Calamba: Center point of lake tourism retold

By: roman romeo g. nagpala*

CALAMBA in Laguna is indelibly etched in the pages of Philippine history. The old Calamba town gained its international renown as the birthplace of the Great Malayan, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, June 19, 1861.

This coming 147^th Rizal Day again provided the pride and the strength to this septuagenarian (almost!) to write about our national hero’s place of birth – Calamba, now a city since April 21, 2001. The lawmaker of the Calamba city hood, Honorable Joaquin M. Chipeco, Jr., is now the City Mayor.

Tourism campaign

The city government fully supports the promotional campaign of the Department of Tourism selling the Philippines to the world as tourist destination.

Since Laguna Lake is now a member of the world’s living lakes organization, why not develop lake tourism in Laguna and make the birthplace of our national hero its center point?

Undeniably, Calamba has the solid grounds as tourist destination, namely:

1. Important historic landmarks – the Rizal Shrine and the century-old Spanish-built church, where a marker shows the exact spot where Rizal was baptized June 24, 1861.

2. Proximity from international and domestic airports; accessibility via highway infrastructures, and facility of modern telecommunications.

3. Calamba practically becomes the jumping board to tourist spots in Laguna, e.g., Pagsanjan Falls, Lake Caliraya, Hidden Valley of Alaminos, Sampaloc Lake in San Pablo City, Enchanted Kingdom of Santa Rosa City, Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery, and many other scenic views.

4. The traditional hospitality and the general attitude of its people with welcome smile, honesty and integrity of the national hero.

5. The prevailing peace and order in our hero’s hometown and province; definitely, no dreaded Abu Sayyaf in Laguna Lake.

6. Above all, Laguna de Bai is the strongest point in this proposition; being a member now of the “World Living Lakes Organization.”

Lake Tourism

With the advent of modern transportation and communication facilities, it is now time to convert the lake into a veritable playground, a playing field for local and foreign tourists – the center of lake tourism in the Philippines, particularly as a safe venue in water sports activities and competition. The waterways of the lake could be the solution to the perennial traffic problems of Metro-Manila.

• Laguna de Bai played vital roles in Philippine history.

• It is through the lake via the Pasig River from Manila that the Spanish conquistadores landed in Laguna and converted its natives to Christianity.

• Ancient Chinese merchants used the lake as their trading routes to the shoreline villages.

• Coastal residents plied the waterways to reach various barangays surrounding the lake and the prosperous Maynilad.

• Remember Bapor Tabo of Pepe Rizal’s fame? Historically mentioned in Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, Bapor Tabo was the big ferryboat (casco) of olden times plying the pristine waters of Laguna de Bai to Manila through the Pasig River.Why don’t we relive Pepe’s wonderful experience plying the lake? Not in yesteryears’ Bapor Tabo but in today’s modern ferry boats.This simple heritage luxury is now available from the shoreline of Calamba. A private houseboat that can accommodate safely and comfortably groups of people on board is providing a unique travel experience – Cruising Laguna de Bai.In full cooperation and serious coordination with the Department of Tourism, Cruising Laguna de Bai can be a simple, yet successful domestic tourism linkage hereabout.

This is a Filipino-type development. The modern-day Bapor Tabo in Laguna is now a reality. It was built by local craftsmen at the shoreline Barangays Palingon, Lingga, and Sampiruhan using fiberglass technology.

In 2-3 hours-cruising, one would capture the naked beauties of Maria Makiling – the mountain; and talim – an island within the lake with its own “Bundok ng Susong Dalaga” proudly erect on her top for viewers to behold; plus the 3-hectare Wonder Island Resort in Calamba – an island hideaway in Laguna de Bai.

This rare water travel opportunity is now offered by Wonder Island Resort in Calamba. The Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation, the marketing arm of DOT, can organize exciting Lakbay-Aral package tours for students, LGUs, and tourism private sectors. Wonder Island welcomes such arrangement with open arms apropos cruising Laguna de Bai aboard its modern-day Bapor Tabo as a special treat.

Corporate planning sessions, workshops, conferences, and simple meetings and outings aboard the island’s houseboat now become especial requested arrangement. On special occasion, island garden weddings and receptions have been accommodated.“Cruising Laguna de Bai,” complete with traditional Pinoy agahan, awaits the young, energetic Tourism Secretary Ace Durano – courtesy of the island hideaway in Laguna de Bay.According to the island father Rudy Pua, his invitation is open for the tourism secretary to discover and experience personally the blissful joy of Pepe’s lake cruising on board bapor tabo.

Cruising Laguna de Bay is a new product. It is an answer to what the tourism private sector is searching for. It is a pro-poor thrust to uplift economic life of marginal fishermen around the lake with the expected influx of domestic and international tourists.

Jointly, the city mayor and the island father recently developed the city landing area of the island resort into a shoreline park and fish port. The park is now a regular promenading area of local folks and fish port of produce from Talim Island. It will soon become a tourist plaza; a haven of souvenir items to showcase Laguna’s craftsmanship: Paete/Pakil’s wood carvings/paper maches, Liliw’s abaca hemp shoes/slippers, Lumban’s jusi barongs; sweet-tasting tropical fruits, native delicacies, cut-flowers, exotic ornamental plants, woven baskets, and other produce.*(Note: Lolo Rom is PR Consultant, Wonder Island Resort, Mobile # 0916-627-3433); E-Mail add: nagpalaromy@yahoo.com.ph

-30-

THE SOJOURN OF A SEXAGENARIAN

By roman romeo g. nagpala

Lolo Rom was a high school graduate in 1956 from the Laguna Institute (now Laguna College of Business & Arts) in Calamba, Laguna (now a city). That was two scores and seven years ago. Now he is a card-bearing Senior Citizen of the Republic of the Philippines. Hence Lolo Rom, this writer, truly is a genuine sexagenarian.

