Villahanon coffee table book

1Windows to the Villahanon’s Soul

2 Windows to the Villahanon’s Soul

In memory of my fatherIgnacio Jumadiao-Camilon

a Leyteño with a Villahanon heart,who taught me to believe in the potential of Villareal for progress

and in the innate gift of every Villahanon to worktogether for a common cause

and to my fellow Villahanonswho have kept the hope and selflessly paid forward.

Dedication


Table of Contents

Prologue p.5

Ano It Villa Ha Akon pp.6-7Simplicio Solis

I Love Villa! pp.9-10Pureza E. Amatosa

Villareal: The Land of My Birth pp.12-13(A Tribute) Quintina Gelera-Cabuenos

Public Service, the Villahanon Way pp.15-17City Prosecutor Ruperto Bardaje Golong

Golden Memories of My School pp.18-19Gertrudes Seludo Llarenas-Ragub

The Villa In My Mind pp.20-21Maricon Gelera Latoja

Villahanons in the Land of the Midnight Sun pp.22-26Ruben Gerardo

Villa-Half a Century and More of Remembrances pp.27-41Cesar Torres

Villareal, Forever My Home pp.44-45Terry S. Wickstrom


Villahanons in Canada: Meeting the Challenges in Their Adopted Country pp.46-49Dr. Quirino Agote Ragub

A Glimpse of My Hometown pp.50-53Marlon Clint Solis-Camilon

Dream Catching in Villareal pp.54-57Marivel Camilon-Sacendoncillo

Acknowledgement


A Window to the Villahanon’s Soul is a tribute to Villareal, a town in Samar I, and many others,call home. It also celebrates the spirit and values of those who trace their roots to Villa andwith pride refer to themselves as Villahanons.

This collection of poetry, prose and essays gives us an insight into the heart and mind of adiaspora of Villahanons, presenting a palette of their stories, reflections and experiences. Itspeaks of their love for their hometown and the values that are common to them- love forfamily, value for education, affinity with nature, a deep sense of community and an opennessto share with each other.

Prologue

“ The greatest glory in living lies not in neverfailing but rising every time we fall.”

Nelson Mandela

A Window to the Villahanon’s Soul also tells of heartwarming stories of the Villahanons’capacity to seize opportunities for a common good, to endure and emerge victorious fromdifficult times and to revel in life’s blessings. It gives us a perspective of how the legacy of ourancestors provides us the motivation to embrace life and make the most of what it brings.

I saw the first rays of the sun in Tunga, Leyte and not inVillareal. Yet Villa, as we fondly call our hometown, ishome to me. It was here where I grew up and wasnurtured by people who loved me beyond words. My heartis a Villahanon in every way. After a long and at timesarduous journey, I find myself longing for the rest andcomfort that only Villa can give, a longing for the veryplace and the people I call my own.

Here are stories that testify to the steadfast, generous, vibrant and resilient spirit thatis unmistakably Villahanon. May the lives shared in this book inspire every Villahanonand countless others to trace your own roots and take pride in where you comefrom.

Marivel Gelera Camilon- Sacendoncillo


May gin mamahal ko nga usa nga bungtoBungto Villareal nga natawhan koKatundan han Samar an iya hinmotangan“Real village” ha English, matahum nga ngaran

Igin paparayaw ko it Villa ha iyoMay naturalisa nga kinaiya hine nga ak bungtoMay ada panayoran higluag nga taramnanHiluag nga kadagatan hora hin kaisdaan.

May ada kahagnaan nga it Villa ginpalibutanMay mga hagna ha timogan ug dapit siniranganMay ada ha amihanan sugad man ha katundanTaramnan hiya hin mga homay kanan parag-uma kahuraan

Ako naglalaum it Villa ma asensoDire mapaorhi hit iba nga bungtoKay hi Mayor boy Latorre buhatan madurutoBuotan ug tangkud hit iya serbisyo.

ANO IT VILLA HA AKON Simplicio Solis

May ada mga bus para Catbalogan TaclobanMay dako nga motorboat para kadagatanMay ada ha Manila mga pansarakyanKanan taga Villa gintatag-iyahan.

Para ha Manila di kana magkokoriKay kada semana it ira biyaheLunes ug Huybes, Miyerkoles ug SabadoDi ka na magkokori, barato pa it pasahi.

Hingangandayan ko naman parte pag aradmanMay gobierno ug pribado, High School nga kakadtuanMay Barangay High Schools kumpleto hin kagamitanWaray nagud iiliwon hit mga nag aaram.

May mga produkto hin mga liburanMga professionals nga mga bantuganMga ahensiya han gobierno, pribado ginpangaptanHigtaas nga posisyon, hira gintaporan.


The Author is a retired Head Teacher of the Bureau of Public Schools (now Department ofEducation) after 40 years of government service. After retirement, he ran for public office andwon a seat in the Municipal Council, Villareal, Samar for three (3) consecutive terms (1992-2001). He is also a 4th Degree member of the Knights of columbus, Villareal Council 5847.

Idinadasig ko ine nga ak bungtoKay nagkakaurosa mga taghimongtoWaray mga krimen pagperde hin tawoKay an panuyo gudla bungto umasenso.

Yana nga panahon it Villa tikadtoPag-gios, paguswag hin ka progresiboHi Mayor Latorre may ada proyektoBayanihan nga kalsada hiya’n nagmangulo.

Ine nga kalsada tikadto ha Kasang-anGin ngaranan ine “Kalsada Bayanihan”Mga taghimunghto pati baryoGin buburubligan ine para la mahimo.

Mga Villahanon ha iba nga nasyonDagko nga kantidad an ira donasyonKay ira panuyo kalsada humanonPara masayon na it at transportasyon.

Bungto Villareal hi ikaw palaranAn mga anak mo di ka ginpabay-anHa mga kasakit pati kakurianNgatanan burublig imo katalwasan.

An naturalisa ug kinaiya han bungto hit VillaPuros ginpulsan in nga mga grasyaHatag han Makagarahum pati ni Santa RosaHiya man an amon Patrona ha Villa

Kami nagdadayaw an mga VillahanonKan Santa Rosa gugma ug bulig ha amonKadam-an nga grasya amon nakarawatSalamat, Santa Rosa, Salamat! Salamat!



I Love Villa!Pureza E. Amatosa

I love Villa, the title of the favorite song of the Villareal II Central Teachers’ Choir ofwhich I am a member. Yes, I love Villa. Not only because it’s my hometown butbecause it’s where I spent the most precious moments of my life- my grade and highschool days, my colorful married life and my successful career as a teacher.

Villa has a unique geographical formation. It is divided into two parts; the higher levelwhich we call Tayud and the lower level which is known as Hawud. There are four longconcrete stairways as means of access going to the church and residential housesof Villahanons who chose to settle there. Thanks to our ancestors who made climbingup an easy task.

We have no beautiful beaches like those in Palawan and Boracay but our townsfolkcontent themselves in having picnics in the wharf, Puro or Dukdukon just to have acool and refreshing dive especially when tides are very high during summer.

Villa stands out from the many places I had been to. Its people are very religious andpeace-loving. It is also free from danger unlike in other places. Villa is a place wherepeople have good hearts. They don’t harbor ill feelings except for a few who find it hardto forgive their political enemies. To Christians, there are no permanent enemies, onlyforgiveness after any conflict. Our most popular business is chika-chika (story telling)and tsismis (gossip) but nothing to worry because it does not do any harm.

Life is not hard here in Villa as our place is rich in natural resources especially theseas. One time a foreigner came to our place and was surprised to see on our tablebig laid shrimps, crabs, lobsters, mud crab weighing more than a kilo, seashells,squid and a big fish cooked with sauce. He exclaimed, “This is a rich person’s diet!”

As I reminisce the past, I could still feel the joy when my friends and I would go to theseashore to gather seashells. Our seas abound with seaweeds like lato and dahunan.During those times especially during low tides (masyado hin kahalapad han hubas)we have to wade a few meters away from the poblacion. When we arrived home therewere already boiled potatoes, cassava or bananas waiting on the table to be eatenwith the seashells. To us, this was already a satisfying meal with almost no expenseat all.


In the past, our shores would teem with people young and old alike. At present, most of the young peopledon’t bother to go to the shores anymore.

One admirable trait of the Villahanons is the value we give to education. Parents work hard to be able tosend their children to school. Even families who have less in life try their best to send their children to collegeto earn a degree. Villareal is one of the towns that has the most number of professionals including priests.Seldom can you find a home without a teacher or a degree holder. Parents of Villahanon families believe thatchildren are their stronghold when they grow old. Part of our tradition is for the eldest child to finish school andonce she or he lands in a job, she/he sends a sibling to college, and the next child is expected to do thesame. There is a succession of responsibility down to the youngest child. Most often unmarried children alsosend their nephews and nieces to school. Even grandparents help support the education of their grandchildrenespecially when their parents have more kids that they are incapable of sending to school.

Villahanons love to celebrate birthdays, weddings, death anniversaries, and the feast of saints. I have nothingagainst our fondness for celebrations, lest I be misunderstood. But to us who are average income earners, itis wise to consider how we can refrain from lavish spending. Usually our savings for a number of days arespent just in one setting. Do you notice that our table is full of foods rich in cholesterol and carbohydrates likesuman, iraid, puto, kutsinta, latik and other delicacies like torta, decana, curioso etc. Due to the abundanceof seafood, and all kinds of carbohydrates, it’s not surprising why our people, young and old alike are sickwith hypertension, arthritis and diabetes. .

Hospitality is a beautiful trait which we should cultivate, cherish and be proud of. We Villahanons are knownto be hospitable which makes us different from our neighboring towns. A cordial welcome, a simple meal anda warm bed are enough to make a visitor who has nowhere to go feel at home.

Villahanons celebrate family reunions as well as rekindling friendships and fellowship. In these occasionslechon is the main menu. Whatever is the mode of the celebration, this serves as a catalyst of unity andharmony within the family and among Villahanons as well. For these, I love Villa and all it stands for.

The Author is a retired elementary teacher who devoted the best part of her life in molding the youth of Villareal. Herzeal for touching lives has continued by way of showing the path to a good spiritual life through catholism. She ismarried to Bonifacio Amatosa, a retired employee of the Municipal Trial Court.



For its rolling hills and verdant plainsAll through the years our food it sustainsFor its beautiful islands, rivers, beaches and streamsTeeming with fishes, crabs, shells and shrimps.We also have lato and dahunanSeaweeds eaten best with rootcrops from the farmIt abounds around the islands, beaches and palms.

Best of all it can be toldVilla has people with hearts of goldHospitable, kind and respectfulExtending helping hands to all who are in needTo ease the sorrows and pains as much as they can give.

Thank you Lord for your concernWe praise You Lord, Holy be Your Name!

Those who tasted failures and frustrationsBehind them stand strong people of the townHolding hand to support them and shareTroubles and sorrows because they care.

If not for Villa, life wont be the sameI wouldn’t surely reach the apex of my dreamsAnd life today wouldn’t be free of troublesBut because of Villa its contentment and leisure.

Villareal: The Land of My Birth(A Tribute)Quintina Gelera-Cabuenos


The author is a retired District Supervisor of Villareal and served as the First Lady of Villarealfor 20 years. She is an epitome of genuine service to people. She is married to Former MayorAugusto Cabueños, the longest serving Mayor of Villareal.

In my twilight years if you will ask meWhere I will spend the rest of my days,No way, it’s still Villa I will preferSans riches and affluence it can claimBut Villa has more to give than fameIt offers an atmosphere of securityEmotional stability and harmony with the LordSo I can proudly shout to sayVilla is my home, a home sweet home,For here my heart is at rest.



Public Service, the Villahanon WayCity Prosecutor Ruperto Bardaje Golong

These immortal lines from Mark Twain present a vivid picture of my life and ushered me towhere I am now. After graduating at the top of our class at the Leyte Normal School, now theLeyte Normal University, with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education(BSEED) in March 1971, I was invited to teach at the Sacred Heart School (EnglishDepartment) and stayed thereat for three (3) years. The following year I taught at the VillarealElementary School, particularly at Brgy. Lam-awan.

