I Love Paluan

Partial Unofficial Tally as of 2010-05-11 19:55:43 85.88% of ERs : Paluan Occidental Mindoro - Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Tue, 11 May 2010 05:35:22 PDT

Mayor
1 PANGILINAN, Abelardo S. 3,437

Vice-Mayor
1 BARRIENTOS, Edgar P. 3,474

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - PALUAN - LONE DIST
1 CABABAY, Benito C. 2,293
2 CADAHIN, Joel T. 1,043
3 CARLOS, Roel V. 3,010
4 CRISOSTOMO, Reynaldo D. 1,986
5 DIAZ, John Jerry D. 293
6 DUEÑAS, Jones T. 685
7 FAJARDO, Villamor, Sr. N. 1,571
8 INSIGNE, Elvira V. 1,032
9 MARASIGAN, Elorde A. 2,140
10 MASANGKAY, Rizal Z. 1,282
11 PANGILINAN, Carl Michael M. 3,086
12 SANCHEZ, Williard F. 2,924
13 TAGUMPAY, Melvin T. 2,807
14 TINALIGA, Antonio D. 3,144
15 TORRELIZA, Lynette C. 3,385
16 TORRELIZA, Ronaldo I. 3,022
17 VALLESTERO, Anthony T. 888
18 VIAÑA, Demosthenes R. 3,312

Paluan, Occidental Mindoro Centennial Foundation Celebration : Pageant Night

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Wed, 05 May 2010 03:06:59 PDT

For Councilor : Demosthenes Viaña

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Wed, 05 May 2010 02:30:01 PDT

Demosthenes Viaña

#18

Liberal Party

for Councilor

For Councilor : Williard Sanchez

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Wed, 05 May 2010 02:26:00 PDT

Williard Sanchez

Liberal Party

for Councilor

For Councilor : Lynette Torreliza

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Wed, 05 May 2010 02:23:11 PDT

Lynette Torreliza

Liberal Party

for Councilor

For Councilor : Roel Carlos

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Wed, 05 May 2010 02:19:10 PDT

ROEL CARLOS

Age: 21

Liberal Party

for Councilor

Happy Fiesta Paluan!

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:30:34 PDT

Happy Fiesta!

March 17-19, 2009

CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL POSITIONS : PALUAN

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 01:51:26 PST

For the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

FOR MAYOR

1 PANGILINAN, ABELARDO SANCHEZ / LP

FOR VICE-MAYOR

1 BARRIENTOS, EDGAR PAGILAGAN / LP

FOR COUNCILOR

1 CABABAY, BENITO CAL / IND.
2 CADAHIN, JOEL TINAMISAN / LKS-KAM
3 CARLOS, ROEL VENTAJAR / LP
4 CRISOSTOMO, REYNALDO DE OCAMPO / LKS-KAM
5 DIAZ, JOHN JERRY DE OCAMPO / IND.
6 DUEÑAS, JONES TORRELIZA / LKS-KAM
7 FAJARDO, VILLAMOR, SR. NUÑEZ / IND.
8 INSIGNE, ELVIRA VILLAS / LKS-KAM
9 MARASIGAN, ELORDE AGITO / LP
10 MASANGKAY, RIZAL ZAPATA / LKS-KAM
11 PANGILINAN, CARL MICHAEL MOPERA / LP
12 SANCHEZ, WILLIARD FINEZA / LP
13 TAGUMPAY, MELVIN TERRENAL / LP
14 TINALIGA, ANTONIO DE LARA / LP
15 TORRELIZA, LYNETTE CALABIO / LP
16 TORRELIZA, RONALDO INSIGNE / LKS-KAM
17 VALLESTERO, ANTHONY TAGUMPAY / LKS-KAM
18 VIAÑA, DEMOSTHENES RAMOS / LP

Suspected rebels torch Mindoro cellsite

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:34:54 PST

MANILA, Philippines - Suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) set fire to a cellsite of Globe Telecom in Mindoro Occidental province early Tuesday, police said.

Some 10 armed men burned the cellsite in Mt. Binarara, Sitio Maslud, Brgy Tubili, Paluan town, around 7:40 a.m., according to Mindoro Occidental Provincial Police Office director Senior Supt.
Michael Baysa.

Baysa said a security guard and a barangay official reported the incident to the Paluan Police.

Police have yet to determine the extent of damage to the cellsite.

The NPA has frequently targeted cellsites of Globe Telecom due to the company's alleged refusal to pay the NPA's "revolutionary tax."

History of Seven Baranggays of Paluan

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:39:12 PST

1. ALIPAOY

The old name of the barangay was Camposanto. However, its inhabitants, upon knowing that the meaning of that Spanish word is cemetery, decided to change it. They held a meeting which started in the afternoon. It was already dark and they have not yet agreed on the appropriate name. Suddenly, one of the local leaders saw the fireflies around a tree covered with vines. He suggested to the group of settlers, to name their settlement from syllables taken from the equivalent in the Tagalog dialect of fireflies - Alitaptap; name of the vine – Lipay; and tree – Kahoy. Thus, they called their community, ALIPAOY.

During the Spanish and American occupation of Mindoro, Alipaoy was a thick forest. Sometimes, the indigenous people and hunters looking for tamaraw and other wildlife reached this place.

When the forests of Paluan were made as logging concessions by families who were very influential to government authorities, the Abeleda family was given permission to cut big trees at Alipaoy. Many able bodied males of the Iraya tribe worked as laborers at the saw mill established by the aforementioned family in this place.

Sitio Anduyanan of Alipaoy was mentioned in a book written in 1991, by Volker Schult, a German historian. It was stated that in 1922, when Honorable Cipriano Liboro was still the governor of the Province of Mindoro, he rented a house and lot in the said sitio and converted it into a school for the children of the indigenous people. Due to shortage of funds, only eighteen (18) schoolchildren were allowed to study in Grade I and II, annually. Aside from the lessons taught by the teachers from the lowlands, during that time, physical & environmental cleanliness was added as subjects to be studied and applied by the children belonging to the Iraya tribe. The school lasted only for a few years due to few enrollees.

When World War II broke out, Alipaoy was one of the places where the people who avoided the cruelties of the Japanese soldiers hid. They learned from members of the Iraya tribe how to eat wild root crops and how to live safely in the forest.

After the war, some families from the lowland, who transferred to Paluan from Lubang decided to stay permanently at Alipaoy. Among them were the families of De Lara, Aguilar, De Veas, Virola, Tarcena, Villas, Pangilinan and Paglicawan. They were able to buy the kaingin of the indigenous people. After a few years, the number of families in this community increased until Alipaoy became a sitio of Poblacion, Paluan.

One member of the Iraya tribe, Anduyong Banter loved to compose poems and songs in the dialect of the indigenous people. His poems and songs were translated to Tagalog. Some old folks of Paluan used to quote it during the early days.

Since many indigenous people live in Alipaoy, the employees of the government agencies which were established to look after their welfare visit them, sometimes. In 1959, it was the employee of the Commission on National Integration (CNI) who visited them. In 1976, it was the employee of the Presidential Assistant of National Minorities (PANAMIN) and in 1985, it was the employee of the Office of Muslim Affairs and Cultural Minorities (OMACC). However, despite the visitations, the economic condition of the indigenous people remained the same.

Before martial law period, the people of Alipaoy requested members of the municipal council that their sitio be elevated to the status of a barrio. After undergoing the required legal process, this community became a barrio of Paluan.

During martial law period, through the workers of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), an irrigation system was constructed in this place. Due to the said development project, the farmers of Alipaoy were able to plant and harvest palay twice a year.

With the cooperation of the inhabitants, leaders of the barangay, local and national government, a barangay plaza, barangay hall, concrete stage and day care center were constructed at Alipaoy.

The persons who served as leaders of Alipaoy were Pablo de Ocampo, Antonio Velandria, Jose Velandria, Adelaida Velandria and Gerry Ungria. The leader of the barangay at present is a member of the Iraya tribe, Brgy. Captain Armando Parisan.

2. HARRISON

The original name of this community was Pula. It came from the name given by the indigenous people to a kind of worm found here. It also came from the color of the soil near the seashore where sea vessels used to land.

A few families of indigenous people lived in this place during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro. Due to the thick forest found on the hills surrounding this place, it was made as a hideout of the individuals who did not want to subject themselves to Spanish rule, refused to be baptized to the Catholic faith and who committed crimes against the foreign invaders. They were called tulisanes by the Spaniards. In 1888, it was mentioned in the report of a Spanish missionary that a group of tulisanes from this community entered Poblacion, Paluan.

The indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe were the ones who gave the names of the sitios of this place. Sitio Calangigan where the lighthouse is located at present was named after the turtles or cala which used to lay eggs in the seashore of this place. Sitio Hinugasan was named for its being the location of a river where the Irayas washed the blood of the pigs which they used to offer to their anitos in order that their gods would allow them to gather plenty of honey. Sitio Aglimasan was the place where, for hours, they continuously drew muddy water from the newly dug wells to make it clear and potable.

Two sitios of the indigenous people of Harrison were mentioned in the report submitted by a missionary priest to the head of his congregation, during the Spanish occupation. One of the sitios was Pamutusin which he visited in 1825 to convince the Irayas to receive the Sacrament of Baptism. The second sitio was Ignonoc which was created as a barrio by the foreigners and named as San Francisco.

During the Spanish regime, the families of Garcia, Felipe, Casil, Poblete, Zambales, Castillo, Montemayor, Solomon, Villas and De Veas arrived in this community. Majority of the said families came from the nearby island of Lubang. Aside from farming and fishing, cutting of big trees from the nearby hills were their means of livelihood.

During that time, there were plenty of tamaraw in Mt. Calavite, Paluan and the American officials used to hunt there. One of them was Governor General Francis Burton Harrison who sponsored the Filipinization Policy which gave Filipinos the chance to govern their own country.

