NOAH'S ARK IN CALAMBA

The long hot summer is hereabout in the oil-price-increasing and corrupt-laden Philippines as the Lenten season just ended. Lent is “the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter observed by devout Roman Catholic, Eastern, and some Protestant churches as a period of penitence and fasting.”

Noah’s Ark in Lucban was the front page banner photo of The Philippine Daily Inquirer issue last Holy Wednesday, April 20, 2011. The photo-story occupied my Lenten reflections up to Easter Sunday - The Resurrection of “The Saviour.”

At the shoreline barangay Looc, in Calamba, Laguna, it has been a tradition among the young ones, for decades now, to converge at the vacant farmland by the edge of Laguna Lake from the night of Sabado de Gloria until the day of Linggo ng Pagkabuhay. They enjoy the night with their so-called salubungan revelry. Everyone was happy and hopeful to meet the new dawn of life along with the resurrection of Christ our Saviour.

The merrymaking was much-more merry and noisy this time with karaoke and juke box music introduced by an enterprising mechanic shop owner Jofer Villanueva. Jofer brought his generator engine to supply electricity thereabouts. Jofer’s buddy, Lek-Lek (my son), put up my two portable tents for his family and sold barbeque, sandwiches, drinks in his one-night kiosk.

The once-young Lolo Ome joined his grandchildren very early that Sunday morning and captured the joy of resurrection. Joyfully watching my grandkids (Zeus, Miles, and Kurt) and their parents (Lek and Ming) gathering tulya (clam shells) in the shallow lake, a big house afloat nearby appeared before the aging sight of this septuagenarian. The huge houseboat was filled with people enjoying breakfast (I surmised) in their own encounter with the new dawn.

Noah’s Ark in Lukban at the foot of Mt. Banahaw was still fresh in my mind. That early Sunday morning, what I saw instead was Noah’s Ark in Calamba, floating along Laguna de Bay, by the foot of the legendary Mt. Maria Makiling, with the majestic Mt. Banahaw as the fading backdrop.

This salubungan experience that dawn led me to a chat that same day with the boat owner and its master builder Rudy Pua, a native of Calamba (now a city), who lives near the Rizal Shrine.

Noah’s Ark
The surname Pua rings a bell with a flashback to the biblical story of Noah, grandson of Methuselah (Genesis 6:5-16). “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ... The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” And God said unto Noah: “I will destroy them with the earth. … Make thee an ark of gopher wood with rooms in the ark.”

And Noah built a huge boat – three-story-ark with water-sealed rooms according to God’s fashion: 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits in height; with one cubit window above, and side door. And it was loaded with plenty of foods for all the occupants to survive God’s deluge. And the ark held in safety and preserved Noah and his wife, his three begotten sons and their wives, including the pairs of every living thing of all flesh, male and female.

Pua’s Ark
And here is the story of Pua’s version of Noah’s Ark, that big houseboat I saw afloat laden with chosen people but less those pairs of all living animals, male and female. Chosen people are the local and foreign tourists who can afford to pay for a cruise around the lake.

Noah’s Ark in Lukban was conceptualized and built by “Fr. Joey” Joseph Faller, catholic healing priest. Noah’s Ark in Calamba was designed and built by an island father Rudy Pua. Pua is known in Calamba as an island father. He is the owner-developer of the three-hectare island that lies in the heart of Laguna Lake, about seven-minute speedboat ride from the Pantalan (pier). He has been slowly developing the island into a unique tourist hideaway the past decades. It is now known as Wonder Island Resort, a conference center for corporate planning activities, combining business and pleasure amidst pure nature ambiance. Its unique offer – cruising the Laguna de Bay aboard a houseboat by calling in advance reservation its Manila landline 520-8556, or 049-545-1766, 049-545-6491, 049-244-4948; or via fax 049-545-6492.

Boat making
“I want the boat ride to the island smooth and safe for people to better appreciate the beauty of the island, the entire lake and the surrounding view; and for them to keep coming back. Cruising is expensive that most people cannot afford the luxury. I want to share with our people this luxurious opportunity to experience the thrill of going on a cruise without spending a fortune going to other countries or owning their own yacht. I love to make people happy by providing them with a cheaper yet equally thrilling alternative – a safe and pleasurable trip around the lake.” This obsession has driven Pua to spend a fortune in boat making.

He has made over 20 fiberglass boats, sleek, durable and innovatively designed for safe cruising around the lake. He has one fully furnished houseboat for his family use, and for special treat to friends and guests. It can cruise about 100 persons around the lake safely and comfortably.

Pua’s latest achievement in boat making is the floating conference-cum-restaurant Pua’s Ark – the huge double-deck houseboat with over 200 person loading capacity, cruising Laguna Lake safely and comfortably, laden with food and group amenities. But he has to have a good pier where this huge one must dock in and out safely.

The Bay Walk
As land developer he slowly developed into a small pier, for his boats and also for the public use, one-hectare foreshore land duly titled under his name. Thousands truckloads of boulders, rocks, soil and various filling materials excavated from other resources and real estates converted into subdivisions were hauled and dumped into this private property.

Today, guests and also the general public use the stretch of driveway he built to reach the loading and unloading area for his boat, and for all kind of boats plying Laguna Lake as well. The boarding point changes with the tide in the lake.

The pantalan is now a promenade for anyone to breathe the fresh lake air. It becomes a big parking lot for free. It is an instant fish market during early mornings as the fish catch from the lake awaits transport to market destinations. The community’s barangay tanod secures the area. Aerobics aficionados gather here for their week-ends sessions. The place is now called “Bay Walk,” after the City Council under Mayor Joaquin Chipeco, Jr. (2004-2013) completed its lighting, fencing and improvement project.


“I envision a small fish port, food stalls, and curio shops for tourists at Bay Walk to uplift the living conditions and livelihood of our fisher folks. This way, more people would be attracted to the area and the communities here can have a better way of selling their products. The market would come to them and they could sell their produce directly to consumers without the middlemen,” disclosed Pua. And as this lake tourism economics works wonders, other shoreline municipalities would follow, Pua added.

Pua confessed: “All my efforts, time, and resources are geared toward a dream of developing Wonder Island as a competitive tourist resort and conference center and putting Laguna Lake into the world map of tourist destinations.”

Pua recalled the usefulness of the lake since time immemorial: as trading route of early Chinese merchants to the shoreline villages; waterways by our coastal resident forefathers to reach barangays around the lake up to Manila; and pristine site for leisure ferryboat cruise by the likes of our national hero Jose Rizal.

Pua said: “Why can’t we now use this lake as alternative waterways to help ease traffic situation in Laguna, Rizal, and Metro-Manila?” This is why instead of using traditional wooden boats I invest in fiberglass boat making for decades now to have sturdier boats adapted to the lake, Pua added.

Pua foresees modern day ferryboats plying the lake clear highways loaded with local and foreign tourists on their way to Pagsanjan Falls, and other Laguna tourist destinations. Water sports like jet skiing, board sailing, balloon sailing, and regatta would soon be regular lake scenery to attract more tourists.

The realization of this vision, hopefully, would be supported by government entities, e.g., LLDA, Department of Tourism, Provincial governments of Rizal and Laguna, tourism associations, CREBA, and NGOs.

Representatives from these groups have visited Wonder Island. Two former Philippine Presidents (Estrada and Arroyo) had been here and they liked what they saw.

Laguna Lake is not yet dead contrary to the proclamation of various sectors. Laguna Lake has been included in the official list of the world’s living lakes August 2, 2001. The Philippines’ LLDA representative attended the world’s living lakes conference February, 2002 in Japan, as the 18th partner-lake in the International Lakes Network.

Laguna Lake would be host to similar world lakes networking conference in the not far distant future. By then, local and international delegates would cruise the still living Laguna Lake (hopefully) on board Wonder Island’s “Noah’s Ark in Calamba.”

Pua believes the local community would see that his development activities are not solely for his vested interest. All these, he said, would redound to the benefits of the shoreline communities, Calamba City, Laguna province, and our country as well.

Pua prays for better governance to support his development plans to finish his dreams that would uplift the plight of the shoreline communities from the present marginal existence and provide them with livelihood opportunities from lake tourism, as the economy reels from poverty due to rampant corruption. He firmly believes the righteous path of governance is here for all to tread under the present dispensation of President Benigno Aquino III.

"I am, therefore, honestly inviting His Excellency to experience cruising around Laguna de Bai, on board 'NOAH'S ARC IN CALAMBA'," Pua concludes.

The rainbow
As the bow in the cloud that misty Sunday morning completely became a beautiful rainbow, to the delight of Zeus, Miles, and Kurt, I recalled that the rainbow is the biblical symbol of God’s everlasting covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:12-15). “And God said, this is the token of the covenant which I make between me and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: … And I will remember my covenant, …..; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.”

Noah’s Ark in Lucban is for tired, lost souls. Noah’s Ark in Calamba beacons people with the new hope of dawn to capture the bliss of the lake in a cruise around Laguna de Bay, not only in the season of reflections for tired lost souls, but moreover, whenever mother nature’s weather so permits; and more so when the colorful God’s rainbow arcs the blue horizon.

The waters of Laguna now beckon to one and all to wade in and enjoy this long, hot summer; meditate and pray for everlasting joy, prosperity, abundance, and world peace. So help us God; and may God Bless us all in the name of Jesus, Amen.

RIZAL’S CALAMBA NOW AND THEN

April 21, 2001. The day Rizal’s Calamba became a first class component city of Laguna Province by virtue of RA-9024.The author of this law is now the third-termer City Mayor – the Honorable Joaquin M. Chipeco, Jr. (2004-2013).

June 19, 2011. The Filipino nation celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of Calamba’s greatest contribution to Philippine history – Dr. Jose P. Rizal. On this day the tallest Jose Rizal Monument will be unveiled by His Excellency Benigno Aquino III.

The people of Calamba takes pride this destiny. As a proud Calambeño this septuagenarian wonders what this cradle town of Rizal’s was then.

Via the internet, the present city logo reveals two significant years embossed in the official seal of the City of Calamba; over two centuries apart. 1742, since Calamba officially became a municipality August 28,1742, having been a part of the town of Cabuyao (formerly Tabuco) in the early Spanish conquest; and 2001, when the town became a city April 21 in plebiscite in the new millennium.

