The Evil in Man

The Evil in Man

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

The evil in man makes him salivate at all opportunities for exploitation… just anything in this world.  In this regard, inventions with good intentions are used to sow destruction, such as even helpful drugs, gadgets, etc.

 

The dynamite is supposed to be used for smashing big boulders into bits, but is being used in illegal fishing and so many other damaging purposes. The cough syrup is supposed to alleviate the respiratory ailment but is used by unscrupulous youth to get “high”. Sedative drugs are downed with beer or liquor to as “downers”. An ingredient in making fertilizer is also being used to make explosive. Nail and screws are used as fillings in home-made bombs. Cellphones are used to send harmful messages by evil-minded selfish ego-trippers and to trigger home-made bombs, the internet or the social media, for that matter, is used by the people with devilish character. Etc.

 

Despite the very obvious positive impression and intent of anything, the evil in man makes him perceive even the teeny-weeny strain of a negative flaw and expand it into exaggerated proportion with the purpose of ruining the whole. Examples are the well-intended blogs ruined by nonsensical comments, the laws which are circumvented for illegal purpose, etc.

 

As regards the laws and rules, the evil in man makes him see gainful and selfish opportunities in the flaws or defects. Concern here are the lawmakers themselves and those who are supposed to implement them. Extortion is what the evil in man wants to happen. The evil in man cannot even be suppressed by the gained knowledge from universities, as many of those with devilish mind are bred in such institutions!

SERAFIN P. BERNARDO….his journey from Passi, Iloilo to Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat (Part 1)

SERAFIN P. BERNARDO…his journey from Passi, Iloilo to Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat (Part 1)

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

The ancestral family of  Serafin P. Bernardo is from the Negros province, particulary, Victorias, but settled in Passi, Iloilo which they, henceforth, considered as their hometown. He had a penpal, Ciloy Levita who invited him to check Tacurong for himself if it would suit his adventurous plan to settle in Mindanao. During the time, the undeveloped territory of Tacurong extended as far as San Felipe of Tantangan. In 1946, when the WWII just ended, he finally visited Tacurong to check and went as far as the area that is now covered by Kalandagan and Carmen after which he left again for Passi where he was working as Chief of Police.

 

In 1948, he came back to Tacurong with his family in tow, Elisa Panizales, the wife, and three children, Nenita, Nonito, and Judith. When they arrived in Cotabato, the family took a “ferry” that brought them to Buluan. During the time, visitors with plenty of luggage usually disembarked at Buluan which had some sort of a “pier”. Those with a few luggage went as far as Sapakan, bordering Ligwasan Marsh and crossed the river to Tinumiguez, then proceeded to Lambayong which was well developed ahead of Tacurong.

 

Among the prominent families in Lambayong then, were the Guerreros and Luceros. The only road from Lambayong that ended into a foot trail that branched into several, was a portion of what is now Alunan highway.  For this reason, old Hispanic houses could still be found in the area, prominent among which is the Rapacon residence. The areas encompassing what is today’s downtown were either rice fields or marsh lands. When they arrived in Tacurong, Serafin bought a lot along Mabini St. where he build a big house behind which he built another smaller house that the Levitas occupied. Later he bought another lot near MINPROCOR, particularly, along Quezon Ave. St. which was given to the said family.

 

Serafin’s  youngest daughter, Judith and son, Nonito, recalled that their father purchased 5 hectares of land in an area which was then called “Mangilala” (referred today as the one covered by Carmen and Kalandagan), followed by two more parcels of 5 hectares each. Purchases were also made beside the property by his only sister, Angelica, married to Felix Villalobos, and his youngest brother, Serafin Bernardo, Jr.

 

Later, the 15 hectares were sold, with the proceeds used to purchase lands in what is now New Passi, but which was originally referred to by settlers as “Katil”. It was purchased from DATU KANDELAYANG KAMSA. The purchase was witnessed by DATU KUDANDENG AND DATU LUMINOG. It covered more than 100 hectares of land. With the purchase sealed, he went back to Passi to invite relatives to settle in the place. That was how the Pauyas, Palomos, Parreῆos, Pamposas, Pamas, Palabricas and many more got settled in the area which they aptly named, “New Passi”. According to Tomas Pauya, he came with a group in 1954. Arriving at Lambayong, they hiked up to New Passi…he was very young then, and got enrolled in the New Passi Elementary School when his family arrived. He recalled a classmate, Lagrimas Pamposa as their consistent “First Honor”.