As a former OFW (overseas Filipino worker) off-and-on since December, 1979, the prospect of a foreign assignment at this age is like the setting sun. Its glimmer of hope is in the twilight chance.

But Lo and Behold! The Lord is always up there to lead the way at the right time.

Waiting for my medical verification requirement in Manila, I received a call from the French Embassy in the Philippines. The message: “We have your approved visa. Tell your employer to pay the 446-peso-visa-fee, present to the embassy your two-way ticket to New Caledonia, and submit your passport for validation.”

Voila, this sexagenarian on the evening of the following day was on board flight QF-020 Manila-Sydney on 5K business class seat. Arriving Sydney Airport 6 am of August 10, 2002. Waiting two hours for the change flight and finally arriving at the Tontouta international airport in New Caledonia noontime (local time). With three-hour difference, it was nine in the morning in the Philippines.

I won’t let you into the details of the business trip, even how exciting it has been. Instead, let us find out a little of this Country-Islands known as New Caledonia, a French overseas territory at the South Pacific.

Welcome

The welcome begins upon departure of the meet-and-greet coach from Tontouta international airport. Astounding endless views of the surrounding mountains, hills and ranges engulfs one on-bound to Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia.

Brochure Information

Imagine a Pacific Island paradise with more than a dash of French European chic and you have New Caledonia, an alluring destination for a holiday that can be both relaxing and exciting. Enjoy the balmy climate, the sandy white beaches and aquamarine lagoons teeming with tropical fish.

Experience the culture – a wonderful blend of French traditions and Melanesian custom. Indulge in the cuisine, choosing from a vast array of exotic international menus and fresh local seafood. Dine at the side cafes, classy restaurants or picnic under a coconut palm.

Discover the island’s unique history or take the outdoor activity options available on both land and water. Spend time exploring the shops, where top European-designer wear is available alongside traditional Melanesian crafts. Whatever your preference, New Caledonia is a place where romance, adventure and dreams can come true.

New Caledonia is the fourth largest South Pacific Country after Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. It is made up of the main island called La Grande Terre, and a number of offshore islands predominantly the Loyalty Islands to the northeast (Lifou, Maré, Ouvéa and Tiga) and the Isle of Pines to the south. The capital city, Noumea, is located on the southeast of La Grande Terre.

History

The great voyaging canoes of the Melanesian people sailed into New Caledonia two or three thousand years ago. But it was Captain Cook who named the land in memory of his beloved Scotland when he discovered it en route to New Zealand in 1774. The land was sighted again, in 1792, by Frenchman d’Entrecasteaux. In September 1853 Admiral Fevrier-Despointes claimed New Caledonia as French Territory.

This opened the floodgates for hundreds of French settlers. Thousands of convicts were also deported to the island and many remnants of that era can still be seen today. In the 1890s migrants from Indonesia and Java arrived, adding another element to the country’s cultural diversity.

Population

New Caledonia has about 200,000 inhabitants, of which more than half live in Noumea. The major ethnic groups include Melanesian, European, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Tahitians and Wallisians.

Climate

The balmy climate is marked by two seasons. September to March is warm and humid with moderate rainfalls and an average temperature of 25.5°C. April to November is too cool and dry with temperatures as low as 20°C and can get even colder in July and August.

Clothing

Normal weather requires lightweight and casual with smarter dress for evenings out (shorts are not recommended for evening dining). Visitors from temperate countries should pack a couple of sweatshirts or similar warm clothes for the cooler evenings. Sturdy shoes are recommended if you plan to walk on island tracks or reefs.

Language

The official language is French. English is not widely spoken and understood. There are also about 30 different Melanesian dialects.

Currency

New Caledonia uses the French Pacific Franc (CFP). Exchange rate is 120-135 CFP to one US dollar.

Customs Requirement

All visitors require a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival and a return or onward ticket. Those travelling on New Zealand, Australian or EEC passports do not need a visa for stays up to three months.

Air terminal transfer

Coach companies, public buses and taxis operate regular transfers between Tontouta international airport and Noumea, a distance of 45km.

Local Transport and Communication

The mainland has regular bus services, and small trading vessels link the mainland with nearby islands. Most places have facilities for mail, telephone and telegrams. New Caledonia has a modern satellite communication system that allows direct overseas phone calls at any time. The domestic airline Air Calédonie operates regular flights from Noumea to the mainland and surrounding islands.

Tipping

Here in New Caledonia, strictly no tipping even in the restaurants.

Sunbathing beauties

Walking, jogging, leisure driving around the beaches is the daily grind for tourists here in the capital Noumea. Beautiful Parisienne ladies abound everywhere. Mid-day walk along the right beaches is a wonderful experience. It exposes one to a free view of lovely ladies sunbathing – some are topless or in their birthday suit.

Urban-landscape

What really takes my breath away in this island paradise is the uniqueness of its urban landscaping and engineering design. Despite the mountainous contour of the place. It must be the French influence. Hotels, commercial establishments are designed and constructed along the surrounding Pacific shores providing panoramic view to visitors. The zoning is utterly magnificent. It separates conveniently the commercial centres from residential districts – all in balance with nature. Infrastructures are sited along coastal plains and the island’s mountainous interiors as well. And the surrounding view is just captivating.

Model in urban planning

New Caledonia, particularly in the capital Noumea, could very well be a model in urban planning. Upon my return to the Philippines in my province Laguna, I would recommend to our Provincial Governor to visit this island paradise with the provincial tourism and environment officials. Such official travel should be coordinated with the national government’s Department of Tourism. The CALABARZON Governors should also be given these opportunities. The experience should help in future urban planning and development of local ecological tourism in their respective provinces.