After a year and a half of teaching in a barrio school, I reassessed my priorities and decidedon a new career-path. I moved back to Tacloban City and joined the Commission on PopulationRegional Office VIII under the leadership of Leo Rama, Regional Director, as Supply OfficerIV . While working at POPCOM, I decided to fulfill my childhood dream of becoming a lawyer.In June 1977, I enrolled at the Leyte Colleges, College of Law and completed a law degree,cum laude in March 1981. While studying to be a lawyer, I moved from POPCOM to theMinistry of Human Settlements as Project Officer II. After four years, I moved to the RegionalCommand 8, to take up a civilian employment as a Research Analyst. In November 1981, thesame year I graduated from the College of Law, I took the Bar Exam and fortunately passedit. Immediately after I took my oath as a lawyer, I opened a law office in Tacloban City with theDean Jose Cusi, Dean of the Leyte Colleges, College of Law as my partner. Law practicewas not that lucrative at the start so I accepted a teaching job at the Leyte Colleges, Collegeof Law where I was designated as Asst. Dean, College of Law.

After the EDSA Revolution in 1986 the career service opened a lot of opportunities for lawyersin the country. Judges, Prosecutors and heads of government offices were asked to tendertheir courtesy resignations to pave the way for new appointees of the Aquino administration.I was among the first appointee as City Prosecutor of Ormoc City, an appointment madepossible through the efforts of Cirilo “Roy” Montejo, then Civil Service Commissioner andlater Congressman of the 1st District of Leyte. In September 1991, when the position of CityProsecutor of Tacloban was vacated with the promotion of City Prosecutor Francisco Aurillo

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do,than by the ones you did do. So throw away the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbors,Catch the trade winds in your sails, Explore, dream, discover-”

Mark Twain


Jr. as Regional State Prosecutor, I was appointed City Prosecutor ofTacloban City, a position I hold up to the present.

To prepare myself for other job opportunities both in government andthe private sector, I obtained a Master Degree in Public Managementat the University of the Philippines, Tacloban College and a Ph. D. inManagement at the International Academy of Management andEconomics (IAME) in Makati City.

My modest accomplishment in government service is a product of Divineintervention, persistence, hard work, good public relations and a lot ofinspiration from my parents MR. & MRS. RUPERTO GOLONG, SR.,my ever loving wife MRS. Daniela Kempis Golong, my children, CarlJeffrey, Joanne (General Manager, SOMERSET Makati, an internationalchain of hotels) and Jason, my brother and sisters, my teachers,classmates at the Villareal Elementary School batch 1963 and at theHoly Name Academy High School batch 1967. Among my classmateswho did very well are Susan Latorre Belez, Tito N. Geli, Jose B.Romano and Carol Conise Mendiola- all successful entrepreneurs basedin Manila, Ramon Castillano, a trading mogul based at Villareal, Samar,Teddy Varela, a Senior Officer at GSIS, Manila, Oscar Mendoza aState Auditor assigned at the Post Office, Manila, Oscar Ricalde, aMall Supervisor based in Guam, Milagros Isaac, a businesswomanbased in the USA,Belen Enverzo Nagpacan, Corazon FabilaneGilbuena, Ofelia Geli de los Reyes, Letecia Golong Araza, all MasterTeachers of the Departmentof Education.

I believe that whatever we have in this world are but fleeting fancies.But a good name will always stand the test of times. Allow me to shareone of the guideposts in my life, the words of the famous poet HoracioAlger:


By Horacio Alger

I write my name upon the sand,And trusted it would stand for age;But soon, alas, the refluent sea,

Had washed my feeble lines away.

I carved my name upon the woodAnd after years returned again,I missed the shadow of the tree,

That stretched of old upon the plain.

To solid marble next my name,I gave as perpetual trust;

An earthquake sent it to its base,And now it lies overlaid with dust.

All these have failed-In wiser mood I turn and ask myself,

What then, if I would have my name endure,I’ll write it in the hearts of men.

If I Would Have My Name Endure,I’ll Write It In The Hearts of Men

The author is Atty. Ruperto B. Golong, Jr., City Prosecutor of Tacloban City, a law professor, a management consultantand guest lecturer at the University of the Philippines-Tacloban College and Leyte Normal University.


Golden Memories of My SchoolBy Gertrudes Seludo Llarenas-Ragub

It was my home away from home, myinitiation to formal education. A nostalgic tripdown memory lane, of wistful images of greatyears gone by – this is what it’s like toremember my days at Villareal ElementarySchool.

Considered the primary university of Villareal,it has produced many notable andsuccessful Villahanons. Its portals holdprecious and unforgettable memories thatremain in the hearts of its alumni. For theyoung Villahanons today who never had theprivilege of witnessing the glory days ofVillareal Elementary School, allow me toshare some fond recollections.

The School’s physical structure was differentback then, for there were not a lot of buildings.There was the Azanza Building where mostintermediate grades were located, theGabaldon (concrete) Building, the HomeEconomics Building that housed a busyplayground at recess time, the ShopBuilding, the old building near the acacia treeand a makeshift PTA building. I still recallthat some classes were held in rentedprivate homes within the community to makeup for the lack of classrooms.

The School’s main entrance was made ofconcrete and covered with climbing vines ofgarlic-scented violet flowers. The pathwayfrom the main entrance to the Azanzabuilding was unpaved, and most of theteachers were reluctant to wear their high-heeled shoes for fear it might get stuck inthe mud. To ease this problem, a pathway-cementing project was undertaken. We were

mobilized to bring sand and gravel everyday when we come to school. There were even someafternoons when, instead of cutting the grass in our assigned section in the wide schoolplaza, our entire school population was mobilized to gather sand and gravel. A minimumnumber of three trips to gather sand and gravel was required and trips beyond that quota wererewarded with lavish praises or candy treats from our teachers.

Our favorite spot for getting sand and gravel was the seashore just across the old Holy NameAcademy. There was a time when Apoy Ninay Nunez, the old lady guarding that part of theseashore, would drive us away. In fear, we would all scamper in various directions, sometimeseven leaving behind our baskets full of sand and gravel. There was no pantalan(wharf) thattime, and the only house closest to the seashore was the that of ‘Tay Benok Castillano. Thatpart of the seashore then was the nearest beach resort of Villa. During high tide months,


especially in May, young and old Villahanons would take a dipin the water to cool themselves off from the hot summer days.

Announcement of early dismissals by the school principal neverceased to make us jump with joy! For the more adventurouspupils, this spare time was used to pick some guavas in nearbyKalubi-an, just behind the Azanza building; others would walk toArado until they reach Manggarit, where there were more guavasto harvest. The pupils who stayed behind, on the other hand,would either play in the plaza or play jack stone using a marbleball in the shiny, cemented hallway of the concrete building.

Whenever the school has guests, food preparations were doneat the Home Economics Building by ‘Nay Meming (ClemenciaGeli-Ricalde) and Tiya Choling (Melchora Dasmarinas-Realino).They would usually ask the help of some students, and the fourinseparables-Zabeth Gelera, Elma Garcia, Eve Garcia andmyself- were always hoping that Tiya Choling would choose tocall on us for help. Sadly, she always selected other pupils.Disappointed but determined to help, the four of us would lingeraround the Home Economics Building. It was during these timesthat Mano Cadio (Leocadio Figueroa) would see us and send us

The author is the daughter of the late Ponciano Dalwatan Llarenas andSocorro Dasmarinas Seludo-Llarenas. She was a former teacher at theVillareal Elementary School. She is married to a fellow Villahanon, Dr.Quirino Agote Ragub and they are now happily settled in Ottawa,Canada with their two sons, Bap and GR.

delegations from Villa compete in what was usually a weeklong sportsextravaganza. The event would open with a grand parade followed by awelcome dance in the evening for the teachers and heads of delegation. Theevent was meant not only to showcase the athletic prowess of the competingdelegations, but also to feature their academic and artistic talents duringthe Literary Musical Night.

School operettas were held annually. Preparations start as early as Januaryand the directors and choreographers, ‘Nay Corazon (Corazon Dasmarinas-Seludo and Mana Tados (Teodosia Geli-Figueroa), selected lead casts andall other participants. Some of these unforgettable operettas were Cinderella,Sleeping Beauty, and Beauty and the Beast. The operettas were usuallystaged at the end of the school year and had become such a treat toVillahanons.

This was the Villareal Elementary School of my childhood years. So muchhas changed since and many years have passed, yet the fond and goldenmemories linger, forever etched in my Villahanon heart and mind.

to gather some firewood for roasting the pig. We knew that after the guestshad eaten, ‘Nay Meming will surely spot us. True enough, she would almostalways see us and invite us to have some of the leftovers.

Villareal Elementary School had a wide plaza, which was usually used tohost municipal and regional athletic meets. Preparations for hosting thesemeets would involve the whole school as well as the entire Villa community.In charge of the ground preparation was my father (Ponciano DalwatanLlarenas) and ‘Tiyo Tonying (Antonino Varela, Sr.). Pupils were made tobring woven lara (coconut leaves) and bamboos to be made into temporarykitchens and bathrooms. Teachers were made to bring beds and beddingsfor the visiting delegations. Villahanons eagerly awaited these athletic eventsas delegations from Marabut, Basey 1, Basey 2, Sta. Rita and the host


Mention Villa and this image unfailingly comes to mind: theconcrete steps leading to the uphill area where the Church islocated. At the age of three (3), those steps were my “stairwayto heaven.” Climbing those steps was long, tiring and precarious,hence caution was necessary. A wrong slip and one could endup with a broken ankle or dislocated hip, worse, a head injury.So climb we did carefully. Little did I know then that those stepswould make for a great metaphor: climbing it is similar toovercoming the challenges that accompany the desire for asuccessful life in the city, and the concrete of which it is madeof is akin to the sense of attachment I will always have for Villa.

I come from a generation of Villahanons who grew up for themost part in Manila – I breathed city air, fed on urban values andpaid the price to ride the vehicle of modern dreams. Like mostof my contemporaries, I carried the torch of hope my parentspassed on to me. I was raised on the conviction that educationis a passport to the good life, and that perseverance and honestwork could actually lead you to a life far greater than what Villacould ever offer. I went to private schools that cost far too muchthan what my parents were making in terms of income. But myNanay was adamant - to her, a good education was the only giftshe could give me to ensure my future. The pressure to do wellacademically became a measure of the potential to succeed,so my school age years revolved only around two areas: homeand school. Social interaction was limited to playing with friends,cousins and relatives who come over from Villa to spend a weekor two in our house.

Life in the metropolis is probably too seductive to resist thatvery few bother to think about the costs involved – the dislocation,the adjustments, and all the expenses that go with trying tohave a life within the city’s modern standards. Manila life was

The Villa In My MindBy Maricon Gelera Latoja


very fast paced, but our family adjusted to the urban sense of time. And in the process of imbibing urban values, some things that wereparticular to being a Villahanon began to erode. In my case, these were language and family ties. Because our family is Manila-based, the firstthing to slowly cave in was my facility with the Waray dialect. I grew up speaking mostly Tagalog at home, and English at school and at work.When I was young, Waray was spoken only by adults and was reserved for serious conversations. Although I can still perfectly understandWaray, I cannot write in it and my grasp of Waray words has diminished significantly through the years. I can still speak it (mostly just to myNanay) but not with the same level of comfort and confidence as I had when I was a kid. Now, I can only stare in wonder while Lola Eca (mygrandmother) and Ate Baby (my cousin) talk animatedly in Waray, complete with hand gestures, about the recent and juiciest topics involvingour Villa-based relatives. It’s like a movie that I could only watch but no longer be a part of.

The other major change exacted by city living was the ties with close family members and relatives, which got looser as most of them wereherded to foreign lands. Economic and practical reasons had taken precedence over the need for proximity and family togetherness. Hence,my father chose New Jersey, Rodney chose Saudi Arabia, Regina chose United Arab Emirates, and other relatives chose either Norway,Canada or different parts of the United States. The irregular flow of emails, the infrequent rain of text messages, the once-in-a-blue-moon phonecalls and the ten-minute Internet-based chats have now replaced birthdays and other special occasions celebrated in their company.

Despite these changes, my affinity with Villa stays strong. Like those concrete steps, it remains intact even if it may have been weathered bytime. I have been to a number of great places yet there are memories, texture and tastes, which are distinctly Villa. And I connect them all topersons close to my heart. I can tell from a plateful of samples which de caña, torta or moron is made by my Lola Eca. And there isabsolutely no one who can rival the way I cherish the memory of my Lolo Ladis – my maternal grandfather, my first teacher, my Superman.