 

Later, the families of French, Garcia, Aguilar, Cunningham, Cordero, Panes, and many others came but settled in the adjacent area, now called Rajah Muda. Many families including those of Jarell and  Braga, also came and settled in Baras and Upper Katungal. As roads from the fast developing Tacurong were constructed, more settlers from Iloilo came and settled at Lower Katungal, Upper Katungal, Baras, New Passi and Rajah Muda. The more adventurous settlers went up to Magon and further on to Tacub where they intermarried with the Bla’ans. An area which is now part of South Cotabato was also settled by Ilonggos, hence, aptly named, “New Iloilo”. The Eastern portion of Tacurong got settled by Ilocanos while those in the North, by other settlers from the various towns of Iloilo.

 

Serafin also purchased some lands around the Dulawan Estate, the downtown area, and Dadiangas (today, General Santos City). Meanwhile, other areas near New Passi, Rajah Muda, Baras, Katungal, and Lagao were also initially settled by the Garcias and Montillas. The development brought about KENRAM (due to the early produce – kenap and ramie) and ALACor (Ala Corporation). Today, a portion of Lagao is politically recognized as Barangay JC Montilla which is covered with African palm plantations. According to Nonito Bernardo, the Dulawan Estate, included Kapingkong, Tambak, Palumbi, Udtong, and Katitisan.  Lambayong shares the border with Tacurong City’s Barangay Griῆo (formerly, Gansing). An airport station was opened at KENRAM with a short runway for commercial flights utilizing DC-3s.  It was closed when the Surallah station was opened.

 

The first mayor of Tacurong was Mr. Soriano and a photo has recorded his first meeting with the Council and officials. Serafin was among the Councilors. The development of Tacurong was hectic as shown by the organization of FACOMA (Farmers Cooperative and Marketing Association), a farmers’ cooperative with Serafin Limbungan as the first President. At the time, bridges were built along with roads that finally linked Tacurong with Marbel (today, Koronadal City), Isulan leading to Cotabato City and Surallah, as well as, Lambayong and Buluan. Today, the road to Buluan leads all the way to Davao, Kidapawan, Bukidnon, and Cagayan de Oro. Nonito Bernardo also recalled that during election campaigns, they would go to as far as San Felipe in Tantangan, as the latter was still within the political territory of Tacurong. The lone lady and most popular political figure during the time was Amalia Pabilona.

 

Ms. Nenita Bernardo recalled that when they studied in Marbel during the early 1950s, they hiked the distance from Tacurong to the said town as there was no public transportation that plied between them, then. They would hike to Marbel on Sundays with their provisions loaded on a cart pulled by a carabao. On Fridays, they would hike back to Tacurong for the weekend. For their convenience they boarded in Marbel.  With them making the trek were Lucia Paladin, Rafael and Delfin Pama, the Dasmariῆas siblings, Gelacio and Usting Panes.

 

Serafin served as Vice-Mayor in Tacurong for three consecutive terms, finally, retiring from politics to devote his time to farming. He would still wake up at 3:00AM, a habit that he did not change, roll several tobacco cigars for the day, and read what he could find around – magazines and even old issues of newspapers with the aid of an antique kerosene lamp.  Before sunrise, he would be ready to go to New Passi with his adopted son, “Digol” (Rodrigo) driving the “pick up”. He delighted in talking to relatives and farm hands the whole day in the farm. One of them recalled how during planting seasons, everyday he would  bring dried fish to be roasted on coals, while those who were not planting rice seedlings would cook “apan-apan”, kangkong sautéed in ginamos (salted krill paste).  Before dusk, he would be driven back home by Digol.