Along the beach areas, wooden benches are comfortably lined-up placed only a few meters from the surfing sea under the canopies of coconut trees and other indigenous species. During high tide on windy days, waves of the onrushing Pacific spray water to one’s face. One Sunday afternoon I even had a half-hour-nap while lying on one of those benches.

Lighted walking lanes and bicycle paths are provided along the circumferential road system. Safety concerns are definitely built-in.

Bus touring takes you to the grandeur of nature as it presents the greenery of the abounding mountains, hills and ranges. And yonder laze the aquamarine of the Pacific, simply staring at the face. Fascinating.

Goodbye

Before the end of my 45-day visa, I felt rejuvenated. The feeling was simply lovely. It’s wonderful. My only regret: “I am sexagenarian. Why didn’t this opportunity come when I was still a young thorough bred.” I could have tried any of the outdoor activity options available on both land and water. Like distance-running, cycling ala tour de France or mountain climbing. Then there are water sports, i.e., glide sailing, jet skiing, speed boating, parachute water gliding, balloon surfing, and plane beaching. Or just simply enjoy the Frenchy nightlife in New Caledonia.

But thank you Lord, for this sexagenarian is still feeling strong, even only in the mind.

Au revoir!

-30-

The Cradle Town of the Great Malayan

Following is the historical note on Rizal,s place of birth.

“THE PLACE OF BIRTH
Here in Calamba, Province of Laguna, Jose Rizal was born on 19 June 1861. The National hero dearly loved his birthplace.

‘Oh, tender youth, oh beautiful town rich spring of my delight’

“Calamba is one of the towns and cities of Laguna. It is in Luzon, the biggest of the Philippine Islands. Calamba has always been beautiful. It has been planted with sugar cane and rice that turned alternately green and gold. The breeze from the lovely Bae Lake is fresh, and Mount Makiling is enchanting to behold.

“THE TOWN OF CALAMBA was part of an estate owned first by the Jesuits from 1759 till 1768, then by a Spaniard from 1803, and the Dominican order from 1883. Though their families were from Binan, Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo settled here in Calamba after getting married in 1848. They rented land to till, and spent for everything in the farm. Their life flourished because they were hardworking and frugal.
They built the first stone and hardwood house in Calamba.”

(From the album of the explorer of J. A. Karuth, courtesy of the Ayala Archives)

BUKAL KAY-TALA TENNIS CLUB

- AY BILIB 4 U -

It was, in the beginning, only a hazy collage, a deem shadow of fading scenes out of the flickering candle light from the receding memories of a sexagenarian tennis enthusiast.

It was seemingly a mosaic of visions and daydreams and memories of youth; diverse fragments of a sports club scenario where members were lively doing their things thereabout. The young ones and the once young were in chemistry in the name of sports. They were either raucously or silently playing their games in or outside the proper venue. Others were plainly in peace just watching ongoing tennis games, chess matches, or card games of “Tong-Its,” or whatever.

Now at 68, the stark reality of the ever flashing back and haunting photo shots in the senior citizen’s mind of Lolo Ome regularly stares at him to the face.

Lolo Ome has now been a regular cast in that scenario during week-ends, highlighted by boodle fight lunch among participants. He enjoys playing tennis with friends and young tennis addicts or against his nephews and their sons and daughters as well, at Bukal Kay-Tala Tennis Courts.

The venue is sited along the shoreline of Laguna de Bay, at Brgy Looc in the City of Calamba, Province of Laguna, Republic of the Philippines.

Lolo Ome, a seasoned citizen, is an Honorary Member of “Bukal Kay-Tala Tennis Club,” a.k.a. “Looc Tennis Club.” The club’s dual tennis courts belong to the President and Chairman of the Board of the Lazaro Group of Companies – Angelito Landicho Lazaro, Sr. Known as “Ka Ito” among his peers and friends, as well as to the Laguna constituents, Mr. Lazaro is also the “First Gentleman” of Laguna, being the husband of Laguna Governor Teresita Santiago-Lazaro (1998-2010).

It was a dream-come-true of “Ka Ito” to provide a private sports haven and share its facilities to the community. It was his vision to have a secluded place to meet with friends after each hectic days of work and engage in idle talk with them over refreshing drinks while others play tennis if their aging legs could still run them around the shell court or at the hard court.

The very site of the club’s venue is beside a spring (bukal in Pilipino).

Once upon a time the place was referred to as “Bukal Kay-Tala, since the barrio folklore had it that in this spring lived Juan Tala and his beauteous daughter known only as the star at the spring (Tala sa Bukal). It was believed that this spring belonged to Mr. Tala; thus, the place was referred to as “Bukal Kay-Tala.”

The realization of Bukal Kay Tala Tennis Courts, apropos the development of Barangay Looc, has its historical roots from the Rizal-inspired tenant-farmers uprising in Calamba during the Spanish period – the beginning of a simple community settled along the river deltas of the largest bay in the Philippines.

Please browse on the article in Pilipino – “KAY TALA:” HALAW SA KASAYSAYAN, ni Lolo Ome.

“KAY TALÀ”: HALÁW SA KASAYSAYAN

(Unang Bahagi)

Noóng unang panahon, may isang maliit na bukál na dinadaluyan ng malinis na tubig sa lugar na sakop ng nayon ng Looc, bayan ng Calamba, lalawigan ng Laguna. Ito ay matatagpuan sa palanas na latian malapit sa hangganan ng bayan ng Cabuyao, hindi kalayuan sa baybayin mismo ng lawa ng Laguna. Nasa gitnà ito ng malawak na latian; tigang sa tag-araw. Talahib, ligaw na halaman at sari-saring damo ang lumagô sa paglipas ng panahon.

Ayon sa saling-lahi ng mga ninunò sa nayon ng Looc, sa mismong bukál na ito lumikas at nagkanlong ang higit pitong pamilya buhat sa kabayanan ng Calamba sa pagtakas sa malupit na pag-usig ng guardya sibil. Dito sila namuhay ng tahimik, tagô, at malayò sa kabihasnan.