Within this seal the silhouette of the hidden profile of the portrait of the greatest Malayan hero, the pride of Calamba, stares the scrutinizers at the face.

What was Calamba then? Page 3 of a historical adventure on the centennial freedom trail, “On the Trail to Freedom,” provides a glimpse.

“Calamba in the 19th century was a sleepy agricultural town that lay in the shadow of the fabled Mount Makiling. A small town of only about 500 hectares of sloping hills and fertile plains on the southern shores of Laguna de Bay, it yielded bountiful harvest. It was in this idyllic setting that doctor, writer, artist, and National Hero Jose Rizal was raised.

“. . . But life in the shadow of Mount Makiling was not all pleasure and ease. For all its natural beauty and abundance, the town was frequently marred by epidemics of typhoid, cholera and malaria. Overshadowed by the larger and more prosperous town of Biñan, the province’s rice granary, the farmers of Calamba had to work harder to turn a profit. Hence, the townsfolk of Calamba grew to be a hardy people used to difficult toil.”

Today, this city by the shoreline of Laguna bay up to the upland territorial boundaries of Batangas and Cavite province has a total land area of 14,480 hectares. Two main rivers traverse Rizal’s cradle town. San Juan River originating from Batangas bisects the city proper about 100 meters north of Rizal Shrine. San Cristobal coming from Cavite passes through the northern part of the city. The recent population count is 360,281 inhabitants in 58,466 households.

In the advent of industrialization part of its agricultural land has been conveniently converted into housing subdivisions, commercial areas, and industrial parks. Now it has nine industrial estates within its jurisdiction and three prestigious shopping malls. Rizal’s Calamba is also the site of the international standard Canlubang Golf and Country Club, venue of many Philippine open.

Calamba has the highest annual income within CALABARZON growth area based on 2009 COA audit after about a decade as a city. Already in the city planning and development drawing board are the following projects: 1) Calamba Commercial Institutional and Recreational Complex, across the city hall, where the 20-feet Rizal monument will be unveiled; 2) Regional Center of Calabarzon at Brgy. Mapagong; and 3) Calamba Science High School.

The cradle town of the great Malayan hero boasts of abundant mineral hot springs in its resorts, lodges and water pools, particularly in Barangay Pansol. Pansol is considered the bedrock of natural hot springs in the Philippines.

The resorts and spas hereabouts are frequent host to visitors. Transients come and go and find relief from backbreaking business pressures and nerve-wracking activities. People from all walks in life and wanting to relax even for just a day come in groups. The therapeutic effect of mineral hot springs on one’s nerves and muscles plus the majestic view of Mt. Makiling and magnificent scenery surrounding the Laguna lake are reasons enough to consider Calamba regular summer destination.

No wonder since early this millennium the City of Calamba is known as the Resort Capital of the Philippines. In this city by the bay, lodes of natural hot spring mineral waters are free-flowing in abounding swimming pools, spas and resorts. Lodes are steamed by the volcanic bedrock of the legendary Maria Makiling. It has 651 registered resort establishments located mostly in barangay Bukal, Pansol, and Bagong Kalsada.

Water is undoubtedly one of the prime natural resources of Calamba then and now. The very reason it is considered the Resort Capital of the Philippines.

Yet, in celebrating Calamba City’s foundation day this April, the Chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources, Environment Protection and Waste Management - incumbent City Councilor Luis Vergel G. Baroro - is wary of the water crisis that hit metro-manila midyear of last year.

He believes Calamba’s water resources must be protected, preserved, and developed, all the more. We should not be contented with what we have now. We must prepare for the uncertain future in the face of global warming and climate change in particular, Baroro adds.

Baroro says potable water supply from Calamba Water District utilities is still not available to many barangays of Calamba. He proposes therefore a resolution pursuant to RA 6716 of 1989 – the “little-known law” that provides for the construction of water wells, rain water collectors, development of springs and rehabilitation of existing water wells in all of the country’s barangays. There are natural springs and water wells in Calamba still to be tapped and developed as alternative source of potable drinking water.

Pro-active legislation is well emphasized by His Excellency President Benigno Aquino III when he signed recently the water governance declaration submitted to him during the “World Water Day” celebration March 22, 2011, Baroro concludes.

TONG: ROOT-CAUSE OF MAGELAN’S DEATH

Complementary to the present political revolution of P-Noy to veer away from corruption and greed and walk the path of righteousness, this septuagenarian blogger has the following piece in Pilipino – “TONG: UGAT-SANHI NG KAMATAYAN NI MAGELLAN SA PILIPINAS.” The account was read from the book “Magellan, A Voyage of Life” by Allan P. Hearn.

March 16, 1521 is recorded in our history as the date of discovery of the Philippines.

Ferdinand Magellan is acknowledged in world history as the man who discovered the Philippines.

Antonio Francisco Pigafetta was Magellan’s personal recorder of the day-to-day events during that historical voyage of his life.

April 27, 1521: Pigafetta recorded the death of Magellan; ending in the diary - they killed “our mirror, our light and comfort, and our true guide.”

Lapu-Lapu: The name etched in Philippine history and in every Pilipino mind - the man who killed Magellan.

Lapu-lapu the chieftain of Mactan Island killed Magellan in earnest, defending his territory against the assault of about three scores of Spanish soldiers fully equipped with armors and weapons.

Buwis. Butaw. Tax. Harbor Tariff. Royal Tax. Tribute. Ang pagsingil sa lahat ng iyan, kahit noon pa man at sa kasalukuyan, ay bahagi na nang kasaysayan.

Protection money ng mga goons, terrorist, gayun din ng pulis, at iba pang alagad ng batas. Revolutionary Tax ng NPA, Abu Sayaff, MILF, at iba pang rebeldeng grupo. Pass Way sa mga barangay at pribadong lupain, na daraanan ng tao at kalakal. Ang mga ito naman ang ilan sa tawag nang bagong panahon.

Ang lahat ng mga nabanggit ay ipinatutupad ng may awtoridad, lider sa lugar, may kapangyarihan at karapatan. Pakiusap, lakas ng loob at sapilitan na may kasamang pananakot ang pagkuha nito sa kinauukulan.

Harbor tariff ang singil ni Raha Humabon nang sumapit ang ekspedisyon ni Magellan sa pantalan ng Cebu. Royal tax, tribute naman para sa Hari ng Espanya ang nais ni Magellan buhat sa buong kapuluan. Ang puntong ito ang tumbok na talakay kung bakit hindi nakabalik sa Espanya si Magellan.

Depende sa umiiral na may kapangyarihan o may karapatan, ang lahat ng iyan ay maaari nating bigkisin ngayon sa isang kolokyal na salitang Pinoy- TONG.

TONG. Lintakin mo, matay ko mang pakalimiin buhat sa kasaysayan, TONG ang ugat-sanhi at dahilan nang maagang kamatayan ni Magellan sa kamay ni LAPU-LAPU sa baybayin ng maliit na pulo ng Mactan sa “ARKIPELAGO NI SAN LAZARO,” apat na raan at siyamnapung taon (490) nang lumipas, ngayong 2011.

Tunghayan natin ang ulat kasaysayan ni Magellan buhat sa aklat (Magellan, A Voyage of Life) by Alan P. Hearn (1966), isang Briton na naninirahan sa Pilipinas.

Marso 16, 1521. Ang araw nang bumulaga sa paningin ni Magellan ang tangos (cape) ng isang pulo (Samar) sa bahaging ito ng Timog Silangang Asya – Araw ni San Lazaro ayon sa mga kristiyano. Kaya naman tinawag n’ya na “ARKIPELAGO NI SAN LAZARO,” ang unang pangalan ng bansang Pilipinas. Hindi nanatili ang pangalang ito. Napalitan ng Filipinas matapos ang mga sumunod na ekspedisyon.

Tutukan natin ang mahigit isang buwang yapak ni Magellan sa lupang Pilipinas. Yapak na hindi sumagi sa kanyang isip ang kanyang kamatayan dahil lamang sa TONG o tribute na hindi ibinigay lahat ni Lapu-Lapu.

Nilampasan ng nalalabing tatlong barko ng ekspedisyon ni Magellan ang pulo ng Samar. Kinabukasan ay nagpatuloy pakanluran hanggang marating ang isla ng Homomhon. Ilang tauhan ang inatasang umahon sa islang ito, alamin kung may katutubong naninirahan at humanap ng pagkain upang manumbalik ang lakas ng maraming tripulante.

Di nagtagal at bumalik silang dala kay Magellan ang kailangang pagkain at magandang balita: walang tao at lubos na sagana sa bungang kahoy at sariwang prutas. Inatasang gumawa ng pansamantalang tahanan at stockage o kanlugan ang mga tripulante upang sa pulong ito mamahinga at magpalakas ng kalusugan. Sagana ang pulo sa “buko” o murang niyog na ang katas ay mayaman sa bitamina.

Matapos ang dalawang araw na kain, tulog, tahimik na pahingalay upang palakasin ang mga nanghinang katawan sanhi ng mahabang biyahe, pagod, gutom at sakit, dumating sa Homonhon ang isang bangka lulan ang sampung katutubo. Halos hubad ang mga ito at kulay pula ang ngidngid at ngipin dahil sa nginunguyang bunga.

Personal na sinalubong ni Magellan ang dumating na katutubo. Bagaman at hindi magkaintindihan sa wika, kahit may interpreteng Malay na si Enrique at isa pang kasamang bihag na si Omatu, kinaibigan sila ng mga kastila upang di maulit ang hindi magandang karanasan sa ibang lupaing naunang dinaungan sa may dagat Pasipiko.

Makaraan pa ang tatlong araw ay dumalaw na ang pinuno ng katutubo. Higit na matanda, suot ang palamuting ginto sa braso at tainga, gayundin may tanim na ginto ang mga sibat at kalasag. Kinailangan ni Magellan na pigilin ang kanyang tripulante na mahalata ang interes nila sa ginto. Ayon sa pinuno, Homonhon ang ngalan ng pulo at bahagi ng maraming isla mula timog hanggang hilaga ng Arkipelago.