Like other Villahanons, I dream of a prosperous Villa. I dream of a Villareal that can show the rest of the Philippines so much more than theconcrete steps leading to the Church area – a place whose provincial road doesn’t turn into a swamp during the rainy months, a sensibly andefficiently governed municipality with rising household incomes, where trade is active and local industry activities are flourishing, a hometownwith infrastructures in place to make it a worthy tourist destination.

I am a Villahanon. Like my contemporaries, I am part of the giant answer to the challenge of developing my hometown, of adding to the numberof concrete steps that will eventually and proudly put Villa on the Philippine map. I am a Villahanon and I will do my share in making Villa a placethat will proudly be ready for the next generation.

The author is the eldest daughter of Francisco Bermejo Latoja and Elizabeth Brillante Gelera. She is an assistant professorial lecturer at DeLa Salle Unviersity Manila, and a research writer-editor at DLSU Angelo King Institute. She is the favorite grandchild of (the late) Ladislao Geleraand is set to inherit all the recipes of her grandmother, Veronica Gelera.


Villahanons in the Landof the Midnight Sun

We would never have left our hometown had it not been for the sake of pursuingour education. The search for greener pastures led us to a far away place. Weleft behind our loved ones, use up all our meager savings in the hope that a newcountry will give us something more – better lives than what the country wecame from can offer.

By Ruben Gerardo

We searched for new friends and tried to win their respect. We struggled to establish ourselves and build new lives. As we adapted to the normsof our new country, we found ourselves in situations where we have to put our Filipino values aside.

We charted our lives’ new directions. We got married and raised our children. The family responsibilities became our priority, and soon after, thepromises we kept to ourselves are but a memory away.

For us who ended up in the land of the Vikings, in the land of the midnight sun, life has been more comfortable, treated as we were to the SocialDemocratic way of life that offers an equal distribution of wealth among its constituents. Migrants have equal rights to education and healthcare. Working condition is in accordance with the existing labour law. And hunger caused by poverty is unheard of.

Scandinavia, particularly Norway, is a beautiful country. It boasts of spectacular fauna and flora, especially during summertime when trees aregreen and flowers are in full bloom. This is also where you could experience the midnight sun and the northern light (aurora borealis). Travellingup to the north of Norway is amazing with its splendid mountains and landscapes. The Norwegian coast with its famous pink salmon also offersmemorable summertime adventures. Autumn reflects the beauty of gold (autumn leaves), and winter makes this country a perfect area forskiing.

And so goodbyes were said, tears shed, promises made, including the promise to never, never forgetour beloved hometown of Villa.

But the Promised Land was not to be. We had to deal with a different language, culture, environmentand ways strange to the one we love and know by heart. We struggled hard to fit into a new culture,understand its nuances, and grow accustomed to the norms of its people.


It is not simple to acquire a management position in a Norwegian company. First, you must be fluent in the Norwegian language, both writtenand spoken. Secondly, a University degree acquired in Asia is not recognized in Norway. One needs one or two years at the NorwegianUniversity to validate the acceptance of one’s education. It requires a lot of will and perseverance to attend night classes to learn the Norwegianlanguage amidst holding a daytime job.

In the early 1970s, there were only a handful of Filipinos in Norway. They were Pampaguenos, Ilocanos, Tagalogs and the Visayans, representedmostly by the Villahanons. Most of the Filipinos worked as seafarers and nurses. The population, however, increased in the later years when thefamilies of early immigrants decided to move to Norway. By then, a Filipino association called Filipino Community in Norway was organised,funded by the Norwegian government to protect the rights and look after the welfare of Filipinos in Norway.

Within a few years of existence of the Filipino Community in Norway, I was convinced to run for president of the organization. In spite beingconsidered a dark horse from the line-up, I won by a landslide. I was blessed to have been President for three consecutive terms. When I wasfirst elected, it was the time when issues of racial discrimination and mail-order-brides landed on the pages of Norwegian newspapers. Inresponse to these issues, we ratified the Constitution of the Filipino Community in Norway, authored by the late Romulo Gerardo. At present,I am actively engaged in defending human rights through the Filipino Resource Center in Oslo, Norway.

A fellow Villahanon in Scandinavia who made his mark in Denmark is Jorge Abainza who became the President of the Filipino Association inDenmark. His sisters Luz and Amelia were active in PUGAD, (People Uniting and Generating Aid for Development); a Danish (NGO) non-governmental organization focused on helping third world countries.


Filipinos in Scandinavia hold a good reputation as managers, entrepreneurs and workers. Some are employed managers and departmentheads of Norwegian firms while others were elected leaders of local labour union.

• Mr. Tobias Varela Sr., a Villahanon, served as the Treasurer of The Filipino Community in Norway.

• The late Romulo Gerardo, a Villahanon, was the founder of the first Filipino radio in Europe, the Radio Pinoy in Norway, partly fundedby the local labour union.

• Mrs. Juliana Uy Pedersen, a Villahanon, served a term as the President of the Filipino Adopted Sons and Daughters of Norway. Sheestablished the first Filipino Youth ClubHouse in Oslo, financed by the Norwegian local government.

• Mr. Gerardo Ma. ‘Kin’ Gerardo (son of the late Romulo Gerardo) manages the Cosmopolite Jazz Club in Norway.

• Mr. Roseller Gerardo and Mr. Ramses Gerardo are managing their own Automotive Tire business with Filipino employees.


• Mr. Paul Romano is assigned to Africaat the Norwegian Consular Office.

• Mrs. Consuelo A. Gerardo is aDepartment Head at RødtvetSykehjem (Hospital for the Aged) inOslo.Mrs. Ellie P. Gerardo is aCorporate Accountant at theScandinavian Airlines Systems,Accounting Services Norway.

Among the second generation with Villahanonroots, Ms. Meena Gerardo Vij (daughter ofRosalia Gerardo Vij) is serving as a SeniorProject Manager at British Telecom inEngland.

• Ms. Meera Gerardo Vij (also adaughter of Rosalia) is a BritishBarrister (Lawyer), worked at the mainoffice of the European Union inBrussels and is now back in Londonworking in a British Law Office.

• Mr. John Lester Gerardo recently acquired his Masters Degree in Information Technology at the University in Oslo and was offered anemployment at a Norwegian IT company as Project Supervisor.

• Miss Miriam Catherine Gerardo earned her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration at the Oslo School of Management last yearand decided to travel to South America (including Peru, Lima) before seeking employment.

We have also senior citizens in Norway and among the Villahanons, Mr. & Mrs. Tobias Varela were the first to enjoy these rights.


We feel sad to hear the agony of the farmers, fisher folks andschoolteachers in their difficulty to send their children to school. We areangered when the governmental infrastructure projects, which cancontribute to the economic stability of our town and people, are purposelyneglected.

Yet we are hopeful. And as we, Villahanons from the Land of the MidnightSun, return one day, we shall know and say that indeed we have comehome and there is no other place better.

Even if we fear that our great grandchildren, the new generation ofVillahanon Vikings, might not have a connection with Villareal, we willalways keep Villa in our hearts. We shall keep the promise we made.

The author is one of the pioneers of the Coca-Cola Bottlers in Norway. He started as a Business Operations Analyst at Coca-Cola Beveragesand moved on to being its Account Manager for Logistics at Coca-Cola Drikker A/S. He was later appointed Business Analyst for the Coca-ColaNordic Beverages covering Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Baltic Countries. He now heads the Logistics Resource Corp.in Norway as its CEO.

The Villahanon population in Norway is increasing with one hundred and fifty individuals with roots from Villareal. Most of them are the grandchildren and the great grand children of the late Regulo Gerardo and Mrs. Rosario Gerardo. Other families adding up to the increasing populationof Villahanons in Norway are the Varela’s, Pedersen’s, Abrigo’s, Geli’s and Aringay’s. In Denmark, the Abainza’s, Gerardo’s, Abrigo-Toustrup,and Gutierrez are the growing population among the Villahanons while Sweden has the Amistoso’s, Sacendoncillo’s , Abainza’s and Dasmarinas.

Far from our hometown, we also celebrate our Fiesta Villahanon in Norway every last Saturday of August. Our venue is usually the beautifulNorwegian Woods, which reminds us of Manggarit or Losong where we would prepare our local lechon and dance the Curaccha throughout theday. This celebration is a testament of the love of Villahanons in Norway for our hometown and for our patron Saint St. Rosa of Lima.

But behind these celebrations lurk our sadness, our longing and our dream to be in Villa once again and be a part of the struggle of theVillahanons’ for a better society. There is an ache in our hearts to give back and be of value to a community we will always belong to, inspite the distance. Our heart bleeds when lives of innocent people in Villa are put to waste, when their rights are thwarted, and when thereseems to be no hope for a better future for the generation.


Villa ~ Half a Centuryand More of Remembrances

By Cesar Torres* The expression: “Everyone needs a hometown to love or to hate…” seems to apply to theVillahanons. I am not really sure where I got this. Perhaps, it was an original idea bySamar’s Poet Laureate, Aniceto Llaneta, a classmate in Samar High. When the late PostalRegional Director Andres Cabueños was Editor-in-Chief of “An Lamrag” and Secretary ofthe Province of Samar, Aniceto and some of our classmates would cut classes to listen tohim as a convocation speaker in Catbalogan schools. Those were simple days when wewere innocent. We love the written word and admire brainy people.

Perhaps, Aniceto got the expression from somewhere else. But to me, the importantthing is that this expression somehow captures the sentiments of the Villahanons with respect totheir hometown, Villareal, Samar, the only town in the Philippines which has an endearing nickname,Villa.

In some Villahanon souvenir publication honoring the Peruvian Saint, the Santa Rosa deLima, I recall writing about the “dualism” inherent in that expression.”’To love or to hate…’ This isthe moral dilemma of mankind. It symbolizes the synthesis of opposites. The dualism immanentin the universe – of beauty and ugliness, of purity and corruption, of heaven and earth.’

We love Villa! We hate Villa! We love Villa… It is like a mantra of the Hindu mystics.

The emotional force of this contradiction seems to enchain us to Villa. The bond is stronger than steel.After all, it is forged with every drop of our blood, every beat of our hearts. Thus, even if we are in Singapore, Tokyo,Hongkong, Canada, Norway, or someplace in Europe, in America, in the Middle East, in Australia, Brunei, andother parts of the world, or sailing the high seas as lonely mariners, our thoughts are never far from our hometown.

For some of us who are away from the homeland and whose lives seem to be trailing the sinking sunbeyond the western shores of Maqueda Bay, frequent are the times when our minds wonder to those bygonedays. Detailed clarity might be blurring but the general outlines are still lingering in our failing memories.

A hometown is where the heart is. It is not necessarily the place where one first saw the light of day, likeme. I was born in Silanga, Catbalogan, Samar, a rich fishing ground many, many years ago. But it is in Villawhere my memories are rooted more intensely.


What are some of these memories?

Having been born in the Second World War, as a child, I saw Japanesesoldiers in Sigad in full uniform carrying guns with their helmets adorned withtwigs that had still green leaves on them. They appeared to be crouching,crawling, then lying flat on the grass with their guns pointed at something. Ithink there were three of them. Nadulhog kami from our farm in Lam-awan tothe bongto, the poblacion, at that time.

During the war and the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, I thinkwe stayed mostly in our farm in Lam-awan. But even there, I have vaguememories of my grandfather, Apoy Amboy (Pablo Ranera), and my aunts anduncles, the entire family, climbing the hills breathing hard, almost gasping. They were escaping from something or someone. One time, we hurriedlywent to a shelter hidden in a bamboo grove, mga kawayan, which were growingon both sides of the stream. No one would suspect that there was a shelter

deep in the heart of the kawayan grove. Of course, I did not know why those things were happening to us. But I remember, we would do thisevery time we would hear the frantic banging of the “talutang”, that bamboo instrument used to warn people that danger is imminent.

It must have been “Liberation”. I remember there were so many people harvesting rice in our “hagna”. Suddenly the skies were filledwith airplanes, wave after wave after wave. Nobody told me why there were so many airplanes. We just looked up. I did not asked why therewere so many airplanes either. After that, in the early evenings we would sit on our individual “banko”, and face Southeast, and turn our gazebeyond the mountains of Lam-awan. We could see lights streaming in the distant skies beyond the mountains. I learned later that they weretracer bullets. This was during the Battle of Leyte Gulf when the Americans had returned to the Philippines.

