463773308587_1095912979244170177_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjfZOmB8r2GPFWiLlinXAms6WDXXn3_i8mLddTreGz1zyGJ9ZYGtEbMwE-SO1IoCHcXfTcWfty-7hYTooMgUksLncVYBzV_4ZG_pBqaU44AJi1Le0xoS7aYSjyBw38LwDjdhg1JCNiODu0OwYXpvW0qkk_RqJzhOCDYzJrXu7j35wAmatwuL1xJbYXCMG/s320/370270853_882463773308587_1095912979244170177_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">And while the Silay rondalla was providing music to everyone, I told Mrs. Sonia Tordesillas that her Mom's dulce gatas was one reason I was at Kaon Ta!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">And how did the story of Tita Isa's dulce gatas start?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">According to one of her daughters, Sr. Vicenta Eloisa Javier, R.A., it all started with their Lola Hortensia 'Oten' Gamboa who made dulce gatas in the 1920s. With lots of sugar available in Negros plus the available supply of carabao's milk from their hacienda, it was easy to create such yummy delicacy. Back then, Lola Oten used milk cans as her dulce gatas containers.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2KFJrX_4lRN9UuJ4CHK_PHV1VP0P3YXRER-7snFogY5SFbOodBszF0UO2-8LkzRZbfvGGrraL1mxLftIBy4uz4KZ0HE1snofbo6m8X2xxJnLoykIgwsmUbWPzcWKE-jMcnOobCW5jsVkiatE-nrBz62KhLuadXEhOTXn-_UVQVHHHPna561jPErsV07x/s1728/372410788_2046616982364472_7709171587487736333_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1728" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2KFJrX_4lRN9UuJ4CHK_PHV1VP0P3YXRER-7snFogY5SFbOodBszF0UO2-8LkzRZbfvGGrraL1mxLftIBy4uz4KZ0HE1snofbo6m8X2xxJnLoykIgwsmUbWPzcWKE-jMcnOobCW5jsVkiatE-nrBz62KhLuadXEhOTXn-_UVQVHHHPna561jPErsV07x/s320/372410788_2046616982364472_7709171587487736333_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(If you want to order, these are numbers to call </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">in Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines)</span></span></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In the 1950s, when Lola Oten felt she needed to turn over the dulce gatas business to the next generation, she passed it on to her niece, Eloisa <i>'Isa'</i> Gamboa-Javier, who also added pili macaroons, merengue, pastel, and barquiron to her sweet creations. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8b-nElYohR4bnAUBAgZFB6nIuUpEBRaAY-qqunmd20JGSyVzKcYmI_kqizY_dIhECpksrP8_lsJu-70YVnwBaQhCwb2bTydE1vE7cpSZCuxkfxRqB2HivjdtQMjsiAk13RgiXI3hLD_A-S-2DCVPYEe6ihYjfUP4YvVDB_B9jcQOaH9DASIeA5hw7gerM/s2048/384556183_722924806528478_1734098039761803098_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="981" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8b-nElYohR4bnAUBAgZFB6nIuUpEBRaAY-qqunmd20JGSyVzKcYmI_kqizY_dIhECpksrP8_lsJu-70YVnwBaQhCwb2bTydE1vE7cpSZCuxkfxRqB2HivjdtQMjsiAk13RgiXI3hLD_A-S-2DCVPYEe6ihYjfUP4YvVDB_B9jcQOaH9DASIeA5hw7gerM/s320/384556183_722924806528478_1734098039761803098_n.jpg" width="153" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">It was her dulce gatas that stood the test of time and the discriminating taste of her customers. Although branded as <i>"Tita Isa's Dulce Gatas"</i>, it is also called "<i>mazapan de leche"</i> when her sewing teacher, <i>Señora Montserrat Viaplana</i>, asked her to make some so she could bring this sweet delight to Spain as pasalubong. <i>Tita Isa</i> named dulce gatas as <i>mazapan de leche</i> for her Spanish consumers. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">With Lola Oten's original recipe in the 1920s up to today, for a hundred years now, <i>dulce gatas</i> has been enjoyed by generations and has been a pasalubong to Spain, to Korea and </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">to many other places and countries, I'm sure.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I look back now, I'd chuckle again at those funny memories, but at the same time, I now have a bar to enjoy, and I know that any time, I could always order and travel to Silay City for those yummy Tita Isa's <i>dulce gatas</i>. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">How about you? What are your sweet memories of Tita Isa's dulce gatas?😍</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLykW767ZBlKC5QMRY6LJXn36KJvQxZ1dioVdX7JhJsGxPEcDZQdkw1wAnvyEitc2kh2nuHq359YtYL1B_vxz22BgF-lFOn4N_rDe9BPO6IUADgc_dm3BRLTvOEb8DylN-fi9aVp3oQ5NtGn5tEJzCmKq5hSlHC5H7rKO08IVZWJotBwGk6oeio7MmLNxI/s2048/368610519_708879470821499_6245441112405917218_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLykW767ZBlKC5QMRY6LJXn36KJvQxZ1dioVdX7JhJsGxPEcDZQdkw1wAnvyEitc2kh2nuHq359YtYL1B_vxz22BgF-lFOn4N_rDe9BPO6IUADgc_dm3BRLTvOEb8DylN-fi9aVp3oQ5NtGn5tEJzCmKq5hSlHC5H7rKO08IVZWJotBwGk6oeio7MmLNxI/s320/368610519_708879470821499_6245441112405917218_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">#titaisasdulcegatas #dulcegatas #mazapandeleche #Silay #NegrosOccidental #bacolod #pasalubong #pinoyfood #food #foodblog</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines10.7528182 123.0875623-17.557415636178845 87.9313123 39.063052036178846 158.2438123tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-64479543315030029062023-10-06T12:14:00.003+09:002023-10-06T13:15:00.011+09:00Restoring History: El Municipío de Victorias<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Years ago, my excitement of spending my Christmas vacations in my hometown would be ruined by the sight our historic city hall horribly painted green and white that made it look like <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-history-chapter-16-don-felix.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">it was missing some wrapped gifts for it to be mistaken as a Christmas corner <i>(read blog here)</i></span></a>. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS089J6p8VruZyX9YDEL4NK21JtIDFzuGZPOJoxRTRTjiy_M1bFZuOQjsFqNQ9yXSIvYCxS1rZb99dxCvEVsw44UoT0Zu8jTgjDvLPBsxHZbPEHTrWd8p8YNBVc3TrAV_HqOck5jad1WmSIJKlSYDO-PWvQJvNI2rZtIHQpt4Ll7WTeBss5hpWplhmkl5/s1854/386851301_970292650928804_4536978818883341155_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1854" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS089J6p8VruZyX9YDEL4NK21JtIDFzuGZPOJoxRTRTjiy_M1bFZuOQjsFqNQ9yXSIvYCxS1rZb99dxCvEVsw44UoT0Zu8jTgjDvLPBsxHZbPEHTrWd8p8YNBVc3TrAV_HqOck5jad1WmSIJKlSYDO-PWvQJvNI2rZtIHQpt4Ll7WTeBss5hpWplhmkl5/s320/386851301_970292650928804_4536978818883341155_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(The new look after the 2023 make-over </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">of the 1930s municipio)</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I later wrote about this in my blog in November 2019 when I featured <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-history-ang-kasaysayan-sang.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">the history of the <i>município</i> in the chapters I wrote about the History of Victorias City <i>(read blog here)</i></span></a>. I remember when I was kid I sort of enjoyed looking at its ivory-colored walls that gave out red-orange hues when it was struck by the setting sun as the <i>município</i>'s orientation was to the northwest. It was a beautiful sight then; nature taking part in beautifying the elegant<i> município</i>. Today, the tall trees in the plaza, and probably a few structures to the west are blocking the last afternoon rays of the sun before it sets for the day.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">So, how was its old glory restored?</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Fortunately for the city of Victorias and its people, its new mayor, Javier Benitez, listens. And I, for one, am glad he does.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In February 2023, the repainting of the city hall began with the white paint replaced by ivory, and the green replaced with <i>"plum jam"</i>color. That's the official label of the paint. It's like burgundy from afar.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Day by day, week after week, the walls, the columns, the sharp corners, and the statue of an eagle that symbolizes power, freedom, leadership and resilience gradually changed colors.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Since this restoration was bringing back the historical colors of the 1930s <i>município</i>, I chronicled the work and the workers through these photographs.</span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTRK_OdDFqigRLSBEUHgAOqYBjmGD7fKRorIFziX1zKRf80_Ff_NFuvVqoRuTppksUfX8xlDpuca839gF9cqtVuLVt8RYLdcwCA1Ra5LSu-jiVMWf__9Q_YUR0gxW0wOkncsrl2oW9qrniTcu6bZPkJi383Iq0fcdLUq6LdbakGb3DSwc4zKr5Enwyp81/s2635/IMG_3867.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="2635" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTRK_OdDFqigRLSBEUHgAOqYBjmGD7fKRorIFziX1zKRf80_Ff_NFuvVqoRuTppksUfX8xlDpuca839gF9cqtVuLVt8RYLdcwCA1Ra5LSu-jiVMWf__9Q_YUR0gxW0wOkncsrl2oW9qrniTcu6bZPkJi383Iq0fcdLUq6LdbakGb3DSwc4zKr5Enwyp81/s320/IMG_3867.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FOHWirCwhPKWV5ZYcpUWIUOTiNA8a4_yLv6y1SJJRnX6IDgVKS6ZUE211j9Rq5kb50X0QvjVfavIMtheTH-4iWCjT7UYvy8Sf1gtfZ4NsU3yw2TVXnnDEkWnLA8oOa2sk3oE468UnWJYeoba83gg7ltMXKWUxEjUWNnI38JTQ2nSDKEHCqtHMaXen3rQ/s3088/IMG_3868.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="3088" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FOHWirCwhPKWV5ZYcpUWIUOTiNA8a4_yLv6y1SJJRnX6IDgVKS6ZUE211j9Rq5kb50X0QvjVfavIMtheTH-4iWCjT7UYvy8Sf1gtfZ4NsU3yw2TVXnnDEkWnLA8oOa2sk3oE468UnWJYeoba83gg7ltMXKWUxEjUWNnI38JTQ2nSDKEHCqtHMaXen3rQ/s320/IMG_3868.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUh6VkRsfYyhCOCtxFwAMeeoRcFzex93niKeyV5BOrdAwxWLD0fZJm5itt428rAtdUjL5QvE6GV92VIkOvMzOz1SB7QgK-xCE6mcrfEz0bMU43cWr4xD-88CpBWkYpkm4Rr3hbh6_kwu4M9GpwmmjZzdwMAbs6YAwCNH1KpOEZAR6UfRf0x3yFJyeGxLo/s1228/IMG_3869.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1228" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUh6VkRsfYyhCOCtxFwAMeeoRcFzex93niKeyV5BOrdAwxWLD0fZJm5itt428rAtdUjL5QvE6GV92VIkOvMzOz1SB7QgK-xCE6mcrfEz0bMU43cWr4xD-88CpBWkYpkm4Rr3hbh6_kwu4M9GpwmmjZzdwMAbs6YAwCNH1KpOEZAR6UfRf0x3yFJyeGxLo/s320/IMG_3869.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(Other than being a good painter, one other qualification for these workers must have been </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">being fearless of heights.)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q2q0CKFwYR1FGSYsCKB3pqqsIUXvHUHKgrm6h9ClKiEvIyD9LDd80jxphrVriGB9kGgbEedJ70ejxTG1zoxbzGetHOS4IBNmbSbTA3e0B3OrBdT2HUS_hBS3yPaFqr3GsbuNHLPfN-nYdwVcslII80jyhXcYCdVICxKTWV763xWgVU4aKJVuxgIWPOYr/s3088/IMG_3874.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2056" data-original-width="3088" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q2q0CKFwYR1FGSYsCKB3pqqsIUXvHUHKgrm6h9ClKiEvIyD9LDd80jxphrVriGB9kGgbEedJ70ejxTG1zoxbzGetHOS4IBNmbSbTA3e0B3OrBdT2HUS_hBS3yPaFqr3GsbuNHLPfN-nYdwVcslII80jyhXcYCdVICxKTWV763xWgVU4aKJVuxgIWPOYr/s320/IMG_3874.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidokCtV2gKf_sKDzTw__VZTsz04FL8qhntUtaH9CTAJ7Vou3gQRFKGW7FSMi09NjAITLanWGd5zyJwpM_7-h1J_PHZEreuPhAF_Y5jC0V2Am2fwKnsNVLe8vd6AdXYacr6MGHhTG6UrkhLzXeFrCv3NsnZMT22v2VUMTEKm5LOKMWlaXphoPfU1NuAbq49/s2981/IMG_3877.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1826" data-original-width="2981" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidokCtV2gKf_sKDzTw__VZTsz04FL8qhntUtaH9CTAJ7Vou3gQRFKGW7FSMi09NjAITLanWGd5zyJwpM_7-h1J_PHZEreuPhAF_Y5jC0V2Am2fwKnsNVLe8vd6AdXYacr6MGHhTG6UrkhLzXeFrCv3NsnZMT22v2VUMTEKm5LOKMWlaXphoPfU1NuAbq49/s320/IMG_3877.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYLrUl2xIdgrNlWTYtQHBrRS6Ht0CghyphenhyphenxRzoiol2ngrlj02ETs4VJtqATZ6cpNvS-aLDxfV2NsGKPssAj5mrPTO8WwIJHYSDJm8lFUQpldmteSSmJ7QHouSKpUhBvLBNUwTfmX7eUPt4XdsNi2zSgCYgZlLleTKOC5cM_di0fz-zUjtb8MVuz9aiagZBP/s3434/IMG_3882.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2440" data-original-width="3434" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYLrUl2xIdgrNlWTYtQHBrRS6Ht0CghyphenhyphenxRzoiol2ngrlj02ETs4VJtqATZ6cpNvS-aLDxfV2NsGKPssAj5mrPTO8WwIJHYSDJm8lFUQpldmteSSmJ7QHouSKpUhBvLBNUwTfmX7eUPt4XdsNi2zSgCYgZlLleTKOC5cM_di0fz-zUjtb8MVuz9aiagZBP/s320/IMG_3882.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKi1FN959L0Fb7pXlUy3zhyphenhyphenhpC9n2axhV4QbkIyS0MaKQAfTK-7p8YYwyC_7HIaWuXY5TNdnfk0xxDR5TOz-SkdNkh6Z17J1SJ1LbmaU7FXzk9jhvZbSg8IgsltywVUBk6dVVpbfHDjcXwef03bHuu8Tvv404tynX-3zblt0xs4xAEX3bo5p4SWkXTQk2B/s3803/IMG_3884.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2359" data-original-width="3803" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKi1FN959L0Fb7pXlUy3zhyphenhyphenhpC9n2axhV4QbkIyS0MaKQAfTK-7p8YYwyC_7HIaWuXY5TNdnfk0xxDR5TOz-SkdNkh6Z17J1SJ1LbmaU7FXzk9jhvZbSg8IgsltywVUBk6dVVpbfHDjcXwef03bHuu8Tvv404tynX-3zblt0xs4xAEX3bo5p4SWkXTQk2B/s320/IMG_3884.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3P_pRyCty5kG3NeC9IWnkN0gv899wbSXIGWzbUlRgAXUyJaz5cCt06BmFIJe-FrAX4oSj0yKHxECevQYBtuXoppBxfI1-7Jy8DWVYSFWpKHxcJRRJTUpCFPn0OX-PYOAuwTSPfyDv6sSxuu9_YgqlkQeapYZfSlFIJRp_FyJ2tbzyjB65qmJvYkmp28Vo/s3459/IMG_3896.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2406" data-original-width="3459" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3P_pRyCty5kG3NeC9IWnkN0gv899wbSXIGWzbUlRgAXUyJaz5cCt06BmFIJe-FrAX4oSj0yKHxECevQYBtuXoppBxfI1-7Jy8DWVYSFWpKHxcJRRJTUpCFPn0OX-PYOAuwTSPfyDv6sSxuu9_YgqlkQeapYZfSlFIJRp_FyJ2tbzyjB65qmJvYkmp28Vo/s320/IMG_3896.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbt5qin4bLFEKKQKCTBfr1Vs03ipe7u_yKsTpQcaVeq6ih2wQ5jVrAZvKQqkL_Hpl-5buiAL1xWXXtUblOwS5Z5SoLz01-OlW1XMg29hdm5w0vOmOGKSi5LxJmOYePlIRFrv3tIJ03qLpiNU112XoerG6K_41S4heyeOn79n6OadcDkc0lnwu2Vcdz2FG/s3490/IMG_3901.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2486" data-original-width="3490" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbt5qin4bLFEKKQKCTBfr1Vs03ipe7u_yKsTpQcaVeq6ih2wQ5jVrAZvKQqkL_Hpl-5buiAL1xWXXtUblOwS5Z5SoLz01-OlW1XMg29hdm5w0vOmOGKSi5LxJmOYePlIRFrv3tIJ03qLpiNU112XoerG6K_41S4heyeOn79n6OadcDkc0lnwu2Vcdz2FG/s320/IMG_3901.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmlsA85csF2YzYZR1_zTV4vsB7dIBbhZnrMZmZ54WI3AN0riq8pxPjj7ilt4Eg-crvNvvhNI1FMneNJ3g2AycYDwy6DuiAptXMbAiXULflCLQkC7lCTI6bC_nUryxfhTFK3TPE1jP2pBlDONXzC5v59eAV91G2wiBcjM_qInke9unS1bCbcxyt2PBn0Od/s3812/IMG_3907.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3812" data-original-width="2848" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmlsA85csF2YzYZR1_zTV4vsB7dIBbhZnrMZmZ54WI3AN0riq8pxPjj7ilt4Eg-crvNvvhNI1FMneNJ3g2AycYDwy6DuiAptXMbAiXULflCLQkC7lCTI6bC_nUryxfhTFK3TPE1jP2pBlDONXzC5v59eAV91G2wiBcjM_qInke9unS1bCbcxyt2PBn0Od/s320/IMG_3907.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(The workers take an afternoon break </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">under the shade.)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhA0Nb85ULOyP7iikW7gxFbzqDlp1Xkt2rckh80fKSpjCmFJnAkeEiiSvV5BgxNwH9RxRYeguQbzXgoN5Olgy2CkAI9BdR1SVVloDP-qDljLgSJW-knW47_iqYkgqMPLmLVY4ncnGoMwhDS5zzmLYYIUrPURyJm0F91HB8Xnwy3OKAMw-0IxB_V_KsqrD/s4272/IMG_3916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhA0Nb85ULOyP7iikW7gxFbzqDlp1Xkt2rckh80fKSpjCmFJnAkeEiiSvV5BgxNwH9RxRYeguQbzXgoN5Olgy2CkAI9BdR1SVVloDP-qDljLgSJW-knW47_iqYkgqMPLmLVY4ncnGoMwhDS5zzmLYYIUrPURyJm0F91HB8Xnwy3OKAMw-0IxB_V_KsqrD/s320/IMG_3916.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(We pay tribute to Raymond and his team of painters from Bacolod City)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZe1887Lv9BQIhOnxHJCgGpjtBtk9zAkBnNpyVFoULOkWfzrWYdBuQdtA_w5VouarhYXqQi3P6XMajVE1B8bE0E-9ktk0-gclcta1zNrFveEPxj96oB5lXLub5mmKu2PNPlftzRgJP50Op7z0pfu5okIe8UfnHw9Mtzvr1ixELK6cUAtalwKFJtKIh7PGB/s2004/IMG_3929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1748" data-original-width="2004" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZe1887Lv9BQIhOnxHJCgGpjtBtk9zAkBnNpyVFoULOkWfzrWYdBuQdtA_w5VouarhYXqQi3P6XMajVE1B8bE0E-9ktk0-gclcta1zNrFveEPxj96oB5lXLub5mmKu2PNPlftzRgJP50Op7z0pfu5okIe8UfnHw9Mtzvr1ixELK6cUAtalwKFJtKIh7PGB/s320/IMG_3929.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxNH4StE-lHL9Ao59HeoiTV2JwMuQyQng4JtEJfsr2Ke1Yq83GiH1VbDXIMqSEAg_X71jTfK1dMwxR_J0F7PkNeAx8p7ekN_g7fKT_4Jy8ROpFdsbcix18AC0GcPVC7ly8c6egmuEWh6reZByAReqewPeu_w9AEqg1bWJSmSXQPUTuatosn4sqTtvkay2/s1848/IMG_3930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="1235" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxNH4StE-lHL9Ao59HeoiTV2JwMuQyQng4JtEJfsr2Ke1Yq83GiH1VbDXIMqSEAg_X71jTfK1dMwxR_J0F7PkNeAx8p7ekN_g7fKT_4Jy8ROpFdsbcix18AC0GcPVC7ly8c6egmuEWh6reZByAReqewPeu_w9AEqg1bWJSmSXQPUTuatosn4sqTtvkay2/s320/IMG_3930.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(The statue of the eagle that symbolizes freedom, power, leadership and resilience is being repainted before it soars to the Visayan skies.)</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2mopEOiapw6GWdQ3RyO6S6Ado8Cl5N-yaCcSbyWtyv69OATj74yEbWgZc6u6YiO3XQtY-8paPIFKU4xwEmPyuGc_75BoJA-pF9oiaF6spq0sCIMaOsBARfNxC-slvfG0dXLF-XnpTKvm6RO3BooSN0e8RbQbMBOcLI6fUHHtFIDYv19danxTErEh4beD/s2847/IMG_5190.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="2847" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2mopEOiapw6GWdQ3RyO6S6Ado8Cl5N-yaCcSbyWtyv69OATj74yEbWgZc6u6YiO3XQtY-8paPIFKU4xwEmPyuGc_75BoJA-pF9oiaF6spq0sCIMaOsBARfNxC-slvfG0dXLF-XnpTKvm6RO3BooSN0e8RbQbMBOcLI6fUHHtFIDYv19danxTErEh4beD/s320/IMG_5190.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /><span>I am glad that the colors of the old municipio, the one built during the term of Don Felix Montinola with the help of then President Manuel L. Quezon and the people of Victorias during that time, are back. I pay tribute to Raymond and his fellow painters from Bacolod City. Don Felix and the workers who built and painted the <i>município</i> in the 1930s would have been proud.</span></span><p></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span>I am all for telling the truth of each story, not just through colors, but also through words. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span>For the history of Victorias and the truth about the fake history some people in position have been trying to spread, do click and read these Chapters on the History of Victorias City:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #04ff00;"><br /></span></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #04ff00; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #04ff00;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/10/ang-kasaysayan-sang-victorias-kag-iba.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">History of Victorias City</span></a></span></i></b></span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #04ff00; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-history-chapter-8-where-can.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">The truth behind the local propaganda</span></a></span></i></b><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-history-chapter-8-where-can.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span></a></span></li></ul></div><div><div><span style="color: #04ff00; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Let's all help restore truth in our History.