In 1914, the said official arrived at Pula. He was met by Municipal President Estanislao Pag-ilagan who was the leader of Paluan during that time. Mun. Pres. Pag-ilagan invited Gov. Harrison to visit the center of the municipality of Paluan before hunting for tamaraw at Mt. Calavite. A grand celebration was held in Paluan as a gesture of the warm welcome given by the people to the foreign leader.

Due to the historic visit of the governor general to Pula, when the community was elevated to the status of a barrio in 1916, by virtue of a municipal resolution, Harrison was registered as its official name.

When World War II broke out, the forest near Harrison was made as one of the hideouts of the Filipino guerrillas. A group of Japanese soldiers sometimes visited the barrio, especially during the period when they hunted for Major Phillip, the leader of the group of Filipino-American guerrillas who were experts in operating communication facilities.

In 1942, pilots of Japanese warplanes thought that MV Don Esteban, a cargo ship of Dela Rama Shipping Lines was an American warship. They riddled the sea vessel with machine gun bullets and bombed it until it sank.

After the war, a primary school was opened in Harrison. Many years passed before it became a complete elementary school.

One of the problems of the municipal mayors of Paluan was how to construct the road from the town’s center up to this community. Since Harrison is surrounded by hills and it is far from the poblacion, the road could not be constructed due to insufficient funds. However, projects like barangay hall, day care center, plaza and concrete stage were constructed in this place.

Those who served as leaders of Harrison were Casamero Viaña, Amador Tagumpay, Rudy Dimapilis, Apollo de Lara and Renato Ramos. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Benito Cababay.

3. LUMANGBAYAN

The indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe were the first inhabitants of this place. It was stated in the old Spanish documents that this village was made as a mission station in 1843. It was also mentioned that Fr. Miguel Caro del Salvador was the missionary who was assigned here.

The old name of Lumangbayan was Paluan. According to the old residents of this place, it was here where the defenders of the village punished the Moro pirates whom they captured. They whipped the pirates at the plaza, thus, the village became known as the whipping place or in the Tagalog dialect, paluan of wicked men.

In 1850, the census conducted by the Spanish government showed that there were fifty four (54) houses in this place with a population of three hundred twenty five (325). The priest assigned to this community stated in his report to his superior that Paluan was a barrio of the municipality of Lubang and a prison, convent, church & cemetery near the house of worship could be found here.

During the latter part of 1870, many families from Talaotao, Looc led by Capitan Vicente Abeleda and Capitan Pablo Tria transferred to this place and settled here permanently. The number of inhabitants in this settlement grew. The Spanish authorities appointed leaders with the title of cabeza de barangay. Appointed as leaders of this place were Mariano Abeleda, Mateo Tajonera and Felipe Tunay.

It was stated in the autobiography of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo that when he was still a young man, he bought a big sailboat and bartered goods with the people in the different villages of Mindoro, including Paluan. Fr. Julian Llorente, the parish priest of Paluan who according to old records of the Catholic Church was assigned here, from 1887 to 1894, became his friend.

Capitan Mariano Abeleda & Capitan Agustin Liboro, the son & nephew, respectively, of Capitan Vicente Abeleda also became the friends of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. The two gentlemen served as leaders of Paluan. When the Filipinos revolted against the Spaniards, Capitan Mariano Abeleda & Capitan Agustin Liboro served as the leaders of the Filipino revolutionaries in the western part of the island of Mindoro.

In 1910, Paluan was created as a town by the American government. The center of the municipal government was placed at the site of Lumangbayan at present. Among the leaders who were appointed by the American governor general as municipal presidents and who held office in this place were Braulio Villaflores, Mariano Tria, Jacinto Villar, Lorenzo Abeleda, Mateo Tajonera, Estanislao Pag-ilagan and Luciano Fineza.

During the middle part of the term of office of Municipal President Fernando Cuisia, in 1919, a resolution was approved by the municipal council transferring the center of the municipal government to Sitio Lipa. Due to the said transfer, the people started calling the old center of the town as Lumangbayan.

A primary school was opened at Lumangbayan in 1939. However, since this barrio is near the town’s center and the pupils studied Grade V and Grade VI there, it took twenty six years before the primary school evolved to a complete elementary school.

When World War II broke out, the sailors under Basilio de Lara of Lumangbayan were the ones who loaded to his big sailboat the communication equipment which were used by a group of Filipino American soldiers in the communication system they put up in Mt. Calavite. Basilio de Lara also served as the guide of the American soldiers when they liberated Paluan from the Japanese soldiers.

After the war, like other barrios of Paluan, through the cooperation of the inhabitants, efforts of the barangay & local government officials, the road at Lumangbayan was improved and the barangay hall, day care center, plaza and concrete stage were constructed.

Aside from the aforementioned cabezas de barangay, those who served as leaders of Lumangbayan were Gaudencio Fineza, Felix dela Luna, Remigio Arellano, Loreno Zulueta, Amado Quiñones, Leoncio Mercado, Menandro Casil, Amparo Reyes, Renato Escalona, Jr., and Nestor Quiñones. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Ricardo Zulueta.

4. MANANAO

The indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe who first inhabited this place established a community in one part of the lowland near the sea, where at the back a part of the mountain protruded, as if watching and looking for somebody in the area where they lived. In their dialect, the equivalent of the word looking is mananao, hence they called their settlement by that name.

Mananao was a forest of big trees where the honeybees lived. The Irayas used to gather honey from the forest and sell it to the lowlanders. Sometimes, the lowlanders used honey to pay the taxes the government imposed on them, during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines.

Big rocks which look like caves could be found in one part of the seashore of Mananao. The Spaniards called it Calaboso for they used to imprison here the criminals and enemies they captured during those days. At present, the inhabitants of the barangay call the cave like rocks as Underpass.

During the early part of the American occupation of Mindoro, a few families of farmers and fishermen from Talaotao, then a barrio in the small island of Golo, transferred to this place. They crossed by means of sailboats, the rough sea between the small island of Golo and the big island of Mindoro. The community of Mananao grew until it became one of the sitios of Paluan in 1905.

When Abra de Ilog and Paluan were created as municipalities in 1910, their boundary was placed at Agsigan, a sitio near Mananao.

When the American government granted permits to logging concessionaires, Mateo Tajonera was given the right to cut logs at the forests of Mananao. Big sailboats transported the logs and lumber to Batangas and Manila. In addition, lumber from this logging concession was used for building big sailboats which was the occupation of the families living in a sitio near the center of the municipality of Paluan.

When World War II broke out, a group of Filipino-American communication experts installed a communication system on the mountain at the back of Mananao called Alopa by the indigenous people and Mt. Calavite by the lowlanders. The group was led by Major Phillips. The messages sent by the experts to their headquarters, provided information to the combined Filipino-American Forces about the movements of the Japanese warships at the sea between Batangas and Mindoro, including Manila Bay. As a result, the Americans could make the necessary maneuvers in order that the Japanese warships could not inflict damage to their seagoing vessels.

For months, the Japanese soldiers looked for the exact location of the communication system installed by the Filipino-American experts. They could not get any information from the people of Mananao for many of the able bodies males of this place joined the group of guerrillas led by Lt. Pedro Nitura. Unfortunately, through their spies, the enemies found the location of the radio transmitter and they were able to kill Major Phillips at Kabilugan River, Abra de Ilog.

In December, 1944 when the soldiers of the Allied Forces liberated Paluan from Japanese occupation, the enemies retreated to the forest of Mananao. However, they encountered the group of guerrillas led by Lt. Nitura at the mouth of the river of Mananao, The enemies were killed after a bloody fight.

After the war, the people of Mananao strived to improve their community. They intensified their farming, fishing and logging activities.

In 1968, upon the request of parents and teachers, the primary school of Mananao was opened. During that time, Mr. Elias Garay was the Division Schools Superintendent of Occidental Mindoro, Mr. Mariano Ramirez was the District Supervisor of Paluan and Mrs. Purificacion Abeleda was the School Principal.

Through the cooperation of the inhabitants, leaders of Mananao, local and national officials, a barangay hall, plaza, concrete stage, plaza and day care center was constructed in this community.

The persons who served as leaders of Mananao were Fermin Nuñez, Vicente Robles, Antonio Nuñez, Hilarion Garcia, Victorino Ornilla, and Danilo Robles. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Elorde Marasigan.

5. MARIKIT

Baluga was the first name given by the people to this place for its soil is a combination of mud and sand. After a few years, it was changed to Narra because a big narra tree grew in one part of the place.

Baluga or Narra was a forest during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro. It was only during the American regime when a few families from the island of Lubang settled in this place.

It was not easy for the early settlers to own a farm in Narra. Oftentimes, after clearing and cultivating a piece of land, somebody would inform them that the land was a part of a logging concession or had been awarded to an influential person. Conflicts arouse on the ownership of the land. Destruction of crops, killing of domesticated animals and abuses against men & women were committed. After years of struggle, conflicts came to an end and the right to the land they cultivated was awarded by the government to the farmers.

One of the traditions brought by the settlers from Lubang to this community was called Mayuhan. This is the nightly dancing activity during the month of May. Like the Flores de Mayo, this is one way of honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Young men and women from the nearby sitios and barrios of Paluan, like Mariil, Tambo, Camias, Lumangbayan & Poblacion, flocked to Narra every evening during the month of May, to participate in the Mayuhan. The ladies who attended the occasion were beautiful, thus, Pedro Cabrera, the acknowledged leader of Narra during that time proposed to change the name of their community to Marikit, a Tagalog word meaning beautiful. The inhabitants were in favor of changing the name, thus, when Narra became a barrio in 1960, Marikit was registered as its official name.

The following year, the government opened a primary school in Marikit. Mrs. Chancha Trajeco-Terrenal, who was still unmarried during that time, was appointed as the first teacher. Since there was no existing building for the primary school, classes were held at the residence of Mrs. Piring Cajayon.