I have vague memories after that. But I think we went to Tacloban aboard some boats. I remember passing by “Bangon”, and suckingon raw eggs. And in San Juanico Straits nearing Tacloban, there were warships, where I could see naked white men taking showers on thedecks.

I did not see an American soldier in Villa. But I remember all those delicious carne norte in long cans, courtesy of the American people.And the woolen blankets. Up to the time when I was in Samar High, we would still use those woolen American blankets, remnants of theAmerican return to Samar.

My first day in Grade One, at least, the first early morning, is still clear in my mind. I think together with my aunts and uncles who were goingto school also, we hiked from Lama-awan to the poblacion. It was still dark when we arrived in the elementary school. We were made toassemble below that famous acacia tree where enkantados have been rumored to be in residence. There was community singing. I do notremember the song. My teacher in Grade One was probably the late Mana Anggay.


Thereafter, life was a blur. We constructed a house in Tayod. But we still maintained our house in the “Uma”, the farm in Lam-awan.The poblacion was a sleepy town where you can hear the chirping of the crickets, ngiya-ngiya, even at noontime, and the romantic singing ofthe Villahanons especially in the early evenings when they were drinking tuba, men and women. When you walk the grassy streets, you mightstep on dog poo and pig’s leavings – the most “kadiri” to me especially when it happens to you when the ground was wet after a rain – and whenyou go to the laguertas which were green with guava plants, you cannot miss the colorful and rotting waste of many Villahanons. I don’t knowhow many had toilets at that time. There were some of us from Tayod who would go down to Hawod to relieve ourselves. Doing this betweentwo big stones while gazing at the beauty of the starry night and conscious of the gentle swishing of the wavelets around you was almost amystical experience. Unsanitary? Oh yes! But we were one with nature, a process of recycling especially when the fish would gobble them upwhich we then would catch and broil. Aaaarrrrgh!!!

We were already in Tayod when I first heard the sound of a motor vehicle in Villa. It must have been stuck in that Bayanihan road. I don’tknow if it arrived intact in the town. I recall also that we pupils in the elementary school had to bring one stone every day to the school, stoneswhich we then deposited on the Bayanihan Road.

We would go to the farm to plant rice, corn, camote or bilanghoy or gaway or harvest them. We would go to the farm to get firewood.We would roam the hills and the meadows stupidly trying to kill the defenseless birds with our slingshots. During summer when there was nodrinking water, a group of us, boys and girls and our elders with long coconut tubes on our shoulders, we called them “salod”, would parade onthe trails via the Sigad, to get drinking water. We would have been a sight during moonlight nights, six, ten boys and girls with long bambootubes on their shoulders, marching on the trails one after the other

My family had no money. But I did see American coins, leftovers of the American occupation. So if we had no viand, and we are sick and tiredof the salty hipon or shrimp paste of salted bahong, of kayod, and kisiyo, of bulad, we would troop to the seashore at low tide, during humbas,para mamangti, looking for seashells – sangpiyad, bukawel, karang karang, tikod hin daraga or just plain dahonan and lato. We would eatsangpiyad raw, we would get two of them, knock them on each other, and scoop out the sangpiyad flesh. One time, I stumbled on a binga. Itwas a happy day for my brother, Lope, and me and my family. Since many Villahanons were “cashless”, the adults would use their nets,sudsod, to catch fish, shrimps, crabs, crustaceans, and other


products of our sea. Having a tinola of sinudsuran is more delicious than the French“bouillabaisse”.

For us youngsters, fishing, swimming, beachcombing, doing errands, going to church,to school, getting firewood, playing were integral parts of our lives. Our toys were wereorganic such as orokay which we used as tires when we were crafting cars and trucks.Except for the plastic heel of worn out shoes which we treasured for our games, our toyswere all biodegradable. We played sato. We would go around the town from Tayod to Rawisto Kan Pia Otot (Barangay Villarosa), hitting that small stick with a long one, while ouropponents would try to catch the short stick; and then running while holding our breaths.There was tatse, barobanyakay where we kicked bundled multicolored rubber bands,nirotigbasay during moonlight nights, rurumba (racing against each other whether in theschool plaza or in the town streets in the afternoons, Virgilio Latorre was unbeatable), tago-tago-ay (hide and seek, I like it very much when the girls would join us especially during darknights or even during moonlight nights provided there were dark nooks and hiding places).

I think every Villahanon was a Roman Catholic at that time. So all Villahanons wentto the Church of the Santa Rosa de Lima religiously. We listened patiently to masses saidin Latin, which was of course weird because they were incomprehensible to us, even the“Ora Pronobis and the Pater Noster”. We confessed our sins and took communion. Then wesinned again, whatever they were. We studied cathecism in summer, especially in May. Iwas very good pupil. I even got a Pals Pomade as my reward. In May, we loved watching thegirls in their white uniforms with flower garlands around their dainty heads and their bluesashes around their slim waists. We vowed to marry the pretty ones by eloping with themwhile riding on a white horse to Paradise.

At 6:00 o’clock in the evening, the towering kampanaryo would chime with the bells.The kampanaryo which was probably constructed out of the slave labor of the Villahanons,the towering kampanaryo which had a panoramic view of Maqueda Bay to safeguard CatholicVilla from the onslaughts of the Warriors who believe in Mohammed and the Sultanates ofSulu and Maguindanao. It was Angelus time. If we were on the streets, we would stop, makethe sign of the cross, and hurry up to home. At home, after our simple supper, we wouldwash the dishes. And then we would gather around the living room, perhaps the sala for thelikes of Mila Figueroa and Virgilio Latorre who were rich and had big houses. Since therewere no radios, no TVs, no computers, we would listen to our elders tell stories to us, part ofour oral tradition. Usually, the stories were about engkantos and aswangs. And then toprovide more drama and legitimacy to the aswang stories, something would fly overheadmaking the sound of “Wak, wak, wak, wak.” So we had no doubt whatsoever that indeedthere were Aswangs or Wakwaks.


During summer the cycle was the farm, the sea, picnics, marking the nests of the birds,playing with our kites, fetching drinking water with our salod, getting firewood from the farms sometimesfrom the mangroves in Pangpang, rising early and going to bed early too.

During Christmas, there were panarits, Christmas Carols, and lantern contests. Even in thefarms, there were groups who would walk from one hill to another hill singing the panarits all night long.And on Christmas Day in the poblacion, the Child Jesus would be paraded around the town. A kiss anda ting-a-ling of the bells of the Sacristans would earn the Church P0.01. One centavo at that time couldstill buy you a butterball candy.

There was some kind of a physical, cultural, economic, and political divide between Tayod andHawod. There were “warfares”, “invasions” among the young warriors of Tayod and Hawod. The weaponswere organic. Just bamboo guns with bullets carved from the roots of a tuber. There were haringas,water guns. Nobody died of course, like what is happening now between the soldiers and the NPAs andthe MILF and the MNLF and the Abu Sayyaff. The world has become more civilized and more advanced.

Since there was no radio, no TV, no movies, and many could not afford to go to Catbalogan towatch a movie, entertainment for special occasions such as the fiesta in August, was through a“Komedya”. The rehearsals were done on a site near the building of the Holy Name Academy. Theusual theme was the classic confrontation between systems of belief represented by the Mujaheddinsof Saladin and the Knights of Richard the III and the Crusaders (perhaps the mysterious KnightsTemplar), a confrontation that goes back to Granada in 1492 and which continues to unfold today andcould sound the death knell of mankind. It seems this Villahanon Komedya was known far and wide.Visitors from the neighboring towns and as far away as Carigara in Leyte, would come in boatloads towatch the Villahanon Komedya, sell their wares, partake of humba and other delicious Villahanonpreparations for the fiesta, imbibed on tuba and whisper sweet nothings to Villahanon lasses. And theVillahanon swains would do the same to lovely lasses from such neighboring towns as Zumarraga. Thelate Villahanon educator and icon, Ninang Maring Romano, told me that there would be hundreds ofboats anchored from end to end on the Villa waterfont. The late Eduardo “Dadoy” Hilbano was a toweringfigure in this art form.

While there was scarcity – having scrambled eggs seasoned with the fragrant sibuyen or having friedchicken were abnormal occurrences – there was also abundance. In August, the rice harvested in theprevious planting season could not last the whole year through. So families had to make do with duma,root crops, and corn, which seems to be the favorite of the Cebuanos. However, cooking corn grits withcoconut milk with a buraw barol embedded in the daba and then partaking of the combination is beyonddescription. We would close our eyes with the delicious preparation. And as a test how delicious thecombination was of corn, cooked in coconut milk and barol nga buraw, we had to gulp water from acoconut shell because we were thirsty (hinihibol).


There was abundance of camote, bilanghoy, saging, all sorts of saging you would notbelieve the variety of saging at that time, silot, pako, fresh air, tubo, bokawel, tuba, bulad, sisi,fruits, sweet, luscious fruits, pasayan, and fresh fish. Tabangongo was and still is a delicacy.Having tabangongo with bihud or mother bangus, bangrus, which were so fat and so cheap andhanananaw, a sting ray with white liver which was the main ingredient of binakhaw, can makeyou forget everything else, even your girl friends or boy friends, including your numerous “GoodFors” from Mana Sabel and Mana Leling. Crabs, oh boy. One time, there were so many crabsthat you don’t need to use a net to capture them. They would swim to the surface of the sea,almost begging you to scoop them to your containers. Crabs, crabs, crabs, fat, tasty crabs withaligue. And there was sarad, and bahong. Lope, to earn some money, had become a proficientsarad diver. One time when I visited Villa from Catbalogan, I saw him selling sarad by thebucket. And surprise! His hair had become blonde, bleached by the interaction of the sea, thesun, the air, and the salt. Years later, when I had gone to Tawi Tawi, the Badjaos there wouldremind me of Lope. And here in America, the green-eyed, blonde, lily-skinned Caucasianswould remind me of Lope and sarad. Indeed, Maqueda Bay and the Bay of Villa were so rich withthe bounties of God and Nature. And the Villahanons, young or old did not flinch from hard work.

The rainforest of Villa and Samar were majestic in their splendor. Almost pristine, primeval,untouched. You cast your gaze to the mountains, and the trees would be towering in the distance.Lope and I went to the jungles of Sibahay one time. There I climbed a fully grown Kamagongtree, a tree whose wood is ebony black, and now so rare. They say the Kamagong wood isharder than steel and is more precious than gold.

And because the “web that sustains life” was perhaps still in perfect balance, in the late afternoonsand the early evening, there were thousands and thousands of birds of all shapes, sizes, andcolors flying from the hinterlands of Villa and Samar to roost in the islands off Villa such as Puro.One time, Pepito Varela, admittedly the most popular crooner of his generation, the late JoseNegado, and I borrowed a boat. We were on our way to Banquil, to serenade my classmate withwhom the musician Jose Negado was “eyeing”. With a full moon lighting the entire Bay of Villa,we rowed towards Banquil. When we reached the sandbars separating Puro and Pacao, we hadto get off from the boat and drag it over the sandbar. It was low tide. We rested after ourexertions. And then Padé Joe took out his trumpet, blew on it, trying to accompany Pepito whowas beginning to croon his Mario Lanza favorite of “Overhead the Moon is Beaming” inspired bythe magic of the moonlight. It woke up all the birds resting in the trees of Puro. There was acacophony of sound. We made the sign of the cross and stopped. Subdued and silent, wecontinued with our rowing to Banquil and came back to the bongto at 2 o’clock in the morning.I think the Protectors of the Birds punished us for disturbing their rest. Sablay (Padé Joe) didnot marry the object of our harana in Banquil. Mana Petra was his destiny.


One summer, Lope and I were assigned by our uncle, Tay Dadoy Ranera, to takecare of a corn plantation in Tingara. For several weeks while the corn was growing, Lope andI, as soon as we would wake up in the morning, would put on our buri hats, strap thesundang to our waists, and hike as fast as we could to Tingara from our house in Tayod. Wehad to be there early to shoo away the birds who would feast on the sweet corn. One time,we arrived very early. While Lope was roasting corn ears, I climbed a nearby tree which wasladen with fruits. I was there, leaning on the tree trunk when green and white parrots, picoyand abucay alighted on the tree where I was hidden by the foliage. I think the birds musthave noticed me. But they were not bothered by my presence. They just went on eating thefruits of the tree. Those were halcyon days for us Our breakfast was roasted corn. Ourlunch was roasted corn and broiled fungus. Sometimes we had roasted wild bird, tikling.And we roamed the hills and the meadows and hobnobbed with the wildlife.