😋</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#history #VictoriasCity #NegrosOccidental #Philippines</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#historian #Victorias #Negros #NegOcc #pinoyhistory</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Philippines10.8698236 123.0901539-17.440410236178845 87.9339039 39.180057436178842 158.24640390000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-6095437457987561882023-08-16T20:50:00.000+09:002023-08-16T20:50:42.020+09:00Renewing My PRC I.D. Is As Easy As A-B-C!<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">As my CPA license was about to expire, I needed to renew it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I thought it would be another bureaucratic process like the one I endured years ago when I first had to go through the POEA as an OFW after I was offered a job in Seoul. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">By comparison, it took me about four months to complete the POEA process, including the sending back and forth of documents to and from Korea,<a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2017/10/living-in-korea-how-i-got-my-permanent.html" target="_blank"> <span style="color: #04ff00;">while it just took 36 days for the Korean Immigration Office to process my application for a permanent resident visa <i>(read blog here)</i></span></a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">But I am surprised that the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has leveled up: it has streamlined the process and provided an online portal for all of its services! This means the only time I had to leave home was to have my 2x2 photo taken, photocopy my old PRC ID and print the application form and proof of payment, and visit the PRC satellite office at Robinsons Mall in Bacolod City to get my new PRC ID!😎</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IH6F31kYS3csR_0wFlcNJBA4UJ5anhjfavHpFCV3_2OgGwablD-AT_9Wki6skk5e-oFSJm-IYmQWfxuUbPni40NBtx7uxFTA_oiYzfyD22bmNnbl7xAoDTzauBei3vQOkNDWnn70kVz0uBQJD82YWNJxw_Znf4DMUyg3vMA8EWdFDRUwiNI3PBpJZKkd/s565/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-13%20at%2018.58.07.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="565" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IH6F31kYS3csR_0wFlcNJBA4UJ5anhjfavHpFCV3_2OgGwablD-AT_9Wki6skk5e-oFSJm-IYmQWfxuUbPni40NBtx7uxFTA_oiYzfyD22bmNnbl7xAoDTzauBei3vQOkNDWnn70kVz0uBQJD82YWNJxw_Znf4DMUyg3vMA8EWdFDRUwiNI3PBpJZKkd/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-13%20at%2018.58.07.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk09JqiG8DiBwApQs-y13rzTrytAu4WJDL8w48Ro6MOQ0j28qRlgcHxbq717DM8hBY6ArCqv36XusEqwxJ1A3qDWt5Xs8nMJGMoOdky2biY5hSowNU0Mwax8WvPBDcoG--stL_dBX29plz3XUaar37m26yG6DwAcLDRvGcP3MpI2_CoGclT4Ng493a76MH/s535/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-13%20at%2018.58.15.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="535" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk09JqiG8DiBwApQs-y13rzTrytAu4WJDL8w48Ro6MOQ0j28qRlgcHxbq717DM8hBY6ArCqv36XusEqwxJ1A3qDWt5Xs8nMJGMoOdky2biY5hSowNU0Mwax8WvPBDcoG--stL_dBX29plz3XUaar37m26yG6DwAcLDRvGcP3MpI2_CoGclT4Ng493a76MH/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-13%20at%2018.58.15.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK7mgOTIiO7KyptlVq0PnNpNdijup71CakiS-U16MBQhcsO102Qt-2nwuw7ZGRQAa2nRc4ZEP3aXOBL5pg05NDA6f1VkUi90hfrphRYQibwiPuj_t4DD5BQYD257CTIr2BbWhiOjWfgISTzCkjYhKsDjMguuzvQTqnR9BjPJrtOaKpoE1aUMMBRvo7_yp/s1078/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-13%20at%2018.58.22.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1078" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK7mgOTIiO7KyptlVq0PnNpNdijup71CakiS-U16MBQhcsO102Qt-2nwuw7ZGRQAa2nRc4ZEP3aXOBL5pg05NDA6f1VkUi90hfrphRYQibwiPuj_t4DD5BQYD257CTIr2BbWhiOjWfgISTzCkjYhKsDjMguuzvQTqnR9BjPJrtOaKpoE1aUMMBRvo7_yp/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-13%20at%2018.58.22.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pP3Hxh-4DY7hh1h_oXTTR6nzBca6B3L7fJ8mHXZ2dWPRQSf2-RDO00CdpIB4HPR5bfkwfeWhZOdwRUnSW1biZaTc3gUIClQOvk9DfqvQv1QYC5xLZVv_YPuSKmE3ghFl0sWMB-aKpX17njoiZw8uKMwBSojBkKwjy84JcLV2K3CZRp1XWwal4thaCx-6/s464/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-13%20at%2018.58.31.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="406" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pP3Hxh-4DY7hh1h_oXTTR6nzBca6B3L7fJ8mHXZ2dWPRQSf2-RDO00CdpIB4HPR5bfkwfeWhZOdwRUnSW1biZaTc3gUIClQOvk9DfqvQv1QYC5xLZVv_YPuSKmE3ghFl0sWMB-aKpX17njoiZw8uKMwBSojBkKwjy84JcLV2K3CZRp1XWwal4thaCx-6/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-13%20at%2018.58.31.png" width="280" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aR3mGZ57cnzF9Q0NgBTof-aSLlMVWtCB6oWS75ki_CYxNBdhxyolVxmR7HujWxK_FpfMwrqg7JJBh8ZRV9au0KT42Jd-R0DRPLIxCnPQp0AL7Mkc3rXS2aheRClyjVnvbXqVwM_OyQPRScZLPOgaNVXJTEERSqtj_ViXTYtQRrlnHdNB921aY1vepkxQ/s1163/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-13%20at%2019.01.19.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1163" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aR3mGZ57cnzF9Q0NgBTof-aSLlMVWtCB6oWS75ki_CYxNBdhxyolVxmR7HujWxK_FpfMwrqg7JJBh8ZRV9au0KT42Jd-R0DRPLIxCnPQp0AL7Mkc3rXS2aheRClyjVnvbXqVwM_OyQPRScZLPOgaNVXJTEERSqtj_ViXTYtQRrlnHdNB921aY1vepkxQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-13%20at%2019.01.19.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">These are the things I did to renew:</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">1. Visit the PRC portal and register to create an account (make sure you do this on a laptop and not on a smartphone, and have all your contact and professional details on hand).</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Here's the official PRC website:</span></p><p><a href="https://www.prc.gov.ph/"><span style="color: #04ff00;">https://www.prc.gov.ph/</span></a></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">If you don't have a computer at home, there are shops with internet services that can help you create an account and process your transaction for a fee.</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">2. In order to create your PRC online account, you will need a digital photo that you will upload.</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">3. Create a transaction request for the renewal of PRC ID.</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">4. Pay the renewal fee of P880 online (I paid through phone banking). Print the ELECTRONIC OFFICIAL RECEIPT (eOR) and submit this together with your APPLICATION FOR PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD (PIC) form on the appointed date.</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">5. Request for an appointment through the portal at the nearest regional office and the website will give you the next available date and time at the nearest PRC office.</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">6. The PRC website has a step-by-step manual that you can download for detailed instructions.</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">7. Download and print the APPLICATION FOR PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD (PIC) form that includes sections for DECLARATION AND ATTESTATION and UNDERTAKING in case you do not have enough CPD points. Also sign below UNDERTAKING if you do not have enough CPD points.</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">8. Photocopy your old PRC ID (front and back) and bring it with you on the appointed date.</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">9. Go to a photo studio for a 2x2 ID photo with white background and in a business attire. You will need to have the photo attached to your printed PIC.</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">10. If you have a PWD ID or a Senior's ID, include it in your online information, and you can use it to queue at the special lane for PWDs and senior citizens at the PRC office.</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VXA2D8z_QvkQVR03p7xCBuCPZd_fqCda-fEJ3peBCtmPiiQ0Ef_QUky_Vx9rsCIrTIgyv3If4QOs2-rLsTNZMJLz1LwQuQzHZRs7aO2qUpWt8nhVBylB708mrrTxX1oFzLOzY06teWd61TTkGAHfyRBCUVSEgfiRBe2RfP_BW1x3nYZqZJxjYddG7kpU/s1728/362940170_552937840218051_393820072277870643_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1728" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VXA2D8z_QvkQVR03p7xCBuCPZd_fqCda-fEJ3peBCtmPiiQ0Ef_QUky_Vx9rsCIrTIgyv3If4QOs2-rLsTNZMJLz1LwQuQzHZRs7aO2qUpWt8nhVBylB708mrrTxX1oFzLOzY06teWd61TTkGAHfyRBCUVSEgfiRBe2RfP_BW1x3nYZqZJxjYddG7kpU/s320/362940170_552937840218051_393820072277870643_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">My entire visit to the PRC Office was quick and convenient. It only took about 15 minutes since I had all the required documents: the signed PIC with 2x2 photo, eOR, and a photocopy of my old PRC ID. </span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I simply queued at the PWD line, submitted my documents, and waited. After the wait, my name was called and the lady gave me my new PRC ID!</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Getting my new ID was as easy as A-B-C!😀</span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>Maraming salamat, PRC!😎</i></span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIypy2rJm8h2BnKMkjBouB5_tmgpjry__WLpndKpea-sSDJwWK2Ag3Iellguz5jutCE1RJduKlyOwktIJ-QB_-musi22gOZm_nIkGHv9n-S6qhin-lh93zXOL1ukP2P46IrFj9N8ijwHRc0MhtNuvtlvkh_lU3jlIlOu3gLnobFRdbYWIfFECOggNXlf7-/s1728/362908955_252532370974666_8423482973085496674_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIypy2rJm8h2BnKMkjBouB5_tmgpjry__WLpndKpea-sSDJwWK2Ag3Iellguz5jutCE1RJduKlyOwktIJ-QB_-musi22gOZm_nIkGHv9n-S6qhin-lh93zXOL1ukP2P46IrFj9N8ijwHRc0MhtNuvtlvkh_lU3jlIlOu3gLnobFRdbYWIfFECOggNXlf7-/s320/362908955_252532370974666_8423482973085496674_n.jpg" width="153" /></a></span></div><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>(The PRC Office at the 3rd floor of Robinsons Bacolod)</i></span></span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#professionalregulationcommission #PRC</span><p></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#CPA #Robinsonsmall #Robinsons<br /><i><br /></i></span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></span></div>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Lacson St, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental, Philippines10.6912666 122.9583799-17.618967236178847 87.8021299 39.001500436178844 158.1146299tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-61648866903606847682023-08-15T14:37:00.006+09:002023-08-15T14:41:50.885+09:00A 1937 Medal from the 33rd International Eucharistic Congress in Manila, Philippines<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In 1937, when she was 35 years old, Tita Luz (Luz Montinola), <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-history-chapter-16-don-felix.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">the third daughter of Don Felix Montinola (read blog here)</span> </a>traveled from Negros Occidental to Manila, probably with <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2020/02/philippine-history-chapter-24-women-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">her older sister, Salud, to join the 1.5 million Catholics</span> </a>from the Philippines and around the world, at the 33rd International Eucharistic Congress, held from February 3 to 7 that year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The first Eucharistic Congress was held in 1881 in Lille, France, 56 years before this gathering in Manila, Philippines. This was its first ever congress in Asia with events held at the Rizal Park and Quezon City with hundreds of thousands in attendance each time. It is also remembered as having the largest religious procession of more than 600,000 Catholics, which must have included Tita Luz and Tita Lud, both devout Catholics. At that time, it was considered the largest Catholic gathering in the only Catholic country in Asia. It was also the first time that a Catholic cardinal set foot in the Philippines. Dennis Joseph Cardinal Dougherty of Philadelphia came; hwas the former bishop of Jaro in Iloilo from 1908 to 1915.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">To memorialize the Eucharistic Congress, two kinds of medals were minted and sold to attendees that could be worn by pinning. This is one of the two medals. Its obverse (principal side) features the Manila Cathedral in the middle, and the words "Congressus", "Eucharisticus", "Internationalis", and "Manilanus", meaning, International Eucharistic Congress (Manila) with the numbers 1-9-3-7 distributed around it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The other side is a depiction of the First Mass in the Philippines with two Spanish soldiers on the left and a family on the right wearing modern clothes. On the background is a sea with mountains. Also featured are a few coconut trees. Sadly, no one in the medal is seen sipping buko juice nor is anyone seen taking a dip at the beach.😃</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The number 1-5-2-1 are engraved, and the Latin words are written around the medal: <i>"Praedicate Evangelium Omni Creaturae"</i> - which means <i>'preach the Gospel to every creature'</i>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">After Tita Luz gave this to my mother, she wore it to honor the giver. It was noticed by Father Bayona, a former parish priest who told my mom that her medal was lovely.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The medal is heavy and is shaped like a cross, and has a witness one of the largest Catholic gatherings ever in Asia.😃</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_05qOLXZSbLIM8wppLv860B9puN1lAyBimZzGqtw-A3QSL1lrUNn4wsXDyW047_rRtVyQg2YN6_Apjzms48PpkmN1b-XkEL8g-x_JshfWlElMAhqkayiiv4JKUaiKRnxsgwbxR23CPzU_dXyf4aLNsSDh3i2rghwtIfjV5YnpadNrSWJ2QHLhIVPIFK8V/s1728/361620982_10159844636753335_1041626999535019401_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="1296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_05qOLXZSbLIM8wppLv860B9puN1lAyBimZzGqtw-A3QSL1lrUNn4wsXDyW047_rRtVyQg2YN6_Apjzms48PpkmN1b-XkEL8g-x_JshfWlElMAhqkayiiv4JKUaiKRnxsgwbxR23CPzU_dXyf4aLNsSDh3i2rghwtIfjV5YnpadNrSWJ2QHLhIVPIFK8V/s320/361620982_10159844636753335_1041626999535019401_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMp3-zpJYcl1_47GxJhNsPQvOmwUsiCyhOs8VV9py5PCC2o7ZR_g8ANEa7HE-UHuOjolFxvVHCaI5bQI6AeY_dVjln3qHtYYHjj7rXOdo9eEe7vGe1YyST268657JFmrBYhQftAOsRJxRT0HjsNfasJFmf7Y8fX0UwX4oWi1INcjgAdyt4AIN9a9HE_3X/s1728/361948417_10159844636733335_5277658533605085087_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="1296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMp3-zpJYcl1_47GxJhNsPQvOmwUsiCyhOs8VV9py5PCC2o7ZR_g8ANEa7HE-UHuOjolFxvVHCaI5bQI6AeY_dVjln3qHtYYHjj7rXOdo9eEe7vGe1YyST268657JFmrBYhQftAOsRJxRT0HjsNfasJFmf7Y8fX0UwX4oWi1INcjgAdyt4AIN9a9HE_3X/s320/361948417_10159844636733335_5277658533605085087_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#Catholicmedals #EucharisticCongress #Catholic #Philippinehistory #Philippines #medals #1937 #evangelical #CardinalDougherty</span><p></p>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines14.5995124 120.9842195-13.710721436178845 85.8279695 42.909746236178847 156.1404695tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-89515368441001112312023-08-11T14:13:00.003+09:002023-08-11T14:17:08.030+09:00Seoul Shopping: The Issey-Miyake Inspired Blouses of Namdaemun Market!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSMnOElCJynpErcS0tFdCn2mjtBfz3za3to8nF1JY0qFzrhZico--b81TiRgGAgzgrxmgQVcBE4_XGVHnImkbHBuai6IRR4hQ2gos6XBbVUvKjHVKH0BkmD6HDhZRfdvw3NmtgpI_y6SXUyUCH_1H8uz2XNj9VgRd0WjcaLYTeaEl7rq0d6Ccn-_OqoVd/s2048/365232939_309777591433678_5766350096702900458_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSMnOElCJynpErcS0tFdCn2mjtBfz3za3to8nF1JY0qFzrhZico--b81TiRgGAgzgrxmgQVcBE4_XGVHnImkbHBuai6IRR4hQ2gos6XBbVUvKjHVKH0BkmD6HDhZRfdvw3NmtgpI_y6SXUyUCH_1H8uz2XNj9VgRd0WjcaLYTeaEl7rq0d6Ccn-_OqoVd/s320/365232939_309777591433678_5766350096702900458_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Every time I flew home to the Philippines, I made sure I bought my mom a few of these Issey Miyake-inspired blouses. I first saw this type of blouses at a store in Itaewon. It was the <i>ajumma-</i>owner who told me they were like Issey Miyake blouses. Of course, these were not original Issey Miyake blouses, but 'inspired' by Issey Miyake designs because of the prints and the pleats. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLIN4wwYg7JBxprNGMn_Km5Me3EnGwx0IsdD3e-pYi9tgfKwFwDLg2Cn150sH58Dt1aeLcygGFq32OcVfw2ANkDgHtOyAdix5rdHVLldcxUDUQb5d8R3fmJ8rAYSL0LxHHp3KgU6EhirwlpfzaY13hVULDksb78R25KyOoWae2oUFiyzOjOO2OH3YUGcg/s1632/366206878_1074742543521265_7173431834289353278_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1632" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLIN4wwYg7JBxprNGMn_Km5Me3EnGwx0IsdD3e-pYi9tgfKwFwDLg2Cn150sH58Dt1aeLcygGFq32OcVfw2ANkDgHtOyAdix5rdHVLldcxUDUQb5d8R3fmJ8rAYSL0LxHHp3KgU6EhirwlpfzaY13hVULDksb78R25KyOoWae2oUFiyzOjOO2OH3YUGcg/s320/366206878_1074742543521265_7173431834289353278_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The first time I bought my mom these, she was happy because these ones need no ironing. They are wash-and-wear types. And they fit her perfectly!😍</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ-1iyJ5VWAZqULnW98-9kUjV-xymhhtYIBv03gEaPc6Vx-dgGgPbw72hAW_kvGWDwdCx89nkocSreA7ataehFhClHF_UjV9SHdqCHrQqxeDqw1KtCreI0fzyAKoZUJo-6GG5VVV2-nYQsECBPB2IJNrYKf7_iIIBwIVfduIoIJY3v8abO_ZcMVfYRoM9/s1632/365238959_3495698197424864_3966852967910860508_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="918" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ-1iyJ5VWAZqULnW98-9kUjV-xymhhtYIBv03gEaPc6Vx-dgGgPbw72hAW_kvGWDwdCx89nkocSreA7ataehFhClHF_UjV9SHdqCHrQqxeDqw1KtCreI0fzyAKoZUJo-6GG5VVV2-nYQsECBPB2IJNrYKf7_iIIBwIVfduIoIJY3v8abO_ZcMVfYRoM9/s320/365238959_3495698197424864_3966852967910860508_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I didn't buy the ones in Itaewon because they were pricey and I knew then that I could get the same type at a cheaper price somewhere.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I was right!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlxiEyIUT5OTjCo5_hwckm_TdprJg7_KJNTH0cgMa9afesMRJKNqyVKnIboc528q_0toB2Fj_Cr2Hw3gPiEn1kkIfKWN9IzH1eLZ9WcFto7eToTM-hIMJxC_VgGS70o9gcbY_FS5DIaWfWg_Yic582_WPVbpcr_s2ka14rjfajj2hqTBzPQbcA6dPBsZ7/s1632/365606685_831535251901305_5294017250602685104_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="918" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlxiEyIUT5OTjCo5_hwckm_TdprJg7_KJNTH0cgMa9afesMRJKNqyVKnIboc528q_0toB2Fj_Cr2Hw3gPiEn1kkIfKWN9IzH1eLZ9WcFto7eToTM-hIMJxC_VgGS70o9gcbY_FS5DIaWfWg_Yic582_WPVbpcr_s2ka14rjfajj2hqTBzPQbcA6dPBsZ7/s320/365606685_831535251901305_5294017250602685104_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">During my wanderings around the Dongdaemun shopping district and in Namdaemun Market, I saw a few shops that sell the same type of blouses. And which one sells the cheapest?