One of the important events that happened in Marikit was the arrival from Bataan and the Visayan region of the group of Major Generoso Maceda, one of the persons who was given permission by government authorities to cut trees in one portion of the forests of Paluan. It happened just after the end of World War II when it was very difficult to go to Mamburao. During that time, to reach Mamburao from Paluan, a person has to walk or ride on horseback.

Since they have to transport the logs from Paluan to Mamburao, Major Maceda and his laborers constructed a road connecting the two municipalities. They maintained and repaired the road during the entire period of their logging operation. Although the road the logging firm constructed was not the planned provincial road, the engineers of the Department of Public Work & Highways and the Provincial Engineers Office just improved and followed its route.

During martial law period, when the National Irrigation Administration constructed irrigation systems in Occidental Mindoro, an irrigation system was built in Marikit. After the peaceful revolution at EDSA, electric service reached this place, the barangay hall, day care center, concrete stage and plaza were constructed.

Aside from Teniente del Barrio Pedro Cabrera those who served as leaders of Marikit were Pedro Zapata, Sr., Ernesto Castillo, Rodolfo Cajayon, Alfredo Zapata, Rogelio Mariño, Joemari Velandria and Arsenio Cabrera. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Renato Estoy.

6. POBLACION

During the early days, wild plants or ferns called lipa in the Tagalog dialect grew abundantly in this place. The pioneers named the settlement they founded after the plant.

Aside from the indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe, families from the small island of Golo, in the municipality of Looc at present, were the early settlers of Lipa. The ancestors of the families who migrated and settled permanently in this place came from the provinces of Cavite and Batangas.

Years later, Lipa became a sitio of the center of the municipality of Paluan which, at present is Brgy. Lumangbayan.. However, in 1919, during the term of office of Fernando Cuisia as municipal president of Paluan, the center of the municipal government was transferred to this sitio. From that time onward, the name Lipa was changed to Poblacion, Paluan.

An elementary school was opened by the American authorities in this place. Pupils who have finished Grade IV in the nearby barrios of Alipaoy, Lumangbayan and Marikit studied Grade V & VI in this community.

In 1942, during the Japanese occupation of Mindoro, the elementary school building of Poblacion was converted into a garrison of the enemies. Those who were suspected of being guerrillas or supporters of the group of freedom fighters were imprisoned in this building.

Captain Alfonso Umali, the leader of a group of guerrillas under the company of Major Esteban Beloncio, frequently visited Poblacion during the war. The said leader who later on became the governor of Oriental Mindoro in 1968, married Alberta Villar, a native of Paluan.

After liberating the town of San Jose, Company B of the 503rd Paratroopers Infantry of the Allied Forces proceeded to Paluan on January 5, 1945 and liberated this town from Japanese occupation. To hasten the operation, the liberators constructed the wooden bridge between the town’s center and Lumangbayan.

In 1946, a group of educators led by Judge Jesus Abeleda and Mrs. Maura Liboro founded Paluan Academy. This private school gave opportunities to the youth of this town who were graduates of the elementary school to pursue secondary education.

Since this place is the center of the municipal government of Paluan, many projects were implemented by the municipal mayors here. Some of them were the first municipal hall built by Mayor Nestor Abeleda in 1957; the new concrete municipal hall and the school building of Paluan Academy which were constructed by Mayor Amando San Agustin in 1960; the lighting of the town’s center, construction of the potable water system, and concreting of the roads during the administration of Mayor Pablo Quiñones which started in 1967; and the construction of the seawall and expansion of the municipal hall by Mayor Abelardo Pangilinan.

On September 20, 1974 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 557, the barrios were called barangays. Consequently, the town’s centers were divided into smaller barangays. With the exception of Lumangbayan which is sometimes called by some politicians, as Brgy. 7, Poblacion, Paluan was divided into six barangays with corresponding names. The barangays are Brgy. 1 - Mapalad; Brgy. 2 – Handang Tumulong; Brgy. 3 – Silahis ng Pag-asa; Brgy. 4 – Pag-asa ng Bayan; Brgy. 4 – Bagong Silang and Brgy. 6 – San Jose.

Those who served as leaders of the six barangays of Poblacion were Julian Calabio, Amador Viaña, Leonardo Abeleda, Redentor Tinamisan, Carlito Amayan and Juan Aguilar of Mapalad; Crisanto Tagumpay, Reynaldo Tria, Senando Bernardo, Siona Viaña and Roseller Paglicawan of Handang Tumulong; Leonardo Cadahin, Leonardo Tendido and Birgilio Viguilla of Silahis ng Pag-asa; Ruperto Tendido, Abelardo Abeleda and Cesar Dueñas of Pag-asa; Carlos Capinpin, Pedro Mendiola, Jr., Manuel de Veas, Josemari Calabio and Richard Capinpin of Bagong Silang; and Sisenando Insigne, Pablo de Ocampo, Reynaldo Crisostomo, Leonardo Villas, Ronaldo Torreliza & Teodocia Paguagan of San Jose.

The leaders of the barangays in Poblacion who continue implementing the development projects of their predecessors are Joe Losito of Brgy. 1, Zaldy Tagumpay of Brgy. 2, Benito Dueñas of Brgy. 3, Ofelia Diaz of Brgy. 4, Lynette Torreliza of Brgy. 5, and Leonardo Villas of Brgy. 6.

7. TUBILI

The original name of the community was tubli. However, after years of constant use, it evolved to Tubili. The name came from a kind of plant which grew abundantly in this place. It was called tubli in the dialect of the indigenous people. A kind of chemical, harmless to man but poisonous to fishes, could be extracted from the roots of this plant.

During the Spanish occupation of Mindoro, Tubili was a forest. It was one of the sources of sturdy lumber, used as materials for constructing big sailboats, locally known as batel. The Spanish missionaries did not reach this place for its forest was believed to have been made as a hideout of men who did not want to be baptized to the Catholic faith and who have transgressed the laws of the Spanish authorities.

During the early years of the American occupation of Mindoro, Tubili was a part of the logging concession which was awarded by the government to an influential family of Paluan. Big logs were taken out of this place. In addition, hunters looking for tamaraw, wild pig and deer frequently roamed its forest.

Before World War II broke out, a few indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe cultivated patches of kaingin in Tubili. They built huts and planted fruit tress in their kaingin.

The war did not affect the families of the indigenous people residing at Tubili. Since no road was connecting Tubili with the center of the municipality of Paluan, the Japanese soldiers were not able to visit this place. As a result, the Filipino guerrillas frequently visited the Irayas in the area.

After the war, many families of fishermen from the Visayan region settled at the coastal areas which are under the jurisdiction of Tubili at present. Years later, some families of farmers from Lubang arrived. Despite the presence of malaria and the hardships they encountered in clearing the area, the farmers & fishermen decided to settle in this place.

Five sitios were formed out of the areas where the farmers & fishermen from the Visayan region and Lubang settled. The sitios are Tinangra, Igsuso, Absukot, Maslud, and Tiquian. More houses could be found in these sitios than the supposed barrio site of Tubili. As a result, the barangay hall, day care center, plaza, playground, schoolhouses and chapels were built in the sitios,

Additional families settled in Tubili when Major Generoso Maceda, the owner of a logging concession in Marikit constructed a road from his sawmill to Mamburao. The road passed near the sitios of this community. The flow of transportation became fast. Moreover, the basic services of the government from the center of the municipality of Paluan could now reach the sitios of this barangay.

In 1950, the people of Tubili and its sitios requested the members of the municipal council of Paluan that their place be elevated to the status of a barrio. Seeing that all the legal requirements had been met, the municipal councilors of Paluan granted the request. That same year, Tubili was created as a barrio.

A primary school was opened by the government in a sitio of Tubili. Through cooperative effort, the inhabitants of the barrio built a schoolhouse made of nipa and bamboos. After a few years, simultaneous with the completion of the elementary school, a concrete school building was constructed.

Years later, the municipal government of Paluan was able to construct the road linking the sitios of Igsuso and Tinangra to the road connecting Paluan and Mamburao. Electric service also reached most households of Tubili. Moreover, with the cooperation of the people, barangay & local officials, infrastructure projects were implemented in the sitios of this community.

Those who served as leaders of Tubili were Jose Velandria, Basilio de Lara, Theodosio Miñon, McDonald Maderazo and Jaime de Lara. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Lolito Zapata.

file here

History of Paluan

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:07:30 PST

I – DURING THE SPANISH REGIME

The old village of Paluan mentioned in history was Calavite. The said village could be found near the sea at the north-westernmost part of Occidental Mindoro. Its original name was kalawit, from the shape of the mountain behind the settlement of the people.

In 1580, the island of Mindoro was a part of the Corregimiento of Bonbon or Batangas. The missionaries belonging to the Franciscan Order were the ones taking care of the spiritual welfare of the people living inside the corregimiento. They created the Parish of Calavite and constructed a big church at the center pf the parish. The names of Fr. Juan de Porras and Fr. Esteban Ortiz were mentioned as two Franciscan friars who were assigned here. Among the duties of the priests assigned on Calavite was to visit the people in other parts of West Mindoro.

Aside from being the center of the Catholic faith, Calavite was mentioned in history due to shipwrecks which oftentimes occurred in its rough seas. Elders of the Iraya tribe still remember a Chinese ship which sank at the sea near Calavite. The place where the waves brought the remnants of the ship is now called Sitio Purao.

In 1613, six Spanish ships which were gong to Terrenate, Moluccas, loaded with rice, money and other supplies, sank near Calavite. According to Fr. Francisco Collin, a Jesuit historian, the passengers of the ship were saved with the assistance of St. Ignatius, but according to Fr. Diego Aduarte, OP it was due to the help of the Blessed Virgin.