 

The Sultan Kudarat Electric Company (SUKELCO) building was among his investments in the downtown area  aside from other residential lots, including the more than 700 square meters at Mabini St. where the ancestral house stands. They were purchased with the produce coaxed from the farm. The SUKELCO building is now owned by the said cooperative. As a clarification on his acquisitions, the proceeds for their purchase came from the produce of his farms in New Passi and Baras, which today are planted to African palms.

 

As Vice-Mayor of Tacurong, his wage was not even enough for the dole outs that he made.

I have heard so many stories about his benevolence, such that relatives and acquaintances would trek to their home at Mabini St. to seek financial assistance which he readily gave. His early morning sojourns to his farm was stopped by the onset of a crippling rheumatism that affected his knees. From then on, the only opportunity for him to savor the outdoors was when he was brought to the terrace on a wheelchair where he waved back at friends who passed by. He finally rested at the age of 102.

 

 

 

Mt.Purgatory traverse

mrbenthoughts

Its my first time to climb in benguet, its been so many first time in this climb.
My first benguet mountain
My first collaboration with lfm mounteneer
My first fucki’n 30km walk,
My first walk among the pine trees
And many more

So lets start this fuckin blog..

Welcome mt. purgatory..!!

Simula palang walwalan na..! bumungad sa amin ang asualt trail with rocky trail, it feels exhausting because its around 11 am when we take the walk..

Alas dose na.. kaylangan na ng mga kumakalam naming tiyan ng makakain, kaya napag pasyahan ng grupo na kumain muna s elementary school along the trail..

Whoo hoo.. salamat sa energy, mamaya rak en roll na naman.!! habang tinatahak ang trail aking pinag mamasdan ang paligid.,

Antahimik.!! wala man lang aqng naririnig na huni ng mga ibon..!! matutulala ka nalang s ganda ng mga pine trees, kasabay ng pag kabog ng puso mo sa…

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What Achievements Can Do

What Achievements Can Do

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

I have been blogging about achievers and their success, and I would like to add that such feat could generate the following:

• Admiration from peers and strangers who have positive personalities, they who always see the positive side of things.
• Satisfaction from people who are part of the achiever’s life, they who also sacrificed such as family members, relatives and some friends and even strangers who, in one way or another are instrumental for the achievement.
• Envy from anybody, as evil is part of life.

 

There is no problem with the positive effects of achievements such as admiration and satisfaction. The problem is with envy, as it may result to:

• Bashing in facebook and other blog sites even by friends supposedly using fictitious identity.
• Jokes from envious friends such as anonymous and threatening messages sent through the cellphone and chat facility of the facebook.
• Development of ill feeling towards the achiever.

 

Bashing and harmful jokes are the negative “gains” from the high technology that rules life today. Simply said, anybody can create hundreds of identity in the internet and use them for malicious intent, and SIM cards can be bought from sidewalk peddlers for as low as Php15, already with free text and calls to be used in sending anonymous messages or making calls to poor victims. On the other hand, the development of ill feeling towards the achiever occurs among selfish people who want everything in life at all cost. Their ego made them feel that only they are capable of succeeding in life.

 

Many successful lives have been ruined by the egoistic and selfish people who cannot stand the achievement of others…that is one of the reasons why the world is beset with disharmony. Man has no choice but to live with that reality. Meanwhile, what the achievers can do is thank the Lord for their success and restrain themselves from wishing bad karma for their detractors for it may just happen as dictated by the “Golden Rule”.

I am a Filipino, proud…yet, suffer, too

I am a Filipino, proud

…yet suffer, too

By Apolinario B Villalobos

 

“Let us not lose hope…”

This I have to say first

For if I won’t, but instead

Put that line at the end

I will be stirring your anger

That I will just regret later.

 

When foreign people

Set foot on our sacred shore

Our ancestors welcomed them –

Not just with smile

But warm embrace

Showed them kindness

Showed them love –

The way of Filipinos

As the whole world know.

 

The Chinese brought pots and silk

Gave names to our islands and islets,

The Japanese brought their skill

And goods of steel,

Spain sent forth Christianity

Tainted with gracious civility,

The Americans brought more-

More than what we could muster

And  all of these-

Supposed to enrich our culture

But instead, defiled our identity

Stained much of it with sheer gravity!