Marso 25, 1521, matapos makumpuni at malinis ang tatlong barko, makapahinga, mabusog at magpalakas buhat sa sariwang pagkain, nagpatuloy ang ekspedisyon pahilagang kanluran. Dinaanan ang Leyte gulf at Surigao Strait, abot-tanaw ang dulong timog at hilaga ng Mindanao hanggang sapitin ang isa pang pulo Marso 28, 1521.

Nagkaintindihan si Enrique at katutubo sa wikang may kahalong Malay. Si Enrique ang personal na alila ni Magellan. Si Enrique ay sa Molucas Island binili ng nauna n’yang amo bago nalipat kay Magellan.

Nabatid nila na Limasawa ang tawag sa pulo at si Raha Colambu ang lider dito. Hango sa Malay ang wikang ginamit ni Enrique. Ito ang nagbigay katiyakan kay Magelan na nalibot na nila ang mundo at malapit na ang Spice Islands.

Abot na n’ya ang tugatog ng tagumpay bilang Kapitan Heneral. Ang ekspedisyong ito ang naglayag pakanluran at natagpuan ang lusutan tungo sa Silangan, at pagbalik sa Espanya ay siya na ang makikilalang unang manlalayag na umikot sa mundo; higit sa lahat ang pangako ng Hari na kayaman, karangalan, katanyagan.

Sa katiyakan ng lahat ng ito, isasagawa n’ya ang pagpapalaganap ng Kristiyanismo kasunod ang pagsakop sa Arkipelago ni San Lazaro sa pangalan ng Hari ng Espanya.

Ni hindi sumagi sa isipan ni Magellan ang nalalapit n’yang kamatayan sa loob ng kulang isang buwan.

Sa pulo ng Limasawa nagsimula ang ugnayan at pakikipagkaibigan. Nagpalitan ng regalo, kuwentuhan ng mahabang oras, hanggang sa maganap ang sanduguan (blood compact) ni Raha Colambu at Magellan. Idinaong ang tatlong malaking barko ng espanya.

Linggo, araw ng palaspas, ginanap sa Limasawa ang kauna-unahang misa sa Pilipinas. Nagtayo ng isang malaking Krus na kahoy si Magellan sa tuktok ng isang burol malapit sa kabayanan. Ito ang simbulo ng pag-angkin at pagsakop sa buong arkipelago sa ngalan ng Hari ng Espanya.

Nabatid ni Magellan ang tungkol sa higit na malaki at maunlad na pulo ng Cebu. Kailangang tulungan muna si Colambu na gapasin sa lalong madaling panahon ang hinog nang butil ng palay. Sa tulong ng matitipunong tauhan ni Magellan madaling tinapos ang anihan. Matapos ito ay isang masaganang piging at palitan ng kalakal.

Abril 3, 1521 nagsimula ang ekspedisyon tungo sa Cebu.
Abril 7, 1521 naman dumaong sa Cebu ang buong tropa ni Magellan kasama si Colambu. Inatasan si Don Antonio bilang sugo at Enrique bilang taga-pagsalita ni Magellan na makipag-ugnayan sa Raha ng Cebu. Malayo pa sa pampang ay nagpaputok ng malakas na kanyon pahiwatig ng kapangyarihan ng dayuhang Kastila na ikinatakot ng katutubo.

Si Humabon ang Hari ng Cebu. Sinabi n’ya sa sugo ang patakarang umiiral: Taripa sa daungan. TONG ang kolokyal na tawag natin ngayon.

Natural, ipinaliwanag ni Enrique na hindi papayag si Magellan sa patakarang ito sapagkat ang bansang Espanya ay makapangyarihan sa buong mundo. Pakay nila ay kapayapaan at kalakalan ngunit kung kinakailang at hindi maiiwasan ay handang sumuong sa madugong labanan.

Nagkaroon ng mainitang pagtatalo. Isang panauhin (nagosyanteng Arabo) ni Humabon ang nagkwento sa Raha tungkol sa pagkasakop sa East Indies at Spice Islands ng puting dayuhan at pinayuhan ang Raha na mabuting di hamak ang makipagkalakalan kaysa makipagdigmaan sa dayuhang kastila. Idinagdag ni Enrique na Portugal ang bansang sumakop doon at hindi Espanya, subalit ang Espanya ang higit na makapangyarihan sa lahat ng bansa. At binasa ni Enrique ang nakasulat na mensahe ng pakikipagkaibigan at kalakalan ni Magellan kay Raha Humabon.

Nagkaroon nang palugit (extension) sa pagpapatupad ng taripa sa daungan. Wala muna ang TONG. Masusi itong pagiisipan. Nagtatag ng isang Trading Post sa baybayin ng Cebu at nagsimula ang palitan at kalakalan. Naging simula rin ito nang higit na pagkakaibigan ng dayuhan at katutubo.

Hindi naglaon, sa paliwanag ni Raha Colambu napahinuhod si Humabon na maging Kristiyano. Inatasan ni Magellan si Padre Valderama na magtayo ng altar at sama-samang ganapin ang binyag sa Kristiyanismo, sampu ng mga asawa ni Humabon, alagad, at buong nasasakupan ng Cebu. Nagtayo rin sa Cebu ng isang malaking krus na kahoy bilang tanda ng pagtalima sa kapangyarihan ng Espanya.

Naging abusado ang maraming sundalo ni Magellan lalo na sa kababaihan. Sukdulan ang pang-abuso ni Duarte Barbosa, ang pinakamatalik na kaibigan ni Magellan. Ipinakulong n’ya ito at ikinadena sa barko.

Lalong nag-alab ang kagustuhan ni Magellan na mabinyagan at masakop ang iba pang kalapit tribu. Sa halip hikayatin, tinakot n’ya ang mga pagano na tutugisin kung hindi magiging binyagan. Ipinasunog ang mga estatwang idolo ng katutubo.

Ipinatawag sa isang miting ang mga lider tribu ng kalapit na mga isla at binalaan ang ilang rebelde kung hindi dadalo. Isa sa lider ng Mactan, si Lapu-Lapu, ay hindi dumalo. Natuon ang galit ni Magellan kay Lapu-Lapu.

Ipinasunog ni Magellan ang sentro ng Mactan at ipinagahasa ang kababaihan. Nagpasugo siya na magbigay si Lapu-Lapu ng alay o tribute: kung ilan bilang ng baboy, kambing, manok, bigas at niyog.

Ilan bahagi lamang ng alay na ipinagutos ang ipinadala kay Magellan ni Lapu-Lapu upang galitin ang dayuhan. Bilang lider katutubo, bakit nga naman siya magbibigay ng TONG sa isang dayuhan? Labag sa kanyang patakaran at prinsipyo ang magbigay ng TONG. . . . . . Regalo pwede pa.

Ang hindi pagbibigay ni Lapu-Lapu ng kumpletong TONG ang nagsilbing mitsa sa paglusob ni Magellan sa pulo ng Mactan.

Ikalawang Bahagi (Part II)

BLOW-BY-BLOW: MAGELLAN VS. LAPU-LAPU

Following is the continuation of Lolo Ome’s tribute to our national hero Lapu-Lapu. Hopefully, to show to the present day readers and next generation that “TONG,” indeed, was the very root cause of Magellan’s death in the hands of a Pilipino chieftain Lapu-Lapu. This Magellan series is complementary to the present political revolution to do away graft and corruption in governance and follow the path of righteousness.

Si Lapu-Lapu lamang, sa mga lider tribu ng karatig pulo ng Cebu, ang hindi dumalo sa miting na ipinatawag ni Magellan.

Bilang ganti ipinasunog ni Magellan sa kanyang marino ang kapitolyo ng isla kasabay ang pag-gahasa sa ilang kababaihan.

Matapos ang panununog, kagyat na nagpadala ng sugo at iniutos kay Lapu-Lapu na magbigay ng takdang bilang ng baboy, kambing, manok, bigas at niyog. Sa pananaw ni Lapu-Lapu ang atas na ito ay malinaw na matatawag na “TONG”. Kalahati lamang sa hiningi ang ipinadala ni Lapu-Lapu.

Lalong nagalit si Magellan sa di pagbibigay ni Lapu-Lapu ng takdang “TONG” na kanyang kinailangan.

Ito ay tahasang rebelyon at hindi n’ya dapat palampasin sa kabila ng pagtutol ng kanyang mga tauhan. Katuwiran nila, tatlong linggo na sila sa Cebu, tagumpay na nahanap na nila ang lagusan pakanluran at panahon na upang lumisan pabalik at mag-uwi sila ng maraming panlahok (spices) at sari-saring kalakal. Hindi na dapat personal na lumapag sa barko si Magellan upang tugisin si Lapu-Lapu. Labag ito sa kautusang militar at kaugaliang nabal.

Matigas talaga ang ulo ni Magellan.Tinanggihan ni Magellan ang alok ni Raha Humabon na isang libong sundalo, gayun din ang tulong ng anak ni Humabon na pangunahan ang sabay na pag-atake sa likod ng Mactan. Tinanggihan din ang alok na tulong ng isa sa anak ng kagalit ni Lapu-Lapu, si Zula, isa pang lider sa pulo ng Mactan.

Paniwala ni Magellan na tadhana ng Diyos na siya mismo ang mamuno sa maliit na pwersa, ngunit may higit na makapangyarihan armas, upang matigil ang rebelyon ni Lapu-Lapu at hindi pamarisan ng iba.

Ang barkong Trinidad kasama ang dalawa pa ay umalis ng Cebu. Sa maikling oras ng paglalayag, nag-angkla sila sa may isla ng Mactan. Hating-gabi nang Abril 27, 1521, handa sa laban na sumakay sa tatlong maliit na bangka ang 60 armadong sundalo sa pamumuno ni Magellan. Humimpil sila malapit sa pampang ng Mactan. Sa di kalayuan ay nakahimpil din ang ilang bangka, lulan ang ilan katutubo kabilang ang mag-ama ni Raha Humabon, upang maging saksi sa pangakong tagumpay ni Magellan.

Tatlong oras bago sumapit ang bukang-liwayway, isang sugo ang pinaahon ni Magellan upang himukin si Lapu-Lapu na isuko ang kanilang armas. Tinawanan at inaglahi lamang ito ni Lapu-Lapu. Sinabing handa silang ipagtanggol ang Mactan, kasabay ang hatid-pakiusap kay Magellan na hintayin ang sikat ng araw bago umatake dahil may hinihintay pang mga kakampi si Lapu-Lapu.