In 1666, then Jesuit missionary but now St. Diego Luis de Sanvictores, together with lay brother Donado Marcos dela Cruz, went to Calavite during the last leg of their mission in Mindoro. They found no priest in the parish, thus, they preached and baptized the people whom they met. In the sitio of Paluan or Paloang, as it was written, they were able to baptize forty adults.

The visit of Fr. Diego and his companion which was supposed to last only for a few days lasted for weeks. It was due to the strong easterly winds which made it dangerous for them to travel by sea. Nevertheless, they were able to convince many zimarrones or Christians who were hiding in the mountains to live normally in the lowlands.

It could be mentioned here that according to Dutch historian Antoon Postma, the people called the sitio of Paluan as Paloang because the farther the boat of a fisherman sails to the sea, the wider the bay where he came from becomes. In the Tagalog dialect, becoming wider is paluwang.

On the other hand, the old folks of Paluan believe the story that the name of their village came from its being the place where the pirates who were captured by their ancestors were severely whipped as punishment for the crimes they committed against the people. Whipping place in the Tagalog dialect is paluan.

When the island of Mindoro was placed under the spiritual care of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, Fr. Diego dela Resureccion was appointed as the parish priest of Calavite. Aside from visiting the far flung places under the parish, like Ililin, Dongon, Tubili, Sto. Tomas, Talasungan and Camurong, Fr. Diego founded also a community at the foot of the nearby mountain of Minuangan. Seventy three (73) houses were built at the said community and one hundred nineteen (119) persons, including the indigenous people were converted to the Catholic faith by the good missionary.

Work was very difficult for the Spanish missionaries during that time. In order to reach a village, they walked for hours or days, rode on horseback or sailboat. Their lives were always in danger due to the attacks of Moro pirates. Many of them got sick of malaria and died. Four of those who got sick & died were the missionaries assigned in Calavite. They were Fr. Agustin dela Concepcion, Fr. Ignacio de San Bernardo, Fr. Bernardo dela Santisima Trinidad and Fr. Francisco de San Miguel.

One of the priests assigned in Calavite, Fr. Jose de San Agustin, served as chaplain of the Spanish soldiers who manned the steamship patrolling the sea between Palawan and Mindoro with the objective of preventing the attack of Moro pirates to the villages under the jurisdiction of the two islands.

Between 1730 up to 1734, great damage was brought by the attacks of the pirates to Mindoro. They burned the convent of Calavite. In addition, in two separate occasions, all the personal belongings of the priests were lost when the pirates attacked and carried all the things which might be of value to them.

Despite the dangers brought by the pirates and the difficult living condition of the people during that time, the Parish of Calavite grew. In 1749, based on the census conducted by the Spanish government, the total population of Sto. Tomas, Mamburao, Sta. Cruz, Dongon, Ililin, Mangarin and Iling, the villages which comprised the Parish of Calavite, during that time, reached two thousand one hundred ninety (2,190). It appeared that during the said year, Calavite, the ecclesiastical territory which was under the spiritual care of Fr. Francisco de San Miguel, was the biggest parish in the whole island of Mindoro. It was only disheartening to note that after ten years, less than one third of the said number of people was left in Calavite.

In November 1742, the pirates attacked Calavite. Together with his acolyte and the people, Fr. Francisco escaped to the mountains. Nearing the mountain, the missionary thought that the distance between them and the pursuing pirates was so great. He took a rest to eat and pray. The acolyte who accompanied him hid in the nearby bushes.

While praying, Fr. Francisco did not hear the pirate who approached him from behind. The pirate speared him. He died instantly.

The acolyte saw what happened to the missionary whom he faithfully served. He even heard what the pirate said:

“A Spaniard killed my father. Now, I am killing a Spaniard.”

The mortal remains of Fr. Francisco were left in that place by his companions who hid in the mountains. Many days have passed before it was found by the Filipinos who gave it a decent burial.

In 1753, Fr. Agustin de Sto, Tomas de Villanueva was assigned in Calavite. The life of the said missionary was always put at risk every time he visited the different villages. In August 1754, he was almost captured by the pirates at Dongon. His escape was considered as a miracle.

The destructive attack of the pirates in Calavite was the reason why the inhabitants of this village transferred to other places. The authorities of the Order of Augustinian Recollects also decided to stop the assigning of priests in this parish, after the period of service of Fr. Damian dela Madre de Dios as parish priest, in 1767.

The former residents of Calavite transferred to Calapan and Subaan, the town of San Teodoro at present. However, they continued visiting the ricefields which they left behind, during planting and harvest season, despite the danger of being captured by the pirates.

The abandoned village of Calavite was transferred to the spiritual care of the parish priest of Calapan. Sometimes, this place was visited by the missionaries. In 1778, Fr. Jose dela Virgen del Olmo was captured by the pirates at the sea near Calavite. Luckily, the superior of the Order of Augustinian Recollects was quick in giving the ransom money for the missionary that after a few months he was released and allowed to return to Calapan.

When the Dutch soldiers tried to occupy Manila in 1780, the battle between the Spanish and Dutch warships reached the sea of Calavite.

In 1783, a group of indigenous people who was transferred to a place near Calapan sent a petition to Corregidor Gregorio Ladero, the administrator of Mindoro during that time. They attached to their report the map of the once prosperous pueblo.

The Irayas were requesting that they be allowed to return to Calavite for they found life difficult at Subaan, the town of San Teodoro at present. According to the indigenous people, within the twenty year period that they lived in another place, they were still going to Calavite to get honey and beeswax which they used for paying government taxes. In their travels to Calavite, their lives were in constant danger. A few translated excerpts of the second petition go as follows:

“During these twenty years, the hardship we are suffering when it starts

to be month of April, is our going to Calawit, looking for the means to pay

our taxes to the Lord King (May the Lord God Protect Him) and the

subsistence of our families and other needs …

“And when we are going there (or coming back), many are captured by

the Moros, together with the beeswax and honey we collected, and other

important things we bring back to our homes. All of these are being stolen

by the Moros as well. Those captured have been almost thirty people from

from Calawit.

“It is because of this deplorable situation we are in,that we are begging

begging and beseeching our Leader and Lord Don Gregorio Ladero, Judge

and Army Captain of this Island of Minolo, taking care of all those within

within his jurisdiction like our real father, who is saddened, and is pitying

us in our plight as long as we are staying here in Subaan, that we may be

free to return to our former homes.”

Although Corregidor Ladero indorsed the petition to the office of the Governor General in Manila, the said leader did not allow the Irayas to return to their old settlement because the Spanish government would find it difficult to defend them against the pirates who continued to plunder Calavite.

The last official report about Calavite was made last 1791 by Governor Ladero. The petition made by the indigenous people was mentioned there.

Calavite was not indicated anymore in the map drawn by the Spaniards in 1800. What would be seen by the travelers, who happened to pass through this place during that time, were the ruins of the big church.

With the disappearance of Calavite, Paluan which was one of its sitios, was the community where people from other places settled. Among the people who migrated to this place from the Island of Lubang, particularly from Barrio Talaotao were the families of Capitan Vicente Abeleda and Capitan Pablo Tria. The two leaders were the acknowledged founders of Paluan.

Aside from farming, taking care of domesticated animals and logging were the occupation of the people of Lubang who transferred to Paluan. The carpenters of this place became famous as builders of quality sea vessels. Sitio Ipol of Paluan was known during that time as the place where sturdy and beautiful big sailboats were built. The construction of this kind of sea vessels stopped only in 1980.

In an old Spanish document, it was mentioned that Sitio Pamutusin was founded in 1829. It was also mentioned in another document of 1843 that Paluan was one of the four mission stations erected by the government.

In 1844, the authorities of the Catholic Church again sent a missionary priest in Paluan, in the person of Fr. Miguel Caro del Salvador. He was a secular priest. He took care of the spiritual welfare of the people of Paluan for two years.

In the census conducted by the Spanish government in 1850, it was learned that there were fifty four (54) houses in Paluan and its population reached three hundred twenty five (325). It was mentioned in the report of the priest assigned there that in this barrio, then a part of the municipality of Lubang, a prison, convent, church and a cemetery near the house of worship could be found.

In the autobiography of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, he mentioned that as a young man, he bought a big sailboat. He bartered goods with the people of Lubang, Paluan, Sablayan and Mangarin. Fr. Julian Llorente, the parish priest of Paluan became his friend. According to records of the Catholic Church, Fr. Llorente was assigned in Paluan from 1887 to 1894.

It was also mentioned in the autobiography of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo that he and his brother Crispulo have his big sailboat, called San Bartolome, repaired in Paluan. They made it bigger so that it could carry more weight than its former capacity of ten tons.

The general also mentioned that he was encouraged to put up a pastureland in Paluan where he raised sixteen pregnant cows. The number of cattle in his pastureland, increased but the animals disappeared during the revolution.

Gen. Aguinaldo stopped bartering goods with the people in the Island of Mindoro when Patricio Solis, his relative and one of the sailors of his big sailboat accidentally fell to the sea between Golo Island and Calavite Point. A few translated excerpts of the narration of the general go as follows:

“A sudden gust of wind made the sails swing and it struck the rope held

by Patricio Solis. He lost his balance and fell to the sea. He shouted ‘Wait’

and when he surfaced in the water I threw him a piece of bamboo where he

could hold on. Although the waves were big and our sailboat almost

capsized, we turned around to rescue him but what bad luck! We did not

see him anymore. Due to our great sorrow on what happened, we stayed

for three days at Calavite Point but we’re not able to see his remains. May

May he rest in peace!

“Afterwards, we proceeded to Paluan to inform the authorities on what

occurred and to request for the necessary document as proof on what

happened to our luckless companion and relative Patricio Solis. We

proceeded to Sablayan and Mangarin to look for a kind of rattan, dye and

some heads of cattle which we could bring back to Cavite.