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>A shop at Namdaemun Market!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiheIyYu6m2YW65L8Ntgtgy3Q5ltIhOuI3LFUSfMN5Js5P6_SeoyHUccagWXSQLqKYlpGF005WaZBboAhx_VdsY66li1kcZfh0b8EGn4LSXYsBVVP-p6TihEYBuY0OkkrVZ87fqsH-NcCpcH_rl56AwzFlTUb5kgwlE7a6sineyv05aDiPYEk5x9IVWZQK/s2040/366088933_333248042393834_2141008565716681256_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="2040" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiheIyYu6m2YW65L8Ntgtgy3Q5ltIhOuI3LFUSfMN5Js5P6_SeoyHUccagWXSQLqKYlpGF005WaZBboAhx_VdsY66li1kcZfh0b8EGn4LSXYsBVVP-p6TihEYBuY0OkkrVZ87fqsH-NcCpcH_rl56AwzFlTUb5kgwlE7a6sineyv05aDiPYEk5x9IVWZQK/s320/366088933_333248042393834_2141008565716681256_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">There are three shops in Namdaemun Market that I found, but the one that is in the middle of Namdaemun offers the lowest prices. I tried to haggle with all of them, trying to charm the ajummas to give me discounts. But it was the one in right in the middle of one of the buildings, in a tiny corner, that has the prices that ranged from KRW40,000 to KRW 80,000. Probably the low rental rate she paid enabled her to go low.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0IuSgzcSxq-xoY-wANvLwU9hCO8R6gBsY3vQPW2Q-TWHyXyk1d1sFU4FccxWvFfwfip1CsaLkD8IaLPSdLQ1_D1hjUe6d8mYEYLSE0DbhIgRT2dsSgrYoCSOnhBfIgKFRMPalrMyIpm_Aq2rWWh9WsQE_BToPja00b66ymnph4_2lWKb33BxFhXRGpWQ/s1632/364446131_188587774079027_6728462661500628715_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1632" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0IuSgzcSxq-xoY-wANvLwU9hCO8R6gBsY3vQPW2Q-TWHyXyk1d1sFU4FccxWvFfwfip1CsaLkD8IaLPSdLQ1_D1hjUe6d8mYEYLSE0DbhIgRT2dsSgrYoCSOnhBfIgKFRMPalrMyIpm_Aq2rWWh9WsQE_BToPja00b66ymnph4_2lWKb33BxFhXRGpWQ/s320/364446131_188587774079027_6728462661500628715_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">So, if you're interested in these Issey Miyake-inspired pleated blouses, wander around Namdaemun Market so you can also enjoy these wash-and-wear blouses like my mom does!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Happy shopping!😀</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sRARODmH_VUJhujFmFLCQaVjkjWmC4_AeK-6I5Fjk7mArcWVetMEWglw3nmBjsKNz_EXPz5vOrd-_H1bvENzkJop6NwNLrSgmyeQrTUHp9sVMn44v4W4F-LufcQleOd1KZiIvfByi9XN2R5RrR9SCIbQeo7bl8wF422Ya4yqA-g1jFwYzDZvJuNGjTvn/s1367/365359141_823502402591405_708409677900565351_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="852" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sRARODmH_VUJhujFmFLCQaVjkjWmC4_AeK-6I5Fjk7mArcWVetMEWglw3nmBjsKNz_EXPz5vOrd-_H1bvENzkJop6NwNLrSgmyeQrTUHp9sVMn44v4W4F-LufcQleOd1KZiIvfByi9XN2R5RrR9SCIbQeo7bl8wF422Ya4yqA-g1jFwYzDZvJuNGjTvn/s320/365359141_823502402591405_708409677900565351_n%20(1).jpg" width="199" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#Seoul #shopping #Namdaemun #isseymiyake #Korea #Seoulshopping #blouses #Koreatravel</span><p></p>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com121 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea37.5591786 126.97766929.2489447638211573 91.8214192 65.869412436178848 162.13391919999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-87344552914278128372023-07-31T20:24:00.016+09:002023-08-01T18:37:14.615+09:00Doreen Gamboa Fernandez, Slow Food, and My Mom's Pahabok Nga Pinipig<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSZ6SQj3YuAsq-rbQShTBggmE3psmiAC2MbvTi_019kj6jkmYWyVB2gC3nMqLaTODrscd_2KAbQw2ggK68EWygcQLQnEWlKEwU01l06GPqEJ_CEBLglCzrGlNtjEZ5un7AcBf1vN2i0sdZjcdjjn72fojzP2wb5fQdte70Kptk9VG33fMZBSW0iWW87U5/s1728/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1728" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSZ6SQj3YuAsq-rbQShTBggmE3psmiAC2MbvTi_019kj6jkmYWyVB2gC3nMqLaTODrscd_2KAbQw2ggK68EWygcQLQnEWlKEwU01l06GPqEJ_CEBLglCzrGlNtjEZ5un7AcBf1vN2i0sdZjcdjjn72fojzP2wb5fQdte70Kptk9VG33fMZBSW0iWW87U5/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">My mom and I are standing in front of our lighted stove, waiting for the cooking oil to boil. With a bowl of <i>pinipig</i> on her left hand, she then sprinkles a handful of <i>pinipig</i> into the saucepan with her right. We then watch each grain momentarily sink into the boiling oil, only to rise to the top and reborn as popped <i>pinipig</i>. The raw <i>pinipig</i> is just flattened rice, usually of the glutinous variety that is harvested two weeks before maturity, and the cooked <i>pinipig</i> is called <i>pahabok nga pinipig</i> - from the Hiligaynon word <i>habok</i>, meaning to swell or to balloon. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After its baptism in boiling cooking oil, </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">pinipig</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> has become crunchier and softer to eat. For me, this is a new treat to try with my</span><i style="font-family: verdana;"> tablea tsokolate</i><span style="font-family: verdana;">, but for my mom, it has been turned into something sentimental. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Since the enhanced-quarantine days, we never had the chance to get some <i>pinipig </i>at home, and it's not by accident that we suddenly have a bowl now. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Just the day before, I was pounding this bowl of </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">pinipig</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> on a </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">lusong</i><span style="font-family: verdana;">, or wooden mortar, in order to flatten them after they were roasted over low fire. They are popular as toppings for desserts, but for our family, </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">pinipig</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> is so much more than just a topping. The rice I helped pound on the </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">lusong</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> using the </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">hal-ong </i><span style="font-family: verdana;">(</span><i style="font-family: verdana;">alho </i><span style="font-family: verdana;">in other dialects), or wooden pestle, was from the <i>dinorado</i> rice harvest of the farmers of the Mailum Organic Village Association in Bago City, Negros Occidental, who came to sell and showcase their organic produce at the Slow Food Earth Market at </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">Casa A. Gamboa</i><span style="font-family: verdana;">, the ancestral home of the late Doreen Gamboa Fernandez.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>And how did I end up here? </i></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">The late Doreen Gamboa Fernandez was the reason.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Doreen Gamboa Fernandez was a teacher, prolific writer, columnist and, according to the New York Times, the greatest champion of Filipino food. She passed away in 2002.😢 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Recognized as one of the 100 Filipinos who shaped the arts from 1898 to 1998, Doreen Fernandez was a cultural and food historian. She was a foodie even before the word was invented, and in her memory and honor, the Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Award was organized. That's the writing competition I joined last year and the winners were announced just three months ago; I was one of them.😎 </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> years, I mostly wrote in my blog about Korean dishes that provided me comfort and solace during stressful days at work in Seoul because, sadly, <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2009/12/pinoy-migrant-workers-and-pinoy-corner.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">the Pinoy <i>carinderias</i> there were only open on Sundays</span></a>. I only wrote about the native Pinoy delicacies, not really to promote them, but as a way for me to reminisce in words the joy they brought me when I was home in the Philippines. So when I learned about the Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Award and the theme for the competition was <i>"roots, fruits and vegetables"</i>, <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-breadfruit-superfruit-and-so-much.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">I decided to join with an entry about my sentimental story about <i>kolo</i>, or breadfruit <i>(read essay here)</i></span></a>. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Grateful for this win, I decided to pay homage to Doreen Fernandez, and what better way to do that was visit her ancestral home in Silay City during the Earth Market, and write about it! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Doreen Gamboa's niece, Ms. Reena Gamboa, and the Slow Food Community members organize the monthly Earth Market where fruit and vegetable vendors from organic farms, makers of canned native delicacies, local chefs, organic coffee makers, and Slow Food advocates assemble to encourage the local communities to patronize farmers' produce, and where locals enjoy the traditional dishes as well as learn about the Slow Food movement that </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">"envisions a world in which all people can access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it and good for the planet." </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">How appropriate it is that the Earth Market is held, not only in Doreen Fernandez's ancestral home, but also in Silay City whose people really know how to celebrate its rich culinary heritage. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Aside from its many </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">Silaynon</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> families that still make popular native delicacies, Silay City is where ambulant vendors gather at its public market early in the morning to source the delicacies, snacks and edibles that they sell at neighboring cities and municipalities. It was also in Silay City where my mom and I once satisfied our cravings </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">for the native delicacies like </span><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2017/11/kaon-ta-enjoying-silay-citys.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: #04ff00;">fresh lumpia, </span></i><span style="color: #04ff00;"><i>panara</i><span style="font-family: verdana;">, </span><i>empanada</i><span style="font-family: verdana;">, and </span><i>salab</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> at the </span></span></a></span><i style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2017/11/kaon-ta-enjoying-silay-citys.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">Kaon Ta</span></a></i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2017/11/kaon-ta-enjoying-silay-citys.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;"> (Let's Eat) food festival</span></a> in Silay City held <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2015/11/touring-negros-island-silay-citys-balay.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">at the <i>Balay Negrense (read blog here)</i></span></a></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #04ff00;">.</span>😍</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">Had she been to the Earth Market, Doreen Fernandez would have enjoyed the traditional dishes, bought organic produce and bottled preserves, savored Mr. Chris Fadriga's award-winning dark chocolates, quizzed Chef Vincent Abawan as he demonstrated how to cook the Ilonggo dish <i>kusahos</i>, and perhaps, even led the conversations about food. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">may be gone, but part of her legacy reminds us that we keep alive traditions and celebrate the Filipino cuisine with the young generations.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, as my mom and I are about to enjoy our <i>pahabok nga pinipig</i>, she recalls that during the old days, our elders enjoyed this type of <i>pinipig</i> by pouring over it warm <i>tablea tsokolate</i>, a habit they must have brought with them from Jaro, Iloilo, when they decided to start a new life in the Negros island more than a century ago.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2011/01/pinoy-at-home-cup-of-hot-tablea.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">My mom's <i>tablea tsokolate</i></span></a> and her <i>pahabok nga pinipig</i>, along with the Filipino dishes we always enjoy, are the tastes and flavors of the past, having been enjoyed and taught to us by our elders whom we continue to remember and celebrate every time we enjoy these ourselves.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Kaon 'ta! Let's eat!😋</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Photos of my Mom's <i>tablea tsokolate, pahabok nga pinipig,</i> and the Slow Food Earth Market events)</span></span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOK4drlIOyosKYzAcJHYdTdWN-LMTJkXTxRT_CSj1IE28fCFUmRw1C74jW5tEF-lKUOtrZ94lAh4U1NQcRjgFmgi9mv5pt0imidHkhzj_mFzjTuclWJoHQk9f-12mISj4Ld2Ikjm5rQxTrNa4_jg-EZ-r7ktZK8Y1vSWGBRrBKHTOFbHKXzWSQIzGbpXOA/s1728/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="1296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOK4drlIOyosKYzAcJHYdTdWN-LMTJkXTxRT_CSj1IE28fCFUmRw1C74jW5tEF-lKUOtrZ94lAh4U1NQcRjgFmgi9mv5pt0imidHkhzj_mFzjTuclWJoHQk9f-12mISj4Ld2Ikjm5rQxTrNa4_jg-EZ-r7ktZK8Y1vSWGBRrBKHTOFbHKXzWSQIzGbpXOA/s320/2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q-YPvp-J9Hjz_QK2FejRhCijb7uNWeZ0vnFMuHCwkosnwjUDm9_5_zRKwXQPEDNBIkPSaCelLDvBmpKbs9XrSPZq_KOsdGdAEtSnfWeVTNdr2qwtqVRld3CH1IGv5dyJECiETf3IWhTfgZNsPSuJShR_aO2tWAUN_WeKoGHtqD5Lf-bknsCs1kOOJh5I/s1728/60.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1728" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q-YPvp-J9Hjz_QK2FejRhCijb7uNWeZ0vnFMuHCwkosnwjUDm9_5_zRKwXQPEDNBIkPSaCelLDvBmpKbs9XrSPZq_KOsdGdAEtSnfWeVTNdr2qwtqVRld3CH1IGv5dyJECiETf3IWhTfgZNsPSuJShR_aO2tWAUN_WeKoGHtqD5Lf-bknsCs1kOOJh5I/s320/60.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1Tuqz1GCmSmLWePbf-gCdJbyMPNKAk4aA8NQHZFH-te-SwNM4s11bfDhIN9LI-qGpyw-aEj4nWZzSOzqvFuyrAWKkizPf_4pog345ijYFDqQQkYACdXBgRqgfiIf_u95v88j5TFVVWQ9h2AjIkSx6hP6wDzhVa6P8epJX9j1LM2mgMIGUWyambob3K5o/s1728/61.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1728" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1Tuqz1GCmSmLWePbf-gCdJbyMPNKAk4aA8NQHZFH-te-SwNM4s11bfDhIN9LI-qGpyw-aEj4nWZzSOzqvFuyrAWKkizPf_4pog345ijYFDqQQkYACdXBgRqgfiIf_u95v88j5TFVVWQ9h2AjIkSx6hP6wDzhVa6P8epJX9j1LM2mgMIGUWyambob3K5o/s320/61.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#SlowFood #SlowFoodMovement #Silay #SilayCity #DoreenFernandez #CasaAGamboa #tableatsokolate #pinipig #tableachocolate #NegrosOcc #food #pinoyfood #Philippines</span><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines10.7528182 123.0875623-17.557415636178845 87.9313123 39.063052036178846 158.2438123tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-5070303872186810182023-07-06T01:12:00.008+09:002023-08-02T22:34:36.879+09:00The Miracles of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">It was a Sunday, January 22, 2023. My mom and I were at the church of Santa Teresita del Niño Jesus to attend the mass. This church is located on De Leon and Quezon Streets in Iloilo City in the Philippines. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">We were in Iloilo City to enjoy the Dinagyang Festival that weekend, and the closest church to our hotel was the church of Santa Teresita del Niño Jesus or Saint Therese of the Child Jesus <i><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2023/02/dinagyang-festival-2023-salamat-guid.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">(read Dinagyang blog here)</span></a></i>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">At first, we were worried that we would not be able to get inside the church because of the street closures, including the one at the church's intersection. Luckily, the mass was too early in the morning and the road by the church was still open to public transport.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">During</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> the mass, it was announced that the pilgrim relic of Saint Therese would be arriving in this church by the end of February, and we thought of traveling back to Iloilo City to be there when it arrived. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Perhaps, our prayers that Sunday mass inside the church dedicated to her were heard by Saint Therese herself. Because as we later realized, it seems she made miracles happen, one by one, through the visit of her pilgrim relic in the Philippines and through her intercession for those who ask her help.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqwm8rbioMzEaQ9tDtgca4xd__0kpNoO7UmrCHTupazMcbwFiSmaMob-Y-3aqMeehPYu-jMDbHR1eY2S1SQneg0o3MAMH8vnOUwIplgOQtJBf2k1qDdLsp6wc6Uw3f-f7gxjwIR45X_brdGQBjF9xFrRzlvl9o26QA5U_l4T54PJOEO4zUQd89Z_xgC-r/s1728/357653456_6494735360593268_2856109581721853127_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqwm8rbioMzEaQ9tDtgca4xd__0kpNoO7UmrCHTupazMcbwFiSmaMob-Y-3aqMeehPYu-jMDbHR1eY2S1SQneg0o3MAMH8vnOUwIplgOQtJBf2k1qDdLsp6wc6Uw3f-f7gxjwIR45X_brdGQBjF9xFrRzlvl9o26QA5U_l4T54PJOEO4zUQd89Z_xgC-r/s320/357653456_6494735360593268_2856109581721853127_n.jpg" width="153" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>The Miracle of Her Visit</b></i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">We considered traveling back to Iloilo City on the day when Saint Therese's relic was scheduled to arrive in the church dedicated to her. But when I checked the schedule and parishes her relic was visiting, we were surprised that it included our parish! We did not have to pack our clothes, book a hotel, and ride a ferry to Iloilo City! Saint Therese was visiting our parish on March 2!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9PTkNzb1mtbauOizvv2lphzAUlucFGnARbg8DQfPH3iQTsuPgmD34KyI_eyP0QRNo5OKEdXIv9q-NW7vD7lJqQmltLXSohE4kN7mE4tawZLZdNZHG3lK8iV23ybZ7dOHstB0xD6d41jJNCD_Pr0q1mm9xqxiPZAPbMSWtE84nWoMxtBbDCR1Fo-UOjuX/s1614/357363046_636653655231286_6918626448375497421_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1614" data-original-width="814" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9PTkNzb1mtbauOizvv2lphzAUlucFGnARbg8DQfPH3iQTsuPgmD34KyI_eyP0QRNo5OKEdXIv9q-NW7vD7lJqQmltLXSohE4kN7mE4tawZLZdNZHG3lK8iV23ybZ7dOHstB0xD6d41jJNCD_Pr0q1mm9xqxiPZAPbMSWtE84nWoMxtBbDCR1Fo-UOjuX/s320/357363046_636653655231286_6918626448375497421_n.jpg" width="161" /></a></div><i style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></i></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i><b>The Miracle of the Red Roses</b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Days before her relic was to arrive at the Our Lady of Victory Parish, our parish, I looked for roses at the local flower shop and vendors as I planned to have the flower kiss her reliquary. Roses are Saint Therese's flowers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">But since her reliquary was visiting the parishes in Bacolod City first, the vendors sold their roses there. I resigned to the idea that I would simply use other kinds of flowers that would be available.