Inakala ni Magellan na ito ay isang pakana upang sa halip ay sumalakay agad habang madilim pa at mahulog sa inihandang mga patibong ni Lapu-Lapu. Kaya naman iniutos ni Magellan na manatili sa bangka at hintayin ang pagsikat ng araw.

Naging mahirap sa 60-kataong pangkat ni Magellan ang tatlong oras na paghihintay sa maliit na bangka suot ang mabigat na baluting bakal at pasan ang mabibigat na baril at iba pang armas pandigma. Dagdag pa rito ang tagaktak na tulo ng pawis dahil sa init ng gabi kasabay ang kagat ng naglipanang lamok sa bahagi ng mukha, kamay at paa na walang baluti.

Bukang-liwayway na nang lumusong sa tubig si Magellan at mandirigmang Kastila dahil hindi makalapit ang tatlo nilang bangka sa pampang sa dami ng mga corals (bulaklak ng bato) o bahura at bato sa baybay. Hanggang baywang ang lalim ng tubig, pasan nila ang mabibigat na armas at lalong naging mabagal ang kilos sa suot na baluti. Labing isang tauhan ang naiwan sa bangka upang magsilbing arteleriya, proteksyon sa pag-ahon sa pampang.

Sa kanilang pag-ahon, kanilang nabatid na hindi pala abot sa pampang ang bala ng artileriya. Bukas na bukas sila sa mga katutubo. Handang-handa si Lapu-Lapu. Tatlong maluwang at malalim na hukay o trenches ang dapat nilang tawirin. Sa pagitan ng bawat trentseriya ay hindi abot ang kanilang punlo sa naghihintay na katutubo.

Marami sa mga sundalo ni Magellan ay hindi pala sanay gumamit ng krus na panudla o crossbow kaya pasimula pa lamang sa unang trentseriya ay batid na nila na ang ekspedisyon ng 60 armadong Kastila laban sa isang libong tauhan ni Lapu-Lapu ay pagsuong sa tiyak na kamatayan. Walang silbi ang maikling baril na madaling maubos ang pulbora at bala.

Iniutos ni Magellan ang tigil putukan at labanan ang katutubo ng malapitan (hand-to-hand combat).

Kinailangan bumaba at pumakabila sa unang hukay. Umatras naman ang grupo ni Lapu-Lapu upang lalong mapalayo sa baybayin ang lumulusob na kaaway. Kagyat na inatasan ni Magellan si Cristobal Rabelas at Juan de la Torre na sunugin ang malapit na bahayan. Di pa gaanong nakakalayo ang ilang tauhang inatasan ay napalibutan na ang mga ito ng pulotong ng mga katutubo at nasaksihan ni Magellan ang kamatayan ng kanyang mga tauhan.

Bumulaga kay Magellan na wala silang laban. “Atras soldados” ang utos ni Magellan. Ang iba ay takbuhang pabalik habang ang iba ay lumalaban. Gayun na lamang ang hirap nila bago makaahon sa hukay-patibong ni Lapu-Lapu pabalik sa pampang kung saan sila ay pinaligiran ng pangkat ni Lapu-Lapu upang pigilan makabalik sa barko. Nagkanikaniyang karipas ng takbo ang mga kastila sa kabila ng utos ni Magellan na laban ang iba habang atras ang ilan.

Naiwan si Magellan at walo pang sundalo kasama ang matapat na alagad – si Enrique at Don Antonio. Sa pakikipaglaban, tinamaan ng palasong may lason ang hita ni Magellan. Binunot n’ya ito at magiting pa ring lumaban habang ang lason ay tumatalab sa kanyang katauhan.

Bilang tunay na Kapitan Heneral nanatiling siyang nagtanggol hanggang sumapit sa tubig patungo sa barko ang ilang nalabing sundalo. Saka pa lamang umatras ang natitirang pangkat ni Magellan.

Pantay tuhod ang tubig, nakipaglaban pa rin ang pangkat ni Magellan. Dalawang ulit nalaglag ang helmet ni Magellan dahil sa ulan ng sibat ng kalaban sa isang oras na pakikibaka na walang katiyakan.

Nagpadala ng tulong-pwersa si Raha Humabon. Subalit bago pa sumapit sa labanan ay sila mismo ang napuntirya ng maling asinta ng kanyon buhat sa barko at ang mga ito ay nagkahiwahiwalay ng walang katuturan.

Lima na lamang ang nalabing lumalaban sa tropa ni Magellan. Apat ang nasawi sa tama ng sibat sa kabila ng kanilang suot na baluting metal. Si Magellan mismo ay may tinamong sugat sa mukha at hinabol n’ya ng sibat ang katunggali. Wala na ang ipinukol na sibat, pilit n’yang inabot ang kanyang sable sa kanyang baywang subalit hindi na nakuhang mahugot sa kaluban dahil tinamaan s’ya ng sibat sa kamay.

Naging mabilis ang mga pangyayari. Sumugod si Lapu-Lapu at inundayan ng taga ng kanyang kampilan ang walang baluting paa ni Magellan. Bagsak patihaya, TIMBUWANG sa tubig si Magellan. Sinibat at inundayan ng saksak at sisinghap-singhap na naanod sa dagat ng Mactan hanggang bawian ng buhay.

Sa puntong ito natuon ang atensyon ni Lapu-Lapu at mga kampon sa pagkagapi kay Magellan, dahilan upang makatakas ang apat na nalabing tauhan ni Magellan. Tulala at hindi makapaniwala ang mga nakasaksi sa kamatayan ni Magellan; “ang tumugis ang siyang napatay ng tinugis.” (“The hunter was killed by the hunted.”)

Sugatan, halos agaw-buhay na nakabalik sa barko sina Don Antonio, Enrique, Filberto, at Escobar. Nasulat sa dayari ni Pigafetta ang kamatayan ni Magellan: Pinatay nila “ang aming salamin, ang aming liwanag at taga-alo, at siyang tunay naming patnubay” sa paglalayag. (They killed “our mirror, our light and comfort, and our true guide.”)

Sa bawat kasaysayan, may mapupulot na aral. Aral sa buhay na dapat limiin at pakinabangan. Piliin ang mabuti, ang masama ay iwaksi. Malinaw na TONG o “LAGAY” ang nagsilbing mitsa sa kamatayan ni Magellan.

Ang mga pangyayari sa buhay ni Magellan at Lapu-Lapu ay angkop pa rin sa ngayon. TONG ( LAGAY) ang dahilan sa kamatayan ni Magellan.

Higit na angkop, sapagkat lalong talamak ngayon ang “TONG.” Bahagi na ng buhay sa pamahalaan, local o nasyunal, ang TONG lalo na sa mga pagawaing bayan. May komisyon daw buhat sa mga kontraktor bago mapili sa biding.

Matapos manalo sa biding, TONG pa rin. Sa bawat pagsingil sa bahagi ng pagawaing natatapos (progress billing), TONG na naman.

Sumbong ng ilang kontraktor: “sobra na.” Sana daw naman ang TONG buhat sa kanila ay maibahagi man lamang sa higit na nangangailang empleyado at hindi sa bulsa lamang ng ilan napupunta. Ilang kawani na pinagkakatiwalaan. Ilang kawani na siyang susi at ugat ng katiwalian. Katiwalian ng ilang grupo na nagiipon kuno ng pondo na tila bunton ng buhangin na siyang ikakalat (daw) sa tuwing halalan.

Dagdag pa nila, paano pa sila kikita. Kaya ang uri at kalidad ng proyekto ay apektado. Ang sambayanan ang napeperwisyo.

Ito diumano ay “Standard Operating Procedure” (SOP) sa mga proyekto ng pamahalaan na ang pondo ay galing sa kaban ng bayan, ng lungsod, o lalawigan, lalo’t higit kung ang pondo ay yaong tinatawag na “Pork Barrel” buhat mambabatas para sa proyekto sa pagpapaunlad ng komunidad sa buong bansa.

Walang kumpa-kumpare, walang kama-kamaganak. Ang lahat ay pantay-pantay sa ngalan ng “SOP.”

Kahit daw sa ibang proyekto, na ang malalaking pondo ay utang o donasyon buhat sa ibang bansa, kadalasan TONG ang padulas upang isakatuparan.

Madalas batikusin ang TONG sa radyo, telebisyon at pahayagan. Subalit patuloy pa rin ang TONG sa kasalukuyan. Naging talamak na ang korapsyon maging sa hanay ng militar.
Mahirap patunayan, sapagkat marami ang nakikinabang. Walang maglakas loob na magbulgar ng katiwalian, dahil daw ang tunay na hustisya ay hindi naman makakamtan.
May ilang nagbuking subali’t sila ngayon sa balag ng alanganin ay nakalambitin kung hindi sa tulong at pagkupkop ng mga may pusong anak ng birhen. Sila pa mismo ang sinampahan ng mga kaso na kanilang haharapin.

Ultimong sa proseso ng ating hudikatura korapsyon ay bahagi na; tila umakyat na hanggang korte suprema.

Ang ginatasang kontraktor hindi maka-alma dahil walang kontrata kung hindi makikisama at makilaro sa “SOP” ng proyektong pambayan.

Isang Lapu-lapu ang kailangan upang ang TONG ay maglaho sa lipunan. Mabuhay si Lapu-Lapu, dangal ng bawat Pilipino!

Bato-bato sa langit, tamaan ay hwag magagalit. Sa tumatanggap ng TONG, balang araw may isang LAPU-LAPU sa buhay mo ay hahanTONG at di papayag MAGLAGAY NG TONG. Baka ang Lapu-Lapung ito ang siyang magsilbing tinik sa lalamunan mo at maging daan sa iyong TONGbalelong.

At dahil din sa “LAGAY” na TONG – tiyak ala Magellan ay timbuwang ka, pare koy. “Patay kang bata ka!” Goodbye!