I finished up to Grade Five in the Villareal Elementary School. Our poverty was nota hindrance to “the life of the mind”. The library was bursting with books. I would borrow oneand bring it to Lama-awan. There, I would read the colored books by the light of the kerosenelamp.

Children will always play and dream. Dr. Jesus Reyes, “Esong”, and I were seatmatesin Grade Two . During recess we would discuss how Superman might go to Korea, fight theenemies of the American and the Filipino soldiers. The late Benedicto “Ubaw” Rapanan wasa very good friend too. We would go under the Gabaldon Building and try to catch thoseinsects burrowing on the sand and play with them. As a teacher, we believed the late TayAntonino Varela was a universal genius. He would teach us social studies, then music, andwas in charge of our plots which were planted with pichay. Of course, every Saturday, wewould visit our pichay plantation. One time, a classmate, Bernardita Gabrinao who onlyspoke the language of the Imperialistang Taga-ilog was on her way to their farm nearby. Wewere teasing Virigilio Latorre to Bernardita. In a fit of anger, Bernardita stepped on thepichay plot of Virgilio. To replant his pichay plantation, Virgilio had to borrow some seedlingsfrom the rest of us without our permission.

The political bad blood among families in Villa was unavoidable even among us youngsters.This was apparent between the Latorres et al and the Gelis et al. I forget now what was theimmediate cause. But suddenly, here was the late Potenciano Geli and Virgilio Latorrefighting it out in that Gabaldon building. To even the odds, I think Poten got a piece ofbamboo, a gamon. I believe Virgilio’s eyebrow was cut. I remember blood was spurting fromhis face. Somehow, we must have been able to pacify the protagonists. I think years laterwhen the two had become wiser, they would remember that incident as some sort of a rite ofpassage to manhood.


My Grade Five schooling was a watershed in my studies. Who was the most brilliant among us? Not Lydia Varela who was Salutatorianlater. Not Esong Reyes. Not Virgilio Latorre who became Valedictorian one year later. Not Poten Geli. Not Cesar Torres. If you ask us to vote,I think we would vote for Aring (Agripina) Varela. (She left Villa when we were young. But I saw Aring once in Tongao, Butuan when I was roamingPilipinas in the company of “lovely friends”. When Justice Eddie Nachura was just USEC of Education, I was always thinking of asking him tolook up the address of Aring. It never happened. But I have always this fond memories of a dear, brilliant, always cheerful classmate.)

As I said, I continued my studies in Catbalogan in Grade Six. In my first year in Samar High in 1953, I was surprised to see VirgilioLatorre in our class. Madé Doding Conise (Gertrudes Conise-Ocaña) was another Villahanon in our class.

We had become orphans. So Lope and I stayed with an uncle in Manila, Tay Beboy Ranera. While in Manila, we sold newspapers,magazines, and comics. We knew the Santa Ana, Paco, San Andres, Pandacan districts, including the shanty areas, like the palm of ourhands. After making the rounds, we would take our breakfast – a P0.05 bottle of Sarsaparilla, and I think two pieces of pan de coco worth P0.05.Elsa stayed with our Apoy Nanang (Juana Teves Hermida) in Villa.

After months of trying to survive with dignity in Manila, our fortunes changed. My uncle, Bienvenido Torres was looking for me. Becauseour father was a soldier in World War II and was listed as missing in action we were finally given some compensation for his services and hislife. I went back to Catbalogan. I was still able to enroll in Samar High for the second year, but I was late by two periodical periods. But throughthe intercession of a kind woman, a science teacher in Samar High, Mrs. Engracia Garcia, I was admitted during the Third Departmental period.She is a mentor whose memory is deeply etched in my heart. Lope in the meantime, enrolled in Quezon City as Freshman. One time he hadno money for jeep fare. So he walked from his school to Pandacan where he was staying. A nice two-hour hike.

In the Samar High, Lydia had joined us. With Virgilio, it became a reunion of sorts. In Samar High, I believe we Villahanons were blazing trailsalso. For instance, there was never any doubt that Virgilio would someday become Governor or Congressman of Samar. He was our studentpolitician par excellence. In fact, when we were just Third Year, he would have beaten Eddie Nachura for President of the Student Council if Iwas not Eddie’s candidate for Vice President. His charisma and self-confidence was undeniable. Well, God works in mysterious ways. Virgiliowas destined for other things such as being a top brass in the regional administrative system but with the risk of his pants being burned. Withher brief stay with us in Samar High, the beautiful Lydia was a member of the high school social elite.

I was in Samar High when I had my first real job, supposedly with a wage. It was a government job. Ever the kindest person that he hasalways been (one time in Tacloban, when Mano Alding Oreo and I were going to Villa to campaign for a congressional candidate, he gave mehis last P0.10 centavos), Virgilio gave me three days of the five days he was allotted in the road work by his uncle Mayor Fidencio Latorre —cleaning and maintaining that now famous Bayanihan Road of shrubs and debris that were littering the road. For three days in summer, I wouldwake up early in the morning. Bring bahaw and fried usu-os as my balon. strap the scabbard of the sundang to my waist, put on a buri hat, walkto a place somewhere beyond Igot and do our work. I forgot now who were my fellow laborers. But I really worked hard because even at thattime I believe that it was the people of the Philippines who were paying us for our work. And I did not want to cheat on them.

I waited and waited for my wage of my three days of hard work. I never got it. Not even Virgilio could tell me what happened to my wageor if he got it in his name or someone got the money and pocketed it. This was my first official encounter with my Government.


During summers in high school, I would go to Villa. We had our barkada. We would meet periodically in the imburnals especiallyduring moonlight nights. We would debate, trying to impress each other with our facility of English, serenade the girls, engaged in theoccasional irignom and picnics on weekends. Since we were teenagers valiantly trying to impress the girls, we would wear bakya, woodenclogs, all over the town. The Japanese had not yet discovered the manufacturing of those rubber sandals which pollute the environment.

We graduated from high school in 1957. There were no graduation parties and rejoicing. Ramon Magsaysay, the CIA-backed Presidentof the Philippines, had died in a plane crash in Cebu. After our commencement rites, I went to Villa, as an onlooker of the graduation in WestCoast Academy. While there, we were looking towards Catbalogan which was burning to the ground right at that very moment. Surprisingly, Iwas not worried; perhaps because I had few personal belongings in Catbalogan. Sometimes, it is nice to be poor.

I ended in the University of the Philippines. While in Manila, we Villahanon students obviously gravitated to each other — Budick Yu, Vincentand Nonong Figueroa, Ubaw Rapanan, Ising Endrina, Nanding Hilbano, Lydia and Raul Varela, Edith Latoja, the lovely Evelyn Latoja, Liit andBing Tizon, Gingging Dasmariñas who was our junior, the Seludos (Maruja, Douglas and their siblings) Gironedes “Neding” Gelera, later onAndrew Varela, then Pacit Varela, Felisa Tandinco, Baby Godo Gelera who was not a drunkard like us, Titing Gelera Latorre who was more ofa Guiuananon than a Villahanon, and some others, and of course Lope. We became the core of the “Villareal Youth Club of Manila”, VYCM. Iwas its President. I think we helped in celebrating the fiesta in Manila. But we did have some meetings. I remember quarreling with CaridadPaco over some inconsequential issue.


But our VYCM was nothing compared to the trailblazing achievements of the Villahanon Association of Metro Manila. They have shownthe way. I just hope they do not get waylaid by the wayside, groping in the dark recesses of pride and lack of humility.

When I would drop out from the U.P. I would end up in Villa bothering Mikolo “Kalig”.Miguel Presnilla. He was already a teacher at thattime. And of course, he was a very popular and sought after teacher. Very romantic, great with his fingers, especially when he was strummingthe guitar and using those slender fingers for all activities. God, created him that way. So I would go with him to Bangon, to Plaridel. There Iwould help in the Pintakasi, repairing a school building among others. I would go with the Ugdok (eel) catchers. One time, Batá Pepe Moraborwho motored to Bangon to sell some fish, labas, wanted to take me back to Villa, worried that the tagnok would eat me out. Then from Plaridel,we would walk the mountain trails to San Andres and visit Araceli Abainza, Gloria Latoja, and the other lady teachers in San Andres. From SanAndres, we would hike to San Roque. We even went to Bino-ongan and Santa Rosa and gobbled up Libook. We had no money to buycigarettes. So we roasted tobacco, crumpled the tobacco leaves and rolled them in paper to make a tigol.

I would go back to Manila after a stint of serenadingthe Villahanon teachers in the barrios and picking up, sagol,choice fishes for kinilaw from the tables of Mana Payangand scribbling all those innumerable “Good Fors” some ofwhich are still probably outstanding. And with the inspirationand prodding of Lydia who had come back from America, Ihad to finish my studies, especially when Mara and Alexanderwere already around. But our house in Project 2 in QuezonCity and Sampaloc were still veritable half-way houses forVillahanons who had no place to stay in Manila. To finish mystudies, there were times when I would not go home once Iknew that there was drinking going on in the house. After allLope and Nanding Hilbano, Nanding who was the bestcuracha dancer I have ever seen in Manila, were still thedrinking buddies of most Villahanons, including the newmembers of the Lepanto Boys, Mano Ramon Hilvano, thelate Padé Prudy Geli who entrusted to me her daughter Dada,and the late Tiboy Latorre, who was so hard to control whenhe was drunk. Sometimes we would hold him by his hands,and his feet and dump him on a taxi and bring him home.

In the Villareal community in Metro Manila, we would stillsee each other especially during the celebration of the Feastof the Santa Rosa de Lima.


Compared to other Samarnon groups in Metro Manila who would celebrate their fiestas in elegant surroundings such as the ManilaHotel, where only the elite and those with money could savor the grace and ambiance of a Catholic and Christian tradition devoted to God andHis Saints, in contrast, the Villahanons, at least when I was still there, would reach out to everyone. Nobody would be turned away, even thosewho were definitely gatecrashers and freeloaders. Precisely, as a response to our Catholicism and graciousness, celebrating the Feast of theSanta Rosa in Metro Manila was characterized by popular and grassroots responsibility. From a single hermano or hermana during its earlyyears, now there are so many of them and they all come from all over the world especially from Norway, whose trailblazer was Rosalia Gerardo.I think she was the first Filipina and Villahanon in Norway and Europe.

After saying “No” to the beckoning of America in 1983, with a heavy heart, uncertain what the future would bring, I decided to try myluck in this land of milk and honey, the former colonial master of our people, the most powerful and richest country in the world.

With $10 that I borrowed from Fe in my pocket I boarded the Northwest Jumbo Jet to San Francisco in November 1985. Except for ex-DAP Executive Vice President, Dr. Segundo Romero, Jr. I did not tell anyone in the UP that I was leaving. When I told my staff in Ayala that Iwas leaving in the afternoon on that very day, there was lamentation. Mara and Alexander followed, arriving in the University Town of Berkeleyon December 24, 1985.

It was a very humbling and frustrating experience in San Francisco during the early months of our arrival. Only Lydia was working.Despite my qualifications, I could not find a job. We were helped by very kind Calbiganons, Ester Ocenada-Benigno and her cousins, and aBasaynon whose name we have forgotten but whose kindness is forever engraved in our hearts. Finally, when we had the time and theresources, we gravitated to our kind. First to the Calbiganons, because Lydia is half-Calbiganon. Theirs was the first fiesta we attended inAmerica. Then the Catbaloganons, after all I was born in Silanga. Then the Villahanons whose leaders and concentration were in Los Angeles.But several years would pass before we could go to Los Angeles. As a symbol of our solidarity and unity with all Villahanons all over the world,we never succumbed to the siren song of forming our own Villahanon association in San Francisco, especially if the only purpose was just tocelebrate the fiesta. We thought we should organize a pilgrimage to Lima, Peru and devote whatever resources we could spare to helping ourhometown, instead of focusing so much on our fiesta celebration here in America.