This was our last voyage to Mindoro. It lasted only for less than three

months and we immediately returned to our hometown . . . ”

In his years of bartering goods with the people of Mindoro, Gen. Aguinaldo befriended Capitan Mariano Abeleda and Capitan Agustin Liboro who both served as capitan municipal of Paluan. Capitan Mariano Abeleda was the son of Capitan Vicente Abeleda, one of the founders of Paluan.

It was mentioned in a document of the Spaniard that Paluan reached what would be considered as the apex of its prosperity in 1886. It was due to the great volume of trees cut & turned into logs in this pueblo and transported to other provinces and countries.

The result of the census conducted in 1887 showed that the population of Paluan was one thousand four hundred fifty four (1454). Its highest population recorded during the Spanish regime was two thousand eight (2008) in 1894.

When the Katipunan was founded, Capitan Mariano Abeleda and Capitan Agustin Liboro joined the secret society. When the Filipinos revolted against Spain in 1896, the two leaders formed the group of revolutionaries in Occidental Mindoro. They captured Fr. Bruni Capanagan, the parish priest of Paluan during that time. Capitan Abeleda burned the records of the Catholic Church. They marched towards the south and with the assistance of other members of the revolutionary movement on other pueblos, they captured the Spanish missionaries in Mamburao, Abra de Ilog, Sablayan, Magarang and Mangarin. The two leaders imprisoned the priests in Paluan, let them work under the intense heat of the sun and afterwards transferred them to Taysan, Batangas.

In June 1898, the revolutionaries of Oriental Mindoro attacked the seat of the Spanish government at Calapan. After a month of fighting or in July 1898, the Spanish soldiers under the command of Governor Rafael Morales surrendered to the Filipino revolutionaries at the plaza of Calapan. General Emilio Aguinaldo declared Mindoro as a free province and appointed Capitan Agustin Liboro as the governor of the island.

The independence gained by the people of Mindoro lasted for three years only. During the last part of 1901, the American soldiers attacked the different towns of Mindoro. The Filipino revolutionaries resisted the attack but they were defeated by the enemies. Mindoro was occupied by the American soldiers.

Aside from Capitanes Abeleda and Liboro who served as leaders of Paluan from 1883-1885 and 1885-1887, respectively, those who were appointed as capitan municipal of this municipality and their respective terms of office were Valentin Costa (1887-1889), Jacinto Bernardo (1889-1891), Leonardo Tria (1891-1893), Mariano Ramos (1893-1895), Jose Villar (1895-1897), Santiago Gonzales (1897-1899), and Macario Daseco (1899-1901).

II – DURING THE AMERICAN REGIME

The municipal officials of Paluan stated that this town was created on January 5, 1901 by virtue of a resolution passed by the members of the Municipal Council of Mamburao. When the Americans occupied Mindoro, they appointed the chief executives of the town. Even during the period that Paluan was reverted to its old status as a barrio of Mamburao, the inhabitants continued to call the appointed leaders of their place as municipal presidents. Those who were appointed as municipal presidents of Paluan and their respective terms of office are the following: Braulio Villaflores (1901-1903), Mariano Tria (1903-1905), Jacinto Villar (1905-1907), Lorenzo Abeleda (1907-1909), Mateo Tajonera (1909-1912), Estanislao Pag-ilagan (1912-1915), Luciano Fineza (1915-1918), Fernando Cuisia (1918-1921), Bernardino Velandria (1921-1924), Framcisco Tria (1924-1930), Antonio Virola (1930-1933), Amando San Agustin (1933-1936) and Vicente Sanchez (1936-1939).

On January 4, 1905 by virtue of Act 1280 of the Philippine Commission, Paluan was reverted to its former status as a barrio and placed under the jurisdiction of Mamburao. However, in 1910, by virtue of Executive Order No. 31, Paluan was again created as a municipality. Mindoro Administrator John Adams widened the land area under the jurisdiction of this town.

In 1914, the historic visit of American Governor General Francis Burton Harrison at the town of Paluan took place. The said leader hunted for tamaraw at Mt. Calavite. He was met at the seashore of Sitio Pula by the people of Paluan under the leadership of Municipal President Estanislao Pag-ilagan. Due to that historic visit of the governor general, the inhabitants of Sitio Pula agreed to rename their settlement as Harrison once it was elevated to the status of a barrio.

In 1919, by virtue of the resolution approved by the municipal council, the seat of the local government was transferred to Lipa, a sitio which was named after a medicinal plant. Years later, the people got used to calling the place Paluan. The former center of the town was renamed Lumangbayan.

One of the distinguished sons of Paluan was Hon. Cipriano Liboro. The said leader, like his father, Capitan Agustin Liboro also became the governor of the whole island of Mindoro. He served from 1919 to 1925. During his first term of office, he was elected as the president of the League of Governors of the Philippines. He was also elected as one of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1934.

Fr. Julian Dival mentioned in his report to Msgr. Alfredo Verzosa of the Archdiocese of Lipa, Batangas that he visited Paluan in January 1925, and he was able to baptize sixty nine (69) adults.[13] Five years thereafter, or in 1930, Fr. Bernardo Roos, the SVD missionary who was assigned in Looc, visited Lumangbayan and Lipa, the old name of the center of the municipality of Paluan. He found in Lumangbayan a wooden chapel which was built by the people and in Lipa he received the document of the lot donated by a charitable Catholic faithful for the chapel. Fr. Roos also mentioned in his report that the population of Paluan was three thousand five hundred (3,500).

Since many ships sank at the sea near Calavite, a lighthouse was built by American authorities in Sitio Calangigan, Harrison, Paluan in 1933.

IV - DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF MINDORO

In March 1942, after the outbreak of World War II, the Japanese soldiers landed in Paluan. It was mentioned in a historical document written by teachers that during that year, a ship owned by Dela Rama Shipping Lines, named Don Esteban, was mistakenly identified by the Japanese as an American warship. They riddled it with bullets and dropped bombs on it until it sank at the sea of Paluan.

The Japanese soldiers occupied Paluan. On April 27, 1942 Captain Ishii and Mindoro Governor Felipe Abeleda arrived in Paluan and confirmed the appointments of the municipal officials.

Paluan was one of the places where the group of guerrillas under Major Esteban Beloncio recruited members. The said leader arrived in this town on July 19, 1942 and encouraged the male family members to continue the fight for freedom. Captain Alfonso Umali, the military officer given by Major Beloncio the responsibility as leader of the group of guerrillas in West Mindoro, also made frequent visits to this town. The said captain married Alberta Villar, the daughter of one of the leaders of this place.

Since Mt. Calavite was located at a strategic place in Paluan, it was here where the communication experts led by Major Lawrence Phillips installed their communication equipment on October 23, 1943. Through the information sent by the experts from Mt. Calavite, together with the messages relayed by the guerrillas of Lubang by means of their radio transmitter in the island of Ambil, the American military leaders were able to monitor the movements of Japanese warships in Manila Bay, including the vessels passing by the sea between Batangas and Mindoro, known as Apo West Pass and Verde Island Passage. The role played by the communication system at Calavite during the war was very vital for through the information it sent to the headquarters of the American navy, many warships of the enemies were destroyed by American submarines.

Unfortunately, with the help of their spies, the Japanese soldiers were able to find out the location of the radio transmitter of the Americans. On February 16, 1944, a motorboat full of Japanese soldiers from Batangas landed at the shores of Paluan and herded the people of this municipality at the school building of the town’s center. They searched for Major Phillips and in March 1944, they were able to kill the said military officer, including some of his soldiers, while taking a bath at Kabilugan River, Abra de Ilog.

On December 15, 1944 the liberating force of the U.S. led Allied Forces under the command of Brig. Gen. William Dunckel landed at the shores of the municipality of San Jose. Company B of the 503rd Paratroopers Infantry was sent to Paluan to liberate this town from Japanese occupation. On January 5, 1945 after a day of fighting, the combined forces of the American soldiers and Filipino guerrillas defeated the Japanese Imperial Army stationed in this municipality. Other soldiers of the enemies who escaped were encountered by the guerrillas led by Lt. Pedro Nitura at Sitio Mananao.

The American soldiers made Lumangbayan as their headquarters while they were pursuing the Japanese soldiers. They constructed a wooden bridge over Paluan River. The structure connected Lumangbayan and Lipa which are the old and new center of the municipality of Paluan, respectively.

V – AFTER WORLD WAR II

In 1946, a group of educators led by Judge Jesus Abeleda and Mrs. Maura Liboro founded Paluan Academy, a secondary school for the youth of this municipality. Judge Abeleda served as director of the school for a number of years.

On November 15, 1950 when Mindoro was formally divided into two provinces, Mayor Damaso Abeleda of Paluan was appointed by then President Elpidio Quirino as the first governor of Occidental Mindoro. He was succeeded by Judge Mateo Virola of Lubang who served as governor on August 15, 1951.

During the election held on September 13, 1951 Judge Jesus Abeleda, the founder of Paluan Academy and one of the sons of Capitan Mariano Abeleda was elected as the first congressman of Occidental Mindoro. He served as the representative of the province to the Philippine Congress from that year up to 1953.

In 1956, another son of Paluan, Hon. Mariano Tajonera was elected as governor of Occidental Mindoro. He stated in his autobiography that during his administration, the construction of roads in the different barrios of the province started.

A municipal hall was constructed for the local government of Paluan when Hon. Nestor Abeleda was the mayor of the municipality. It was converted into a building of the public market by Mayor Amando San Agustin, who was elected in 1960. The said mayor constructed a new municipal building, near the church of the Catholic faithful. He also constructed a school building at the southern portion of the town’s center and transferred there the classrooms of Paluan Academy. The old building of the secondary school was converted into a convent of the priest.

In the 1959 Elections, Governor Mariano Tajonera was defeated by Atty. Arsenio Villaroza, his town mate. The said leader of the province served as governor of Occidental Mindoro for more than twenty (20) years.