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But on the day her relic was to arrive, a miracle of roses! A dozen roses to be exact! </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">A thoughtful 'tita' surprised me with a dozen red roses from Bacolod City! I was ecstatic! Of course, I immediately realized that it was a miracle of Saint Therese herself. When I thought I was just going to find me some white flowers at the shop that they usually make for funeral wreaths, Saint Therese sent me the flower that was special to her - red roses! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Of all those waiting for the relic at our parish, I was the only one with red roses! I felt like, even before she arrived and of all the parishioners, Saint Therese blessed me with these flowers!😋</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDb-lWBhbW22c7D1EKvhRMcR0_NQI62yHGeQvA6q26owYrIBXmY4MeS3tfin4XCBoIo_OytKvpNGUQ93VHvAMRNQKjOu2WQtguK84-6e7ul76IAT5oD1YUItArTCXDyFXoXqp-e_FU334_fUvCHwQmSStqrSAp9E-IdS4FTs52VKHJKlxIGcaWSqaz18K/s2016/356644219_127047923751872_4592001987222346632_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDb-lWBhbW22c7D1EKvhRMcR0_NQI62yHGeQvA6q26owYrIBXmY4MeS3tfin4XCBoIo_OytKvpNGUQ93VHvAMRNQKjOu2WQtguK84-6e7ul76IAT5oD1YUItArTCXDyFXoXqp-e_FU334_fUvCHwQmSStqrSAp9E-IdS4FTs52VKHJKlxIGcaWSqaz18K/s320/356644219_127047923751872_4592001987222346632_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Miracle of the Clear Skies</span></b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Hours before her relic arrived at the Our Lady of Victory Parish church at noon, the skies were gloomy and it was even drizzling.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The parishioners who were waiting for her at the church's entrance were worried about the weather as people lined up the streets and were at the entrance of the church to welcome her. That time, her relic was still at the San Diego Cathedral in Silay City and was about to leave for our parish. Her visit to the parishes were livestreamed by the social media reporters of the Diocese of Bacolod, so everyone knew real-time when it left Silay City.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And moments before her relic arrived, it seemed that somebody parted the gray clouds over our hometown, the drizzling stopped, and out came blue skies. Everyone noticed this, even our parish priest, Father Mitch Guadalupe.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">For us, it was a miracle, a miracle of the clear skies, which we believed made her visit to our parish, here in a little known corner of the world, a success. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeXZAl2uALULAvxaSY94OMijHjKSZbaTNaxwYEoCxJw5lB2CJYoCYjJztdqO26y1pTJAErLeSjiNgykSBVKqnusu0iUktprSC7c4x7c0jW5AhkJuUq5JOaavrqhJVa1TI-e1K_-YeKH7APdXv4qjevEymQLdEBwO1QhRZER_WuPkkfyyiOw8mtM96ZuWN/s1728/357632977_210627508610320_2272558995871567214_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeXZAl2uALULAvxaSY94OMijHjKSZbaTNaxwYEoCxJw5lB2CJYoCYjJztdqO26y1pTJAErLeSjiNgykSBVKqnusu0iUktprSC7c4x7c0jW5AhkJuUq5JOaavrqhJVa1TI-e1K_-YeKH7APdXv4qjevEymQLdEBwO1QhRZER_WuPkkfyyiOw8mtM96ZuWN/s320/357632977_210627508610320_2272558995871567214_n.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And to make things even more special, I was able to have my bouquet of red roses kiss the reliquary with the help of Fr. Jake of the military ordinariate, a group of military men who accompanied the relic of Saint Therese as it traveled all over the Philippines.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xrsYo5wnpQQbDw8L1KN2iXLxKENCKqkylyatqEAJGoqMAvPN1ndvYtmwjvSI7U-Fedx88YpTfgjIA6uDUCG3YQR7w-XDPg1jtq9LaIdm6pH1mPrLJD3LSRRD80H6tpMZHflsC7Q5VaVOjcp0cJHVJA4ZuAbvGs1nQs22F4u5HosB5ea3hn5fUqLKbFeY/s1728/357323081_1464882590925393_6920534424750306582_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1728" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xrsYo5wnpQQbDw8L1KN2iXLxKENCKqkylyatqEAJGoqMAvPN1ndvYtmwjvSI7U-Fedx88YpTfgjIA6uDUCG3YQR7w-XDPg1jtq9LaIdm6pH1mPrLJD3LSRRD80H6tpMZHflsC7Q5VaVOjcp0cJHVJA4ZuAbvGs1nQs22F4u5HosB5ea3hn5fUqLKbFeY/s320/357323081_1464882590925393_6920534424750306582_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i><b>The Miracle of My Healed Wrist</b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Even before I miraculously received the bouquet of red roses, I already planned to preserve them and have them laminated with a printed prayer to Saint Therese. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">So, on the weekend when I was carefully peeling each petal from the stem in order to have them pressed inside a heavy book, I thought of rubbing a rose on my right wrist which I injured the day before. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">A day after her visit, I played tennis with the kids at the local public school where I volunteered. Although it was rare, I suffered a minor wrist injury. There was pain on my right wrist when I got home that night; I couldn't lift heavy things with my right hand.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">So, while I was handling the roses, I rubbed a rose on my right wrist and said a little prayer. And I forgot all about it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The next day, when I was moving around at home with my laptop, I realized that I was carrying it with my right arm with no pain at all! My injured wrist got healed! </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcGS1E9KUm26xd_D95NXgEXQvzCj33RWIeiW23BvaT4LgpT4CtkpHkFABfpaMO--dhAyub9Q-G6OMQt_bz1GsfLKqRlcRn1lEdOf9ZWKs6461zMURv3AKVLizZuSgWvgG0b20D9MUdlrZ0PJeFQKnWTcHViCrlWbmt2TPcMCnA7snagHSGZ_egwSTBIBe/s1653/357636939_973953030697441_4193876602948669823_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1653" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcGS1E9KUm26xd_D95NXgEXQvzCj33RWIeiW23BvaT4LgpT4CtkpHkFABfpaMO--dhAyub9Q-G6OMQt_bz1GsfLKqRlcRn1lEdOf9ZWKs6461zMURv3AKVLizZuSgWvgG0b20D9MUdlrZ0PJeFQKnWTcHViCrlWbmt2TPcMCnA7snagHSGZ_egwSTBIBe/s320/357636939_973953030697441_4193876602948669823_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i><b>Our Personal Miracles</b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">A few days after her visit in Bacolod City, a Carmelite nun told me a miracle when one lady lost her phone at the Carmelite monastery in Bacolod City where the relic stayed overnight. You can just imagine hundreds of the faithful who went to visit her. The lady was frantic about her phone and told everyone about it. She prayed for the saint's intercession so that her phone would be found. Minutes later, it was! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And on the morning after I laminated the red roses with a printed prayer to Saint Therese, I sat quietly and read the prayer, mentioning my intentions. Later that day, I could not believe she immediately granted my intention - the one thing that I had been worrying weeks before. Saint Therese made it happen that day. I guess one just have to put his or her faith in the prayer to Saint Therese, and she would interceded for us in heaven.😋</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggY_9ugilXuGjKcPzhItjw1gYeTZmHypVvyN7roeJzbMgVP8fxLjbV-m7qTYgMJA5j62BuU8zJoRwi3VE5Tx7VDesIQxLo4RSFjsE5a5XUSqTBAFY_PGMdYUfON0OurxzsPXFic7aXp0H_O3t8mvUUpPajX8zikyNJG2MsOR9jbeTRh78HNuwH8B7C7u_A/s1728/357548656_1466071107551954_5814620384889997229_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1728" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggY_9ugilXuGjKcPzhItjw1gYeTZmHypVvyN7roeJzbMgVP8fxLjbV-m7qTYgMJA5j62BuU8zJoRwi3VE5Tx7VDesIQxLo4RSFjsE5a5XUSqTBAFY_PGMdYUfON0OurxzsPXFic7aXp0H_O3t8mvUUpPajX8zikyNJG2MsOR9jbeTRh78HNuwH8B7C7u_A/s320/357548656_1466071107551954_5814620384889997229_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">It has been months since the pilgrim relic of Saint Therese visited the various parishes and dioceses in the Philippines, but I hope her visit touched many lives and brought many more closer to God.🙏</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#SaintTherese #SantaTeresita #pilgrim #pilgrimrelic #relic #Catholic #SaintThereseofLisieux</span></p>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Philippines10.8698236 123.0901539-17.440410236178845 87.9339039 39.180057436178842 158.24640390000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-41617996890113934582023-06-27T20:34:00.002+09:002023-06-27T20:36:17.035+09:00A Special Breakfast: Popped Pinipig and Tablea Tsokolate<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYb-uLl7mAHFCrQ99W81_g1I18ioQXJPZdeWmrIEnjGGWtD_7q5bS2DgdFXPgahpSRCHIaQ5W73V6q9vRyOGToNWYJK283Zsd5ApLic3ef12IxAuGKyJsQfHjf8uCE8Cg1ZQ-6hBOgFYlhnJTYcXN7udxTR9m0BdiVaJh3samStjZieadvphGz8RwHzOh-/s1614/356547070_1647324595678859_8621392218160060264_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1614" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYb-uLl7mAHFCrQ99W81_g1I18ioQXJPZdeWmrIEnjGGWtD_7q5bS2DgdFXPgahpSRCHIaQ5W73V6q9vRyOGToNWYJK283Zsd5ApLic3ef12IxAuGKyJsQfHjf8uCE8Cg1ZQ-6hBOgFYlhnJTYcXN7udxTR9m0BdiVaJh3samStjZieadvphGz8RwHzOh-/s320/356547070_1647324595678859_8621392218160060264_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">According to my mother, Tiyô (Don Felix Montinola) and his wife, Lola Teáng (Doña Dorotea Magalona Montinola), would enjoy breakfast in the old days at their home in Victorias City, Philippines, with the popped pinipig on their plate over which they poured warm tablea tsokolate. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Don Felix probably had these as breakfast at their home in Jaro, Iloilo, even before he decided to find fortune in Negros island in the 1890s. And it was Don Felix's unmarried sisters, Encarnacion (Dakô) and Priscila (Muchi), who taught my mom how to pop the pinipig and also how to make a mean cup of tablea tsokolate in the 1950s. <i><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-history-chapter-16-don-felix.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">(Read blog about Don Felix Montinola here).</span></a></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Today, a portion of the pinipig was roasted; another was popped by quick-frying in boiling cooking oil. These were then paired with warm tablea tsokolate using the carabao's milk I bought from Casa A. Gamboa in Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, at last weekend's Slow Food Earth Market. The pinipig was from the dinorado rice grown by the Mailum Organic Village Association of Bago City, Negros Occidental, and it was fun roasting the rice myself and then pounding them on a lusong after. And as I roasted the dinorado pinipig, its fragrance wafted as if to announce that a treat was about to be enjoyed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">While the roasted pinipig was hard until soaked in tablea tsokolate, the popped pinipig was softer and crunchier. No wonder Don Felix and Lola Teáng preferred the latter.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The pinipig and tablea tsokolate are the tastes and flavours of the past, having been enjoyed and taught to us by our elders whom we continue to remember and celebrate every time we enjoy these outselves.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">This wasn't just a meal of pounded rice and warm beverage. This was a breakfast of memories.😋</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#memories #tableatsokolate #pinipig #breakfast #slowfood #slowfoodcommunity #earthmarket</span></p>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-32289637677564256372023-06-25T23:27:00.003+09:002023-06-25T23:29:28.643+09:00The Breadfruit: A Superfruit and So Much More<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">My essay about the breadfruit won the 3rd Prize at the 2022 Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Award.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">Here's the link to the winners' list:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://philstarlife.com/geeky/635622-award-winning-literature-dining-table?page=3"><span style="color: #04ff00;">https://philstarlife.com/geeky/635622-award-winning-literature-dining-table?page=3</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #04ff00;"> </span> * * * * * </span></p><p><br /></p><p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">The Breadfruit: A Superfruit and So Much More
</span></span></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">It’s Saturday morning and I make my weekend trip to the fruit and vegetable market at
<span style="font-style: italic;">Bangga Daan </span>in Victorias City. This is where the vendors from the northern part of the
Negros island bring their produce to sell during weekends.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">Along with the other vendors, <span style="font-style: italic;">Ining</span>, my <span style="font-style: italic;">sukî </span>from Toboso, promised me a week ago
that she would bring me <span style="font-style: italic;">kolo </span>today, and she did. Of the half a sack of <span style="font-style: italic;">kolo </span>that she
brought to sell, I bought two. At P20 each, a price for her loyal customer, the two
pieces of <span style="font-style: italic;">kolo </span>made my eco-bag heavier by a few kilos that morning.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">When I was kid, I remember my lola treating the family with a sweet delicacy made
from <span style="font-style: italic;">kolo</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">Kolo</span>, round-shaped and called breadfruit in English, originated from the
islands in the South Pacific and its seeds must have reached the Philippine archipelago
through the traders and colonizers of the past centuries. In other parts of the
Philippines, it is called <span style="font-style: italic;">rimas</span>. According to TIME magazine, breadfruit is a superfood,
meaning, it is packed with vitamins and nutrients that are good for one’s health. The
ones I bought from <span style="font-style: italic;">Ining </span>were almost the size of a football. And beneath its yellow-
green skin that’s full of prickles, it looks like a plain white bread that’s bland to the
taste. It is, however, loaded with calcium, fiber, phosphorous, copper, potassium, and
other nutrients.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">The reason I asked <span style="font-style: italic;">Ining </span>to bring me some <span style="font-style: italic;">kolo </span>was a memory from childhood of
enjoying <span style="font-style: italic;">kolo </span>– cooked, sweetened and yummy. My grandmother, who had long
passed, introduced me to breadfruit as a dessert, and I want to relish that memory
again – through my palate.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">The recipe for sweetened <span style="font-style: italic;">kolo </span>is simple: it is skinned and the good parts are cut into
bite-sizes, washed and soaked in water for a few minutes, moved into a pan, bathed in
coconut milk and brown sugar, and carefully stirred with a few drops of vanilla until it
dries up and softened. Compared to more complicated recipes that churn out less
nutritional desserts, this recipe is easy to do, requires cheap ingredients, but promises
a lot of enjoyment and health benefits.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">My cooked <span style="font-style: italic;">kolo</span>, now golden brown, and sticky and creamy from the coconut milk, is
warm and ready to eat. I transferred a few chunks into a plate, forked one and took a
bite. Its texture is pulpy with the sweet syrup now flooding my palate alongside the
dancing grains of the brown sugar. As the delicacy’s fragrance fills the air, so do my
memories of the days when my grandmother used to prepare this dish herself. The
breadfruit, grown and harvested from the northern mountains of the Negros island,
</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">found its way into my <span style="font-style: italic;">lola</span>’s old kitchen and was transformed into a beloved delicacy
whose aroma, texture, and sweetness helped me celebrate my beloved grandmother.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">According to the Department of Agriculture, <span style="font-style: italic;">kolo</span>, or <span style="font-style: italic;">rimas</span>, can be cultivated as <span style="font-style: italic;">“a
staple crop which can help alleviate poverty and malnutrition.” </span>Breadfruit can also be
an alternative for rice. But compared to rice, breadfruit has a moderate glycemic
index, which means it is good for diabetics if cooked and eaten plainly. It is so versatile
that it can be used to make <span style="font-style: italic;">pastillas</span>, chips, crackers, and even ice cream.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">In the Hawaiian culture, a breadfruit tree, a symbolic tree of life, is planted and gifted
to a newborn. Well, my <span style="font-style: italic;">lola </span>never gifted me a breadfruit tree but through its fruit, she
showed me her unconditional love and affection like all our grandparents did for us
when we were young. Although our grandparents may no longer be around to once
again make us enjoy their homegrown recipes, we can always revisit those fun
memories through the dishes they once prepared for us.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">The recipe that transforms a raw breadfruit into a sweet delicacy is very simple, and
there are a lot of dishes from our childhood that are easy to prepare. But when these
dishes are once again enjoyed, they become conversations with our past, celebrating
the people whose hands prepared them for us to enjoy.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">And as I finish the last chunks of the sweetened <span style="font-style: italic;">kolo </span>on my plate, each bite is a
conversation about my childhood memories with my <span style="font-style: italic;">lola</span>. But with these mouthfuls of
<span style="font-style: italic;">kolo</span>, I also benefit from all those nutrients. And if I enjoyed a cupful, my potassium
intake is equivalent to three bananas.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">Breadfruit has other names: <span style="font-style: italic;">Ukwa, ulu, panapén </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">pana </span>in other countries, and <span style="font-style: italic;">kolo,
kolu </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">rimas</span>, locally. Its scientific name of <span style="font-style: italic;">Artocarpus antilis </span>may be difficult to
pronounce, but all we need to remember is that it is not just a fruit, it is a superfruit.