For us, therefore, there was only one community of Villahanons all over the world. We referred to ourselves as “The VillahanonsInternational” which include Esdras, Inday, and Ponso Romano in Northern California, Ruben Gerardo and other Villahanons in Norway,Quirino Ragub and his beloved Tunding who has a penchant for burning pants of his beloved cousin, Nora Colles-Chawla, Ada Quijano-Reyes,Soledad Agote in Canada, Nora and other Royandoyans, the Hilvanos (the late Godfather of the Villahanons, Mano Sotero Hilvano, sons Victorand wife, Doctor Mansueta and Angelito), Gery Hilvano in Las Vegas, and their cousins, who spell their names differently, the Hilbanos, inSouthern California and Las Vegas, (Mano Joe, Belen), Mana Bangbang and Ate Grace Arcallana, the Ricaldes (Mana Oswalda and the late Fr.Nick), the admirable couple, Dina Seludo and Frank Bunuan, Clarito and Mana Mila Seludo, Mana Juling Gabompa who has a lovely house ontop of a hill in Northern California, the Seludos-Tabungars, Caridad Paco, Mana Cordying Daluraya, Suki, Tening, and Zenaida Ygat in California,the Varelas in the Midwest, Lotlot Fallorina, Mana Nina Latorre-Ras and lovely daughter, Bingbing, Dave Yu, the finance whizz who waited 8hours to be picked up at the San Francisco Airport, Aida Geli, Rufino and Jimmy Obregon, Ralph Brillante who has severed his relationship withVillahanons in California, Mana Lily Fabilane and brother, Isidro, and Mana Ruthie Dougherty whom we visited regular and now we do not seeanymore, Gina Cabueños and Dennis Blanco, Joanna Aboga and her gracious American husband, Bob Foster, our ever reliable, classmateMinda Geli, Godofredo “Baby” Gelera, one of the pioneer Villahanons in California, Padre Pepe Garcia in Canada, and the family of Judith


In America, we tried to combine our religious piety with civic works for our hometown, little things for our church, the schools (books andscholars for the Holy Name Academy), innovative arrangements such as “The Paolo Lean Torres Pimentel Partners in Learning”, a collaborationwith the Cambaguio and the Central Elementary Schools), the community, such as the Stairway to Heaven of The Clan led by Vincent Figueroa,supporting the publication of the pioneering “Budyong Han Villa”, which was staffed by Villahanon writers and poets and printed by using amimeograph machine, and organizing the Omawas Foundation which unhappily resulted in the unnecessary and tragic death of two belovedcommunity leaders, Mano Joe and Mana Nitnit Dalwatan and Elma Figueroa’s suffering. But for the courage and bravery of Mila Figueroa, oneof the most respected leaders of our community who chose to stay in Villa to serve our people, instead of staying in America as a highly paidFlorence Nigtingale, many more would have lost their lives. All for nothing. We need to honor Mano Joe and Mana Nitnit, mga Baraan ngaSusgaran han Bongto.

We remember with fondness the late Epifanio Nuñez. Together with his wife, Flor Marasigan, they mobilized the Villahanons inCalifornia on helping our church. We have that aborted Kamorayaw Cemetery Project of the Villahanons International, of course. The souls ofthe dead Villahanons are wailing in the nether world because of a promise that remains unfulfilled. But the dream is there. Kun diri kita, itonsunod nga henerasyon. Kun diri yana, iton sunod nga panahon.

There were profound changes among Villahanons too. For once a Villahanon Parish Priest, Fr. Jun Cinco, could hobnob with his flockin America, not just in Villa and Metro Manila. Through the very illustrious and eminent Archbishop Jose Palma, Villahanon priests could visitus in San Francisco and other parts of America.

As fate would have it, a Villahanon, Marivel Sacendoncillo, could exercise some authority and influence to send local governmentexecutives, such as Mayor Renato “Boy” Latorre, (and sister Calbiga Mayor, Luzviminda “Bebot” Latorre) to train in Canada. Before this, ourmayors could only travel to Lamingao, to Catbaloganon, to Tacloban and to Manila on official business with some relaxation in some nightspots. After all, it was so tiring and tedious following up official business in the bureaucratic bowels of the Philippine Administrative System,especially if one has a hangover.

The singular importance of our democratic social structure and its concomitant egalitarianism — we do not distinguish ourselves fromeach other whether tuminongnong or a timawa or whether Manila-born or fresh from San Francisco, New York, Canada, or Norway or fromInasudlan, San Andres or Himyangan — separates us from other groups. There is also that oneness with everyone which somehow culminatesin the hermandad and celebration of the fiesta in Metro Manila where one is deemed not to have fully complied with the unwritten initiation ofbeing a Villahanon if one has not yet become a sponsor of the Santa Rosa fiesta. Finally, there is our characteristic as thinkers, visionaries, anddreamers. Sometimes, like the eloquent Fr. Rudy Romano or the Calubids, and others, we pay with our lives. All these and other factors provideus with a dynamic community of Villahahons linked to each other all over the world.

Presnilla in Sacramento, and many others more. There are now so many of us, Villahanons in Diaspora, we need a huge database. For thoseI cannot remember, please forgive me. The next Villahanon historians will rectify our lapses.


With the advent of the Internet, many diasporic Villahanons have become closer to each other. We communicate in the World WideWeb with a flick of a “computer mouse”. Aside from long distance calls, there is cell phone texting, Yahoo Messenger, Web Cameras, and themost popular of all, electronic mail. Our brilliant municipal consultant and local government planner, Armando “Boy” Ridao transmits hugecomputer files from the municipio to me in California, files which contain the comprehensive development plan of the town under the leadershipof Mayor Reynato “Boy” Latorre and his fellow municipal officials. I chat on real time with Jim Gabree, the Amerian husband of Marjorie Hilvanoin Guintarcan, through a computer which is connected to the Internet through “satellite broadband”which does not need land-based telephoneconnections. I used to chat with my godchild, Jeanette Presnilla, in Tacloban while I was in San Francisco. Indeed, our familiarity with theInternet makes us tower above many other groups all over the Philippines. As of last count, for instance, we have three websites and electronicdiscussion groups.


And from Desiderata:

“Do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.Many fears are borne of fatigue and loneliness.With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.”

Editor’s Note: When I requested Mano Cesar to contribute an article, I was thinking that busy as he is, he would only come out with a one-pageor two-page piece that he can finish in one setting. When he called me and asked how long his article might be, I told him that it should be 5to 6 pages. I was wondering what was taking him so long. It turned out that he has decided to write about the Villahanons covering a period

The foregoing, together with other factors, combined to develop a synergy, a confluence of events and circumstances, making us amodel all over the Philippines and the Third World. When we took on this mind-boggling collaborative project to repair and cement this 8-kmpublic road through Tiklos or Bayanihan, a project that has never been done voluntarily in the history of the Philippines, a project that involvesmassive use of the Internet, a project where even our school children are helping, we showed the world that poor as we are, we can hold ourheads high with dignity. The corrupt and the nincompoops do not dangle us by their dirty little fingers anymore.

Of course, we Villahanons are not angels. I once stumbled on Ruben Gerardo’s “Villahanon Forum”, a discussion medium in theInternet. I could not believe at the lack of principles, the cowardice, the unkindness, and the quality of the exchanges. I could not discern anygraciousness and humility. People would just fling accusations left and right without any evidence. They hide under aliases. It is dishearteningto realize that the kind and noble intentions of Ruben’s Villahanon Forum has been hijacked and mutilated by unprincipled individuals. It ispractically reeking with unimaginable evil.

We will self-destruct if we don’t wake up from our psychosis. Hurling accusations while hiding under aliases and fictitious names aresymptomatic of a sick society, a society of political, cultural, and civic misfits. We have to wrench ourselves from the old ways of doing things.We cannot continue to be hating each other without letup. We will explode with our unflinching hatred at our fellow Villahanons.

It is critical that we transcend our myopic and tongao-like perceptions of our roles in our municipality, in how we confront the challengesfacing Villa, the entire Philippine society, and the world. Our almost deliberate inability to do this is what makes unlovable.

Even then, we continue with our mantra: “We love Villa! We hate Villa! We love Villa….” And if we are believers in the Peruvian Saint,Santa Rosa de Lima, and all the other saints whose sainthoods are being celebrated by all Villahanons in our 38 barangays and by theirassociations in Metro Manila, there is no doubt that love will triumph, that good will vanquish evil and hatred.

I end this labor of love with some lines from the Ecclesiastes:

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak,A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”


of more than half a century. This piece is far from being a definitive, authoritative, historical piece. If ever, this simply attempts to preserve forthe future generations some memorable events among Villahanons in our hometown, in Metro Manila, and in America where he is based nowsince 1985. It shows the way. We should not construe this as his story. Rather, this is the story of our town and how he lived there. He hasdecided to do this, so that our past is not forgotten, so that our children and their children’s children will know. He correctly thinks that if he willnot do this, nobody else will. And if he will not do this now, this will never be done at all.

He is married to the beauteous Lydia Froilan Varela with whom he has two children, Maria “Mara” Teresita Varela Torres-Pimentel and Alexander “Doydoy” Varela Torres.Mara is married to the author and former San Francisco Chronicle staff writer and ABS-CBN anchorman, Benjamin Pimentel, with whom they have two boys, 8-year oldPaolo Lean Torres Pimentel and 2-year old Anton Diego Torres Pimentel. Together with thousands of Filipino expatriates around the world, especially in the Middle East,he is currently involved in helping organize a worldwide, economic, social, and political movement that will focus on a more effective participation in Philippine developmentof the more than 8 million Filipinos in Diaspora. This piece is dedicated to the future generations of Villahanons.

The author is a product of our public school system. An alumnus of the Samar High School where he graduated with honors and was a student leader, heis a recipient of the Outstanding Centennial Alumnus Award in 2004. He has three degrees from the U.P. one with honors which automatically madehim a lifetime member of the International Social Science Honor Society of Pi Gamma Mu. In the U.P., he has the distinction of being the only undergraduateto be appointed Assistant to the Vice President for Development and Public Affairs of the U.P. System. He was an Assistant Professor of the Departmentof Political Science while being Senior Consultant of the think tank Development Academy of the Philippines. During the Centennial Celebration of the U.P.National College of Public Administration and Governance, he was nominated by now U.P. Vice President for Planning and Finance, Dr. Maria ConcepcionParrocco-Alfiler who was then Dean of the College, as Outstanding Public Administration Alumnus. He has created the Internet group, UP-Alumni-In-

[email protected]. He is still working as a senior analyst of the State of California where he was given the Sustained Superior Performance Awardin 1997, the only Filipino to be given that award that year. He is active in the Filipino-American community in Northern California – Founder of the Samar High-Samar NationalSchool Alumni Association of America, Past President of the San Francisco-based Samareños of California, Board Member, Acting President and Vice-President of theFilipino American Council of San Francisco, Chairman of the Pamana ng Lahing Pilipino Foundation, Board Member of the UP Alumni Association of San Francisco. He isan original convenor of the innovative International Discussion Group [email protected] who meet every now and then in San Francisco. He is a columnistof the “Filipino Insider” which is also published online. Together with Ruben Gerardo, he moderates the Internet discussion group, [email protected] is the Chief Editor and contributor of the online publication of Gugma Han Samar Cyberspace Movement.




Villareal, Forever My HomeBy: Terry S. Wickström

It has been 20 years ago since I left Villareal and breathe my very firstScandinavian air here. It was around midsummer when I arrived and I frozecold which made me wonder, if I freeze in summertime, how would I make it inwintertime? I have been back to Villareal at least a dozen times since then.During this span of time, I also made several travels abroad and these travelsand my stay here in Sweden are basis of these reflections.

Villareal and Uppsala, Sweden where I now reside are home to me. Despite ofthe differences between the two places, one too exotic and the other aninternational metropolis in an 18th century setting, both places I consider myhome; places very close to my heart and where I have my family and friendswith whom I share the ups and downs of life.

The very first thought that comes to mind when thinking of Villareal is thesimplicity of life, so removed from the stress and hassles of this postmodernworld. When I lived in Villareal I took for granted that we did not compete withtime, did not have to make appointments to meet a very close friend or even afamily member. Living in a fast paced urban environment in the North,everyone seems to be very busy that you can’t make unannounced visits ormeet them as often as you want to. Even my children have their ownschedules outside of school and I too have a full set of activities with a fulltime job. So time has to be managed effectively. In Villareal, one findstranquillity and time to reflect, such priceless gifts taken for granted. Stress isa foreign word in Villa, in contrast to this modern world.