Although those who were elected as congressmen and governors of Occidental Mindoro were from Paluan, they did not concentrate the implementation of the infrastructure projects in this municipality. The construction of concrete roads and bridges in this town was done gradually.

Aside from farming, fishing and logging, the people of Paluan have no other sources of income. The total area of agricultural land in this town was limited and time came when the sturdy species of trees in the mountains were all felled. As a result, many families of Paluan transferred to other towns of Occidental Mindoro, like Sta. Cruz and San Jose where they saw greater opportunities for improvement.

The Catholic Church and the government joined hands to improve the living condition of the people belonging to the Iraya tribe. It was mentioned in the history written by German researcher Volker Schult, that during the time when the late Hon. Cipriano Liboro was still the governor of Mindoro, he convinced the American authorities to rent for ten pesos a month, a house & lot at Anduyanan, a sitio located east of Paluan. The house was used as a school for the children of the indigenous people. A lowlander was appointed as teacher of the Irayas. Aside from the lessons taught to pupils in the lowland, the children of the Irayas were taught physical and environmental cleanliness.

The rein of the municipal government was entrusted by the people of Paluan to Mayor Pablo Quiñones in 1967. Among the projects he implemented during his twenty eight (28) years reign as municipal mayor of this town were the construction of the municipal hall, improvement of Calawagan Resort and the road going to that tourist spot, electrification of the town’s center, establishment of a water system in Poblacion, converting Paluan Academy into Paluan Municipal High School in 1973, and building concrete roads with the help of Assemblyman Pedro Mendiola, Sr.

In 1979, during martial law period, the National Irrigation Administration improved the communal irrigation system of the farmers at Brgy. Alipaoy, Tubili and Sitio Pamutusin. At present, farmers of the aforementioned places could plant palay in their farm during rainy season.

After the peaceful EDSA revolution in 1986, Hon. Abelardo Pangilinan was appointed as OIC Mayor of Paluan. Within the eleven month period that he served this municipality, one of the projects he implemented was the construction of a swimming pool at Calawagan Resort.

In 1988, the rein of the municipal government was entrusted by the people of Paluan to Mayor Anacleto Terrenal. The said mayor constructed the second building for the public market and the hanging bridge at Calawagan Resort. He also improved the natural bathing place of the resort.

After the term of office of Mayor Terrenal, former OIC Mayor Abelardo Pangilinan was again elected as the town’s chief executive. He improved the new municipal building and built additional structures in it. He also constructed the seawall from Barangay 1 up to Barangay 6, Poblacion.

In 1993, Paluan Municipal High School became Paluan National High School. The government constructed new buildings for the students of this educational institution.

The provincial officials helped the municipal mayors in the implementation of the infrastructure projects. With the assistance of former Congressman Jose Villarosa, barangay halls were constructed at the different barangays, including the elementary school buildings for the indigenous people. Governor Josephine Ramirez-Sato built concrete bridges and covered with asphalt, portions of the main road from Paluan to the municipality of Mamburao.

On May 1, 1998 Mayor Pangilinan was reelected as the chief executive of Paluan. On January 5, 2001 he spearheaded the celebration of the 100th Founding Anniversary of this municipality. Among the numerous accomplishments he reported to the people during the celebration was the award given to Calawagan River as the Cleanest Inland Body of Water in the Philippines for three consecutive years or from 1996 to 1998. In addition, Calawagan River was enshrined in the country’s Clean and Green National Hall of Fame.

After holding office for nine consecutive years, Hon. Pangilinan stepped down from his post and supported his wife Shirley, who ran and won as mayor of Paluan during the May 2001 Elections. Mayor Shirley Pangilinan continued implementing the projects of her husband in this municipality.

On the May 10, 2004 Elections, Hon. Abelardo Pangilinan was again elected as the municipal mayor of Paluan. When he took his oath of office, he revealed his dream of making Paluan a favorite destination of both local and foreign tourists, a dream which he said, he hopes to realize during his administration.

Aside from the aforementioned leaders, those who served as municipal mayors of Paluan, with their respective terms of offices are the following: Lope Trajeco (1950-1951), Vedasto Pangilinan (1951-1955) and Rosalio Tadalan (1955-1957).

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Declaration of Mount Calavite Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:05:21 PST

MALACAÑANG

Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 292

DECLARING MT. CALAVITE GAME REFUGE AND BIRD SANCTUARY, SITUATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PALUAN, PROVINCE OF OCCIDENTAL MINDORO AS A PROTECTED AREA PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT 7586 (NIPAS ACT OF 1992) AND SHALL BE KNOWN AS MT. CALAVITE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Upon recommendation of the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, and pursuant to the powers vested upon me by law, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Philippines, do hereby set aside and declare Mt. Calavite Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary consisting of a parcel of land situated in the Municipality of Paluan, Province of Occidental Mindoro as Protected Area under the category of Wildlife Sanctuary, subject to private rights and without prejudice to the rights of the indigenous people as provided for in R.A. No. 8371, DENR Administrative Order 93-02 and other related rules and regulations, if any, as
described in DENR NIPAS Map No. RO4B-01. Beginning at a point marked 1 on the map which is N 06°50’11.69”W, about 3.862.68 meters from BLLM No. 1, PLS-26 of Paluan. Occidental Mindoro.

Thence N 68°07’W 858.35 m. to corner 2;
Thence N 58°05’W 599.00 m. to corner 3;
Thence N 39°59’W 699.59 m. to corner 4;
Thence S 41°46’W 1,128.72 m. to corner 5;
Thence N 47°50’W 730.14 m. to corner 6;
Thence S 47°46’W 774.07 m. to corner 7;
Thence S 32°24’E 721.14 m. to corner 8;
Thence S 11°22’E 450.16 m. to corner 9;
Thence S 09°57’E 560.45 m. to corner 10;
Thence N 70°05’W 449.27 m. to corner 11;
Thence S 42°55’W 228.05 m. to corner 12;
Thence S 25°32’W 810.39 m. to corner 13;
Thence S 89°50’W 394.83 m. to corner 14;
Thence N 40°44’W 1,218.87 m. to corner 15;
Thence S 05°46’E 1,035.56 m. to corner 16;
Thence S 31°46’W 364.82 m. to corner 17;
Thence N 79°08’W 419.11 m. to corner 18;
Thence S 59°41’W 1,174.51 m. to corner 19;
Thence N 56°23’W 332.36 m. to corner 20;
Thence N 63°01’W 549.16 m. to corner 21;
Thence S 82°29’W 656.93 m. to corner 22;
Thence S 61°19’E 1,237.84 m. to corner 23;
Thence S 82°24’E 601.62 m. to corner 24;
Thence S 74°46’W 916.74 m. to corner 25;
Thence N 39°51’W 215.08 m. to corner 26;
Thence N 89°35’W 397.84 m. to corner 27;
Thence S 80°49’W 344.21 m. to corner 28;
Thence S 12°35’E 383.42 m. to corner 29;
Thence S 51°04’W 316.91 m. to corner 30;
Thence S 06°06’E 435.48 m. to corner 31;
Thence S 27°16’E 416.32 m. to corner 32;
Thence S 35°50’W 530.24 m. to corner 33.;
Thence S 26°31’E 351.76 m. to corner 34;
Thence S 62°50’E 439.59 m. to corner 35;
Thence S 48°30’E 674.80 m. to corner 36;
Thence S 29°14’W 449.93 m. to corner 37;
Thence S 63°02’W 713.84 m. to corner 38;
Thence S 52°33’E 609.91 m. to corner 39;
Thence S 82°55’W 1,022.71 m. to corner 40;
Thence N 75°41’W 1,010.75 m. to corner 41;
Thence N 50°37’W 1,049.11 m. to corner 42;
Thence N 46°53’W 980.81 m. to corner 43;
Thence N 36°43’W 424.73 m. to corner 44;
Thence S 02°10’W 583.17 m. to corner 45;
Thence S 02°15’E 560.71 m. to corner 46;
Thence S 87°60’W 938.19 m. to corner 47;
Thence N 50°16’W 1,079.36 m. to corner 48;
Thence N 37°17’W 1,159.29 m. to corner 49;
Thence N 35°37’W 1,199.11 m. to corner 50;
Thence N 51°04’W 618.95 m. to corner 51;
Thence N 26°18’W 1,078.38 m. to corner 52;
Thence N 69°30’W 673.77 m. to corner 53;
Thence N 01°10’W 1,121.46 m. to corner 54;
Thence N 41°20’W 1,177.22 m. to corner 55;
Thence N 26°50’W 700.18 m. to corner 56;
Thence N 69°58’E 652.08 m. to corner 57;
Thence N 39°01’E 994.80 m. to corner 58;
Thence N 06°18’E 1,123.83 m. to corner 59;
Thence N 43°24’E 376.92 m. to corner 60;
Thence N 01°15’W 902.57 m. to corner 61;
Thence N 67°53’E 752.97 m. to corner 62;
Thence N 21°03’E 633.81 m. to corner 63;
Thence N 57°14’E 395.43 m. to corner 64;
Thence N 19°59’E 540.30 m. to corner 65;
Thence N 74°29’E 922.36 m. to corner 66;
Thence N 55°12’E 964.13 m. to corner 67;
Thence N 21°32’E 1,054.97 m. to corner 68;
Thence N 63°58’E 1,375.47 m. to corner 69;
Thence N 61°27’E 1,123.41 m. to corner 70;
Thence N 70°08’E 1,362.16 m. to corner 71;
Thence N 71°13’E 1,953.34 m. to corner 72;
Thence S 85°57’E 1,142.84 m. to corner 73;
Thence N 81°24’E 546.84 m. to corner 74;
Thence N 73°42’E 541.18 m. to corner 75;
Thence S 85°33’E 832.29 m. to corner 76;
Thence S 87°45’E 862.44 m. to corner 77;
Thence S 66°15’E 1,213.47 m. to corner 78;
Thence N 86°09’E 459.25 m. to corner 79;
Thence S 54°32’E 696.62 m. to corner 80;
Thence S 24°37’E 665.77 m. to corner 81;
Thence S 72°17’E 583.15 m. to corner 82;
Thence Due South 7,403.08 m. to corner 1.

containing an area of Eighteen Thousand Sixteen and 19/100 (18,016.19) Hectares . subject to actual ground survey. It shall be under the administrative jurisdiction of the DENR and shall be administered in accordance with the provisions of the NIPAS Act of 1992 and its implementing rules and regulations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed. Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of April, in the year of Our Lord, two
thousand.