Binago ang kanilang pangalan upang di matunton ng may kapangyarihan sapagkat binansagan silang “tulisan.” May binyag na identidád batay sa kilos, ugali, karakter, o katawagan. Hindi sila natunton ng kabayuhang guardya sibil sapagkat pagsapit sa malalagong talahiban o tikiwan ay paatras ang pagtakas upang isa-isang itayo ang dawag na dinaanan. Talahib sa tuyong lupa at tikiw naman sa latian.

Sila ang nagsilbing ugat na pinagmulan ng pagsibol ng populasyon sa nayong ito sa baybayin ng look ng Laguna.

Ang bahaging ito ng kasaysayan ng lahing Calambeño ay haláw sa pirapirasong salaysay ng mga “matanda sa nayon” ng Looc, Calamba, Laguna.

Kabilang sa kanila ang itinuring na pinakamatanda sa nayon at kabesa de barangay na inabot ng aming henerasyon, ang “Matandang Purwa” - si Lelong Tomas “Uma” Parayan; Lelang Tinay “Moros” Mane; ang Mamay Kikòng “Hantik” - ama ng “Toton” Casulucan Nagpalà at nakatatandang kapatid na si Lelang Agre, asawa ng Sayas “Mapalad.” Gayun din ang Lola Abè, asawa ng Gorio “Bagsik” Bawiin; at Lelong Berto “Tapang” Tanyág. Ninunò nila, pati ang lahing pinagmulan (katiwala sa bahay ni Rizal) ni Inang “Goriang Teng”, at Tata Panyo “Alapaw” Arguelles, ang nanirahan sa tabi ng ilog San Juan sa dulong timog ng kanayunan.

Bahagi ng sibilisasyon na kung saan may daloy ng tubig ng buhay doon ang pasimulà ng pamayanan.

Dito isinilang si Eduardo Nagpalà Tanyág, kilala bilang Kapitan Dadong. Nagsilbing kagawad matapos ang pananakop ng Hapones, Tinyente del Baryo at Kapitan ng Barangay Looc nang mahabang panahon hanggang magretirong Barangay Chairman matapos ang EDSA Uno. Maraming pangyayaring naganap sa pag-unlad ng kaniyang nayong sinilangan ang malinaw na natitik sa kanyang kamalayan at naibahagi sa sumunod na henerasyon.

Sa gitnang bahagi naman ng kanayunan, tabing ilog San Cristobal nagmula ang angkan ng Lelong Adong “Uwák” Mane, Inoy “Bagsák” Mamplata, Victor “Balat” Narvaja, Adong “Pusà” Almazan at Roman “Bato” Alviar. Sila rin ay kinaringgan ng mga butil ng kasaysayan at kaganapan sa paglagô ng kanayunan.

Narito ang buód sa kasaysayan ng bukál “Kay Talà” buhat sa haláw na pananaliksik ng anák ni Kapitan Dadong – Teofilo “Ka Iloy” Mane Tanyág, maestro sa kontaduriya (accounting) sa Akademiya ng Pulisiya (PNP Academy). Mga talâ mulang pagkabata buhat sa bibig ng Lelong Uma (1860-1957) at Inang Lilay “Tangkad” Tuzon, lider ng kababaihan noong panahon ng “Sakdalista” na itinatag ni Benigno Ramos (1930-1935); at sa aklat tungkol kay Rizal ni Fr. Miguel A. Bernad S.J. – “Essay in Biographical Context.”

Ilustrado ang amá ni Doña Teodora Alonzo-Mercado. Ito ay naging Diputado ng Filipinas sa Spanish Cortez.

Balintuna mandin, mismo si Doña Teodora Alonzo-Mercado sa utos ng Alkalde Mayor (Gobernador ng Laguna) taon 1871 ay pinaglakad patungong kapitolyo sa Sta. Cruz, Laguna upang humarap sa isang paglilitis. Sampung taon gulang pa lamang noon si Jose Protacio Mercado y Alonzo. Nagtagô sa bayan ng Los Baños ang nakatatanda at kaisa-isang kapatid na lalaki ni Pepe, si Paciano - upang iwasan ang pag-usig ng mga kastilà dahil malapit na kaibigan niya si Padre Jose Burgos (binitay 1872 kasama sina Padre Gomez at Zamora). Ang ibang kapatid na pawang kababaihan ay lumipat ng tirahan sa kamaynilaan.

1888 nang umigting ang sigalót sa lupang agraryo sa pagitan ng frayleng Dominicano at mga kasamá (tenant farmers) sa pamamahalà ng mga magulang ni Dr. Jose Rizal. Nagalit ang mga frayle at gobernadorcillo sa pamilya Mercado at mga kasamá sa hacienda de Calamba. Pinagusig ang kanilang angkan, pinalayas ang ilan sa bayan ng Calamba.

Sa galit ng kastila, sampu ng mga katiwala at kapatás ng pamilya Mercado ay pinagusig din. Isa na rito ang hepe de caballeriza Ka Juan Talà, ayon sa haláw na inpormasyon buhat sa retirado at batikáng-púlis detektib sa Lungsod Quezon at METROCOM Intelligence Special Group (MISG) - Sarhento Alfredo “Tata Fred” Miranda.