Another thing that comes to mind when thinking of Villareal is our nearness to nature. People abroad take expensive holidays to exoticcountries for a good doze of sunshine and to experience the beauty of nature. But these things are just around the corner in Villareal. Herein Sweden summer is very short lasting only 3 months. I found it quite strange in the beginning when the weather and sunshine preoccupiedpeople’s conversations. I could never forget my first sight of these sun worshippers with closed eyes as they gazed towards the sun as if intrance. It took years before I understood them and did the same after not getting enough sunshine in the short summer months. It wastherefore not a surprise to see how awed my colleagues at work were when I described to them the beauty of nature of Pacao, mybirthplace in Villareal.


When I think of Villareal, I think of family and family values. One recollects how close family members are to one another and how in time ofneed you could always run to them for help. In return you also want to give back, to pay forward. The sense of belonging and the assuranceof family sets the Villahanons apart. Indeed a blessing especially if you think of how the seniors in developed countries like Sweden end upin nursing homes.

One thing that also stands out when remembering Villareal is our political practices, which is so different from the political culture inSweden. I remember the first time I asked a person who he was voting for. I got a very strange look and realized that voting is private, almostsacred. People discuss political platforms but the voting is done privately. You don’t convince family or relatives to vote for a certain party.Voting is a personal right and has to be decided only by the individual. .

Finally, Villareal reminds me of my happy moments in the former Villareal Municipal High School. I spent the most fruitful, memorable andhappy years in Villareal there. I look back to those times with joy and gratitude.

The author is a supervisor of Gate Gourmet in Sweden. She is a daughter of Former Vice-Mayor Pascual A. Sacendoncillo and Antonia J. Sacendoncillo.She is blessed with two (2) children Stefan and Angelika. She is currently the President of the Philippine Association of Uppsalla, Sweden.


Villahanons in Canada:Meeting the Challenges

in Their Adopted CountryBY DR. QUIRINO AGOTE RAGUB

Villahanons generally think of Canada a welcoming country of vast opportunities.In my experience, this notion is true. Canada is truly multicultural and a countryI can call my own. One’s language and culture are recognized to co-exist withothers. Such is the tapestry of Canada that includes the uniquely Villahanonthreads. For these reasons, Canada has now become an adopted country tosome Villahanons. Yet coming to and settling in Canada posed some majorchallenges to Filipinos, in general, and to a Villahanon like me, in particular..

The first challenge- migrating to Canada. While this can be done in severalways such as an independent immigrant and a caregiver, or through a provincialnomination in Manitoba or by claiming refugee status, the current proceduresand costs involved can be quite financially prohibitive. However, over a decadeago, this wasn’t quite the case. When my wife, GERTRUDES SELUDO LLARENAS-RAGUB, moved to Canada in 1990, immigrant admission requirements were morerelaxed. Back then, no formal six months training was required from applicantsto the caregiver program. Today, one’s training certificate is not enough toguarantee qualification to move to Canada.

Moving to Canada as a contract worker requires one to stay with the Canadianemployer for two years. When the two-year contract is completed, one caneither be released by the employer or be prevailed upon to stay. Most exceptionallygood workers who agree for an extended period of service with their employersare able to negotiate the possibility of sponsoring a relative or sibling to come toCanada. After three years of stay in Canada, one can file for the sponsorshipapplication for a family member. Because Canada is supportive of familyreunification, the waiting period for family petitions is not very lengthy for as longas the Canadian immigration requirements are met. This is how Villahanonsgrew in number in Canada.


This trend in employment continued to such an extent that the Canadian government realized the enormous wastage ofthe human capital potential of immigrants because of the rigorous licensing requirements. It has now started to harnessand optimize immigrant professionals. Despite this development, opening doors to foreign-trained professionals is stilloften met with opposition. This affects so many Filipinos who had well-paying jobs or lucrative businesses back home, butare forced to take on any job to augment family income while living in Canada.

The third and biggest challenge-coping with homesickness and managing one’s longing for Villa. When mywife came to Canada in 1990, our youngest son was only about four years old. On the day of her flight, she didn’t evenwake our sons up because she couldn’t stand the thought of bidding them goodbye. The pursuit of a better future for ourchildren was her driving force and source of determination. Coping with homesickness is costly – the phone bills can beenormous. However, most Villahanons don’t care too much about spending on long distance calls, for as long as theystay connected with their families back home. Fortunately, advances in communication technology have helped ease thehomesickness of Villahanons in Canada.

Everything about Villa is missed so terribly. It is the fervent wish of every Villahanon to go back home in every August toattend the fiesta, but work and financial constraints do not make this possible. This longing for home is felt just asintensely by us, the Villahanons in Canada. There really is no place like home. There is no place like Villa.

The second challenge- finding employment that is suitable to your Philippine job experience. Canada does not recognize degreesearned outside of its borders. Getting your credentials recognized is a very tedious process. I did mine, but I was made to pass through theneedle’s eye. Every province in Canada has its own licensing body for every profession. And one must be licensed in every province you chooseto work at. Because of the rigors and hassles of licensing, and for practical economic reasons, many first wave immigrants decided to foregoof having their credentials recognized and instead opted to take on jobs that were not in line with their educational background and previoustraining and employment.

To cope with our longing for home, Villahanons in Toronto and Ottawa started to celebrate reunions on the Feast of Santa Rosa de Lima everyAugust. It began in 1999 when NORA COLLES-CHAWLA together with MARITES OCANA-ORBESO and THELMA OCENAR had the first gathering in Nora’sformer house in Mississauga. Nora was the first hermana of the fiesta followed by Marites Ocana in 2000.

In 2001, the celebration was held in Ottawa with GERTRUDES (DING) LLARENAS-RAGUB as the hermana. An image of Santa Rosa de Lima donatedby MANA ESTRING LATORRE and ‘NAY MELING QUIJANO, and the “Estandarte” donated by MSGR. LUIS LLARENAS were blessed and made the centralfocus of the festivities. This image of Santa Rosa deLima was brought personally by Mana Estring Tan-Latorre when she and son ATAT LATORREcame to Canada. The fiesta celebration in Ottawa that year was attended by Villahanons from the United States. MANA CARING PACO andhusband MANO LINO, RAFFY OBREGON with wife NANETTE came all the way from California; ROMY and ROSIE AMINTOSO-LATORRE came from NewJersey; and GINA OBREGON flew in from Texas.


In 2002, it was Toronto’s turn to host the fiesta and it was my niece THELMA OCENAR-COLLES whowas hermana. In 2003, the celebration was in Ottawa again and my cousin SOL AGOTE-SANTOSwas the hermana. In 2004, the hermana was TET LATORRE-ARCANGEL followed in 2005 by BERNADETTEKATI whose roots are from Villa - the Sabios and the Nacionals.

In 2006, the fiesta celebration was held in Ottawa and was a dual celebration - the fiesta forSanta Rosa de Lima and our 25th Wedding Anniversary. With the VILLAREAL BAYANIHAN ROADRECONSTRUCTION underway, Ding and I requested our guests to give donations to the roadreconstruction project in lieu of gifts. Our friends and guests supported our request and we wereable to generate one hundred thousand pesos for the road project.

Apart from longing for home, it is also the dream of every Villahanon to see the completion of theVillareal Bayanihan Road Reconstruction Project. This government-forsaken nine-kilometer roadconnecting the town of Villareal to the national highway has earned so many names. It wascalled a “Fiesta Road” because it was only in August (the fiesta month) that the cavernouspotholes are bulldozed and filled with white soft stones. When the rainy days come again, thesewide potholes become mini ponds that render impossible whatever kind of travel by car andmotor vehicles. This road was also called “Panaaran” because of the promises of politiciansduring election campaigns. Elections came and went, and the promises of politicians have allvanished in thin air.

During one Villahanon Fiesta in Metro Manila, MAYOR REYNATO (BOY) RAPANAN LATORRE and DIRECTORMARIVEL CAMILON-SACENDONCILLO challenged the Villahanons to take it upon themselves to initiatethe improvement of the roads since the government had forever turned a blind eye to it. This washow the VILLAREAL BAYANIHAN ROAD RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT started. The challenge fired up theManila-based Villahanons, and before long, Villahanons from all over the country and around theworld wanted to be involved. With dedicated volunteer-service of ELIZABETH GELERA-LATOJA aschairperson for solicitation, monetary as well as material donations kept pouring in constantly forthis road project. Free labor (bayanihan/pintakasi style) was provided by Villahanons in everybarangay. Even municipal and national employees of the town gave their share of free labor onSaturdays. With the concerted efforts and sustained commitment of all Villahanons and friendsof Villa, we know that the realization of this dream is not far behind. The Villahanons in Canadawill always be counted on for whatever major project our town will undertake.

There are not many Villahanons in Canada. In Toronto, there is Nora Colles-Chawla and family;Mira Colles-Hassan and family; Tet Latorre-Arcangel and family; Marites Ocana-Orbeso withparents Mano Arturo and Mana Lilia Ocana; Bernadette Kati and her sister Elsa Maricris Colles;Juanillo Miel and family (whose roots are from Guintarcan); Mana Aday Quijano-Reyes the wife ofDr. Jesus Reyes together with their children; and Amparo Ocana.


In Ottawa, there is Sol Agote-Santos with her childrenJosephine Santos-Tapiru and family; William Santos andfamily; Ruel Santos and family; Thelma Ocenar and husbandNieto Colles and family; Dandan Llarenas-Ferarris withdaughters Frances, Glenda with her husband Blanco; Leonilaand Althea Quejada; the Ragub family with my sons Bapand GR; Evelyn Hernandez-Caballero and family; EthelHernandez and Alice Hermosura-Tagimacruz.

In Vancouver, there is Belen Hermo Lababo, the sistersMarmie and Letlet Fallorina and Nick Alcorroque. In Winnipeg,there is Patrocinia Seludo Jerusalem-Paulo and family andour latest Villahanon arrivals are Gingging Latorre Tan-Ocenarand her husband Gil.

We may (still) be few in number, but we have a big heart inhelping Villareal become a progressive municipality and abetter place to live in and raise the future generation ofVillahanons.

Dr. Quirino Ragub is a Villahanon born and raised in Tayud, Villareal, Samar. He is married to the former Gertrudes Seludo Llarenas with whomhe has two (2) sons, Bernardo Anthony Ponciano (Bap) and GerRino (GR). He was a former Professor with an academic rank of Professor6 at the Leyte Normal University in Tacloban City. In his tenure as professor at the University, he assumed various positions as Assistant Deanof the Graduate School, Director for Alumni Relations and Department Head for Pre-Elementary Education on, Values Education and SpecialEducation. Currently, he is a certified teacher in Ontario, Canada and a principal in a First Nations school in Northern Ontario. His family is happilysettled in Ottawa.

MAUPAY UG MALIPAYON NGA PATRON HA ATON NGATANAN!

No matter how seemingly insurmountable the challenges we face here in Canada, we- strong-willed, determined, self-sacrificing and courageousVillahanons- tackle them head on and overcome them. We will not only prevail, we will flourish. This we know because of our love for our dearlybeloved Villa and our faith in our beloved Patroness, Santa Rosa de Lima.

Our best wishes and sincerest congratulations to the Fiesta Hermana 2007- DILG Executive Director MARIVEL GELERA CAMILON-SACENDONCILLOand DANNY, her very supportive husband.


Villareal …. A land where the great hills and uplands meet the calm and beautifulseas; a place where the cool winds pass each day to ward off the sun’s heat; wherethe birds freely soar the skies, feeling the rushing wind beneath their wings; andwhere the creatures of the ground enjoy the soothing smell of the mountain air. Inthis place one lives in harmony with nature. A place of abundance and joy. A town ofexquisite beauty. A place I came to call …home.

I have lived in this town for seventeen years now. This has become my playgroundand my sanctuary. Within its streets I found people worth-knowing and in them Ifound values of treasure. This town is home. It is priceless not only to me but topeople living in it as well. I love this town with blazing fervor; like a child to hismother. This love drives me to offer whatever it is in my capacity, however modest, tomake this town a better place. And I am certain that other people feel and wouldgladly do the same. Everyone surely dreams of a town of harmony and prosperity;and that dream is not far…. It never was.