</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjN2BFWwjSLcJJ9Lx8p7x3GLNY6astlKkF_psZBeYqLMPn96LDRK1schOP19oDdlDcm-9jtLQbHcZAKKiHoLtKqyOyDI9ann-ynnmqK9vwYJMDCQopVq0sWDsVI77LZ4dAOTYFM9KV_jJFMZtC16sNfxgUP6W39YR4YaZXYQtSA30WSLzxNdUDaMtFHiu/s1790/20170311_141150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1790" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjN2BFWwjSLcJJ9Lx8p7x3GLNY6astlKkF_psZBeYqLMPn96LDRK1schOP19oDdlDcm-9jtLQbHcZAKKiHoLtKqyOyDI9ann-ynnmqK9vwYJMDCQopVq0sWDsVI77LZ4dAOTYFM9KV_jJFMZtC16sNfxgUP6W39YR4YaZXYQtSA30WSLzxNdUDaMtFHiu/s320/20170311_141150.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p>
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</div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">#kolo #breadfruit #rimas #foodwriter #DoreenGamboaFernandez #foodwriting #comnpetition #food</span><p></p>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-74102584952149399362023-06-15T10:40:00.001+09:002023-06-15T10:40:21.262+09:00Happy 10th Anniversary, BTS!<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">A few years ago, I read in the news that the kpop boy band, BTS, lives in my neighborhood of Hannam-dong in the Yongsan District of Seoul, Korea.<a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2018/10/why-i-think-bts-got-new-digs-my-hannam.html" target="_blank"> <span style="color: #04ff00;">(read blog here)</span></a><span style="color: #04ff00;">.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">So, I thought for a moment that they would have lived inside the UN Village, an area where rich families, CEOs, celebrities live. My apartment was just next to UN Village, so I probably encountered a few of them around the area during weekends. And on a few occasions, I recognized a member of the boyband, Shinwha, was on the next treadmill at an underground gym in Hannam-dong. But as to BTS, I later found out that they had an apartment at Hannam The Hill, a very exclusive apartment complex that sits in an area where Dankook University campus used to be.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">So, this week, I join the millions of BTS fans as Seoul landmarks also pay tribute to their popularity with these landmarks, which I have visited several times over the years, turning purple. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Happy anniversary, BTS! You guys have come a long way! 😎</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#BTS #seoul #Korea #COEX #tradetower #Namsan #DDP #DongdaemunDesignPlaza #sebitseom #floatingisland #banpopark #lotteworldtower </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFcUzwP9YSb0B_anL3kK81A0g0evQ5SMsjdVCfBh4mIdQ2NCKeB-BujXI4FhsAJGBkwsW3g2kDk3hgWeXck-OVpt5XWG_7BJ7K-r26zaLPiwWXBbSqm6sohjAvG70z19OFAldJyRkVUacS-iYLDB0Ps3An_lvftXYdgqrmejmAfGRHcuM6K1Yag-q9A/s1620/353064400_268977248981099_6102056686751664357_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFcUzwP9YSb0B_anL3kK81A0g0evQ5SMsjdVCfBh4mIdQ2NCKeB-BujXI4FhsAJGBkwsW3g2kDk3hgWeXck-OVpt5XWG_7BJ7K-r26zaLPiwWXBbSqm6sohjAvG70z19OFAldJyRkVUacS-iYLDB0Ps3An_lvftXYdgqrmejmAfGRHcuM6K1Yag-q9A/s320/353064400_268977248981099_6102056686751664357_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Wl3YPqjwv4wzgAcaOI5cEIlmTITPgFDGAf8z_dUVbbcrb59aaRVzwj7Xq4L4uvcCM7IfepVHwB_QpUP5yGdQl13gDjj30acjTYEMBG4Y52fgkufpcndSAoznTCqwdCrl51enLNgxFq9FJLmHiT_631frG3vgziM-aOEO2aQqcBIV9RE8uIto0qFB3Q/s1620/353829494_268977825647708_8046457643904694851_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Wl3YPqjwv4wzgAcaOI5cEIlmTITPgFDGAf8z_dUVbbcrb59aaRVzwj7Xq4L4uvcCM7IfepVHwB_QpUP5yGdQl13gDjj30acjTYEMBG4Y52fgkufpcndSAoznTCqwdCrl51enLNgxFq9FJLmHiT_631frG3vgziM-aOEO2aQqcBIV9RE8uIto0qFB3Q/s320/353829494_268977825647708_8046457643904694851_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPk3Wz2d1QsgrBHqZzOkZYfL3Yf1QkXEpwzETmZ-KpWr1fBXCChemomR4ls32Aeo0DINPTOnyWcWgB7AaayAWEH5ZGTqvxTEK_IdD0Sf8qMlKed8ejS3rZ0tUIfggOWq1HfpXNQHK3MTvZcze6BUheVgOAmBVQh-deSrKBV6MsSVDVXAvcAZXus1ydAg/s1620/354254591_268977808981043_7599185676091390995_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPk3Wz2d1QsgrBHqZzOkZYfL3Yf1QkXEpwzETmZ-KpWr1fBXCChemomR4ls32Aeo0DINPTOnyWcWgB7AaayAWEH5ZGTqvxTEK_IdD0Sf8qMlKed8ejS3rZ0tUIfggOWq1HfpXNQHK3MTvZcze6BUheVgOAmBVQh-deSrKBV6MsSVDVXAvcAZXus1ydAg/s320/354254591_268977808981043_7599185676091390995_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea37.537527900000008 127.00513349.2272940638211622 91.8488834 65.847761736178853 162.1613834tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-2868338356912460672023-05-13T12:49:00.005+09:002024-02-09T00:21:36.171+09:00Philippine History: Chapter 27 - Don Gonzalo Ditching and His Legacy in Victorias City (Part One)<div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">We should all be grateful to the people who came before us and who contributed to make our towns and villages better than how they found it. In Victorias, each generation since the days of the earliest settlements by the mouth of the Malihaw River has contributed to the growth and expansion of our hometown.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, in my research about its history, I discovered that there were people in position who twisted and exploited our history to serve their own political agenda, even immorally wasting taxpayers' money for it. A perfect example of this historical negationism is discussed in Chapter 8 and the October 22, 2022 article. (Please see links below)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-history-chapter-8-where-can.html">h<span style="color: #04ff00;">ttps://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-history-chapter-8-where-can.html</span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=187263903813231&set=a.166269142579374">h<span style="color: #04ff00;">ttps://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=187263903813231&set=a.166269142579374</span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">But let us pay tribute to those who helped but never asked for any recognition. Let's remember those generous individuals whose descendants never asked a statue for, and whose descendants never wasted taxpayers' money for a political propaganda disguised as an annual wreath-laying at the Victorias public plaza.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">On the wall inside the Our Lady of Victory Parish church in Victorias City, there is a marker that reminds the parishioners of the names of the generous individuals who donated the land for the church, who built the church, and who donated the land for the Victorias public cemetery.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2tqSROjGfFxwywjdeaFKZmTLX-abjkQev_kJAg2n_JXtOlBGEmtNe9-mCdWPei5bxqgydHiPF0jsMFS5gyu7PSNiTgwJYRS7c_XIzLX46iWQlsb2bZP9bx5OBM-dz-tBqw35Ae28b-b5WGQ5mk-727XfLOrInElN53_hf4QuAe0-ezsUaJgj8nL8Dw/s2040/OLVP_WATERMARKED.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2040" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2tqSROjGfFxwywjdeaFKZmTLX-abjkQev_kJAg2n_JXtOlBGEmtNe9-mCdWPei5bxqgydHiPF0jsMFS5gyu7PSNiTgwJYRS7c_XIzLX46iWQlsb2bZP9bx5OBM-dz-tBqw35Ae28b-b5WGQ5mk-727XfLOrInElN53_hf4QuAe0-ezsUaJgj8nL8Dw/s320/OLVP_WATERMARKED.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">These generous individuals were Don Manuel Lopez and his wife, Doña Paz Tongoy; they donated the land where the church stands today. Don Miguel and Don Jesus Ossorio "helped build" the church with building materials like the concrete, steel, trusses, as well as the manpower to do the work. Don Gonzalo Ditching and his wife, Doña Simeona Jingco, donated the land of the current public cemetery, the one located at the northern end of Victorias City along the national highway. I said 'current' because the previous cemetery in Victorias was at the present-day 'Malinong' in Barangay 7 of the City. The Hiligaynon word 'malinong' meaning quiet or serene, was probably first used by the people in 1934 when the old cemetery was created in that area as it was probably the most peaceful part of a growing town then, and that description stuck and became one of its names until now.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In this Chapter, we pay tribute to the names and to the generosity of Don Gonzalo Ditching and Doña Simeona Jingco-Ditching, who gave us the Catholic cemetery by tracing the journey of the family of Don Gonzalo from China up to Binondo in Manila, while the succeeding chapter will try to continue their journey after they left Binondo.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In my conversation with certain individuals for this Chapter, I always emphasized that we, as Victoriahanon, should be grateful to their kindness because all our departed have been given a final resting place.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQzf8QFDdxxi64GBGGJMkdc84GVbDrSahVZt8yPo3WiRwB-4b69qisKhCYgH8ARK55hH5JQYk2laqOnPwB3u-cZdFX_Qy-pRsSA83E4xXAAeamFgMQEOTGjkIqv1-oWLlnZ5g8tYQ66A6NNIyLk2BKNYPbEOb4Un5cLxfrVzV4bSsEAmXpgTIP_0UNw/s1728/PORTRAIT_WATERMARKED.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQzf8QFDdxxi64GBGGJMkdc84GVbDrSahVZt8yPo3WiRwB-4b69qisKhCYgH8ARK55hH5JQYk2laqOnPwB3u-cZdFX_Qy-pRsSA83E4xXAAeamFgMQEOTGjkIqv1-oWLlnZ5g8tYQ66A6NNIyLk2BKNYPbEOb4Un5cLxfrVzV4bSsEAmXpgTIP_0UNw/s320/PORTRAIT_WATERMARKED.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And from the words of his descendant, Mr. Cielo Ditching as told to him by his father, Mr. Vicente Ditching, Sr., plus my research on the circumstances faced by their ancestors during their time and with the help from notable historians, this is the story of Don Gonzalo Yusay Ditching as I trace his journey through parts of Chinese and Philippine histories.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> * * * * *</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">FROM CHINA TO LAS FILIPINAS</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The original family name of the Ditching clan was the Chinese surname Ching, having their roots in China. In 1868, when Don Gonzalo was just seven years old, his grandparents made a difficult decision to uproot the whole family and leave their friends and livelihood behind in China in order to start a new life in Las Filipinas. This Ching clan had a mixed Chinese and Dutch ancestry.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The main reason for this decision was to escape the Taiping Rebellion in China.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">According to Dr. Jely A. Galang, the Associate Professor of History at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, the Taiping Rebellion, that took place from 1850 to 1868, was the reason why there was an influx of Chinese immigrants from the Fujian Province to Las Filipinas during that time. This rebellion, along with the discontent of the Chinese people that time during the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912), was the cause of Chinese emigration to other colonies and countries in Southeast Asia. The Taiping Rebellion that happened in the central and southern parts of China was said to have been bloody with written accounts of massacres and brutality. Millions of innocent Chinese died. It is then understandable that Don Gonzalo's grandparents put their family's survival and safety above everything else, and they had to find a safe place for the Ching clan, even if they had to cross the seas to find it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Like most of the Chinese families in Binondo, the Ching clan spoke Hokkien as they were from Fujian Province, a southeastern province in mainland China that is only 200 kilometers from Taiwan. And this must be the reason for their Dutch ancestry.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The Dutch colonizers had presence in China since 1603 when they ventured into putting up colonies in Asia after having seen what Spain and Portugal had done with their maritime superiority. But after they were driven out of Formosa, present-day Taiwan, in 1662 by the legendary Chinese sealord, Koxinga, after a bloody battle, most of the Dutch officers and soldiers were executed, while the Dutch women and children were spared and taken back to the mainland by the Chinese commanders and soldiers as wives or concubines. The Dutch ancestry of Don Gonzalo's grandparents could probably be traced to a wife of one of Koxinga's soldiers, or a concubine of one of his commanders.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The decision of Don Gonzalo's grandparents to choose Las Filipinas over the Southeast Asian countries or colonies must have been influenced by the stories brought home by the Chinese merchants who traded with Spaniards and native Filipinos in Binondo.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3b7XGS79dF1csW7tsMy2tTeWvWzcli47bBOJ7bL4e3FeY41haz4H1voZ1t9eg0-1bksHjWFA8Xt4ZA2NcAb3TPu0DMAAuYzIqWC3B37IbpGBAk-42F92mPe6RUTyI6OJbvcfgEjWMpc2jdDrI407soyHdr3JsycTG3wPGjcgRKgLpUkBLTaNKtno6w/s2895/Austronesian_maritime_trade_network_in_the_Indian_Ocean%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="2895" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3b7XGS79dF1csW7tsMy2tTeWvWzcli47bBOJ7bL4e3FeY41haz4H1voZ1t9eg0-1bksHjWFA8Xt4ZA2NcAb3TPu0DMAAuYzIqWC3B37IbpGBAk-42F92mPe6RUTyI6OJbvcfgEjWMpc2jdDrI407soyHdr3JsycTG3wPGjcgRKgLpUkBLTaNKtno6w/s320/Austronesian_maritime_trade_network_in_the_Indian_Ocean%20(1).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The maritime trade between China and the neighboring colonies in Southeast Asia had been flourishing for centuries even before the arrival of the Spaniards in our archipelago, with recorded mentions in history books as early as the Song Dynasty (960 CE - 1279 CE), and the Chinese families in Fujian that eventually moved to Las Filipinas, including Don Gonzalo's, must have heard about the interesting stories and the profits from the trade, but also about the Chinese communities that existed in other countries at that time, including Binondo in Las Filipinas.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The Ching family must have crossed the South China Sea from Xiamen (known in Old China as Tong'an County and as Amoy, its old English name), one of the major seaports in the Fujian Province, on a Chinese junk that traveled as part of a fleet.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Depending on the weather and sea currents, the trip took ten to 15 days for these Chinese junks that were loaded by Chinese products and animals intended to be traded, Chinese families seeking new life and fortune in Las Filipinas, and on some occasions, Chinese fugitives trying to escape punishment for their crimes in China. These Chinese junks were operated and manned by able boatmen and purposely traveled with other junks as a fleet for protection against sea pirates. The people who joined the trip just had to pay.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The sea voyage from Fujian Province in China to Binondo in Las Filipinas simply followed a short route, which, by that time, was already used by merchants for a thousand years as the route was a part of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, a network of maritime routes that took merchants to China, Persia, India, Europe, and Southeast Asian kingdoms and settlements, including those in the Pre-Hispanic Philippines. It was simply a straight path from the southeastern part of China down to Luzon. Had the fleet left China during the winter monsoon, the currents would have helped them sail faster as compared to crossing the South China Sea during the summer monsoon when the currents moved against them. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">When the fleet of Chinese junks that carried the young Don Gonzalo and his family finally arrived in Las Filipinas and was tracing the western coastline of Luzon that was dotted with coconut trees, forests and occasional seaside communities, they must have been relieved that they were now safe from notorious sea pirates, and most important, that the Ching family was safe from the dangers of the Taiping Rebellion and was now ready to begin a new life in Las Filipinas. <i>What could have been the conversations on the junk among the Ching family members? Was the young Gonzalo excited for the new life ahead?</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And as their fleet turned left to enter Manila Bay, their arrival was already signaled to the Spanish authorities in Manila by a fire signal of the watchmen posted in Mariveles in Bataan. Upon docking at the banks of the Pasig River, the Chinese junks were boarded by Spanish officers who inspected and collected tax for the goods they brought in and also listed the passengers that rode along with it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">NEW LIFE IN BINONDO</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">When the family reached Las Filipinas in 1868, Binondo was already the backbone of the Philippine economy for centuries. Its old name was 'binundok', meaning, hilly, and was officially named by the Spaniards 'Isla de Binondo'. Binondo's status as the center of trade and economic activities in Las Filipinas was fueled by Chinese merchants, artisans, laborers, and the trading of popular Chinese goods like porcelain, precious stones, ivory, silk, kitchen utensils, and food products from China, as well as animals like horses and exotic birds, especially the ones that could talk.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">These popular Chinese commodities were also shipped to Mexico via the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade from 1565 to 1815 with a good portion of these goods eventually reaching Europe. The galleon trade stopped because Mexico waged war for its independence. But even without the galleon trade, Binondo remained to be one of the centers of trade in Asia. This was why the British and Dutch attempted to invade Las Filipinas. They were interested in taking over the islands from the Spanish due to its strategic location.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">On their arrival in 1868, Don Gonzalo's family must have had a ready arrangement on where to stay in Binondo. His grandparents probably had friends or even relatives who arranged for their temporary lodging before the family arrived. And having planned on what business to open in Binondo, the family could have even brought with them cooking ware and baking utensils, perhaps even goods that they would trade or sell for their start-up capital. Since they left China for good, they brought along personal belongings and family heirlooms. The young Don Gonzalo must have brought his toys, too.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Don Gonzalo's grandparents' cooking and baking business was able to feed the family. While life was difficult for the family at first, their hard work enabled the family to prosper through the years. As Binondo was the main food source for the Spanish families living inside Intramuros and the communities surrounding Old Manila, the Ching family's food business was part of the food supply chain that fed the Spanish populace in Intramuros, the Chinese community in Binondo, and Filipinos living in the surrounding villages in the Spanish-era Manila. Since the family were bakers and cooks, they, too, contributed to the evolution of what we call today as the Filipino cuisine. According to Filipino food historian, Ms. Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, it was the Chinese cooks who introduced to the Philippines quick stir-frying over high heat, the slow cooking over low fire that is called 'tim', and, of course, the Chinese ham, which is a Christmas staple, not only on noche buena tables of Chinese families, but also of Filipino families, and as early as the 1700s, there were already Chinese noodle makers and pansiterios in Binondo.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Before Binondo, the area of the old markers and settlements for the Chinese migrant was the Parian de Arroceroes, which, today, are the area of Liwasang Bonifacio and the Manila City Hall.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Arroceros means rice farmers, and the area was where rice farmers from surrounding areas and provinces sold rice. Parian came from the Tagalog word 'pariyan', meaning 'to go there'. In Hiligaynon, it means 'kaladtuan', a place where people frequent. Parian was a busy place where people bought their everyday necessities from rice, clothes, fabrics, utensils and things for the home, alcohol, tobaccos, and much more. It was like the Divisoria of the old days. It was full of shops that were built to have a store on the ground and the living quarters of the families and workers on the second floor. This must have been the type of shop and the living quarters of Don Gonzalo and his family. Even today, there are still shops in Binondo where the family lives upstairs, while the ground level is the family business.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In 1594, then Governor-General Luis Perez Dasmariñas ordered that Binondo be the permanent settlement for the converted Chinese and the Chinese who wanted to be converted to Catholicism. The Chinese who converted to Catholicism were called 'sangleys', which might have been borrowed from the Hokkien word 'sionglai' which meant 'frequently coming' or frequent travelers'. It was the indios, or the native Filipinos, who used the word after learning it from the Chinese, but ended up sounding as 'sangley' because the Spaniards could not pronounce the original 'sionglai'. The term 'sangley' was used by the Spaniards for Chinese immigrants who converted to Catholicism, and to convert more Chinese immigrants, the Dominicans were allowed to build the Binondo church in 1596. And having been allowed to live in Binondo, Don Gonzalo's grandparents must have decided that it was the best for the family to convert to Catholicism as well.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">During the Spanish colonial period, the Chinese living in the Philippines were the lowest group and were burdened with the most taxes. The Spaniards and Spanish mestizos were on top of the hierarchy, then the indios, the Chinese mestizos, the lowest were the Chinese, who paid the most taxes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">According to the late historian Antonio S. Tan, it was in 1741 when the whole population in Las Filipinas was reclassified to assign a legal status to Chinese mestizos, the sons and daughters of Chinese immigrants who married indios. This created four classes for tax purposes. In the 1800s, the taxes imposed on the four classes were as follows: The Spaniards and Spanish mestizos were exempted; an Indio had to pay P1.50; a Chinese mestizo had to pay P3.00; and a Chinese had to pay P6.00. Through the centuries, the Chinese in Las Filipinas had resented the abuse and exploitation, and as early as 1603, they already had revolted against the Spaniards. Unfortunately for them, their revolt that time was suppressed with the help of the indios, native tribes of pintados, and some Japanese living in Las Filipinas. The Spaniards had always been wary of the Chinese populace in Las Filipinas over the centuries as the former had always been outnumbered by the latter. The census data from 1838 tallied the Spanish peninsulares (born in Spain) to about 1,500, while the Spanish insulares (born in Las Filipinas with both parents Spanish) were about 3,500. The Spanish mestizos (mixed Spanish and indio heritage) were about 20,000, while the Chinese mestizos were 240,000.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHbfatwJcIgGAW9EKdoe3nXHEisv6YU0ZzY0sO3g_r5XOUdw17_28ZJUIEMqbwdWRyzaVo2ircdqdiUqKgojrTJxMGLStv7FNwk3p9z8ON-FkaUGJt3TV_E9Aoa6Pq9V6HyUX_FUS2D0YqBfbJTVqPBlVp4XRtY3bg3GaJkI30nArZJeXkbTMVhLU5w/s515/BOXERCODEX_WATERMARKED.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="335" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHbfatwJcIgGAW9EKdoe3nXHEisv6YU0ZzY0sO3g_r5XOUdw17_28ZJUIEMqbwdWRyzaVo2ircdqdiUqKgojrTJxMGLStv7FNwk3p9z8ON-FkaUGJt3TV_E9Aoa6Pq9V6HyUX_FUS2D0YqBfbJTVqPBlVp4XRtY3bg3GaJkI30nArZJeXkbTMVhLU5w/s320/BOXERCODEX_WATERMARKED.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">But in the 1890s, when Filipinos were organizing their own revolt, certain prominent and rich Chinese businessmen in Binondo secretly provided money and support for a successful revolution. Although the most prominent Chinese at that time was Roman Ongpin, there were unnamed Chinese businessmen who aided the Filipinos, and Don Gonzalo's family must have been one of them as this rebellion, this time in Las Filipinas, caused the family to worry again about their safety.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXTRQzyR3z5pMeyhgeTK7NEStHh0WtJqrw4I8QvZmEoROWUvVTmapZENYKOiHij_sS5fDhlvquxehtLWxIPpVls32Ji5w4AdkDj-bxPP7hAf_auvssnKNkxPt7kVjXINp2VnDGt9Txcv1ghzP8e0YMlTthYt3CCCbj891hEQMUai_3beZUBIrjHwOkA/s913/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-07%20at%20%E1%84%8B%E1%85%A9%E1%84%92%E1%85%AE%203.27.58.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="913" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXTRQzyR3z5pMeyhgeTK7NEStHh0WtJqrw4I8QvZmEoROWUvVTmapZENYKOiHij_sS5fDhlvquxehtLWxIPpVls32Ji5w4AdkDj-bxPP7hAf_auvssnKNkxPt7kVjXINp2VnDGt9Txcv1ghzP8e0YMlTthYt3CCCbj891hEQMUai_3beZUBIrjHwOkA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-05-07%20at%20%E1%84%8B%E1%85%A9%E1%84%92%E1%85%AE%203.27.58.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">When news got around that the Spanish authorities were hunting down members of the Chinese community who supported the rebellion against Spain, the Ching family, once more, had to look for a safe place. By that time, the family must have heard about the other thriving Chinese communities in Cebu and Iloilo, and they chose to move to the latter.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(Next: FROM BINONDO TO MOLO, ILOILO on Part 2)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #04ff00; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/10/ang-kasaysayan-sang-victorias-kag-iba.html" target="_blank"><i><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">Click here for Chapters 1 to 28 of the History of Victorias City</span></b></i></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2024/02/chapter-28-historical-timeline-of.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2024/02/chapter-28-historical-timeline-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">Next: Chapter 28: The Historical Timeline of Victorias Milling Company (1919-1989) (click here)</span></a></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">* * * * *</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Photo: Don Gonzalo Ditching (from the Ditching Clan)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Photo: The marker inside the Our Lady of Victory Parish Church in Victorias City, Philippines)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Photo: The Maritime Silk Road used by Chinese merchants since the 10th Century</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Photo: Sangleys (converted Chinese) from the Boxer Codex</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Photo: Binondo in 1899</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#VictoriasHistory #VictoriasCity #NegrosOccidental #history #Philippines #Philippinehistory #Binondo #Tsinoy #Chinesemestizo #Fujian #historian</span></div><div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"></div></div>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Philippines10.8698236 123.0901539-17.440410236178845 87.9339039 39.180057436178842 158.24640390000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-7965025951820443602023-03-16T14:25:00.005+09:002023-03-17T02:25:35.883+09:0020 Years Ago: Witnessing Sarah Geronimo's Life Change In "Star For A Night"<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">A year before I left the Philippines to work in Seoul, Korea, my team and I were the official tabulators of one very popular singing competition created by the the Viva Television, which was our audit client. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">It was March 1, 2003, a Saturday, and it was the finals of "Star for a Night", a yearlong singing competition hosted by Regine Velasquez, known as <i>Asia's Songbird</i>. My team - Kathy, Bom, John and Jameson - assembled at the 28th floor of our Makati office around 2:30PM as we intended to be at the ULTRA stadium in Pasig City by 4PM, where the live show would be held and aired during primetime over Channel IBC-13, another audit client of mine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Although the show wasn't going to start until about 7PM, ULTRA slowly filled up with the fans, friends and families of the contestants hours before. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Working as official tabulators for a live show wasn't my first rodeo, so to speak. I previously led a team to tabulate scores for a modeling competition, which was a glamorous break for us as our work as auditors always involved being buried under accounting records and financial documents all day long. Watching models compete in swimwear, casual and long gowns was more than a break we needed; it was a treat.😄</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Although some of our audit clients were fun to work with, my Viva Team, which was led over the years by my senior associates Chiara, Joyce, Selyn and Concon, always had fun as the atmosphere was always 'showbiz', not to mention that Viva's Ms. Tess C., Boss Mike S. and Irene J. were very professional and accommodating. We appreciated the way they made our work easier.😊</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The night before the finals, during the dress rehearsals, I was already at the venue to survey our tabulation area backstage. After checking our assigned workspace, I took a seat at an almost-empty hall to watch the contestants rehearse. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">All of them were good, but I was surprised that during Sarah Geronimo's turn <i>(she sang Celine Dion's To Love You More)</i>, she fumbled, earning a scolding from the musical director who was in front of the stage watching and listening to each of them intensely. I later learned that it was probably the arrangement of the song that caused her trouble during rehearsals. But as we now know, she aced her final performance, even strategically dropping her white shawl at a certain point in the song to add drama.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">As I had anticipated the final show would run until late evening, I instructed my team that, once they and their laptops were already settled at our designated area backstage, they would drive to the nearest McDonalds to get us burgers, fries and drinks as our stand-by dinner. We didn't want to starve in the middle of the show. So, that night, when our tummies started grumbling, my team simply brought out our take-outs while listening to the performances backstage. It was more than a happy meal.😆</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I remember minutes before the show, I was asked to join and meet the judges who were huddled in one conference room, minus Ms. Sharon Cuneta, who was yet to arrive. She was to be the chair of the board of judges. Although I would have loved meeting her, the other judge I was thrilled to really meet was Mr. George Conseco, the composer of immortal OPM songs and most of the theme songs of Viva Films.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">When I entered the room, the judges were seated by the long table and being briefed by Viva's staff. I can't remember the name of the assistant director who introduced me to the judges, but I simply shook hands with each judge as they were seated by the table. But what I remember in my meeting with Mr. Canseco, who was wearing a light-brownish, gray jacket, was that he stood up from his seat, turned around to face me, and shook my hand. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I would have understood if he did not even stand up, considering he was already seated and more important, he was already a legend in the music industry. He didn't have to stand up just to shake my hand. Seated or standing, the honor was all mine. 😎 And although I had my film camera in the right pocket of my brown jacket, I didn't think it was appropriate for me to even ask for a photo. As official tabulators, we needed to be independent, although I now ask myself <i>(and regret😥)</i> why I didn't ask for a photo after the show. Mr. George Canseco</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> died of cancer the next year.😭</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The finals night breezed through without a hitch. The performances of the contestants were impressive, but unfortunately, only one could win. ULTRA was jam-packed with some fans even sitting on the floor in front of us. Ms. Irene, the partner-in-charge, and I were seated on the first row on the left facing the stage, and we could see everything. I was able to snap a few shots from where I sat but since it was a film camera, the resolution of the photos was bad.📷😂</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWIcaP06WvvQ1CYCuZacsT7T27-2_6dlfSSqRXZjcfeMq8SqHyWBbNQfay1MIFOgXYf3Te64bSa0LgruDlMz4gpav1ueuj6IvQT5mNGLg7Xdyk8Ne5Kh7r4MGgbHARMIAuR0m-x3lfgJ1Oh7f7w3pbrYjGUDqb7TQcODeLjBkmbmesi49aH_1UQLfgA/s2043/1NO_335432949_1659876881110410_5188555987929308122_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="2043" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWIcaP06WvvQ1CYCuZacsT7T27-2_6dlfSSqRXZjcfeMq8SqHyWBbNQfay1MIFOgXYf3Te64bSa0LgruDlMz4gpav1ueuj6IvQT5mNGLg7Xdyk8Ne5Kh7r4MGgbHARMIAuR0m-x3lfgJ1Oh7f7w3pbrYjGUDqb7TQcODeLjBkmbmesi49aH_1UQLfgA/s320/1NO_335432949_1659876881110410_5188555987929308122_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> (Regine performing with the contestants)<br /></span></i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">As Ms. Regine Velasquez was performing with all the contestants for their final number, it was time to review the final tabulated results. I dragged Miss Irene from our front-row seats to our tabulation area to finalize our work. After the team verified and reviewed the final scores, it was time to place the winner's name in the envelope that we would hand over to Regine on stage. For other tabulation work before 'Star For A Night', I already came up with the idea of using the firm's logo-sticker to seal envelopes containing official tabulation results, which I first used for KBP's Golden Dove Awards years before. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohOzpir1vvE8P6iqyAPfQI-6_OHVDzDUiL9wlmbjzulWTvvI_-nIE2ALjXjHdXI5IKb46geGckOhrL-Hx54r2Ejz9qTeocZqWN4QKXBPX_Z9IRglNIn1_Zfoj_jdg95LrcGreq3U2NizwooT75QoE08FSf0ZYgYSB_mXfzp7wijWqMK27B94kpMT51w/s2048/2NO_335895373_937678314337513_6256245671756621636_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="2048" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohOzpir1vvE8P6iqyAPfQI-6_OHVDzDUiL9wlmbjzulWTvvI_-nIE2ALjXjHdXI5IKb46geGckOhrL-Hx54r2Ejz9qTeocZqWN4QKXBPX_Z9IRglNIn1_Zfoj_jdg95LrcGreq3U2NizwooT75QoE08FSf0ZYgYSB_mXfzp7wijWqMK27B94kpMT51w/s320/2NO_335895373_937678314337513_6256245671756621636_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(Regine performing with the contestants)</span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">That night, after Miss Irene and I initialed the paper containing the name "SARAH GERONIMO" and the words "GRAND CHAMPION" below it, I used the firm's logo-sticker again (which I sourced from Ms. Rocky S.) to seal the envelope and the fate of the winner. I initialed in green ink; I couldn't remember what pen Ms. Irene used though. The 'envelope' is actually a three-fold paper with a golden cover <i>(that I sourced from everyone's favorite bookstore) </i>that was then sealed with a sticker after folding them together. To open, one only had to break the sticker-seal and read what's written on it. No pulling out of paper anymore. It's the same type used at the Oscars now, but not the ones they made in 2003. As I was already using the three-fold envelope with sticker-seal in 2003, I guess I was way ahead of the Oscars. Or shall I say, PwC-Manila was way ahead of PwC-Los Angeles, which tabulates Oscar votes. 😆</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Miss Irene and I then went back to our seats with the 'golden envelope' and waited for the cue to hand it over to Regine. The stage was not that high, and we just took a few steps from where we sat to navigate the dimly lit path. After giving it to Regine, she then turned it over to Sharon Cuneta who was already on stage with Boss Vic Del Rosario.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnuOWP89Jx8QuZZ_ePVkSK6BXL_OYO2JstQ8s-UiK72YXOYiiOxth02ojNFpaQJ0Xe12ofQgcutMf8mgQatJhHBZ3hw8xLUJzqYtTOKjpHZMaNLiqgkgpqHx0n7qnSa5uTf4oawSr6F31ZMUOPspsMKuamYDK7pvLKWkuzSyDeNcEsBN5vDX7it-nIA/s2048/3NO_334957568_213632154542895_5675102723204610587_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1883" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnuOWP89Jx8QuZZ_ePVkSK6BXL_OYO2JstQ8s-UiK72YXOYiiOxth02ojNFpaQJ0Xe12ofQgcutMf8mgQatJhHBZ3hw8xLUJzqYtTOKjpHZMaNLiqgkgpqHx0n7qnSa5uTf4oawSr6F31ZMUOPspsMKuamYDK7pvLKWkuzSyDeNcEsBN5vDX7it-nIA/s320/3NO_334957568_213632154542895_5675102723204610587_n.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(Miss Irene and I after handing over </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">to Regine </span></i><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">the 'golden envelope')</span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I had a sense from the audience that they expected Sarah Geronimo to win because she probably performed the best, superbly interpreted a tricky song, and looked like a real star on stage wearing a Rajo Laurel gown.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">As Sharon was about to rip open the seal of the 'golden envelope', I watched the contestants as they sat with Regine and waited for the announcement. And since I knew whose name was in the envelope, I watched Sarah, who was seated at the rightmost side. She was motionless and quiet, not interacting with anyone, but with her head bowed. She must be praying, I thought. This was moments before she learned that her prayers were answered.