 

I hear Filipinos speak English with a twang

But should not be, when they speak our language –

Filipino, the rich language of every Juan.

 

I see Filipinos enjoy foreign food, every bit of it

But should not be, when they push aside

Our own sinigang and pinakbet.

 

I hear Filipinos sing foreign songs so soulfully

It’s just nice, but not when they despise

Our own that should be sung with dignity.

 

Deep inside, I suffer as I see and hear them

I know that just like me, others out there

Are gritting their teeth but can’t do anything;

Proud as a Filipino, yes I am

But so many things are left undone –

Things that our heroes in the past have begun

They who put color

To the vivid pages of our history;

Things that should have been done

By our heroes of today

But who died just when a new light

Started to shine on our democracy.

 

Leaders, policy makers, lawmakers…

Are they…really?

They who warble promises

And steal the people’s money?

Paid with lofty sum from the coffer

Where money for those who suffer

Should have come

But only the few – these warblers

Enjoyed no end, they who are supposed

To be brimming with wisdom!

 

After the father, comes the wife

Then the daughter, and the son

Not contented, the cousins and in-laws

All in the family, to power they strut

With a taunt in their face that says:

“What are we in power for,

And you with money has none

Eat your heart out, here we come!”

 

Rain that used to bless the earth

Filipinos now desist

Especially those who live

Along the river banks of the cities

For with it comes the flood

A curse that only the Bible says

Shall wipe out sinners

From the face of the earth;

But why…the floods?

Simple: the money for saving projects

The conscienceless –

Unscrupulously pocketed!

 

Innocent lengths of asphalted roads

That for long defied the trash of nature

Helplessly wrecked by greedy contractors

So that low-grade fresh overlay can be spread

Later giving up to rain’s patters

And treading of cars, trucks, and all…

 

Even the precious school books are not spared

By purported educators blinded with greed

Seeing to it that new ones, yearly will be printed

Exam questions, at the end of every chapter

Are cleverly printed!

So then, closing school years would also see

These books so dear, become useless –

Thrown to the garbage, not to be used

By aspiring younger brood of the family.

 

I am pained by the sight

Of plates at restaurants

and food stations of the malls –

Half –finished food left with pride

By those who seem to say

“I am rich, I can squander money”

And who never thought

That out there in the dumps

Some brethrens try to salvage morsels –

Precious food that could be stuffed

Into their guts so they can live

Better than nothing, or they’re dead.

 

I said in the beginning of this:

Let us not lose hope…

But wish for the best

If we strive together

And do what is right

Then new life for us

Will be in sight!

Ang Mga Hindi Nakakatuwang Pagbabago ng mga Salitang Nakasanayan Na

Ang Mga Hindi Nakakatuwang Pagbabago

ng mga Salitang Nakasanayan Na

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Pinagpipilitan ng ilang sektor ang pagtawag ngayon sa “iskwater” o “squatter” bilang “informal settler”. Kung maging literal sa pag-translate ng katagang “squatter”, ang pinakamalapit na katumbas ay “mang-aagaw”, kaya binaybay o inispel na lang na “iskwater” – noon yan. Pero ngayon, dahil “informal settler” na ang pinagpipilitang itawag, ang tanong ay ano ang katumbas nito sa Tagalog o Filipino…”impormal setler”? At bakit ginamit ang salitang “informal”?…kaylan pa naging “formal” ang pang-iiskwat?

 

Ang “squatter’s area” naman na simpleng tinatawag na “iskwater” sa Tagalog o Filipino ay pilit na binabago sa tawag na “depressed area”. Pero, ano naman yan sa Tagalog o Filipino”…”malungkot na lugar”? …lalo pang pinasama ang katawagan! Sa mga lugar na yan, kahit maraming kakapusan sa mga materyal na bagay, masaya ang mga nakatira. Nakita ko yan dahil madalas akong mamasyal sa mga kinatatakutan ng iba tulad ng Baseco Compound, Isla Puting Bato sa Tondo, at mga slums sa gilid ng mga riles at ilog ng Reina Regente.