P.S.
Dapat naman ang kasalukuyang kampanya ni P-NOY laban sa katiwalian ay totohanan talaga. Dapat hindi pamumulitika at gimik lamang pala. Dapat sa susunod na eleksyon, mga politiko na TONGkulin ang atupag sa halip na pag-ganap ng mahalagang tungkulin ay hwag nang iboto pa. Sila na naghahangad ng TONGkulin sa pamahalaan ay hindi
karapatdapat bigyang puwang pa.

Nagpupugay sa may tunay na adhikaing maglingkod sa bayan ng malinis at tapat, Lolo Ome.

BACLAYON: SOJOURN OF SEPTUAGENARIAN

Baclayon, loosely translated from local Boholano dialect, poetically denotes a long arduous trek to a distant hill made easy by walking idly together and story telling along the way.

Sojourn. Defined in Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary: “A temporary stay;” “a journey to stay as a temporary resident” at a certain place (maybe faraway).

Septuagenarian: A person who is in his/her seventies.

On the first day of the valentines month year 2011, two septuagenarians were onboard flight 362 bound for Tagbilaran, the capital of the Province of Bohol. Baclayon, seven kilometers east of Tagbilaran, was their final destination.

The senior citizen duo would stay at the house of the late Colonel Guillermo W. Oppus (1918-1990). They were accompanied all the way by the late Col.’s youngest son Joseph, Pinong to some intimate Baclayanons, who invited them (us) to visit his native Baclayon.

Joseph’s beauteously simple daughter Niña Catrisa (nicknamed Nica) - a very cute, demure young lady, was the muse in this journey to Bohol. Nica is Joseph’s one and only offspring, so far, with his equally beautiful wife, nee Lourdes “Les” Llamas. Les is a scion of the late educator Don Pedro Llamas of Pagsanjan, Laguna, founding-owner of the first secondary high school in Calamba in 1930 – the Laguna Institute, now the Laguna College of Business and Arts.

Nica is a fresh nursing graduate of St. Paul College of Manila. A “dean’s lister,” she passed the nursing board examinations in her first take with flying colors. This very reserved young lady, I observed, is inseparable with her ubiquitous laptop as a prolific writer whenever an opportunity arises. Nica would stay with her uncle.

Joseph, 53, is tennis buddy to the Septuagenarians. Lolo Fanny, 70, is Epifanio de Vera a blue-blooded Pangkalatok. Lolo Ome, 71, aka Roman Romeo G. Nagpala is an orig Calamba-born die-hard Pinoy.

We are bona-fide residents of the City of Calamba in Laguna. The relaxing sport of lawn tennis binds us closely, welding a lasting companionship and harmonious friendship despite the generation gap. Joseph and Fanny are lay ministers at the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist in Calamba, just across the street of the Rizal Shrine.

Thus, these sojourners together flew and crossed the Luzon-Visayas sky boundary.

Joseph’s elder brother, soft-spoken Manong Nacing, fetched us from Tagbilaran airport with his black Sportivo. Nacing, 64, would be our truly accommodating host and tour guide, piloting his own car touring us around to various scenic and cultural destinations. We would never forget his mild deportment, natural hospitality and kindness; a very jovial fellow with hilarious stories to tell like his youngest sibling Joseph.

Our first taste of Bohol hospitality was at a seaside restaurant above the waters of Pook Pantalan, Cogon District, within the city limit. We lunched over local tinolang isda, crispy chicharon baboy, kilaw na isda, lato siwid, and other local fish concoctions. A bottle of brandy brought along by Fanny, a voracious drinker, was our “soft-drink” of the day. Liquor is Fanny’s every meal appetizer and regular sleep enhancer.

After our refreshing lunch amidst oceanic view of Panglao and Pamilacan Islands and pristine waters thereabouts, we experienced shopping at the city mall. The trio went to the mall’s pharmacy for our respective maintenance medicines; Joseph for his recurrent heart ischemia and the oldies for hypertension, blood sugar stabilizer, and arthritic pain reliever.
Our first evening was so relaxing at the baluarte plaza, a recently constructed long stretch of cemented pavement above the shallow waters just behind Baclayon Municipal Building, the original site of the Spanish lighthouse. This serves as the bay walk area to promenade and boat pier for tourists bound for Pamilacan bay dolphin/whale watching or the exclusive Bohol Beach Club at nearby Panglao Island.

The fresh and pure evening breeze softly touching one’s face brushing the problems away like magic even just for a fleeting moment prepares one to a dreamy slumber. And after over an hour of story telling a lie and rendition of Boholano kundiman songs by Joseph and his bosom friend cum aide de camp Kimal, Kim for short, we walked home and hit the hay straight.

The 2nd day of February is Joseph’s mother’s 91st birthday. Catalina Naron Pates-Oppus, Lola Laling the living matriarch to the ever growing Pates-Oppus clan in Baclayon, had seen the good old days as school teacher and devoted loving wife to the late Colonel husband. She took care of her husband and the family wherever the military officer’s posting would be.

Fleeting memories of the past were narrated briefly as everyone eagerly waited the delayed catered dinner exclusively for Pates-Oppus family circle and friends.

Kim, Lolo Ome, and the “oldie-sweet-Fanny” (kasi panot siya) enjoyed siesta time till evening moderately drinking especial Baclayon’s “bahalina tuba” and plentiful pulutan. We were joined briefly by Joseph’s balikbayan cousin Nang Norma with American husband Ralph.

Joseph shared the recollection of those grand days of old with his stickler officer papa and ever loyal and caring mama. Following is his tribute to mama:

"Mama was and still is a very conservative woman. Growing up, I remember her being a strict mother especially when it comes to siesta or nap time and finishing meals for my siblings and I. Having a military man as a father, one would think that Papa was the disciplinarian in our family—but he was not.

"Being a grade school teacher, Mama was used to the chaos in classrooms. Since after marrying Papa, she retired early from work and became a full-time house wife, I think that her being firm with house rules and our behavior had something to do with her passion for teaching and disciplining misbehaved students.

"Nevertheless, Mama was a very caring wife and mother to all of us in the family. Even with her loss of memory due to old age, Mama still asks us if we had eaten our meals or slept well whenever we’re staying in her house in Baclayon.

"Even though we can no longer have a deep conversation with her or ask her for her advice on life decisions, my siblings and I still enjoy talking to her. And although she always disagrees when I say this, I will always see Mama as a beautiful mother, regardless of her white hair and wrinkles."

In a capsule, this sojourn was fully enjoyed playing tennis almost daily at nearby Baclayon Tennis Club, sight seeing the surrounding bucolic hills and fishing village with man-made mangrove forest and the view of two islets yonder; drinking moderately bahalina tuba, tandu-ay, emperador light, cuatro-cantos or bilog, with local pulutan, e.g., kinilaw na isda (dilis, tuna, tulingan, cuja shell), seaweed lato, ginamos; tuyom (bottled sea urchin gonad), lukot, and sea cucumber gonad; talakitok ihaw, inihaw na daing na pague (stingray), and tuna sashimi with Japanese wasabe, etc. Touring must-see-places at neighboring towns topped the agenda.

We also belted our vocal chords in a one-night sing-along session in the home of Joseph’s best friend Edwin. Pre-departure eve sent Lolo Ome in the company of Joseph and aide-de-camp Kim at the floating boat-resto-sing-along bar anchored steps behind the tennis court drinking cold beer and listening to visayan music, etc. The effect of Fanny’s sleep enhancer (cuatro-cantos this time) took its toll and he was left behind dreaming of the beautiful tour operator we encountered in the farewell dinner hosted by Nacing day before.

First visitation, of course, was the nearest Baclayon Parish Church and its museum overflowing with rich antique cultural art-displays dating back to the Spanish era. This church is said to be one of the oldest in the archipelago.

Next and foremost was the experience at the cultural capital of Bohol – Loboc. Cruising the-now-famous Loboc River we made sure because without which Bohol travel tour is not complete.

Still early for the cruise scheduled before eleven, we went to the horseback riding camp. With no attendant in sight and no mustang to ride on we headed back to the Loboc tour complex.

We patiently waited at the cozy tourism center, walked thru its world-class docking facilities, and partook enjoyably the sumptuous lunch offered aboard.

The one-hour river cruise started from Loboc tourism complex as the floating restaurant glided through the stream along palm-fringed banks inland up to the Busay falls, with lush mountains overlooking, and back.

Our eyes and ears were feted by cultural dancers and festive rondalla music resonating from the river banks along the way; and at a vantage point afar was the Loboc church, with its visible three-story convent and bell tower, said to be one of the oldest also.


Abundant natural forest exists in the Province of Bohol, as well as man-made, particularly here in Loboc. Proof is its ecotourism adventure park now offering aerial rides via zip-line and cable cars travelling the distance of about 1,000 meters back and forth from hilltop to hilltop traversing across Loboc River by the Busay Falls.

Youthful Nica and her boyfriend - long-haired Kevin who flew separately from Manila - cabled through and enjoyed inhaling up-up-and-away the coolness of the pollution-free breeze with its revitalizing effect soothing to weary souls. The oldies, however, didn’t even think trying - afraid the zip-line mechanical system would bog down; wary Lolo Fanny said he didn’t want his remaining borrowed life cut short with the plunge.

Bohol ever since is always associated with the world-renown “chocolate hills.” And so Joseph relieved his brother from the steering wheel and raced the Sportivo from Loboc to Carmen town for the nature’s majestic viewing, and back home.

Chocolate hills are considered one of the wonders of natures. During our visit, however, the over-a-thousand hills seemed no chocolate anymore; from a distance all were seemingly peppermint green candy hills, Nacing said in jest.

On our trip back home that day Nacing made sure we saw those tiny arboreal mammals endemic to the Province of Bohol – the tarsier with its big owl-eyes always protruding in life and on photos shown on tourist brochures. Yes, we took pictures; and oblivious of the warning signs, the camera-flush of Lolo Ome made the tarsier closed its sleepy eyes temporarily blinded until we were gone. Tarsier is so small it fits snugly inside one’s pocket.


At twilight time we crossed the Tagbilaran-Panglao span and went down the nature-made-century-old “Hinagdanan Cave” but didn’t splash through its huge underground fresh water cave pool. As usual we just took pictures thereabouts underground. The tour-guide in Nacing reminded us always that farting is verboten there inside.