A Glimpse Of My HometownMarlon Clint Solis-Camilon

I started out, like everybody else, a creature possessinglittle arms and little limbs: a child with Villa as mymeadow and my paradise. I ran here and there. I foundgreat friends in this little Eden. Friends who playedand grew up with me Here in this town I felt the freedomof the plains and the security of a fortress. And wheneverI find myself in another place, I have a longing to beboth free and safe, to be right in my home in Villa. Thiswas how I saw my hometown when I was younger.

A little of me has transformed now that I am in myteens. One of these changes is my vision of this town.Yes, it is still my paradise, it will always remain so;but I come to see far more great treasures in it thanjust the flowers and grasses. Time and experiencetaught me things hidden from my eye but clear andstunningly beautiful to my heart. These are the manyvalues in every heart of a Villahanon– values that ranthrough the veins of this town, being passed fromgeneration to generation through time. This town issimply blessed. It produces God-fearing people withgreat faith on a loving God.This makes this town nearto Him, like a bird soaring high it almost touches the


heaven. Respect and hospitality are other pearls this towncould be proud of. People here look at a person as a person,respecting each other, tolerant of one’s weaknesses andaccepting of diversity. People open their homes to visitorsand strangers with smiling faces, making others feel theyare at home. All these and many other values I found in thislittle sanctuary. And what makes it even more impressive isthat they do these beautiful things with a shining little crescentin their faces, a smile. Saying so, I would say that whatmakes me proud most are not the values themselves, butthe people who have etched them in their hearts.

Yes, I am very proud of the people here. This simple townproduces people of brilliance, with great minds and hearts.Priests have been the favorite fruits of this town. Forgenerations Villareal has produced priests of exceptional faithand talent. Other than priests, this town also has producedpeople bestowed with the gift of arts. People of impressivetalents and whose skills marvel every observer; every eyethat sees; every ear that hears, every heart that feels. Painterswhose pictures showed us the many splendors and difficultiesof life; musicians who filled our ears with lovely, jolly andeven nostalgic tunes; and writers whose works taught the

simple lessons of life and took us to magical places. These are the people whoadd color and meaning to everyday lives. My hometown has also producedgreat minds and leaders with integrity. I myself, at my young age has seensome of these people – those who are willing to serve, natural born leaders whoput others first before them, those who wish to carry the whole town to glory.These people of distinction are very much rare to find nowadays, people whoare like the mighty tall trees. They give shade to the weak, support to the frailand agile and promote justice.Another group Villa has produced are teachers. They hold in their chalkedhands the very future of this little sanctuary. In the timid wooden sticks lies thediscipline and morals of the future citizens of the town. They, more than anyother person in any other profession, must be looked upon with respect andgratitude, for they not only create professionals but they create futures too…bright futures. With great pride, I say that our family tree has an abundance ofteachers in its line. This town does create people who excel in different areasand specializations in life, people who become great not only for what they dobut also for who they are inside

But what really stands out in all these is the unwavering humility of Villahanons.In spite of their innate ability to achieve great things, they keep their feet on theground. They fly, yes, they even soar; yet they never forget to anchor themselvesin their roots,

All these things, however modest orgrand, make my hometown one of akind. These make Villa uniquelybeautiful to the people living here andto those outside. A treasure it will be tome and to many others, a shining jewelthat incessantly illuminates.

Even as I find myself in many otherplaces in my personal journey, there willonly be one place I call home. . Andwherever life takes us, we will resolutelydeclare that Viila is our town, ourpriceless treasure, our beloved andirreplaceable home. Villareal will alwaysbe my Villa… my home.


Soryteller:

A beggar once spoke to the LordOf his tragic life in a cruel world;He faced the heavens in a cloudy day,Closed his eyes .... and begin to say .....

Beggar:

“Oh Lord! Why did Thou made me this?I suffer everytime I see Thy face!For it’s unfair, how happy people lived,While me, I’m here; I beg to live!”

“Why do they wear neat clean clothes,While mine is ragged, with the smell of dogs?Their food is clean, sweet and yum!While mine can barely fill a can...”

“Why did Thou Lord create meTo live a life of miseryAm I diufferent form all the others?Oh! Am I the lowest of Thy creatures?”

Story Teller:Then lightning flashed and thunder roared;Flashes gleamed like shining swords!The rivers trembled, the mountains woke;And all were silent... as the Almighty spoke.....

God:

“Oh humble soul, remember this!There is not a single thing thou missed!Thou learned to breathe, though learned to speak!Thou learned to stand on thy own feet!”

“Let them wear their neat, fancy clothes!Let them have nice delicious foods!But thou, just keep thy faithful heart,And to thy embrace, thou’ll never be apart!”

“Here on Earth, thou may seem low!But in My kingdom thou art a pharaoh!Just keep and take thy sufferings,For in My place thou art a King!”

“So stop complaining about thy life!For of all My creatures thou art the typewho will see the light and be rained with glory,And be with Me ....... for all eternity!”

Storyteller:

The beggar said not a single wordHe cried and knelt unto the Lord,For how foolish of his mouth to complainWhen he is the luckiest in God’s domain!

The BeggarBy. Marlon Clint Solis-Camilon

As I journey through life the message of this poem “The Beggar” that I wrote will be my guideposts.


The author is a college student of the Eastern Visayas State University. He is a son of Marlon Camilon and Cleofe Solis-Camilon. He is awinner of the 5th National Essay Writing Contest of the Intellectual Property Office, Office of the President in 2004.


An ancient Chippewa traditionThe dream net has been madeFor many generationsWhere spirit dreams have played

Hung above the cradle boardOr in the lodge up highThe dream net catches bad dreamsWhile good dreams slip on by

Bad dreams become entangledAmong the sinew threadGood dreams slip through the center holeWhile you dream upon your bed

This is an ancient legendSince dreams will never ceaseHang this dream net above your bedDream on and be at Peace

Dream Catchers


A typical Villahanon dreams of progress and believes that it comes faster when you leave Villareal. I was driven by the same belief. Many of uswho left the comforts of home and family have been proven right. Others have failed miserably because dreaming is not all it takes to succeed.

During moonlit nights when I was in my teens, I would sit at the pantalan with some of members of the Villareal Youth Crusaders (VYC) andimagined the future ahead of us. The VYC was a group of young people, driven with passion for life, energized by the vision of a progressiveVillareal and commonly motivated by a desire for a better life

The pantalan served as our park and was witness to many moments of joy and laughter. It was at the pantalan where we had endlessconversations about school, family and our teenage life… where we dared to dream big. And the pantalan stood still, quietly listening to us whenwe reached for the stars and aspired for things beyond our reach.

I have always been a dreamer and will never cease to be one. My dreams included that for family, friends, the community and myself. Thosedreams continued to grow bigger through the years for I ached a better life not only for my community but my country, as well. And in my mind,the only way I could fulfill my dreams was through education and a good paying job.

But dreaming was not enough.

Achieving it required a formula: SEE, BE, DO and HAVE… then allowing God to take care of the rest.

SEEing is having a very clear picture of what I want to achieve.

BEing means committing myself to it.

DOing is about taking concrete steps towards it.

HAVE ing is capturing and laying hold of it.

See, Be, Do and Have. These have been my guideposts in my journey.

Dream Catching in VillarealMarivel Camilon-Sacendoncillo


But through the acid test of life itself, I learned that this is not enough. Divine Providencebestows the final touches to my dreams, taking it to its ultimate fulfillment. And the pastfive decades of my life prove that God does so wonderfully.

As I embarked on my life journey, significant people who helped me define my futuremade SEEing it with a 20-20 vision easy. Foremost among them were my parents whohelped me weave that future. Tatay use to tell me that I can be bigger than myself;consistently challenging me to achieve more than what I thought I could even at a youngage. As a young girl I thought Tatay did not care to share in my happiness. I remember

vividly that he never went up the stage every time I received an academic award and was not around to witness my college graduation, thoughI finished it with honors. I took all these against him. But eventually, I realized that Tatay was motivating me to stretch myself, give my very besteach time, because he recognized that I could do better and achieve more. This realization allowed me to discover that I can be the best inwhatever I want to be and push my capacities beyond the limits. It led me to see the future with hope and optimism.

As I created a clear vision and saw it more distinctly, my BEing started to change. I began to see myself differently. I declared to myself that Iwould become the great person that I wanted and was designed to be. Greatness that is not measured by material affluence nor power, but bythe number of lives I am able to touch and the quality of relationships that I am able to nurture. It was not an easy task because Providence hadto touch my life first. I did not wait for other people to do it for me. This required a self-assessment of my personal capacities, a review of my lifevalues, a recast of the way I related with others and a redefinition of LIFE itself. Many paradigm shifts occurred in this part of my journey.However difficult this stage was, I emerged stronger and a whole piece largely because of a person who loved and supported unconditionally tothe point of marrying me. He is my dear husband Engr. Danilo Jerusalem Sacendoncillo. He was there every step of the way. Our marriage,though not perfect, was a partnership that made us better persons. We grew and matured together to solid heights of respect and meaning.


The challenges persist but with certainty victory comes. Every victory is apiece of a puzzle in my life’s journey, one marked with exciting possibilitiesand fellow travelers in search of their own destiny.

DOing the concrete actions demanded passion, energy, focus and the use ofmy innate talents. It meant working hard, investing in myself, continually learningand sacrificing pleasure for productive pursuits. I saw hardships and difficultiesbrought about by poverty and inadequacies not as hurdles but opportunities tobe and do better. Every obstacle became a venue to be creative and strengthenevery fiber of my being. There were times when I was tempted to surrender tocomplacency and apathy but my dream for greatness, dreams that started inthe pantalan in Villa, pulled me through. My family and friends and the memoryof those who have gone before me- my father, great grandparents, uncles,aunts and mentors provided me with the armor to survive and survive well.Every time I want to quit, the voices from my roots prod me on: YOU WEREBORN A WINNER, SO DON’T QUIT OR SURRENDER. BELIEVE INYOURSELF. These words sustain me still and enable me to conquer my fearsof defeat halfway in my journey.

HAVing is holding on to and laying hold of my dream. The fire of hope and the beacon of light guide me in this phase of the journey. Here Iembrace the inspiration to continue and not be discouraged so that I may also inspire others.

As I journey through life, an important factor is consistently visible – God’s Hand. Every new day for me is a gift from the LORD and a personaloffering back to Him. Since it is a gift, I use the day optimally, mindful that He always has the final say. I firmly believe that God has gifted mewith talents and what I do with those talents is my gift to Him.


I AM BECAUSE OF WHAT THE VILLAHANON IS.

In every Villahanon’s heart is quest for what we were made for… what our heritage is about. A heritage of greatness that we are all proud of. Andgreatness is about our innate capacity as Villahanons to work together for a common cause, exemplified for one by the Bayanihan RoadProject, An Dalan Ni Sta Rosa.

As Villa has generously given me the best of what I can dream of, it is time to pay forward… to sustain the tradition of communal greatness,honor Villa with our support to its families and barangays and to bring inspiration to future Villahanons.

I had bad dreams too. Dreams of failures, broken relationships and tragedy. But the dream nets of Villa caught the bad dreams… and let thegood dreams slip by through the center hole of the moonlit nights in pantalan. As Villareal allowed me as a child to imagine a big and brightfuture, it caught the bad dreams and brought the good ones to pass.

Villa has and will always be the dream catcher of my lifetime. And I know that the best is yet to come.

The Author is the Executive Director of the Local Government Academy of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. She is the eldest daughter of IgnacioJumadiao-Camilon and Maria Varela-Gelera. She is married to Engr. Danilo J. Sacendoncillo and was blessed with three children: John Paul, June Marni and Jeremy Daniel.


Acknowledgement

The contributorswho provided the substance

of the book: Mano Umping,Tiya Quintina, Mana

Pureza, Mano Rino, ManoCesar, Mana Ding, Rupert,

Ruben, Maricon, Terryand Clint.

Myn Garciafor theediting

Danny andmy children Jaypee, Marni

and Jeff for inspiring me tobecome greater than I

thought I can.

My mother,brothers and

sisters forbeing part ofwhatever I

have become.The Casimero

Gelera clanand the

SacendoncilloFamily

for the support.

My LGA family for the technicalhelp in the lay-out

specially Iris,Donna and

Flor.

Most importantly to all Villahanonswho provide me the energy to

continue creating a difference inthe lives of others.

My profound thanks to everyonewho have made this publication

a reality and a meaningfulexperience for me:


Documents

Villahanon coffee table book