 

Gumanda nga sa pandinig ang “iskwater” o “squatter”  dahil English ang ginamit, pero ang tinutukoy ay GANOON PA RIN dahil hindi mababago sa anumang katawagan ang tunay na mukha ng kahirapan o poverty.

 

YAN ANG KAHANGALAN NG MAKABAGONG SISTEMA…PINAPAGANDA SA PANDINIG ANG MARAMING BAGAY NA PARA BANG NAGMI-MAKE UP NG MUKHA UPANG “GUMANDA”.  PARA BANG SA MGA BEAUTY CONTEST…NAGPAPAGANDAHAN NG MGA MUKHA ANG MGA KALAHOK, PERO TANGGALAN MO SILA NG MAKE-UP, ANO ANG MANGYAYARI KAPAG “TUNAY” NA MUKHA ANG MALALANTAD? …ANO ANG MAKIKITA?

 

Mapapansing hindi man lang pinag-isipan kung ano talaga ang mga katumbas na katawagan sa Filipino o Tagalog ang mga salitang gustong baguhin, kaya ang ginagawa ng taga-media, ginagamit pa rin ang English kapag nagri-report o nagsusulat sa Tagalog o Filipino. Para sa akin ay hindi yan nakakatuwa.

 

Bakit kailangan pang baguhin ang mga katawagan na hindi na kailangan pang baguhin?…para lang masabing may ginawang pagbabago?… samantalang pwede namang MAG-ISIP NG BAGO NA.

The Unsung Heroism of Teachers

The Unsung Heroism of Teachers

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Teachers become the second parents of children as they step inside the school campus. I do not want to dwell on their wage as everybody knows that despite the adjustment, still, it is not commensurate to their effort and time spent in school. Weekends sometimes see them in school sprucing up their rooms to make them conducive for the learning of their young wards. If they are lucky, they get support by way of budgeted “allowance” from their superiors for the aforementioned expense which oftentimes is not enough so that they are forced to shell out their scrimped savings.

 

I know of teachers who are supporting in their own affordable way, pupils who go to school without breakfast. They include these unfortunates in their packed lunch or sandwiches. Those assigned in far-off or remote schools, with some beyond several hills and swift rivers, had to spend for the fuel of their “single motorcycles”. Some viewers of my blogs are teachers and they told me that they are also spending for their own teaching materials…actually, a traditional practice that include even the purchase of floor wax, brooms and dust pans.

 

They may have been able to collect simple jewelries…hard-earned investments, but according to my teacher-friends, it took them several years to complete the payment made on installment basis. On school days, they have to wake up at dawn to prepare breakfast for their family, leave home for school before 6 or 7AM, stay in school till 5:00PM or beyond, tackle the flood during rainy months on the way home, immediately attend to their family upon arriving home, and work on their modules till late in the evening for the next day. Due to bad traffic, many would arrive home as late as 9:00PM.

 

Many teachers become spinsters and bachelors because of their dedication to their job. Some say, they have no time for the “loving-loving”. Worse, many also develop TB due to unhealthy condition in their workplace. The consolation that they get from their job, especially, if they are handling kids is the loyalty and devotion from them. These brought about common statements from their pupils, “….sabi ni Ma’am…”. “…ayaw ni Ma’am niyan…”. etc.

 

I remember my teachers in Tacurong Pilot Elementary School, such as, Mrs. Paradero, Mrs. Sucaldito, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Barber, Ms. Davala, Mrs. Amar, Mr. Palencia, Mrs. Ramos, Mrs. Domider. In NDTC Boys Department such as, Mr. Elmer Festin, Mr. Jamorabon, Ms. Uy, Mr. Cabiles, Ms. Hojilla, Ms. Palabrica, Mr. Gabertan. In NDTC college department, such as, Mrs. Lechonsito, Mr. Canzana, Ret. Judge Jacosalem Makilala…..and many more. (I hope viewing schoolmates and classmates can help me out recall names….please add.)

 

Alas! Without “Ma’am” and “Sir”, where would I be?