Si “Tata Fred” ay recornized guerilla ng ikalawang digmaan. Naglingkod bilang púlis ng pamahalaan ng Calamba noong 1946 matapos ang libereysion. Nagsanay sa NBI at pumasá bilang púlis-detektib. Nahirang na púlis-detektib sa Lungsod Quezon at nagíng púlis-badigard ng dating Meyor Antonio Amoranto. Napilì siyang kasapì sa MISG at nagkamit ng 12 medalya ng kagitingan hanggang magretiro sa serbisyo. Si Sarhento Miranda ang Chief Investigator ng dating Koronel Rolando Abadilla at dating Tinyente Pampilo Lacson (Heneral at Senador “Ping” Lacson ngayon) nang magretiro taong 1983. Ang tahanan ng pamilya Miranda ay tabi ng plaza malapit sa bahay ni Rizal. At ayon sa kanya ay kamaganakan nila ang mga Alonzo ng Calamba.

Upang makaiwas sa lupít ng guardya sibil ay lumikas si Ka Juan Talà at kamaganakan. Kasama ang ilan pang katiwala, palihim silang tumawid buhat kabayanan sa ilog San Juan at kumabilâ sa kanugnog barangay Bañadero patungo sa hangganan ng munisipalidad ng Cabuyao, Laguna.

Hindi sila makatawid sa Cabuyao na ligtas sa kapahamakán. Lalong hindi sila pwedeng manatili sa lupang Cabuyao na dating luklukan ng pamahalaang kastilà sa Laguna dahil naglipanà ang guardya sibil sa bayang ito. Pinairal ni Gobernador General Weyler ang utos na mananagot sa pamahalaang Kastila ang sino mang kukupkop sa pinalayas na kasamá ng pamilya Alonzo-Mercado.

Sa kanilang pagtakas nasumpungan ang maliit na bukál na binabalungan ng sariwang tubig sa tigáng na lupà sa gitna ng latian. Dito sila nagkanlong sa malagóng talahiban at tikiwan at namuhay na ligtas sa kamay ng malupit na kastilà.

Mulà noón hanggang sa kasalukuyan ang poók sa gawì ng bukál na ito sa dulong hilagà ng kanayunan, malapit sa hangganan ng lupang Cabuyao, ay itinuring at tinawag na “Kay Talà.” Batay sa rehistro ng kasal nuong panahon ng Kastila Kay Talà ang ngalan ng buong kanayunan.

Daang taon ang lumipas, ang pag-mamayarì sa lupang karatig bukál Kay Talà ay nagpasalin-salin kung kani-kanino at kung taga-tagasaan. Sa pag-usad ng kabihasnan, ang bukàl ay naroon pa rin. Subalit hindi na binabalungan ng malinis na tubig. Dahil marahil sa ginawâ itong taniman at álagaan ng mga isda (fish pond ng hitò at tilapyâ). Nagsilbi itong páliguan ng mga batang paslit, itikán at lubluban ng kalabaw. Kanlungan at pugad ng ibat-ibang ibon ang mga punong kahoy sa paligid ng bukál.

(Ikalawang Bahagi)

Sa mahabang panahon, ang pag-mamayarì sa lupang karatig sa bukál “Kay Talà” ay nagpasalin-salin kung kani-kanino at kung taga-tagasaan.

Ang lupang Kay Talà na pinagpalà ng kasaysayan ay binili na ni G. Angelito Landicho Lazaro at ang pag-mamayarì ay nakatalâ sa pangalan ng kanyang dalawang anak.

Tila iginuhit ng pangyayari, si Ginoong Lazaro ay isinilang sa kabayanan ng Calamba malapit sa bahay ng ating bayani pitong bahay pakanluran, pitong araw makalipas ang kaarawan ni Rizal, pitong buwan matapos sumiklab ang ikalawang digmaan. Dito rin sa Barangay Looc lumikas ang kanyang pamilya noong kasagságan ng kalupitán ng Hápones na kumitíl sa buhay ng kanyang amá. Pitong linggo matapos ang kamatayan ng kanyang amá, pito silang nalabi sa pamilya ang tumawid sa ilog San Juan upang kupkopin ng kanyang Lelong Dama “Kampit” Landicho sa kanayunan ng Looc tabi ng ilog San Cristobal .

Sa kanayunang ito nahinóg ang kanyang kamalayan sa gitnà ng tahimik at payák na pamumuhay.

Si G. Lazaro ay kilala ngayon bilang “Ka Itò” sa higit na nakababatid sa kanyang kababaang loob at pagiging maka-masa. Bukás na aklat ang kaniyang buhay bilang isang simple at tagumpay na negosyante.

Buhat sa hirap, nagsumikap, at umunlad sa malinis na hanapbuhay. Mulà sa maliit na tindahang sarì-sarì, pag-aalagà at pag-papaalagà ng itik, gawaan ng itlog na maalat, penoy at balót; ngayon ay home appliance marketing, real estate developer at mamumuhunán.

Nakaisang dibdib ang isang gurò ng Cabuyao, Laguna na tulad niya ay sibol sa payák na angkan buhat naman sa lalawigan ng Bulacan. Sa magkatuwang na paghahanapbuhay, sila ay dinalá ng kapalaran sa rurok ng tagumpay.

Ang kanyang maybahay ay nahalál na Punong Lalawigan ng Laguna – Kgg. Teresita Santiago “Ningníng” Lazaro (2001-2010).

Isa ring bukás na aklat ang buhay ni Gobernor Ningníng Lazaro. Dating gurò. Ina ng tahanan. Matagumpay na negosyante. Lingkod bayan matapos ang EDSA Uno: Kagawad at Pangalawang Punong Bayan ng Calamba; Kagawad at Bise Gobernador ng Laguna; at nahalál na Punong Panlalawigan (2001-2010).

Mahabang panahon bago naging Unang Ginoó ng Laguna si Ka Itò, ang lupang Kay Talà ay nagsilbing sakahan, taniman ng kalamansì, mais at ibat-ibang gulay.