🙏</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">When Sharon read the envelope, the whole ULTRA went crazy, and since I had a good vantage point to where the contestants' families were seated, I saw Sarah's father run to the stage to hug his daughter, forgetting to bring his wife with him. I guess the director's plan was to bring the winner's parents to the stage after the announcement as I saw the floor director chastising a stagehand for forgetting to bring both Sarah's parents to the stage. Her mother was left behind. The stagehand probably forgot to do his job from all the excitement.😝</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHsitBtD33T0GxhZyvqkdN0vuESOOPayLMDge5-iT9Ty6yHsEZD_O4UiDdcz6CyUXNJbKDQ9-dneD-vNTImv1fd62uUpC5EpVTEq0TAeTAH3yY0GWKIBg8JNiUt40lJ1aW186KA09Aac0jqJjcPCzIKINeF7TAaOH-JVyWrPq7Cvf1jltcb_PimprEA/s2048/5NO_335602538_138375455828025_722668367630454245_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="2048" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHsitBtD33T0GxhZyvqkdN0vuESOOPayLMDge5-iT9Ty6yHsEZD_O4UiDdcz6CyUXNJbKDQ9-dneD-vNTImv1fd62uUpC5EpVTEq0TAeTAH3yY0GWKIBg8JNiUt40lJ1aW186KA09Aac0jqJjcPCzIKINeF7TAaOH-JVyWrPq7Cvf1jltcb_PimprEA/s320/5NO_335602538_138375455828025_722668367630454245_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(Sharon about to read the winner's name)<br /></span></i></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">As euphoria and cheers were filling the stadium, and as Sarah Geronimo was being celebrated onstage, we left our seats and headed to our area backstage. After about three hours, our work was finally done.😍</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByymhL7krwFK0sGGbdsiJo2VPFAqcVUEsdx95vB5rCYhUJf4K63o5Q06te5dRZSN0PTuc6kkH-G930KomMfmgUgOsdP6YvVJQL6eBCE6kOWkhGE8v47uQceBTz2AoKdINu1sHweOlgdMrW89qLigaWVvY-wFBR53h5WSFx5lvLQXY4q-kkXlKYR9UDA/s2048/4NO_335417346_581592820686932_8184243765427678032_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="2048" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByymhL7krwFK0sGGbdsiJo2VPFAqcVUEsdx95vB5rCYhUJf4K63o5Q06te5dRZSN0PTuc6kkH-G930KomMfmgUgOsdP6YvVJQL6eBCE6kOWkhGE8v47uQceBTz2AoKdINu1sHweOlgdMrW89qLigaWVvY-wFBR53h5WSFx5lvLQXY4q-kkXlKYR9UDA/s320/4NO_335417346_581592820686932_8184243765427678032_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(Regine and the contestants eagerly awaiting the announcement. Notice Sarah G. at the rightmost side with head bowed down in prayer.)<br /></span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">It was now about 10PM and we needed to grab something to eat before we all headed home. 🍴</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">This was 20 years ago this month. She's now a huge star with millions of fans, and my Viva audit team members have all soared in their professional careers in different parts of the world; as have I, modesty aside.😎</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">But I wonder what happened to that 'golden envelope'. Did she save it? Had it framed? Or it got lost in the night's excitement?📩📨✉</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I wish I could ask her when she comes to perform in Victorias City this weekend for my hometown's Kadalag-an Festival. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">So, this was the night when Sarah Geronimo's life and fortune changed forever.👩 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And I had a front-row seat (and a 'golden envelope') to that memorable night.😍</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVqxOKlpbFFIoqu3Hatud7W0TROyBcDS2WYDjWC1DqAJucr0yLt-L-rnOXjGYIeHC4jogmJDf_iX-3ISZBZROrveEsZn8SPpxbw9zKInqJpSTRKlk2EupvdTWENGLwG5BVUTMSKk65dVXrWF2BuZRaO8vm8gzSbham6YRpkB-m3hOdPDQN-6MZ7-KfA/s2048/6NO_336142943_1537085410115846_1206803311200532960_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="2048" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVqxOKlpbFFIoqu3Hatud7W0TROyBcDS2WYDjWC1DqAJucr0yLt-L-rnOXjGYIeHC4jogmJDf_iX-3ISZBZROrveEsZn8SPpxbw9zKInqJpSTRKlk2EupvdTWENGLwG5BVUTMSKk65dVXrWF2BuZRaO8vm8gzSbham6YRpkB-m3hOdPDQN-6MZ7-KfA/s320/6NO_336142943_1537085410115846_1206803311200532960_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>(Boss Vic, Regine, Sharon and </i></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>Sarah </i></span><i style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">after the announcement)</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5ClThmiKTST1Q6WJCeD6oR3L7f57Hkbdn-tRnKql76EA790k9pSY6qS7tFElnEC_FkaijuRU1SswbDIidaa3IBaKYV696Yu3QAaSJqkDuENxrvGJZGdf5Ciw7gkWLc_r9ZRi25VuB08NR0ZGyEmcxcTzTavPWJUQzPsU41gdjAQQIKAu9cFHSMFRyw/s1897/7NO_335918502_118627191080933_1667855644601229516_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1897" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5ClThmiKTST1Q6WJCeD6oR3L7f57Hkbdn-tRnKql76EA790k9pSY6qS7tFElnEC_FkaijuRU1SswbDIidaa3IBaKYV696Yu3QAaSJqkDuENxrvGJZGdf5Ciw7gkWLc_r9ZRi25VuB08NR0ZGyEmcxcTzTavPWJUQzPsU41gdjAQQIKAu9cFHSMFRyw/s320/7NO_335918502_118627191080933_1667855644601229516_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">* * * * *</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The blurry photos above were from my film camera. I just had them cropped and filtered to try to enhance the resolution.💚 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">These are screenshots below, however, are from Youtube. I hope Sarah saved the 'golden envelope'.😀</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKHuVDgfvXm9MjLayZ3d_FXjgy4ShNMNthgBcxHTXp8hRsH_g7jWsTD9A5kGZUavvs7hnnQzItOT40u_CuJwx45SVxoRJNPmwqq60xH8PaGeYFCQIZ2ByTkzy9MRq2S-DTENpldDd-6TiYdj9Wu4rWaIgHnkmWRsqSJ98CeGZpzzHSgh1jFcSpkPOow/s1153/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-12%20at%20%E1%84%8B%E1%85%A9%E1%84%92%E1%85%AE%2010.59.15.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1153" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKHuVDgfvXm9MjLayZ3d_FXjgy4ShNMNthgBcxHTXp8hRsH_g7jWsTD9A5kGZUavvs7hnnQzItOT40u_CuJwx45SVxoRJNPmwqq60xH8PaGeYFCQIZ2ByTkzy9MRq2S-DTENpldDd-6TiYdj9Wu4rWaIgHnkmWRsqSJ98CeGZpzzHSgh1jFcSpkPOow/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-12%20at%20%E1%84%8B%E1%85%A9%E1%84%92%E1%85%AE%2010.59.15.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMPlpTEfYi1uDW81pVpw9GyVpPIeOq5wqKJ9hgzFukS5Rqf4Tr308-qB0pvHAubixjReUEtoJ08arlq_r57J_GeEZCm6yDtsTjjt_Io2ff1ehMGZz-T433FW09j69cppzfCCLqdqEbHKalkOB4YIdeFTQTGfl4d0YdfusQe0WHLpCNJmxzDJOXWmsSg/s1144/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-12%20at%20%E1%84%8B%E1%85%A9%E1%84%92%E1%85%AE%2011.02.10.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1144" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMPlpTEfYi1uDW81pVpw9GyVpPIeOq5wqKJ9hgzFukS5Rqf4Tr308-qB0pvHAubixjReUEtoJ08arlq_r57J_GeEZCm6yDtsTjjt_Io2ff1ehMGZz-T433FW09j69cppzfCCLqdqEbHKalkOB4YIdeFTQTGfl4d0YdfusQe0WHLpCNJmxzDJOXWmsSg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-12%20at%20%E1%84%8B%E1%85%A9%E1%84%92%E1%85%AE%2011.02.10.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#SarahGeronimo #SharonCuneta #Regine Velasquez #VivaTV #StarForANight #music</span></p>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines14.5763768 121.0851097-13.733857036178845 85.9288597 42.886610636178844 156.2413597tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-59327106565184643132023-02-23T00:09:00.002+09:002023-02-23T00:09:37.498+09:00DINAGYANG FESTIVAL 2023: Salamat Guid Sang Kasadyahan, Iloilo City!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznVZNPQmALD6Rz36CW_jjCB0hTCIkYxCPBHdpZzWqreNEzqdV_hhNUaXm44QymEYHfb2fybKPEGiLSOok5a6rDSoQ4yQkmB5ew6rWtwipuegXIWvGeB6XJefRVWW2qEVBXHGnBVevmM5w9NoIAiC9IzbAMFwxbIKsCBFWaZ2Y5naTDzCrSmJa8bxI8Q/s2863/IMG_3757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2426" data-original-width="2863" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznVZNPQmALD6Rz36CW_jjCB0hTCIkYxCPBHdpZzWqreNEzqdV_hhNUaXm44QymEYHfb2fybKPEGiLSOok5a6rDSoQ4yQkmB5ew6rWtwipuegXIWvGeB6XJefRVWW2qEVBXHGnBVevmM5w9NoIAiC9IzbAMFwxbIKsCBFWaZ2Y5naTDzCrSmJa8bxI8Q/s320/IMG_3757.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">When we decided to go to Iloilo City (from Negros Occidental) to enjoy the 2023 Dinagyang Festival, what we worried about was the hotel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">So I called up the business inn that is located downtown where we always stayed because it was a walking distance from the San Jose de Placer Church and from the restaurant that makes everyone's favorite siopao, Roberto's, and other fastfood restaurants. The location is also very accessible and is just a few minutes from the ferry terminal.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUxJ5bY0TGi_2KCyA9qQK6Gx1g09s-WSpdgt1atCaMhVs0I9IjCN9WXp2yQvs5HlNKUbCKlJ5Wkf3daOW6g8az9t795grAXI7JLGdZwy_s3CCV45q6YlABBtIwjfrvEt5oA8Rtce34qFlaXeltdK7yFUIM5PWN4YLef7pcfRpALzs-l4TfUGdEcaJ1g/s2289/IMG_3753%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="2289" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUxJ5bY0TGi_2KCyA9qQK6Gx1g09s-WSpdgt1atCaMhVs0I9IjCN9WXp2yQvs5HlNKUbCKlJ5Wkf3daOW6g8az9t795grAXI7JLGdZwy_s3CCV45q6YlABBtIwjfrvEt5oA8Rtce34qFlaXeltdK7yFUIM5PWN4YLef7pcfRpALzs-l4TfUGdEcaJ1g/s320/IMG_3753%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog25QErbEtPhraNCCoZ8wG-yCbKWNhwHmN23vrAYJ52LE0qFGZJ70iQ22CyUkkn-bbHBSEsXOC1KxRH14g__9TM6Ttd5eVM4z_CEjzg-D09GTM-SWOBwlh98a6636VRp47k6TxKuPGPpqhHotQroXNyDhGz7SnJDrY0-ByXMoZoYy6QbPr6Qpm-W0Ow/s2765/IMG_3761%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1865" data-original-width="2765" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog25QErbEtPhraNCCoZ8wG-yCbKWNhwHmN23vrAYJ52LE0qFGZJ70iQ22CyUkkn-bbHBSEsXOC1KxRH14g__9TM6Ttd5eVM4z_CEjzg-D09GTM-SWOBwlh98a6636VRp47k6TxKuPGPpqhHotQroXNyDhGz7SnJDrY0-ByXMoZoYy6QbPr6Qpm-W0Ow/s320/IMG_3761%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The business inn still had rooms available, but unfortunately, we learned that the roads to the hotel would be closed during the festival. So we opted for another hotel elsewhere.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">We ended up at a hotel along Ledesma Street that has a mall next to it. The location was very convenient for us as our mom, who has trouble walking, came with us, although we had some difficulty getting a cab a few times.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SrttwiSzY77sSeEGydF795EaKCROMv3c076G4EAYhhq589uhT8DJjlnXWANaRpe3PM0wvX3lisCk0S99UpRvmn4pXDZfrYO3EI9cNRwmUfjdkA5NZnkZNa01vwza2-jDjwyzqFi9iwRsIkeDjDWr4pWdifjnbVcSUPzZx-O4Y9pENZBioIi_i8-QWQ/s3525/IMG_3769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3525" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SrttwiSzY77sSeEGydF795EaKCROMv3c076G4EAYhhq589uhT8DJjlnXWANaRpe3PM0wvX3lisCk0S99UpRvmn4pXDZfrYO3EI9cNRwmUfjdkA5NZnkZNa01vwza2-jDjwyzqFi9iwRsIkeDjDWr4pWdifjnbVcSUPzZx-O4Y9pENZBioIi_i8-QWQ/s320/IMG_3769.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAdUGb0slwxC8tVySCmLH1T2WeNDItEK0EUwwjTjF847OVS1BRhLWI0_X8emlx0fBOkD3tt1KgZjVT6yahHZAgAp19Qqx_EcjuX8zVTFP4QdTkZov1XauI8jThJdoUE7iCn2M7RlOhGx6Xzw3MbK0FwmW7Lht72S3iUZxx16c0iY_FzWS1N_ESU3Kpw/s2889/IMG_3773%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="2889" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAdUGb0slwxC8tVySCmLH1T2WeNDItEK0EUwwjTjF847OVS1BRhLWI0_X8emlx0fBOkD3tt1KgZjVT6yahHZAgAp19Qqx_EcjuX8zVTFP4QdTkZov1XauI8jThJdoUE7iCn2M7RlOhGx6Xzw3MbK0FwmW7Lht72S3iUZxx16c0iY_FzWS1N_ESU3Kpw/s320/IMG_3773%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">As always, even on the days leading to the festival, the streets of Iloilo City were full of revelers, tattoo artists, and vendors of snacks, bottled water, balloons, and colorful Dinagyang masks and necklaces. It also made us feel safe that there were a lot of policemen and women posted on every corner. There was even a police assistance desk just outside our hotel.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The competing tribes participating at the Dinagyang Festival were to be judged at the Freedom Grandstand and three other stages around the city, following a route that would meander through the main streets downtown. </span></p></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS09KvRr0Kpbe0IbK46LTBQlr2bLjqGNFPrvsM0YjvClu4Q3gp7epu8-xP0Y40hlXpFCUb0cL3Zp9PA5Bzw0rN_1EiNu3AhLTdfvEso6_FtCVQtKxV9tOlao1l6IgVDB-vTwnB7uuY4ByfFZcU4HADJdyQtAF2tcCe1OdIEYaOmamPCHMDBnDsY8ODsw/s2152/IMG_3797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2152" data-original-width="2134" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS09KvRr0Kpbe0IbK46LTBQlr2bLjqGNFPrvsM0YjvClu4Q3gp7epu8-xP0Y40hlXpFCUb0cL3Zp9PA5Bzw0rN_1EiNu3AhLTdfvEso6_FtCVQtKxV9tOlao1l6IgVDB-vTwnB7uuY4ByfFZcU4HADJdyQtAF2tcCe1OdIEYaOmamPCHMDBnDsY8ODsw/s320/IMG_3797.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRs5ekAuxvSRKvmr5cyOnI-yIEJ2SkbQSu0Bnh0A5h5q2VAzZVAIagFXLFW2dRLWDzDRIVXARNeZdXi6MybSt6qy3qA-8WLy_IiZj_eb5lVYAwqOkIUbDGfb6vk33VK2MWMuaQ4yj69MoBdjJLSQc8uUFvDXUrW2e5HaHEPlpL1oPlzsWR_DGejVSUZA/s2644/IMG_3804%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2136" data-original-width="2644" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRs5ekAuxvSRKvmr5cyOnI-yIEJ2SkbQSu0Bnh0A5h5q2VAzZVAIagFXLFW2dRLWDzDRIVXARNeZdXi6MybSt6qy3qA-8WLy_IiZj_eb5lVYAwqOkIUbDGfb6vk33VK2MWMuaQ4yj69MoBdjJLSQc8uUFvDXUrW2e5HaHEPlpL1oPlzsWR_DGejVSUZA/s320/IMG_3804%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">On our trips to the Dinagyang Festival before the pandemic, we were able to watch the performances at the Freedom Grandstand as well as experienced having photos with the costumed performers on the streets as they moved to the next performance area.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Although it was an amazing experience watching the whole performance of the tribes from our comfortable seats at the Freedom Grandstand, it was more fun seeing their creative and artsy costumes up close and chatting with them as they passed us on Rizal Street where we picked our spot. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Feasting on the colors of their ensemble was a delight to the eyes and to my camera, although I realized their costumes must have been very heavy and their make-up that colored their faces and limbs made it even uncomfortable as they walked the streets under the sun.</span></p></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Mmfa5LDR6-6cgNb6rLrjOu0n-AEJCI5ScCQ6yLv2wzlmPxBYjamtJTNWrcyPKTloSqYwavZWovUwdRdWzXDIOvdSbo2nZkdKRF70Msuw79tRILH6Rxra0QfDjj1UPDHAZiAdp5SyaacOGN3G_G4YJNprAvvF-3Ddn-cfqcEezXeoo7A_8AgYIpU2ew/s1429/IMG_3821%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="1183" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Mmfa5LDR6-6cgNb6rLrjOu0n-AEJCI5ScCQ6yLv2wzlmPxBYjamtJTNWrcyPKTloSqYwavZWovUwdRdWzXDIOvdSbo2nZkdKRF70Msuw79tRILH6Rxra0QfDjj1UPDHAZiAdp5SyaacOGN3G_G4YJNprAvvF-3Ddn-cfqcEezXeoo7A_8AgYIpU2ew/s320/IMG_3821%20(1).jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-slICHLtVT5fnty8FWBd3AxcwVfkpb9crBD_TpFWxEKh8XblNHrNqYc6AyisqLKngaPHvTm-oZFsYKI4UV7pzl4EEiMSS2WpottzuUC-OSNIbLP-LnaNE9dMyzfKJgIjO0GNlZZ4O_LQ2Q59PYhIWmNOgmH-JeglzmnhCaebU_CQerH0W_k4K-pxI_Q/s3241/IMG_3825%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="3241" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-slICHLtVT5fnty8FWBd3AxcwVfkpb9crBD_TpFWxEKh8XblNHrNqYc6AyisqLKngaPHvTm-oZFsYKI4UV7pzl4EEiMSS2WpottzuUC-OSNIbLP-LnaNE9dMyzfKJgIjO0GNlZZ4O_LQ2Q59PYhIWmNOgmH-JeglzmnhCaebU_CQerH0W_k4K-pxI_Q/s320/IMG_3825%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But seeing the smiles of the performers without the masks on brought even more fun to us, revelers and tourists, as we enjoy once more the fun, excitement, and merrymaking of the Dinagyang Festival this year.</span><br style="font-family: verdana;" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">So, thank you to Mayor Treñas, the festival organizers, and to the men and women in uniform for keeping us safe during the 2023 Dinagyang Festival.😎😎😎</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Salamat guid sang kasadyahan, Iloilo! Until next year!😍😍😍</span></p></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-b9ia4MBug0bpEkbVBwd6H9wt1n9zqoiYEzp31mb51w9bNY5bIR8YHjkYoXyE6pr8AffqzxeifE80golH-XUa_QLiI8BnpIktpg61dXLuEP_wDz4G4cNF3wiNeDRn2WCN8wB3aFOvB6QSzFCqAWMGpCuAHYaCyR7qSesiuV9FAfoQGuA2XYVBtCM6Q/s2697/IMG_3854%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1921" data-original-width="2697" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-b9ia4MBug0bpEkbVBwd6H9wt1n9zqoiYEzp31mb51w9bNY5bIR8YHjkYoXyE6pr8AffqzxeifE80golH-XUa_QLiI8BnpIktpg61dXLuEP_wDz4G4cNF3wiNeDRn2WCN8wB3aFOvB6QSzFCqAWMGpCuAHYaCyR7qSesiuV9FAfoQGuA2XYVBtCM6Q/s320/IMG_3854%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#Iloilo #IloiloCity #Dinagyang #Dinagyangfestival #Philippines #ItsmorefuninthePhilippines #travel #travelblog </span></p>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines10.7201501 122.5621063-17.590083736178848 87.4058563 39.030383936178843 157.71835629999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-88476179802902364782022-12-26T00:04:00.000+09:002022-12-26T00:04:50.965+09:00Of Christmas, Cakes, and Fools!<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lwHv-JRvYvCAQ3MibFlw7-Zdmb758K9VqvD65uGRMoRM1mdti30481n4uUbqsWzobGqk_aYH1R68kCAZnS50t8Pgbov5QCI2ktYVcKE6494pGdDmQYZg98jYTVZ8-6yxAIUpABN22RP4RphbVp5RHML3xWVrtThM_7EHzyphDbmUDJWmvGlsd5azTQ/s2040/321661905_496244212496025_4526334704890621865_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2040" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lwHv-JRvYvCAQ3MibFlw7-Zdmb758K9VqvD65uGRMoRM1mdti30481n4uUbqsWzobGqk_aYH1R68kCAZnS50t8Pgbov5QCI2ktYVcKE6494pGdDmQYZg98jYTVZ8-6yxAIUpABN22RP4RphbVp5RHML3xWVrtThM_7EHzyphDbmUDJWmvGlsd5azTQ/s320/321661905_496244212496025_4526334704890621865_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="xyamay9 x1pi30zi xsag5q8 x1swvt13" style="padding: 16px 16px 12px;"><div><div class="xyinxu5 x4uap5 x1g2khh7 xkhd6sd" style="padding: 14px 0px;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x10flsy6 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x4zkp8e x41vudc x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u" dir="auto" style="color: var(--primary-text); display: block; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">As I enjoy a slice of my chocolate cake paired with fresh melon shake tonight, I think of what the Holy Family was going through that cold night in Bethlehem two thousand years ago: they didn't have a place to stay as the couple had no Booking app to reserve a room, they had to make do with riding a camel as they had no Grab transport, and they were probably worried there was no lying-in hospital nearby. Or worse, no hospital would take them in if they couldn't pay the required deposit. <span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="😭" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t40/1/16/1f62d.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span><br /><br />But in the end, as they trusted His plans, everything worked out just fine for the three.They had shepherds and sheep to keep them company, angels to sing for them, and even royalty as <i>ninongs</i>. The couple even ended up with new acquisitions of precious metals at the end of the night.<span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="😊" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t7f/1/16/1f60a.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span><br /><br />Today, there are the scarcity of public transport, scarcity of basic staples, no angels but demons singing praises for themselves, and worst, fools believing the promise of false gold.