Ang Buhay sa Lansangan

Ang Buhay sa Lansangan

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Kung pagmasdan silang pinagkaitan ng rangya

Di maiwasang may maramdaman tayong awa

Nakapaa at nagtutulak ng kariton kung minsan

Basang sisiw naman sila, kapag inabutan ng ulan.

 

Abala palagi sa pangangalakal o sa  pamamasura

Wala sa isip nila ang sumilong upang magpahinga

Habol ay makarami ng mga mapupulot  at maiipon

Hindi alintana pagbabadya ng masamang panahon.

 

Sa mga nadadampot na styrophor galing sa Jollibee

Bigay ay saya dahil may matitikmang tirang ispageti

Kahit iilang hibla lamang na may kulapol pang ketsap

Sa maingat na pagsubo, dama’y  abot-langit na sarap.

 

Gula-gulanit ang suot na kamiseta at nanggigitata pa

Ang damit, kung hindi masikip ay maluwag sa kanila

Kung pantalon naman, walang zipper, at butas –butas

Subali’t hindi alintana, may maisuot lang, kahi’t kupas.

 

Kapos sa mga ginhawa na dulot ay  materyal na pera

Puso namang may nakakasilaw na busilak ay meron sila

Walang hiling kundi matiwasay na umaga sa paggising –

Kahi’t mahapdi ang tiyan dahil sa gutom, di dumadaing.

 

May mga bagay, dapat nating mapulot sa mga ugali nila

Pampitik sa atin upang gumising at magbubukas ng mata

Gaya ng hindi maging sakim at mapag-imbot sa kapwa

Bagkus, maghintay at magpasalamat sa bigay na biyaya!

 

 

 

 

 

Ang Buhay sa Lansangan

Ang Buhay sa Lansangan

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Kung pagmasdan silang pinagkaitan ng rangya

Di maiwasang may maramdaman tayong awa

Nakapaa at nagtutulak ng kariton kung minsan

Basang sisiw naman sila, kapag inabutan ng ulan.

 

Abala palagi sa pangangalakal o sa  pamamasura

Wala sa isip nila ang sumilong upang magpahinga

Habol ay makarami ng mga mapupulot  at maiipon

Hindi alintana pagbabadya ng masamang panahon.

 

Sa mga nadadampot na styrophor galing sa Jollibee

Bigay ay saya dahil may matitikmang tirang ispageti

Kahit iilang hibla lamang na may kulapol pang ketsap

Sa maingat na pagsubo, dama’y  abot-langit na sarap.

 

Gula-gulanit ang suot na kamiseta at nanggigitata pa

Ang damit, kung hindi masikip ay maluwag sa kanila

Kung pantalon naman, walang zipper, at butas –butas

Subali’t hindi alintana, may maisuot lang, kahi’t kupas.

 

Kapos sa mga ginhawa na dulot ay  materyal na pera

Puso namang may nakakasilaw na busilak ay meron sila

Walang hiling kundi matiwasay na umaga sa paggising –

Kahi’t mahapdi ang tiyan dahil sa gutom, di dumadaing.

 

May mga bagay, dapat nating mapulot sa mga ugali nila

Pampitik sa atin upang gumising at magbubukas ng mata

Gaya ng hindi maging sakim at mapag-imbot sa kapwa

Bagkus, maghintay at magpasalamat sa bigay na biyaya!

 

 

 

 

 

Michelle Jordan Fobar…beauty and brains combine (Pride of Sultan Kudarat State University, Tacurong City)

MICHELLE  JORDAN FOBAR…beauty and brains combined

Pride of Sultan Kudarat State University (Tacurong City)

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

Here’s another young talented Tacurongnon…MICHELLE JORDAN FOBAR, who at 21 years of age is oozing with artistic skills, especially, sketching as shown by some of her works. She is a member of the KATAHUM Group of Artis and on her fourth year in her Bachelor in Industrial Technology, majoring in Architectural Drafting. She lives at barangay Ledesma in Tacurong City and daughter of proud parents, Alphonse Fobar and Consuelo Jordan. She is the second in the brood of three siblings. She has been consistently garnering honors in arts during her elementary and high school days.

 

Aside from sketching, she also writes poems in English and Filipino…and, meekly admitted as a “silent musician”.