The next day adventure stop was at the exclusive Bohol Beach Club in Bolod, Panglao Island. We enjoyed walking the white beach sand tickling our soles while coolly watching foreign ladies here and there sunbathing to the max almost the whole day; Lolo Ome in particular personally posing close-up with a new-found girl friend - Sayo San - a very young Danish Japanese beauty who swift his lonely septuagenarian heart away. Ruefully, he was born very much too early and she was born too late.


The young-ones, Nica and Kevin, clearly enjoyed the inviting freshness of the surrounding waters together, like fish in wide aquarium. While the once-young Fanny immersed for hours to clear hang-over after consuming a bottle of vodka with Kim.

The sweet-Fanny (as in panotcha – a rounded sweet coconut delicacy made of coco-milk cooked in brown sugar syrup looking like a man’s bald head - panot means bald) enjoyed to the max this sojourn complete with beach crab hunting incident that gave him the moniker, truly “The funniest Fanny.” Here is what happened before Joseph’s eyes:

"As we were walking along the Baluarte, I saw a dead sea urchin lying on the side of the pavement in half. Knowing that the slightest touch of the creature can cause painful pricks, I cautioned Fanny not to touch it. As expected, the ever curious Fanny bent down and felt the sea urchin’s exterior. Luckily, the sea creature being lifeless, he did not get pricked. Going down on the side of the Baluarte where it is just a step away from falling into the water, Fanny saw a tiny sea urchin floating nearby. Since he did not get wounded on his first attempt to touch a sea urchin (which was dead), he tried his luck once again and reached out for the little creature. This time, Fanny got a small and yet very painful prick on his hand. After having a firsthand experience on the pain of sea urchin injuries, Fanny then saw a vagrant of sea urchins near him as he walked along the side of Baluarte. Not wanting to get wounded again by the spiky sea creatures, Fanny panicked. The pavement being wet and slippery, he fell on the sea urchins he was trying to avoid, face down. Doing his best to hoist himself up from the fall, Fanny’s hands were painfully resting on the sea creatures’ spikes. As a result, Fanny left the Baluarte with pricks all over his abdomen and arms, a slight trauma of the area and an unforgettably interesting story to share with his close friends back home."

Memorable was this Baclayon sojourn of the septuagenarian. It was a belated gift-trip, a travel, a journey, an experience filled with adventures in our remaining twilight zone of our life. We savor more those really hilarious true-to-life jokes about Baclayonons’ travel in the metropolis; especially those relating to Kim’s in his own Visayan accent revelation. Truly, laughter is the best medicine that makes septuagenarian’s heart grows younger.

Early morning on our last day, we joined Pinong uphill trekking over-a kilometer-stretch to the tomb of his father made easy by walking idly and story telling with Kim along the way. After paying his homage and on the way down, he recalled and narrated “the story of the sepulcher and the parish priest” of Baclayon long, long ago as we pass by the century-old cemetery administration building.

“One pitched dark night in November many, many years before, two mischievous men gathered two sacks of fresh peanuts from someone’s farm. They would divide the loot equally inside that building. As offering for the dead they left two pieces of peanuts by the door and locked the building.

“To ensure fair division they would count the whole contents of the two sacks of peanuts one by one under a flickering candle light with the sound of the drizzling rain. They would thus count aloud: ‘This one is for me; that one is for you.’

“Midnight crowing of the roosters awaken the sepulcher who heard two people talking. He tried peeping around but door and windows were closed and would not see what they were doing. He would listen intently and would clearly hear repeatedly – ‘This one is for me; that one is for you.’

“Devout catholic as he was and superstitious, the sepulcher surmised it must be Satan and the Angel deciding who would go to hell and who would to heaven among the residents. Afraid and nervous he ran fast to fetch the priest from the convent at the town proper.

“Rousted from bed the priest run uphill with the sepulcher to verify what was that all about. They both listened more intently and would hear repeatedly the same dialogue – ‘This one is for me; that one is for you.’ It went louder since the counting was almost finished.

“Last they heard was – ‘Now we are finished, you would go your way and I would go my way. No, not yet, there were two more outside the door.’ Last words they heard, indeed, because they ran fast downhill so afraid that either of them or both would belong to Satan; and did not see the men opened the door and picked-up one each the peanut offering.”

End of the story; we would have to catch our flight back to Manila that 8th day of cupid’s month in the year of our Lord 2011.

Goodbye, Baclayon!

“HAGDANANG WALANG TAHANAN”

(Original stairs of ancestral home of a great Hero General Vicente Lim)

ISANG PAGPUPUGAY KAY HENERAL VICENTE LIM, DANGAL NG SALING LAHI NG CALAMBA, ISINILANG IKA-24 NANG PEBRERO 1888.

Kapag kampo militar ang pag-uusapan sa lalawigan ng Laguna, Camp Vicente Lim sa Canlubang ang unang sasagi sa ating kaalaman, ala-ala at kaisipan.

Maging sa Philippine Military Academy sa Baguio City isang bulwagang gusali – General Vicente Lim Hall – ang matatag na nakatayo dito at habang buhay na makikintal sa diwa’t isip ng mga mag-aaral at turistang dumarayo sa lungsod ng pino. Sa tapat ng gusali ay nakatayo ang isang bantayog ng magiting na Heneral.

Sa Calamba matatagpuan naman ang “HAGDANANG WALANG TAHANAN.” Ito ay dating tahanan ng isa pang bayani ng lahi, sa kalye Del Pilar ilang daang-hakbang lamang buhat sa Dambana ni Rizal. Sa dati’y marangyang tahanang ito, na sinira ng kalikasan sa paglipas nang panahon, isinilang si Heneral Vicente Lim.

“Dalawang matinding bagyo na signal #4 noong dekada 1980 ang nagpagiba sa bahay na ito,” ayon kay Aling Belen Pablo ang caretaker mula 1971 hanggang 2004. Taong 1982 nang maglagay ng isang marker o monumento sa bakurang ito, dagdag ni Aling Belen. At sinabi n’ya sa akin na si Gng. Lulu Rillo, apo ng Heneral, ang dapat kapanayamin.

Isang LandMarker ukol sa Heneral makapasok ng bakuran ang bubulaga at tatawag pansin sa sino mang gagawi sa pook na ito, bilang pag-gunita sa kanyang kabayanihan. Malinaw na nakatitik ang pagpupugay sa isa pang tunay na bayaning isinilang sa Calamba:

“NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE

1982

HENERAL VICENTE LIM 1888-1944”

IPINANGANAK SA CALAMBA, LAGUNA NOONG PEBRERO 24, 1888 KINA JOSE LIM AT ANTONIA PODICO. KAWAL. MAKABAYAN. ISA SA MGA NAGTATAG NG BOY SCOUTS OF THE PHILIPPINES AT UNANG PILIPINONG NAG-ARAL SA UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY SA WEST POINT, NEW YORK. IKINASAL KAY PILAR HIDALGO KILALANG EDUKADOR AT MAPAGKAWANGGAWA.

“NAMUNONG HENERAL, IKA-41 DIBISYON NG IMPANTERIYA NOONG 1941; NAKALIGTAS SA DEATH MARCH; NAGTATAG NG PANGKAT NG GERILYA NOONG IKALAWANG DIGMAANG PANDAIGDIG; NABIHAG NG PATRULYANG HAPONES SA BAYBAYIN NG MINDORO; IBINILANGGO SA KUTANG SANTIAGO AT PAGKARAAN AY BINARIL SA SEMENTERYONG INTSIK NOONG 1944.

“PAGKARAANG MAMATAY PINAGKALOOBAN NG MGA MEDALYANG DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT STAR, DISTINGUISHED SERVICE STAR AT DISTINGUISHED LONG SERVICE STAR AT GINAWARAN NG RANGGONG HENERAL NA MAY TATLONG BITUIN. BILANG PARANGAL ANG HIMPILAN NG KONSTABULARYA NG PILIPINAS SA CANLUBANG, LAGUNA, AY IPINANGALAN SA KANYA.”

Sa tilamsik ng kasaysayan sa National Historical Institute, dagdag kaalaman sa buhay at kamatayan ni Heneral Vicente Lim ang ibabahagi ngayon ni Lolo Ome, aka Roman Romeo G. Nagpala of Calamba, Laguna.

Vicente Lim, isang bayani. Makabayan. Sundalo. Mula pinakamababang ranggo, umakyat bilang Heneral sa US Army – isang gawang katangi-tangi na di pa napapantayan ng sino mang Filipino officer. Nagdaan sa mataas na pagsasanay bilang opisyal na nagtapos sa West Point kung saan hinubog na buong-buo sa kaalamang militar, tugma sa tawag ng tungkulin para sa inang bayan. Ibinuwis ang buhay bilang katuparan ng moto: “duty, honor and country.” Tungkulin, dangal at lupang tinubuan.

Lahing Intsik ang kanyang ama, may lupain at nakaririwasa. Gayundin ang kanyang Filipinang ina, supling buhat sa angkan ng mangangalakal.

Nagkamalay at lumaki noong panahong ang pamilya ni Rizal at iba pa sa Calamba ay masidhing pinaguusig ng Kastila bunga ng alitang agraryo sa pagitan ng mga magsasaka at paring Dominikano.

Batay sa maikling panayam Setyembre 6, 2003 sa paboritong apo ni Heneral Lim, Gng. Lourdes “Lulu” Rillo, 67, nakintal sa kanyang murang isip noon “na sa tuwing papasyal sa matandang bahay si Lolo Vicente ay kumpleto uniporme at ako ay karga-karga, kinakalong. Nakatira kami noon ng aking Lola Olympia Lim-Rillo sa matandang bahay (likod-bahay namin ngayon).”

Ayon kay Lulu, ang iba pang kapatid ng Heneral bukod sa kanyang Lola Olympia ay sina Basilisa Lim-Quisumbing (unang asawa ng yumaong Eduardo A. Quisumbing, National Scientist) at Joaquin Lim.

“At si Heneral Lim ay marunong ng wikang Intsik (Macao) tulad ng kanyang Lola. Dahil ayon sa kaugalian noon ng mga purong Intsik na nakaririwasang ama, ang mga supling nila sa Pilipinas in their early childhood ay dapat mamuhay ng ilang panahon sa mainland China upang matutunan ang wika at kulturang Intsik,” dagdag pa ni Lulu.