<span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="😨" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t14/1/16/1f628.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span><br /><br />The three, two thousands years ago and without any cake or fresh fruit shake, were better off than us today.<span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="😁" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t4f/1/16/1f601.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span><br /><br />Merry Christmas!</span><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="🌲" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tea/1/16/1f332.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span><span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="☃️" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf0/1/16/2603.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem;"> </span></span><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x10flsy6 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x4zkp8e x41vudc x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u" dir="auto" style="color: var(--primary-text); display: block; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem;"><br /></span></span><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x10flsy6 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x4zkp8e x41vudc x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u" dir="auto" style="color: var(--primary-text); display: block; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem;">#MerryChristmas #Christmas #Pasko #MaligayangPasko #ensaimada #tableaTsokolate</span></span></div></div></div><div class="x1jx94hy" style="font-family: inherit;"><ul style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="xdj266r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 x46jau6" style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 54px;"></div></div></li></ul><div class="x78zum5 x13a6bvl xdj266r xktsk01 xat24cr x1d52u69" style="color: #1c1e21; display: flex; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; justify-content: flex-end; margin: 0px 16px;"></div><div class="x6ikm8r x10wlt62" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; overflow: hidden;"></div></div>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Philippines12.879721 121.774017-15.430512836178846 86.617767 41.189954836178842 156.93026700000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-91667932496306490012022-11-01T15:20:00.002+09:002022-11-01T15:30:52.363+09:00Our Prayers For The Victims And Families of the Itaewon Tragedy<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">On the night of October 31, 2015, a Saturday, I passed by Itaewon on my way home to Hannam-dong in the Yongsan District of Seoul. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I was taking the Subway Line 6 from Gongdeok Station to Hangangjin Station, but I decided to get off at Itaewon Station to see what Halloween thing was going on there.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">When I came out of Exit 4 of Itaewon Station, what welcomed me was a huge crowd of Itaewon revelers who were there to party.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbiXC8vT-Y8XtqFpBZqB6zy4JGNrAdkbmyFyJWM9vlwQ5j9ThyqOFQjpsuXUamZRCL07KeI-v0S5tlyHJ5TbBgO5NKF2lnKQBPyR8-qUoQy-4DJU6CIy96nP7sBFc538Z6ZXYVWj22-ghk8rHCOVX8ZrFJNm43j0uZlQF9HV0QnvH8t5SWNnAU7BaHg/s960/12193316_10153333233778335_5810933387404416843_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbiXC8vT-Y8XtqFpBZqB6zy4JGNrAdkbmyFyJWM9vlwQ5j9ThyqOFQjpsuXUamZRCL07KeI-v0S5tlyHJ5TbBgO5NKF2lnKQBPyR8-qUoQy-4DJU6CIy96nP7sBFc538Z6ZXYVWj22-ghk8rHCOVX8ZrFJNm43j0uZlQF9HV0QnvH8t5SWNnAU7BaHg/s320/12193316_10153333233778335_5810933387404416843_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">It was the the biggest crowd that I have ever seen in Itaewon, bigger than the crowds during the <span style="color: #04ff00;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-itaewon-global-festival-road-closed.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">Itaewon Village Festival (read blog here)</span></a> </span>The crowd consisted mostly of young people, probably students, I thought.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Never have I thought it was a tragedy waiting to happen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I know that narrow alley behind Hamilton Hotel too well. My friends and I have been to those nice restaurants located along that alley.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last Saturday night's tragedy was a shock to everyone, especially to me and my friends who used to have fun there in Itaewon. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">We remember the victims and their families in our prayers during All Souls' Day.🙏</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZsy4OIpoycEorqdLzioZeep3P2nUI4CnWt1OpSsuv85lQ5OX_UWazIgYHQI03D4pCZy0cPqbCgKqc2uRCIliG2Hf-ccJrL5FCzRKba5bNxRpj9r_oLVLZbtrkgtck7n3KYgc-COpiq0kRwr6g1xMcj_xmIpFujV3ZAXWUljc9XShqwUTvLdLL_dqFA/s1080/313015733_1146595079564599_7206144494939858985_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1080" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZsy4OIpoycEorqdLzioZeep3P2nUI4CnWt1OpSsuv85lQ5OX_UWazIgYHQI03D4pCZy0cPqbCgKqc2uRCIliG2Hf-ccJrL5FCzRKba5bNxRpj9r_oLVLZbtrkgtck7n3KYgc-COpiq0kRwr6g1xMcj_xmIpFujV3ZAXWUljc9XShqwUTvLdLL_dqFA/s320/313015733_1146595079564599_7206144494939858985_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>(This is the welcome arch of Itaewon that greets everyone at the Noksapyeong side)</i></span> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#Itaewon #ItaewonHalloween #Itaewonstampede #Seoul #Korea</span></p>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea37.5400456 126.99210179.2298117638211536 91.8358517 65.850279436178852 162.1483517tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-60744940042001169242022-10-28T22:42:00.009+09:002023-12-18T14:39:07.921+09:00Philippine History: Chapter 26 - Why April 26, Instead of October 7, is the Feast Day of the Our Lady of Victory Parish in Victorias City<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">When I learned that, according to the General Roman Calendar, the feast day of the Our Lady of Victory, also known as the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, is October 7, I wondered why, in Victorias, it is celebrated on April 26.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">When the Catholic states won over the fleet of the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Lepanto in the Gulf of Patras in Greece on October 7, 1571, Pope Pius V, who asked all the faithful at that time to pray the Holy Rosary to help win the Catholic fleet win the battle, that day was declared by Pope Pius V as the feast of the Our Lady of Victory. She was later known as the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Victorias was named after its patroness, Nuestra Señora de Las Victorias <a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-story-chapter-4-ang.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">(read Chapter 4 here)</span></a>, and the town used to celebrate the feast on October 7. But in a memorabilia prepared years ago for the town fiesta, I read that it was moved from October 7, which is in a rainy month, to a day in the dry season.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">So, why did the parish, probably in consultation with the local officials then, choose April 26?</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iB34GulwBg9CaAXZDM8OhFuRwq2U9MA6q75_cYEY7keWmMteX8UTG8EU3BopPj-ifXE0sbYGGzy_ejPdIWgO1wq1a_TJ7prM_LlXsYi97-d2qfDjHVr2Uw4SaTaQKXjRXWLAp14dz6PEiHraxtb0-nxSpOSYUfCRgMLObK6pm-rQZzrKwF6ohICRfQ/s702/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-25%20at%20%E1%84%8B%E1%85%A9%E1%84%8C%E1%85%A5%E1%86%AB%209.43.00.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="547" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iB34GulwBg9CaAXZDM8OhFuRwq2U9MA6q75_cYEY7keWmMteX8UTG8EU3BopPj-ifXE0sbYGGzy_ejPdIWgO1wq1a_TJ7prM_LlXsYi97-d2qfDjHVr2Uw4SaTaQKXjRXWLAp14dz6PEiHraxtb0-nxSpOSYUfCRgMLObK6pm-rQZzrKwF6ohICRfQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-25%20at%20%E1%84%8B%E1%85%A9%E1%84%8C%E1%85%A5%E1%86%AB%209.43.00.png" width="249" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I found the answer in the 1953 compilation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Thanks to Ms. Christine Mae Sarito, who downloaded the Compilation from the archives of the National Library and made it available to the people of Victorias, we can now answer the question.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/11/philippine-history-chapter-17-victorias.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">On Chapter 17 of the history of Victorias (read here)</span></a>, I wrote about the life of the people of Victorias during World War II. In my research for that chapter, I stumbled upon a date, April 26, 1945 (which is mistakenly written as "April 26, 1944" in the Compilation. The American forces arrived in Negros island only in 1945).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">That date is very significant to the people of Victorias. It was the date the first American soldiers arrived in Victorias.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">During the war, all church activities stopped. There were no baptism, burial masses, blessings, and even weddings at the church. Even the parish priest at that time, Fr. Vicente Luzada, had to flee for his life.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyINB0338FAsiP01BIS3Cr3u6JDmj_DUpRRN8pVk9plKgsNtApmKWSxJNRO4lBpbZRVcDhVTcrgMf9SmArWvqHe7fujVvRgHoH_iqE4Z5xp_2zu4rcz9D2PwJLQ1jE0tHsB7FygwKQE8U_cZ3-5sbzLlWm-SfYAP6sRvY-Z4iy509X5Q9mYKSbB7K5A/s1174/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-25%20at%20%E1%84%8B%E1%85%A9%E1%84%8C%E1%85%A5%E1%86%AB%209.52.14.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="1174" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyINB0338FAsiP01BIS3Cr3u6JDmj_DUpRRN8pVk9plKgsNtApmKWSxJNRO4lBpbZRVcDhVTcrgMf9SmArWvqHe7fujVvRgHoH_iqE4Z5xp_2zu4rcz9D2PwJLQ1jE0tHsB7FygwKQE8U_cZ3-5sbzLlWm-SfYAP6sRvY-Z4iy509X5Q9mYKSbB7K5A/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-25%20at%20%E1%84%8B%E1%85%A9%E1%84%8C%E1%85%A5%E1%86%AB%209.52.14.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Maybe, years after the war, when the October 7 fiesta celebrations were always rained out, the parish priest, parishioners and town officials began discussions about moving the town fiesta to a day in the dry season. They probably had many dates as an option, including other important dates in the Catholic calendar, but must have settled, in the end, to one very important date in the history of Victorias.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">During the two years of living a life under the Japanese colonizers that brought cruelty, hunger, sickness and death, the people of Victorias prayed to the Virgin for help.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">On April 26, 1945, their prayers were answered.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The arrival of the first American soldiers in Victorias on that day, a Thursday, brought joy and happiness to the people, knowing that freedom, as well as the old ways of living in peace, would finally return to Victorias.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The feast of the Our Lady of Victory is celebrated by the parish with an early morning procession of Her image and a concelebrated mass presided by the Bishop of the Diocese of Bacolod.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Let's bring back the old traditions of celebrating the April 26 fiesta in the name of Nuestra Señora de Las Victorias.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxbo2V6h0_CL6h1iRZtfUWJA8GM9QTOZbVZ4Of8gJtcvTpkx_MOKe7l2QOTcTHmin5-Jk9X_1IgYVNfdfteItxGBvWKf5oBCfS3-RaWfnYGAm5eImq-UDDxPAclYAORH5toSo6R6G_lfb8fBAChCG-febEhGBC3DLKZhxHZOsJRe-5Jj_mHPKTKz9vg/s551/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-25%20at%20%E1%84%8B%E1%85%A9%E1%84%8C%E1%85%A5%E1%86%AB%209.52.21.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="64" data-original-width="551" height="37" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxbo2V6h0_CL6h1iRZtfUWJA8GM9QTOZbVZ4Of8gJtcvTpkx_MOKe7l2QOTcTHmin5-Jk9X_1IgYVNfdfteItxGBvWKf5oBCfS3-RaWfnYGAm5eImq-UDDxPAclYAORH5toSo6R6G_lfb8fBAChCG-febEhGBC3DLKZhxHZOsJRe-5Jj_mHPKTKz9vg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-25%20at%20%E1%84%8B%E1%85%A9%E1%84%8C%E1%85%A5%E1%86%AB%209.52.21.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> * * * * *</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Attached are the screenshots above of the pages from the 1953 Compilation showing the listing of April 26, 1944 (should be 1945), as a significant day in the history of Victorias.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: #141414; color: lime; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>Note: Words written in neon green are links. Do click them.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2023/05/philippine-history-chapter-27-don.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">Chapter 27: Don Gonzalo Ditching and His Legacy in Vic Victorias City</span></a><span style="color: #04ff00;"> (Part 1)</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-size: 13px;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #141414; font-size: large;"><span face="verdana, sans-serif"><b><i><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2019/10/ang-kasaysayan-sang-victorias-kag-iba.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">C</span><span style="color: #04ff00;">omplete history blog: "Ang Kasaysayan sang Victorias"</span></a></span></i></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#Victorias #VictoriasHistory #History #Philippinehistory</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#OurLadyofVictory #NuestraSeñoraDeLasVictorias</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#NuestraSeñoradeSantoRosario </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#OurLadyoftheHolyRosary</span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"></div>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Philippines10.8698236 123.0901539-17.440410236178845 87.9339039 39.180057436178842 158.24640390000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124546473677392010.post-16019454148377086982022-09-06T16:06:00.004+09:002022-09-06T16:10:39.645+09:00ANGAT VICTORIAS: The Blessing of our Angat Victorias Banca<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://apinoyinkorea.blogspot.com/2022/09/angat-victorias-our-banca-for-daan.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #04ff00;">After our ANGAT VICTORIAS banca was completed <i>(read blog here)</i></span></a>, we asked the help of the staff of the Parish of St. Roch in Daan Banwa, Victorias City, whether Fr. Christopher Entrata, parish priest, could bless the banca.🚢</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbmfFFkppOyRzDZozj4rwHGMILWN6WtgEFhsyWDouY4Vue_j72UXzeXYmvFP62Sl_zYCnWIJe2xPGlSXUMnkWnKkLYVW_KMXSdklP8ncI2jt9KFBsrTcU5OKYNNcjkD1BjqkeZOqsgu4z8bXg8JYygrxRUTabYrz19cR-rmbvl3Xet1BEv5gVkdhFxg/s1728/12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1728" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbmfFFkppOyRzDZozj4rwHGMILWN6WtgEFhsyWDouY4Vue_j72UXzeXYmvFP62Sl_zYCnWIJe2xPGlSXUMnkWnKkLYVW_KMXSdklP8ncI2jt9KFBsrTcU5OKYNNcjkD1BjqkeZOqsgu4z8bXg8JYygrxRUTabYrz19cR-rmbvl3Xet1BEv5gVkdhFxg/s320/12.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPthk6aQHKci5GZqhqoMmfJmlSDVroAj6VUjr37NP_ysFWxTFjw_wbDFKKGm3_bzuxITjZJJqPbmD1d1uzlis_hkET5G0mZucoN27olS1g23piQfJiX7-_0S3x08InekFFr3ZS7d782JsK0MiCs2--2X0ISGDt5rnZapbiY2TuAoDIHGL2lZ7D_OTpKQ/s1728/13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1728" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPthk6aQHKci5GZqhqoMmfJmlSDVroAj6VUjr37NP_ysFWxTFjw_wbDFKKGm3_bzuxITjZJJqPbmD1d1uzlis_hkET5G0mZucoN27olS1g23piQfJiX7-_0S3x08InekFFr3ZS7d782JsK0MiCs2--2X0ISGDt5rnZapbiY2TuAoDIHGL2lZ7D_OTpKQ/s320/13.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the sunny morning of August 31, 2022, the completed blue banca (color choice by carpenter Nonoy) was brought to the southern side of the Malihaw River where we gathered for the blessing. </span></span></div><div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Along with Fr. Entrata's blessing, we prayed that the boatmen and his passengers will always have a safe passage across the Malihaw River each day and night.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQz3isB3imoDA1ZYjcNeSO3-4dnYYeH8J9wE2XoEF50OY2JuhkiyNU6tt16j1hNM14oAZY5qJmHLKJrwYxKFxBtKZbLraFuQBjcMRgSMhWgw7QyNG3Yb5FL9NmE6QDxB9Pmy2hrARGd0zUSOQansR_aPkOOsYlp9lY7DgODMeUehzOeieg-rwcrrPN3g/s1728/14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1728" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQz3isB3imoDA1ZYjcNeSO3-4dnYYeH8J9wE2XoEF50OY2JuhkiyNU6tt16j1hNM14oAZY5qJmHLKJrwYxKFxBtKZbLraFuQBjcMRgSMhWgw7QyNG3Yb5FL9NmE6QDxB9Pmy2hrARGd0zUSOQansR_aPkOOsYlp9lY7DgODMeUehzOeieg-rwcrrPN3g/s320/14.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The whole banca project took us a little more than a month. It was July 29, 2022, Friday, when we chanced upon Justin on the Malihaw River, and on that day, we asked the riverside restaurant owner to help us find a banca carpenter.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Finally, on August 31, 2022, Wednesday, the banca was blessed and was turned over to Walter, the boatman.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZGQqRUMgysw0ZuLVm7ILLW4WSxpxk06XSA26x1fLIglfGngsJXQp3xb9i742AMVL0J8BsG-OHeHfOkmp7aXO5CZUgfbw5IxYJEDviGM9qs3ey62Z0VIPNblyrQMKZZQXz6khLLGZdrn5hma6CdrnBtdR2pvOlQ2k35PIPM4f5PCWLg3Xp2brIblhkg/s1584/16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="1584" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZGQqRUMgysw0ZuLVm7ILLW4WSxpxk06XSA26x1fLIglfGngsJXQp3xb9i742AMVL0J8BsG-OHeHfOkmp7aXO5CZUgfbw5IxYJEDviGM9qs3ey62Z0VIPNblyrQMKZZQXz6khLLGZdrn5hma6CdrnBtdR2pvOlQ2k35PIPM4f5PCWLg3Xp2brIblhkg/s320/16.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">This photo is my favorite as it clearly shows the colors of the day: the pink ANGAT VICTORIAS tarpaulin, red/yellow/green/blue of the beach umbrella, the dark blue banca, the clear blue skies (let's exclude the murky waters!) all portend the happiness our little banca would bring to its passengers who will ride it, as well as the financial help it will bring to the family of Walter who will use it during the week, and to the family of Justin who will use it during weekends and when he is off from school.😊</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">We, the ANGAT VICTORIAS volunteers, endeavor to help our fellow Victoriahanon in our own little way. 😊</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">#AngatVictorias #AngatBuhayLahat #AngatBuhay #DaanBanwa #volunteerism #boats #banca </span></p>Alphonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836235318358465895noreply@blogger.com0Daan Banwa, Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Philippines10.8999025 123.0665917-17.410331336178846 87.9103417 39.210136336178849 158.2228417