Bilang realtor, ang may apat hektaryang bukid na ito ay ginawà niyang subdibisyón. Naglaán ng palaruan para sa maninirahan dito, kanayon, at gayun din sa taga-karatig barangay. Nagpagawà ng tennis court at balak isusunod ang multi-purpose court para sa basketbol, bolebol, sipà at iba pang katutubong larông Pinóy, at bilaran ng palay.

Sabi niya: “Ang palaruang ito ay isa sa aking mga pangarap para sa kabataan ng aking nayon at ng sambayanan. Pangarap kong magkaroon ng isang tagpuan ang mga may edad na mamamayan o ‘Senior Citizen.’ Dito maaarì tayong magpalipas ng oras matapos ang maghapong trabaho sa atin-ating pinagkakaabalahan. Maglibáng sa panonood ng larô. Makipaglarô at mag-ehersisyo kung kaya pa ng ating mga tuhod. Magpalitan ng kurò-kurò. Masayang mag-kwentuhan ng mga nakalipas na karanasan sa buhay. O di kaya ay tahimik na magpahingalay.”

Buô ang paniwalà ni Ka Itò na tunay na pinagpalà ng tadhanà ang lupang Kay Talà. Bakit di ko sasabihin ang bagay na ito, wika niya. Ito ay sapagkat apat na mga parì na nakadestino sa kampo militar sa Canlubang, Laguna ang bumili ng lote sa gilid mismo ng bukál. Pinangunahan ito ni Father Rey Urmeneta, Father Julius, at iba pa. Dalawa pang parì ang nagpareserba na.

Bilang patotoó ni Father Rey: “Buhay-bukid sa payák na kapaligiran at tahimik na poók ang nais kong tahanán. Natagpuan ko ang lupang pangarap dito sa Kay Talà. Katunayan, apat kaming mga parì ang dito naglalarô ng tenis sa araw ng Sabado at pawiin man din ang suliranin at panimdim.”

Ilan pang taong simbahan ang nagnanais manirahan sa poók na ito, dagdag na inpormasyon ni Sister Remy, ang masigasig na ahente sa pagbenta ng lupang Kay Talà. At nagpatayó agad ng kubong pahingalayan si Father Rey sa poók na ito. Sinimulan na rin ang pagawain para sa isang silid dalanginan (oratory room). At sa kapakanan ng mga kapus-palad, sumangayon si G. Lazaro sa kahilingan ni Father Rey na ialay ang espasyong ito kay Saint Peregrine Lazioci – deboto sa pag-aarugâ ng kapus-palad at may talamâk na sakit (gaya ng kanser) – na ang kapistahan ay ika-4 ng Mayo.

Sa darating na mga araw, mulì kayáng dadaloy ang sariwang tubig sa bukál Kay Talà? Dalangin ni Ka Itò at Father Rey, gayundin ng iba pang alagad ng Diyos, na maging huwaran sa kinabukasan ang poók na ito. Matahimik. Matiwasáy. Kaaya-ayang pamayanan. May dalanginan para sa kapus-palad at may talamâk na karamdaman.

Dinggin kaya sa kaitaasan ang dalanging ito? Maging masayang palaruan? Tagpuang pampalakasan para sa kabutihan ng kabataan, sampu ng katandaan sa paglubog ng araw?

(Ikatlong Bahagi)

Nais kong ibahagi at madugtong sa kasaysayan ang isang pangarap: Panukala sa bukál Kay Tala.

Maging katuparan kaya ito sa panahon ng ating henerasyon o sa susunod pang saling-lahi? Tunghayan natin ang “Panukala sa bukal Kay Tala” ng Lolo Ome. Suriin, pag-aralan natin, alamin at pagyamanin ang mga hakbangin na dapat kaagad ay gawâin upang di mahulí sa pagsulong ng kabihasnan at sa paglakad ng panahon ang ating nayon.

Panukalà sa bukál Kay Talà*

v Ibabalik ang dating bukál upang pagyamanin at panggalingan ng tubig inumin. Malaking tulong ito sa kanayunan at dagdag sa kaban ng bayan ng barangay.

v Ipalilinis ang munting sapà (creek) at pasisimulán ang deep well digging upang matunton ang dating bukál at buháyin ang pagdaloy ng sariwang tubig.

v Marami ang naniniwalà na ang dating bukál ay naroon pa rin. Sakaling matukoy ang sinasabing matáng-tubig nitó, isang tuberiyás (pipeline) lamang ang kailangan buhat kailaliman at kusang aagos muli ang bukál na tubig ng buhay.

v Magtatayô ng water tanks upang maging tinggalan ng sariwang tubig.

v Kung magkagayon:

1. Masaganang tubig-bukál ang pakinabang ng bawat tahanan sa kanayunan.

2. Gagawing water project ang bukál para sa kasiyahan ng pamayanan.

3. At buhat “Kay Talà” ang mini water park area ay maaring tawaging “Kay Itò” o “Kay Ningníng” bilang parangal sa kabutihang loob ng “Unang Ginoó ng Laguna” at ni Gobernor Teresita Santiago “Ningníng” Lazaro (2001-2010).

*Ang pagbuhay sa bukál Kay Talá ay maaaring simulan bilang isang proyekto (Pangkalikasan/Pangturismo) sa magkatuwang na hakbang ng pamunuan ng Barangay Looc at Unang Ginoó ng lalawigan. Ang proyekto ay maaaring gugulan at pondohan ng pamahalaang local, nasyonal, o International project fund.

Katotohanan (Facts):

1. Barangay Pansol ng Calamba ay sagana sa bukal na tubig at naglipanà ang natural hot spring resorts.

2. Sa pulô ng Calamba (Wonder Island) natumbok ang bukál ng maligamgam na tubig matapos ang matiyagang deepwell digging.

3. Sa bukál galing ang tubig na pinagyayaman ng Calamba Water District.

4. Pook turismo ang Calamba mismo.

5. Masusing pagaaral sa panukala, mainam at makatotohanang Project Proposal ang unang hakbang na kailangan upang lapatan ng pondong kailangan ang pagsasakatuparan ng pangarap na ito.