Ayon naman kay Bb. Corazon “Baby” Rillo (nakababatang kapatid ni Lulu, kasalukuyang bakasyon buhat Amerika) ang kaalaman niya sa buhay ni Heneral Lim ay batay na lamang sa kuwento at pahina ng aklat kasaysayan. Bilang tugon sa aking pananaliksik sa kanilang dugong bayani, isiniwalat n’ya na ang kanilang ninuno sa mother side (Jovita Ochoa) ay buhat naman sa orihinal na pamilya “Bangkain” ng Calamba. At si Pepe Rizal mismo ang siyang isponsor ng ninunong Bangkain sa panliligaw kung saan upang masolo ang dilag na pinipintuho sa pondahan ay pinapakyaw lahat ni Rizal ang paninda sa tindahan ng dalaga.

Hango sa talambuhay, si Heneral Lim ay tahimik na bata ngunit pilyo. Matipuno at may pagka-barumbado sa kilos at ugali. Mahilig maglaro ng patas (isang katutubong toy gun), patintero at iba pang aktibong laro. Nagtapos ng primarya sa Calamba; intermidyet sa Tanauan, Batangas at hay iskul sa Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Nag-enrol sa Liceo de Manila bago pumasok sa Philippine Normal School taong 1908. Pagkatapos ay tagumpay na nakalusot sa entrans eksaminasyon para sa kadete sa US Military Academy. Ipinadala siya sa West Point taong 1910 bilang pensyunado ng gobyerno. Nagtapos sa West Point 1914, isang taon ang una niya kay General Dwight Eisenhower. “Cannibal” ang naging bansag sa kaniya sa panahon ng pag-aaral sa Amerika.

Komisyonado bilang segunda tinyente at naglalakbay sa Europa nang sumiklab ang unang digmaang pandaigdig. Nagpatuloy sa kanyang lakbay-rota lagos sa Rusya sakay sa Trans-Siberian Railway at nakabalik siya sa Pilipinas.

Promoted na primera tinyente Abril 12, 1914 sa Philippine Scouts, US Army. Fort San Pedro, Iloilo ang una niyang destino; nalipat sa Fort Millas, Corregidor, 1916. At di nagtagal ay ipinadala bilang instraktor sa Philippine Military Academy, Baguio, Mt. Province.

Sa PMA n’ya nakilala ang nakalulugod at magandang bakasyunista, isang instraktor sa matematiks sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas – Pilar Hidalgo, buhat sa isang mariwasang pamilya ng Boac, Marinduque. Agosto 12, 1917 idinaos ang unang military wedding at the metropolitan Quiapo Catholic Church sa kasal ni Heneral Vicente Lim at Binibining Pilar Hidalgo.

Sa madaling panahon, dahil sa mahusay na pagganap sa tungkulin iniangat si Lim sa mahahalagang pwestong higit na mabigat ang naka-atang na pananagutan. Ipinadala sa Jolo, Sulu; sa baraks sa Zamboanga; at sa Fort McKinley, Rizal. Bilang pagkilala sa kanyang galing sa pagtupad sa serbisyo, napromowt si Lim na Kapitan Disyembre 18, 1922; at Major April 24, 1923 habang kasapi sa Far Eastern Games in Osaka, Japan.

1926 tumulak patungong Amerika at nag-enrol sa Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia for advance military training at nagtapos 1927. Nag-aral din si Lim sa Command and Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he graduated in 1928; later he took higher courses in the Army War College at Washington D. C. and finished in 1929.

Bumalik sa Pilipinas si Major Lim at napromowt Nobyembre 1, 1929 bilang Lieutenant Colonel nang siya ay Commandant of the ROTC Unit in the College of San Jan de Letran. He was already a full-fledged Colonel in 1935 prior to his retirement on June 30, 1936.

Dahil sa kanyang treyning, ekspiryens at makinang na rekord militar, tinawag si Lim na maglingkod sa Philippine Army ng Gobyernong Komonwelt bilang Chief of the War Plans Division, with the rank of Brigadier General.

Tadhana ng Diyos marahil na ang pamilya ni Lim ay naiwasan ang pagkapugnaw sa giyera (holocaust of war). Gradweysyon ng anak na si Roberto sa Merchant Marine Academy at Annapolis, Maryland kaya noong Mayo, 1941 ay tumulak si Ginang Lim kasama ang ibang anak patungong Amerika. Ito rin ang pagkakataong ipahospital ang may poliong anak na si Eulalia at madalaw ang anak na si Luis na nag-aaral sa Massachussetts Institute of Technology. Nang sumabog ang giyera Disyembre, 1941 nasa PMA, Baguio si Vicente, Jr. at ipinadala sa San Francisco kaanib sa Pwersa ng Alyado. Si Heneral Lim ang siyang naiwan sa Pilipinas bilang Commanding General of the 41^st Division, USAFFE.

Pinatunayan ni Heneral Lim ang katapangan at kagalingan sa pamumuno sa madugong labanan sa makasaysayang pagbagsak ng Bataan. Magiting na pinangunahan ang pagtatanggol sa huling hanay laban sa mga kaaway buhat Abucay patungong Bundok Natib. Bagama’t nasasalikupan ng higit na marami at makapangyarihang kaaway at kulang sa kagamitan, si Heneral Lim at kanyang mga tauhan ay matapang na nakihamok sa labanan hanggang sa atasang sumuko Abril 9, 1942.

Matapos makalaya buhat sa Concentration Camp sa Capas, Tarlac, pumasok siya sa Canser Institute, Philippine General Hospital, hindi upang magpagaling kundi upang magtatag ng lihim na pagkilos laban sa pamahalaang Hapones. Sa pagkukunwang maysakit at sa pakikipag-ugnayan ni Dr. Gregorio Lanting at sa tulong ng mga narses sa Infirmary, nakuhang ipahatid sa kasamahang gerilya ang mahalagang impormasyon.

Di nagtagal inialok kay Heneral Lim, sa pamamagitan ni Senador Benigno Aquino, ang pagiging Chief of Staff of the Japanese Imperial Forces. Tinanggihan ito ng Heneral sapagkat noon siya ang Kumander ng Fil-American Regular Troops, with the assumed name, Edmund P. Ellsworth.

Bandang Hunyo, 1944, sina Heneral Lim, Koronel Antonio Escoda, Emilio Borromeo, Pedro Manalo, Bienvenido Rillo, Jose Mariano, Pedro Villena at Ramon Roque ay naglayag buhat Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas. Sila ay patungo kunwari sa Boac, Marinduque. Ang totoo sasanib sila sa organisasyon ng gerilya sa Samar at buhat Bisaya ay sasakay sa submarino tungong Australya. Kumpleto ang grupo sa pases. Handa at nasa-ayos ang lahat. Subali’t nahuli nang dating ang kanilang radiomen kaya sumala sa tamang oras ng agos ng dagat ang kanilang paglalayag upang sana ay naging mabilis ang biyahe tungong Marinduque. Nasabat sila sa baybayin ng Mindoro ng patrulyang nabal Hapones. Natuklasan ang mga nakatagong baril, armas, radio at transmitter at pinaghinalaan silang gerilya. Dinala sila sa Calapan, Oryental Mindoro, nakilala at ikinulong. Tapos ay ipiniit sa Fort Santiago, Manila. Kahit pinahirapan at binugbog sa kulungan ay hindi nila isiniwalat ang mga kasapi at ano mang impormasyon ng gerilya organisasyon. Matapos ang ibayo pang parusa, inilipat sila sa Bilibid compownd sa Azcarraga (Claro M. Recto ngayon) bago tuluyang isinama sa mga pinatay ng Hapones sa sementeryong Intsik taon 1944.

Si Heneral Lim ay tunay na istrikto at disiplinaryan. Nais n’yang igawad ng mga tauhan ang pinakamataas na pag-galang sa isa’t-isa. Kinilala sa kanyang husay sa palakad at pagpapatupad ng tungkulin sa pagsasanay ng mga tauhan. Matapat. Episyente. Masigasig. Isa siyang mahalagang kaagapay sa pagpapatupad ng kapangyarihang sibil.

Bilang sundalo, paniwala n’ya na ang lakas ng bansa ay nakasalalay sa pambansang karakter, na ang pagka-makabayan ay katangiang moral na dapat isa-puso ng bawa’t mamamayan at ligayang taglayin higit sa lahat ang tunay na damdaming ipaglaban ang inang bayan.

Isang mapagmahal na ama si Heneral Lim. Kasiyahan n’ya ang pagluluto at mahilig sa pagkain; mahilig humithit ng tabako tuwina; mahilig din sa poker at bridge at malimit kalaro nina Heneral Eisenhower at Heneral McArthur sa panahon ng kanilang tour of duty sa Pilipinas. At tuwing mananalo sa kanilang card games, bumibili siya ng telang pandamit o ibang bagay para lamang sa kanyang maybahay.

For gallantry in action and his valuable service to the nation, he was the recipient of military medals of which three were posthumously awarded: The Distinguished Conduct Star Medal, Distinguished Service Star Medal and The Long Service Medal for completion of thirty-five years, eight months and eight days prior to his posthumous retirement in November, 1945.

Ang huling mensahe ni Heneral Lim sa kanyang pamilya ay ganito: PLEASE TELL MY FAMILY THAT I HAVE NOT TARNISHED THE WEST POINT MOTTO: DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY.

Naiwan n’yang buhay ang kanyang maybahay, Gng. Pilar Hidalgo-Lim, naging pangulo ng Centro Escolar University hanggang abutin nang kamatayan taong 1974. Naulila niya ang mga anak na sina: Luis, Chemical Engineer, namatay sa pagbagsak ng eroplano sa Bislig, Surigao dekada 1980; Captain Roberto Lim, naval graduate at Executive of the Philippine Aerospace Development Center; Vicente, PMA graduate, executive sa Pulp and Paper Corporation; Father Patricio Lim, Rector sa Guadalupe Minor Seminary; Eulalia, Executive of Mondragon Industries; at Gng. Maria L. Ayuyao, Vice-President Student Affairs, Centro Escolar University.

Bilang walang kupas na pag-ala-ala sa magiting na kawal, ang Ika-lawang PC Zone Headquarters sa Canlubang, Laguna ay pinangalanang CAMP VICENTE LIM.