(SGD.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President

By the President:

(SGD.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary

This is the file

Pekto + Yaum = Magkaibigan

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:14:01 PST

Pekto (taga-patag,gwapu,tisoy at masarap mag luto ) + Yaum (Mangyan, masarap "din" mag luto) = Magkaibigan

Isang araw bumaba ng kapatagan si yaum at naisipan nyang dumalaw sa kaibigan nyang si pekto..

Pekto : (nsa bahay na) uh! kaibigang' Yaum, kumusta?..napadalaw ka? Kumain ka na ba?

Yaum: hinde pa nga eh'..."akoy gutom na kaibigan.. .

Pekto : tamang tama may sinigang ako dto, halikat kumain ka ..Pagkalipas ilang minuto natapos na't nakapag pahinga na itong si Yaum

Yaum : kaibigan akoy yaya'u ( aalis) na.. Salamat sa pag kain mo't napakasarap na sinigang, hayaan mot pumasyal ka sa aken sa sunod na araw at ikaw ay ipag luluto ko ng paburito mong ginatan....alis na ako.

Pekto : Sige ingat

pag kalipas ng ilang araw:

Pekto : Yaummm.. yuhuhhhh..pare ano.. eto nako, pasyal ako sayu.. pano yung pangako mo na pag luluto mo ako ng ginatan..

Yaum: he'he'he' abay.. tamang.. tama.. akoy nag luluto.. na nga ng ginatang gabi..

Pekto: Talaga! ay siyaa tara kainan na ...

Pekto : YUM!YUM! YUM! Yaum sarap nitong ginatan mo, tamang tama ang pag kaluto,lapooot ng sabaw..malasa...yumyumyumyum sshhupppp...chalap!

Yaum: aba.. lalo.. na kung kinayud.. ang niyug nyan!?.. talagang napakasarap lalo nyan ...

Pekto:..shupp..chalap talaga ...

Pekto: ha? ay ano bang ginawa mo?

Yaum: walng'.. kayuran'..kaya'..nginata(nguya')nlang nming mag-asawa yung niyugg'

Pekto: DYUSKUPOOOO...

Paluan – The Sleeping Town

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:05:12 PDT

Paluan Occidental Mindoro April 2009.
My random ramblings on local politics and progress.

The Trip from Abra de Ilog to Paluan

I caught a glimpse of the beautiful silhouette of coconut trees created by the early morning summer sun, lazily peeping at the back of the uneven Mindoro mountains. Random childhood memories are suddenly flashing in the recesses of my head like an old movie, as the scent of dried rice stalks and fresh cogon grass, carried by the evaporating morning dew filled the air. The landscape didn’t change at all. Concrete roads are still blanketed by golden palay grains fresh from the summer harvest. Trees are still taller than houses and other commercial buildings. This is Occidental Mindoro – still sleeping despite the rapid and noticeable changes outside, not wanting to leave its protective cocoon. Its progress is always at the mercy of selfish politicians.

I just gave an automatic sigh while thinking what to expect in our hometown.

Backward Progress

I left our town to finish my college education in Manila - which was almost ten years ago. In my privilege speech, during our high-school graduation at PNHS, I really wanted to talk about my observations on how our town’s stinking political system is affecting progress and how it is corrupting the youth, but my teachers insisted on reviewing my speech and forced me to talk about success instead. I felt tired and gave in to their wishes. Free speech and activism was not encouraged in our town. If you do, you or your family will get threats or you will be treated like a leper.

Ten years ago, electricity was available for four hours a day only, starting at 6:00 in the afternoon until 10:00 in the evening. Teenagers are usually required to be in their respective homes before 10:00 pm. Most of the time, we have to do our homework under the pale light of “lampara” or “simbo” because electricity isn’t always reliable.

“Hoy bilisan nyo na mamamatay na ang ilaw!” was the common comment you will hear before 10:00 pm kicks in. In the evening, you can say this phrase instead of saying “Hurry up!” This remark turned into a regular joke during re-unions and get together.

“O bahit di pa namamatay ang kuryente ay alas onse na?” this is the common question when electricity was extended overnight.

“E siyempre may bisita si Mayor,” is the common reply you will get. This fact and other overt corruption is an accepted thing in Paluan. Nobody ever dare ask or questions the very obvious irregularities.

Residents are getting their daily water supply through their neighbor’s manual water pump, which is locally called “bomba.” There are no pipelines for potable water and the whole town is relying on a natural well in Brgy. IV, which is fortunately located in the middle of the town. Residents have to go to this barangay for their drinking water.

There is no decent library facilities and books in Paluan National High School, but despite that we still get top rankings during Quiz Bee and Science Camps. Make do of what you have - that is our motto. We, Palueños are always like that. We are not molded to grumble, complain and whine, instead we are raised to accept things as they are. The fight to excel is always a personal choice and not a collective effort.

Health services are also the last priority. During emergencies, patients have to be transferred in Mamburao for lack of medical facilities, medicines and personnel. Mamburao is nearest town which is a one to two hours ride from Paluan. The patient is considered lucky if the emergency ambulance is available – the ambulance always being used by those in power for their personal use.

This was the sad state of Paluan in terms of progress ten years ago. Today, it is still on this sad state, maybe worst. Still a third class municipality.

The town badly needs convenient and concrete roads, 24 hours power supply, better health services, water supply, ecotourism developments and others, but it seems like this are the last priorities.

Most politicians treat their public positions as their family’s source of income and employment. Public service is their last priority.

The Evils of the Democratic Process

Election Day is more fun, more exciting and more festive than our town Fiesta. It even got nationwide attention when the election-the-Palueño-style was featured in Mike Enriquez’s IMBESTIGADOR in GMA-7 for allegedly harassing the Mangyan tribe during the last mayoral election.

Both mayoral candidates are guilty of this even in the past election. It is just a matter of how overt and how extreme you do it.

Sometime in 2004 during the local election, I decided to volunteer as poll watcher in one of the polling precinct. Unusual commotion is expected as always. For unknown reason, the poll clerk didn’t show up that day. The voting process has to start immediately so they decided to replace the assigned poll clerk. My high school teacher, acting as precinct chairwoman, saw me and asked me if I can be the poll clerk. I hesitated but, what the heck, I am already involving myself on that crazy electoral process, so why not. Despite my worries about my safety, I stood and became the official poll clerk. I later heard that the original poll clerk was abducted and threatened and forced not to show up.

That experience, as poll clerk, showed me the ugly and rotten reality of the process of electing our town leaders.

Here are some evil strategies on how to win an election in our town:

You don’t need large streamers & posters to win an election in our town, and goddamn it, you don’t even need a plataporma de govierno to win.

* Mang-rehistro: It all starts in the registration process. This works for the members of the mangyan tribes. Nobody knows exactly what is the total population of the Mangyans in Paluan. They don’t have birth certificates and their tribes are scattered in the remote areas of Cape Calavite. Traditional evil politicians exploit this fact. They gather as many tribesmen and women who looked like 18 years old & above and forced them to go to the Munisipyo to register. They are always accompanied by the candidate’s schemer or goons, who answers all the questions asked by the registration personnel and even filled up their registration forms on the premise that they are illiterate. The schemer has to invent and register as many names as he can. After the registration, they will send the poor mangyans to their tribes without any clue what happened. The common term for this is: “Paramihan ng mangyan”

* Mangkulong ng Mangyan: This is the most evil part. Major candidates have their own campamiento or political camp. A week before the election day, they will start gathering as many mangyan as possible. They will then be gathered in a camp with coconut leaves as roof, which is locally called “pala-pala.” The camp has assigned look-outs to avoid the poor mangyans from leaving the camp. Before the Election Day they will be given cheap foods and a set television for entertainment. During the election, you will see them lined up in their respective precinct with name tags hanging on their necks. I never thought Palueños can do this to them. Our poor mangyan brothers lined up like criminals with name tags herded by the schemers of the mayoral candidates. How can Palueños tolerate this kind of inhuman scheme?

“Ano po ang pangalan nyo?” I asked the poor mangyan. As poll clerk I have to ask every voters to check their name in the official voter’s list.

“Ayan na nga, nakasabit na sa leeg nya tinatanong mo pa!” angrily said by the mayor’s cheater-alalay.

The “cheater-alalay” is usually a known aggressive or “mataray” resident of the town and is tasked to accompany every mangyan inside the polling precinct. They also act as the “taga-sulat” or ballot writer for the mangyan.

The “cheater-alalay” or “taga-sulat” will not, in any case, let the poor mangyan say a word. “Di yan marunong sumulat at bumasa, ako na lang ang tanungin nyo!” that is their usual defense.

“Tingnan ko lang po yung kuko nya.” I politely inquired to check his index fingernails if it has already stained by indelible ink, which to my surprise, already has some faint ink stain. It is a standard procedure for me to check.

Therefore I asked, “Nakaboto na po ata siya, parang may ink na po yung kuko nya?”

“Hindi yan ink! Nag pukpok kasi yan ng kasoy kaya madumi ang kuko!” said the cheater-alalay. “Tingnan mo nga dyan sa listahan nakaboto na ga yang taong yan, wala pa di ga akin na yang balota at ako na magsusulat para sa kanya!”