Tagumpay ng panukala ang maglalagay sa Barangay Looc sa mapa ng turismo sa lalawigan. Lakbay sa tagumpay ay di makakamtan kung ang unang hakbang ay di sisimulan. Hayo na at ating abutín ang ningníng ng tagumpay – kayang-kaya kung sama-sama.

-30-

`WOULD RIZAL BE PROUD OF CALAMBA TODAY?

By roman romeo g. Nagpala

Here’s Lolo Rom’s appreciation of Rizal as a sportsman written 3 years ago.

Year 2005 ends with the cloud of euphoria still shrouding the whole Philippines overwhelmingly after winning the 23^rd SEA GAMES overall championship with the most number of gold in stake. As we celebrated another simple Rizal Day in the hero's birthplace, this Pinoy Old Brother (Lolo Ome) of the senior citizens group also feels to the rheumatic bones the sweeping euphoria.

More so because we all know that our very own national hero stood tall at five feet and three inches and a great sportsman during his prime.

Had it been Rizal's time during the 23^rd SEA Games, in what particular event would he be the runaway gold medallist? Based on his letter to Antonio Luna (Brussels, 3 July 1890), it would be in sharp shooting.

"As to shooting, with this I am sending you a cardboard with ten bullet holes. The board is seven and a half meters from me. At a distance of twenty-five meters I put all 20 shots inside a board 20 centimeters high and 20 centimeters wide. I go slowly, but through perseverance, I will be able to shoot fairly well and I will supplement with my will the few qualities of a shooter that nature has given me." (Epistolario Rizalino, III No. 392, p. 74.)

Rizal would have added more gold from other sports events where he notably excelled, such as boxing, fencing, pistol duel, swimming, riding, and archery. He would have been a gold medallist in tennis, too.

As a sportsman, Rizal must be proud today of our fellow Calambeño Ronnie Alcano, an outstanding two-gold medallist in the billiard games.

109 years after his martyrdom at the Luneta, would Rizal be proud of Calamba in the field of sports? Rizal believed in perseverance. In sports this means proper training, long hours of practice games in available appropriate sports venues. Do we have standard quality sports facilities in Calamba today?

Yes it is true Calamba is now a proud city. She boasts of having five industrial parks and estates - haven to local and foreign investor-locators - providing employment and producing huge export products to boost the national economy.

In tourism, Calamba has been declared the Spa Capital of the Philippines, the bedrock of lodes of hot spring mineral waters freely flowing in abounding swimming pools and resorts. She is hostess to hordes of vacationers, local and foreign tourists teeming the swimming pools and resorts during summer. Her treasury has the gross annual income of six hundred fifty million pesos (PhP650M) in 2004.

Yet, despite all these all through the years, the stark reality faces Calamba to the face - the City of Calamba does not have a public sports center to be proud of.

Calamba being at the center point to the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, could be an ideal venue to host some PBA on tour games. But she does not have such sports facilities. She could also be an alternative venue to the regular Southern Tagalog Regional Athletic Association (STRAA) meet and Palarong Pambansa; yet she does not have the standard facilities for such games. In all these, she fails to gain additional income to her treasury.

Alas and alack, the first-ever Calamba Citywide Team Tennis Tournament 2005 exposes the naked truth that the City of Calamba does not own even a single public tennis court.

Tournament director Joey Javier aptly stated in the awards night: "We had to face reality to proceed and successfully finish the tournament. We had scheduled official games simultaneously only during weekends at different tennis courts within the City - in Camp Vicente Lim, Canlubang Old Course, Miramonte-Pansol, and Calamba Riverside-Bañadero. Practice games were at times held at Bukal Kay-Tala tennis courts, Brgy. Looc, in the outskirt of the City."

Faced with this reality, Javier initiated a manifesto, signed by over one hundred participants from 23 teams of the five tennis clubs in the City. The manifesto is urging the City Administration to seriously plan and develop a project with appropriate funds for the construction and development of a public sports center.

Javier said: "We do this for and in behalf of the succeeding generations. In memory of our National Hero, we propose the construction and development of 'GAT JOSE RIZAL MEMORIAL SPORTS VILLAGE' to house the facilities for various games, i.e., basketball, volleyball, baseball, track-and-field, swimming, tennis, badminton, sepak takraw, boxing, fitness gym, and other amenities."

Moreover, Javier said: "Let us all remember that sports, per se, is a well-tested and internationally accepted antidote to the creeping menace of illegal drugs worldwide. Besides, sport is a healthy pastime to veer away from different vices of the present generation."

"Remember Rizal's dictum that our youth is the hope of our fatherland, so let us all work together for the youth of Calamba, and offer 'GAT JOSE RIZAL MEMORIAL SPORTS VILLAGE' to the Great Malayan," concluded Javier.

There will be more Rizal Day celebrations in the years to come. Yet, would Rizal be happy soon in the not far distant future with the completion of a sports village in Calamba, in memoriam?

-30-

THE TRAIL TO FREEDOM: WHERE DO I BEGIN?

By roman romeo g. nagpala

June 12, 2008: The country celebrates the 110^th Philippine Independence Day.

June 19, 2008: The 147^th birthday of the national hero is commemorated.

These double historical festivals this bridal month June, drove me back to the so-called centennial freedom trail of the Philippine revolution. Browsing “On the Trail to Freedom,” a historical adventure on the centennial Freedom Trail, this senior citizen (Lolo Ome) focused on Laguna, the first chapter of the source book.

Laguna takes pride of Calamba, the cradle town (now a city) of our national hero Gat Jose Rizal. Is Calamba, indeed, the place where the seed had been sown for the indelible trail to freedom? Remember that Rizal’s writings sparked the deepest fervor of patriotism among Filipinos; his gallant death ignited and sustained the burning spirit of the long and arduous Philippine revolution.