Sa kabila ng lahat ng kabayanihan ni Heneral Lim, ang kanya mismong duyang-tahanan sa Calamba ay napabayaan. Naluma at nagkasira-sira sa paglipas ng mga taon hanggang sa pagpasok ng 2004 ay tuluyan nang nawala sa lupa. Naiwan na lamang ang matibay na hagdanan ng tahanan.

Sayang na tahanang sinilangan man din ng isa pang tunay na bayani ng Calamba. Ito sana ay isa ring Dambana ng Bayani na dinarayo ngayon ng mga turista kung ito ay napanatili sa orihinal na kaayusan.

Huli na kaya sa panahon ang lahat para sa isang Restoration Project?

May magagawa kayang hakbang ang Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Calamba upang maibalik sa dating anyo ang “HAGDANANG WALANG TAHANAN:” The ancestral home of a great hero?

Sa aking palagay ay kayang isakatuparan ito kung mayroon lamang dugong maka-bayan ang nasa Pamunuan ng Lungsod at kaloobang politikal upang isulong ang Restoration Project na ito.

Malaki ang dapat kitain ng kabang lungsod buhat sa maunlad na pamayanan, kalakalan, ilang Industrial estates and International Commercial Parks sa buong nasasakupan ng Calamba (9). Hindi hadlang ang pananalapi ng pamahalaan kung tamang nalilikom at nasa ayos ang pondo ng kabang lungsod.

Sa pakikipagugnayan sa Office of the President, Department of Tourism, and Department of Education, Culture and Sports, and both houses of Congress, gayun din sa mga kaangkan ng yumaong Heneral, dagdag pondo ang malilikom at iba pang tulong gaya ng Memorabilia ng yumao na dapat kaagapay sa katuparan ng panukalang ito.

Maitatayo ang “GENERAL VICENTE LIM SHRINE” - “DAMBANA NI HENERAL VICENTE LIM.”

Mawawala ang di kaaya-ayang pagmasdang tanawin – “HAGDANANG WALANG TAHANAN” – Ancestral Home pa man din ng isang magiting na bayaning Calambeño.

Sa tulong ng DECS, daragsa ang maraming lakbay-aral at turista sa lungsod ng Calamba, sapagkat sa halip na “DAMBANA NI RIZAL” lamang, ay mapapasok pa nila ang isa pang makasaysayang tahanan – ang “DAMBANA NI HENERAL VICENTE LIM.”

Isang pagpupugay ni Lolo Ome sa isang magiting na sundalo, kauna-unahang Pilipinong nagtapos sa U.S. Military Academy sa West Point at isang Dakilang Bayani ng Bayan.

Dalangin ko ang magkaroon ng katuparan ang panukalang ito; kundi man para sa ating nalalabing panahon, manapa’y sa susunod pang mga henerasyon

“ANG BAGONG CALAMBA” -

(Note: As an aftermath of the so-called Calamba Land Dispute (1885-1891) – tenant farmers uprising against the imposition of higher tribute/tax by Dominican friars – Rizal dreamt of founding a new Calamba, as a colony of his family’s tenants, relatives, other farmers, and friends. Following is Lolo Ome’s tribute to our esteemed hero whose death anniversary the nation commemorates 30^th December. This tribute is in Pilipino.)

Tuwing ika-30 nang Disyembre ay ipinagluluksa ng sambayanang Pilipino ang kamatayan ng dangal ng ating saling lahi – Gat Jose Rizal. Kasabay sa pagluluksa ang pagdiriwang at pag-gunita sa kanyang kabayanihan; gayundin ang kamatayan ng maraming niyang mga pangarap. Isa sa pangararap na iyan ay itatag “Ang Bagong Calamba.

Hindi po ang ating bagong Lungsod ng Calamba sa bagong milenyo ngayon. Sa halip ay “Ang Bagong Calamba:” Hindi sa Pilipinas na sakop ng kahariang Espanya noon, kundi sa lupain ng Hilagang Borneo (kilala bilang Sabah ngayon).

Batay sa ulat ng ilang historians ang Sultan ng Brunei ay isa ring Pilipino. Dahil kaibigang matalik, tinulungan siya ng Sultan ng Sulu sa pag-gapi sa isang rebelyon sa Brunei. At bilang pagtanaw ng utang na loob, iginawad na gantimpala ng sultan ng Brunei ang pagmamay-ari sa teritoryo ng hilagang Borneo sa Sultan ng Sulu.

1871 naganap ang pormal na pagliliwat kapangyarihan sa teritoryo. Mula noon ang Sultan ng Sulu ang maykapangyahan, pagmamay-ari, at hurisdiksyon sa lupaing nabanggit. Ang lupain ng Hilagang Borneo buhat noon ay naging bahagi ng Pilipinas.

1878 nang mapadpad sa Sulu ang dalawang abenturero buhat sa Europa: Oerbeck, isang Aleman, at Dent, isang Briton. Ang mga ito ay tuso at oportunista. Hinikayat nila ang ika-27 Sultan ng Sulu, Jamalul Ablam upang lagdaan ang isang kasunduan to lease to them the vast territory of the Sultan of Sulu in North Borneo. The two sold the lease to the British government without the knowledge and consent of the Sultan of Sulu.

Sila ang naging bahagi ng masalimuot na pangyayari kung paano nagkaroon ng lease agreement ang British North Borneo Company at Sultan ng Sulu sa Hilagang Borneo na ngayon ay kilala bilang Sabah. Itinatag ni William Pryor ang Sandakan upang maging kapitolyo at sentro sa administrasyon ng kumpanya.

Habang nag-aaral sa Europa, sinadya ni Rizal si William Pryor at kinaibigan. Inilahad niya kay Pryor ang isang panukala at programa upang magkaroon ng Filipino

Farming Community in North Borneo. Sumang-ayon si Pryor sa paglipat ng buong pamilya ni Rizal, kaanak, at kababayan sa Calamba tungo sa Hilagang Borneo.

Nagsadya si Rizal sa Sandakan. Pormal na nilagdaan ni Pryor at ilang Briton doon ang isanglease agreement. 5,000 hektaya na piling lupain sa North Borneo ang inilaan upang sakahin ng mga taga-Calamba. Pangunahing pananim ang palay, gulay, at ibang halaman. Itatatag “Ang Bagong Calamba” – isang pamayanang Pilipino doon. Wala munang renta sa unang tatlong taon. Sa ika-apat na taon magsisimula ang gradwal at liberal na butaw at karampatang upahan sa sakahan. Pangarap ni Rizal na mailayo sa kaapihan ang kanyang pamilya at kababayan sa kamay ng mga kastila bunsod ng Calamba Land Dispute (1885-1891). Sa kasunduang ito tuluyang makakawala sila sa gapos ng pagkaapi. Makikilala “Ang Bagong Calamba” – isang maunlad, tahimik, masaganang pamayanang Pilipino sa Hilagang Borneo. Agad lumihan si Rizal sa Gobernador General ng Espanya sa Pilipinas. Hiniling ang aprubal ng kanyang programa na magtatag ng isang Filipino Farming Community in North Borneo. Tatawagin itong “El Nueva Calamba.”

Masusing pinag-aralan ng kinauukulan ang liham ni Rizal at kagyat na inaksyunan. DISAPROBADO. Ang migration o pag-likas ng mamamayan ng Calamba tungo sa North Borneo, kahit bahagi pa rin ito ng Pilipinas bilang teritoryo ng Sultan ng Sulu, ay malaking kahihiyan ang idudulot sa gobyernong kolonyal ng Espanya. Magpapakita ito sa buong mundo ng katotohanan.Napagalaman na kumilos agad noon ang Spanish colonial authorities. “They pressured the British North Borneo Company, the corporation founded to administer the leased North Borneo from the Sultan of Sulu to withdraw the agreement between Pryor and Rizal.” Malinaw na nakasaad ang nabigong pangarap na iyan sa siniping bahagi ng ilan sa kaniyang mga liham: (English excepts below)

1. Letter to Blumentrit, Hongkong, 23 February 1892. Epistolario Rizalino, V, Part II, No. 105, pp. 637-638.

In Borneo I shall not be a planter but the leader of the planters who are thinking of emigration there with me . . . . . If it is impossible for me to give freedom to my country, at least I should like to give it to these noble compatriots in other lands. So I am thinking of emigrating to North Borneo. There are vast fields over there where we can found a new Calamba. When the exiles and persecuted have found an asylum in Borneo, then I shall write in peace and shall be able to look towards the future, if not happy at least consoled.

2. Letter to the Governor and Captain General of the Philippine Islands, Hongkong, 21 March 1892. Epistolario Rizalino, III, No. 527, pp. 306-307

. . . I have the intention of founding a colony in North Borneo on the land which that State offers me and where there are already found many Filipinos. If those who can make my country happy believe that my presence and that of my friends and relatives are prejudicial to the peace of the Philippines, so much so that they are obliged to resort to violent means, always and oftentimes unjust, such as deportation and exile, we have no inconvenience in exiling ourselves forever, accepting the offer of the English Government. In this case, I request Your Excellency to grant us the necessary permission to change our nationality, to sell our little property that has been left to us by many disturbances that we have had, and to guarantee the emigration of all those who, for some reason or other, have incurred the animadversion of more or less powerful persons who will remain in the Philippines even after Your Excellency’s administration

3. Letter to his parents and brother, Manila, 29 June 1892. Epistolario Rizalino, V, Part II, No. 108, pp. 647-648.

The General (Governor General Eulogio Despujol) by no means wants us to go to Borneo, but I made it known to him that our situation was very painful. He promises to give us lands a league or half a league or two from Calamba, on any island that we want, but he does not like the Borneo plan.

“Ang Bagong Calamba” na pangarap ni Rizal ay tunay na isang mapait na kabiguan. Kabiguang nalibing sa huling hantungan ng kaniyang makulay na buhay. Nalibing kasama ng iba pang mabunying pangarap para sa bayan ng Calamba, para sa kababayan, para sa buong sambayanang Pilipino. Sa araw na ito ay nagpupugay ang buong bansa sa iyong kadakilaan, kabayanihan, ka-apihan at kabiguan Lolo Pepe - Gat Jose Rizal.