And so my poor mangyan brother just sits there, while the “cheater-alalay” votes for him, usually a straight-vote: meaning all the candidates of a single party will be written on that single ballot, from Governor down to the Sangguniang Bayan or SB.

This process is really evil, all in the name of money & power.

See related story here: http://www.sulongnetwork.ph/news_files/06-15-07-paniniil.htm

* Manggapang: This happens the night before the election. The candidates knows who will you gonna vote for – or at least they already has an idea. So, if they suspect you badly need money, or you are already known to accept money, the candidate-for-mayor’s personnel will approach you in the middle of the night and will discreetly offer a certain amount just to make sure you will change your vote.

* Mangako at Mambola: This is a classic strategy. Just promise everything during campaign period, if you win the election, you got power, and they cannot force you to fulfill your promises.

* Manghakot: It is a must for the candidates to have a copy of the official voter’s list. They will then check the names of the voters who are in Manila or elsewhere. They will going to contact them and offer them free transportation going to Paluan, if the candidate wins, they also get a free ride back to Manila. This is called “hakot strategy,” an indirect way of vote buying.

Unity of the Dreamers

The Paluan political system now is characterized as fragmented with leaning on political dynasty. One question that I ask on this is what are the factors that caused this thing to happen? Why are many Palueños opting for rather a familiar person or family and not looking for another one or for a change?

It is a sad fact that the youth, the educated and the dreamers are leaving the town to find better opportunities somewhere. Many youth leaders are hesitant to stay because most of the time, if you stay too long and got involve, the Paluan system will eventually corrupt all your ideology and becomes part of the rotten schemes. This is due to the very strong “pakikisama system,” and the powerful influence of the elders, relatives and even your very own family.

You must have a very strong character and solid ideology to fight this age-old system.

The hope of Paluan is not only its youth but all its dreamers: the elders, youth leaders the Mangyans and all those who are dreaming of a better Paluan.

Thanks to Prof. Yodz

ALL WE NEED IS TO FIGHT AND UNITE!

Calawagan Resort : Temporary Closed

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 05:24:28 PDT

A Letter from an Anthropologist

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:49:49 PDT

Dear Paluan Folks,

I am anthropologist from the University of the Philippines, but also like you or some of you is a native of Occidental Mindoro in Mamburao.

Most of the research I am conducting are geared towards the welfare of the people of Mindoro, and currently I am writing a paper on Paluan. I am just grateful that there are people like you who are willing to take a different yet so imporatant step to include Paluan and the rest of Mindoro to world history.

I could be of help should you require it, my contacts are indicated here.

Thank you.

C.A.R.
PhD Anthropology
University of the Philippines
Faculty, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management
UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

"I CRIED OVER BARACK OBAMA'S INAUGURAL SPEECH" - Kang Bena

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 03:14:27 PST

Really, watching the whole proceedings in Obama's Inaugual was worth it. And I couldn't help but feel envious in the way politicians and leaders behave. Opponent or no opponent, all of them support and respect the chosen leader. Sana ganoon din sa Pilipinas. Sana ganoon din sa Maynila. Sana ganoon din sa Mindoro. Sana ganoon din sa Paluan.

The overwhelming millions of people in the crowed made the event even more remarkable. Sana... sana ganito rin sa ating bansa.

And here is the full text of Obama's inaugual speech. For the readers, you may just localize the scenario. And for Mindoreños, how about imagining it is Kang Bena delivering the inagural address...? ... hehehe.

My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land _ a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America _ they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted _ for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things _ some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions _ that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act _ not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions _ who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them _ that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works _ whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account _ to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day _ because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control _ and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart _ not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our founding fathers ... our found fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort _ even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus _ and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West _ know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment _ a moment that will define a generation _ it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends _ hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism _ these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility _ a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence _ the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed _ why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)."

America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.

Posted on Friendster by Kang Bena.

Other Calawagan Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:17:24 PST

Courtesy by Yodz Insigne
Brgy. IV, Paluan, Occidental Mindoro

Panuluyan 2008

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:22:44 PST

Tunghayan ang kakaibang palabas ng mga pili-piling kabataan ng Paluan sa taunang PANULUYAN.....

The Paluan Youths during their practice of Panuluyan 2008

Ang lahat po ay inaanyayahan na manood sa ganap na

ika-24 ng Disyembre

sa ganap na

ika 9:00om sa St. Joseph Parish Church

Paluan, Occidental Mindoro Another M16 Rifle Recovered

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 05:03:45 PST

80th Infantry Battalion Scored Anew in Paluan, Occidental Mindoro
Another M16 Rifle Recovered

Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City – In a report to SOLCOM Chief, MGEN DELFIN N BANGIT from BGEN ROLAND M DETABALI, Commander 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army, and government troops recovered anew an M16 rifle, bandoleer with five loaded magazines for M16 and ten (10) rounds of ammo for shotgun.

80th Infantry Battalion Commander LTC Arnulfo Burgos said that he immediately sent out his troops in order to verify the veracity of the report of local peasant folks that there was an abandoned CT safe house at Sitio Kalumpit, Brgy Mananao, Paluan Occidental Mindoro. At about 5 o’clock in the morning of June 27 2008, the operating troops under LT Delos Reyes and LT Sablan recovered the aforementioned NPA war materials in an abandoned house, used by the guerillas.

This particular feat clearly manifested the warm support of the people to government security forces in the area and that CPP/NPA/NDF’s political clout among the populace in this particular area continues to diminish due to the intensive internal security operations conducted by government troops.

It can also be remembered that government troops were also able to discover an arms cache consisting of sixteen (16) high powered firearms at Barangay Talabaan, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro at about 7:00 PM on 11 June 2008.

source

Wawa

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:32:49 PST

Like the hill in the Wawa,

thoughts of you majesically

reside in my mind.

As the gentle waves embrace the sand;

and the wind caress,

and the weave sweet sensations

inside my heart.

Season after season it would stay;

and if forever is a destiny,

surely, this would be

the kismet I'd rather be.

And when the moon is in full bloom,

Oh I love to visit you!

As fireflies of memories of us together,

and old feelings sparkle and glide

with the sweet scent of the sea.

Magnitude 5 quake rocks Mindoro

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:16:08 PST

MANILA, Philippines -- A magnitude 5 earthquake shook northern Mindoro island at 7:03 p.m. Friday, the US Geological Survey said.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The inland quake struck 65 kilometers west of Calapan City at a depth of 67.5 kilometers.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where continental plates collide causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

source

Tubili Elementary School

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:49:09 PST

Pictures from the oldest Paluan site.

Happy Halloween!

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:28:03 PDT

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Matagal-tagal ako bago hindi nakapag-post sa blogs ko for the reason that naging abala talaga ako sa mga naging adventures ko. Umuwi ako ng Mindoro last October 17, 2008 (Friday) at bumalik agad noong October 21, 2008 (Tuesday) sa Manila kasi may orientation kami at vaccination sa RITM sa Alabangng Wednesday. Hayz!

Kakapagod talaga ang buhay ng isang adventurer! Marami na akong hindi napopost dito like my Pinilia, Rizal adventurenamin noong October 11-12, 2008 (Saturday and Sunday), ang pagbabalik ko ng Mindoro at ang Baler adventure ko na talagang sobrang memorable sa akin.

Kagagaling ko lang ngayon sa Cartimar para mamili ng ibon na iuuwi ko sa Mindoro para alagaan at sa Dangwa na bumili ako ng mga bulaklak worth P1, 500 para dalhin sa Mindoro kasi uuwi ako ngayong gabi. Syempre, iaalay ko 'yung mga bulaklak na 'yun sa mga yumao naming mahal sa buhay.

Si Lionheart sa barko pabalik ng Manila...

Lionheart ay Kaunayan Falls sa L. Pimentel, Aurora, Baler...

Lionheart at Bay's Inn Resort at Brgy. Buhangin, Aurora, Baler

Lionheart at Quirino, Aurora, Baler's Balete Tree, 3rd Biggest Tree in Asia

Well, sa lahat, HAPPY HALLOWEEN na lang... Hehe! To those who wants to taste the Uok, magcomment na para mareserbahan ko kayo sa pasalubong. Hehe! Salamat!

Lionheart Blogs

So far 'yan pa lang ang mga blogs ko! Blog addict 'di ba? Enjoy!

What Happened to Calawagan River Resort?

noreply@blogger.com (RIchard the Adventurer) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:26:06 PDT

Malaking palaisipan pa rin sa akin ang mga nangyayari sa pinagmamalaking Calawagan River Resort ng mga taga-Paluan. Ang alam ko ay bida ito ng mga taga-Paluan kahit saan man sila pumunta sa angkin nitong ganda at maipagmamalaking linis ng tubig.

Umuwi ako last October 17, 2008 sa Paluan at nagstay ako ng halos 5 araw. 1st day pa lang ay pumunta na ako ng Calawagan and look what I have seen!

Ang daan... As usual, may parte pa ring baku-bako.

Ang maliit na parang tulay na ito sa Calawagan ay nananatiling may uka ang ilalim kaya kalahati lang ng daan nito ang pwedeng gamitin.

Walang tubig na bagong pool... Pambata at pangmatanda.

May harang ang hanging bridge....

Butas na parte ng hanging bridge...

Tinutubuan na ng damo ang matagal nang hindi na nadadaanang hanging bridge..

May barb wire na bridge... Bawal kasing dumaan dahil dapok na...

Walang lamang old swimming pool...

Ito po ay pawang mga obserbasyon ko lamang sa aking ilang araw na pag-uwi sa Paluan. Hindi po ito paninira kundi konting pamumuna lamang sa dapat sanay maganda at kapuri-puring Calawagan River Resort.

Ikaw? Anong masasabi mo?