Let us look back how the trail to freedom had really begun since 1861.

Bahay-na-bato

In the 19^th century stood the first bahay-na-bato (stone house) in the heart of Calamba. It was a sign of prosperity for the industrious Mercado family in this rural town. This stone house was a happy home filled with the joy and laughter of eleven children, namely, Saturnina, Paciano, Narcisa, Olimpia, Lucia, Maria, Jose (Pepe), Concepcion (who died at the age of three), Josefa, Trinidad, and Soledad.

This is where Pepe Rizal grew up and was raised. Here are some trivia in his birth and boyhood.

Pepe’s birth

It was said that Rizal announced his birth in a most unusual way. It was customary in women about to give birth to visit the church for confession and communion. Doña Teodora went to church on the eve of her seventh childbirth.

The legend goes that in the middle of her confession, a soulful wail was audibly heard from her womb. The startled priest was interrupted and asked Teodora if she had brought along a child. On her way out of the confessional, an old woman also asked why her unborn child mournfully protested. Could this be the omen of Rizal’s historical cross path with the church?

Doña Lolay hurried home just across the street embarrassed, confused, and worried as the pangs of labor had started which lasted until the next day. Her labor ended with a difficult delivery just before midnight of June 19, 1861.

The Mercado family welcomed as their second son a tiny delicate child whose head was unusually large in size. On June 22, 1861 the baby was baptized as Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda by Padre Rufino Collantes. Padre Pedro Casañas stood as Ninong or main sponsor as attested to by a national historical marker in the parish church across the Rizal Shrine in Calamba.

The unusual size of the baby’s head solicited a remark from Padre Collantes: “Lolay, remember this. Take good care of this child, for someday he will be a great man.”

Rizal’s boyhood

Rizal’s grandniece, Asuncion Lopez-Bantug shares many intimate stories told by her Lola Narcisa in her book Lolo Jose. The story goes that Pepe’s head grew disproportionately, and when he begun to walk by himself he often fell, his head being too heavy for his frail body. Thus he needed an aya to look after him.

Aquilina Alquitran, Pepe’s nursemaid, spent days with the little boy with a big head in the backyard orchard in his small bahay kubo playhouse as he grew mischievously. Maybe to frighten obedience into the mischievous boy, she told folklore tales about men on the moon, giants, and monsters. Some of these legends would later be found in his novels. What fascinated Pepe was “Tantes,” his word for Gigantes or Giants, as he would stretch his tiny body up to his father’s waist in hopes he would grow big and strong. It was evident Pepe was sensitive about his height.

Wiz kid trivia

Pepe at the age of two had learned the alphabet being taught by his mother to his 4-year old sister Maria while he was playing quietly nearby. One morning, Doña Teodora included him in the lesson and by supper time, he had memorized most of the alphabet in the Cartilla (spelling book). One day, his sisters found him lying on his stomach with Maria’s Caton, a basic reader with pictures. Using the Cartilla, he spelled out the words in one book using the letters in the other. Pepe taught himself to read.

Doña Teodora started honing his talent early. He was real bright, curious, and inquisitive but sometime got into mischief.

Little kid mischief

Listening to his mother prayed the rosary one night he suddenly called out: “Mother.” “Yes son?” as she paused in her prayers but he was silent. Minutes later he again interrupted with” “Mother.” She frowned at him: “Well, what do you want?” Again there was no reply. After the third “Mother,” she was quite annoyed: “But what is it Jose? You keep repeating Mother!” The boy looked at her and said: “I was only wondering, Inay, if God becomes annoyed when we keep repeating and repeating the Padre Nuestro (Our Father).”

Mind and body

It was his uncle Manuel who sought to relieve Rizal’s anxiety about his puny body by making him skip, jump, and run. It was difficult for the frail boy but his will bit his flesh and soon became robust and vigorous, yet lighter and quicker. He got into sports to build his body: swimming, riding, wrestling, and boxing.

For the rest of his life Rizal balanced the development of both mind and body. He stood tall at five feet and three inches, broad shouldered, yet slim with only 25 to 26 inch waistline.

Doña Teodora played vital role in the intellectual and spiritual growth of her children. The family had a library of books, a luxury for a rural town household. She would often read poetry and stories to her siblings. She nurtured their creativity in the fine arts: music, painting, and sculpture. The children were encouraged to speak up, inquire and argue with reason and enlightenment. In those days, children were normally seen but not heard. She taught them to be practical, industrious, and thrifty.

Caned by schoolmaster

Rizal attended school in Biñan at the age of nine. He stayed with relatives there. This kept him away from his “beloved Calamba,” so he did not care for his studies. Although he was bright for his class, Jose paid for his pranks, as even he admitted that not a day went by without his getting caned by the schoolmaster. He learned to channel his mischievous behavior into something more positive. He was often discouraged but never gave up easily, as he later wrote: “I had entered school still a boy…by dint of studying, of analyzing myself, of reaching out for higher things, and of a thousand corrections I was transformed little by little…”

Walk the freedom trail?

The young Rizal was a serious fellow whom neighbors dubbed “Hermano Jose” because he was usually wrapped in thought as he walked down the streets of Calamba. In those deep thoughts, had he in mind how the streets he plodded on in his “beloved Calamba” would bear the initial thuds of the indelible trail to freedom?

Rizal, even as a little boy, was already creative and artistic. He wrote simple poems and stories. He would sketch and draw cartoons to illustrate his tales.

No wonder, not only the Filipino nation but other nations, too, acknowledged the greatness of his immortal novels – the Noli and the Fili! Historians realized that Rizal was, indeed, the Filipino trailblazer to freedom.