GUIDING FOR ASEAN

I have been fortunate that I was given the opportunity to be a part of the thirtieth ASEAN summit held here in Manila from the 27th-30th of April, 2017.  I was tapped by Rajah Travel to guide for the Spouses' Program of the ASEAN Ministers. Originally, all the wives of the attending representatives were meant to spend a day in Tagaytay. However, it is normal to expect changes in big events such as ASEAN. Also, I am sworn to secrecy regarding official details... government stuff, you know...

Prior to the tour, I was issued a special ID that allowed me access into the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex. The CCP was the official site of the proceedings and the security detailing was nothing short of a fortress. No one was allowed to meander into the area. All public and private vehicles were denied entry unless they were official participants of the summit. Approximately a two mile radius was on official lock-down. After I received my 

On the 28th, I was ready at the entry point by half past six in the morning for an early trip to Tagaytay. I was picked up by the ASEAN National Organizing Committee and brought to the Sofitel Lobby to meet the guests. Accompanying the Spouses were the wife of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs Madam Manalo and the wife of Executive Secretary Mrs. Medialdea. By the time the coaster left it was just a little past eight thirty in the morning.

We did get to The Orlina Museum at the appointed time and two lovely ladies in Maria Clara costumes greeted the party composed of some of the wives and the organizers, plus the security detail. There was another coaster with the medical team provided by the Department of Health, the Philippine National Police, the Marines, representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and two helicopters deployed for added security. 

Mr. Ramon Orlina was the perfect host. He entertained the Ladies with his stories of his humble beginnings. The first level of his museum had a special exhibit of Isabelo Tampinco works. Part of the Tampinco collection on display were on loan from private collectors. We trailed closely behind as Mr. Orlina ushered the guests  to the upper floors. The conversation went from light banter to animated repartee... the ladies were enthralled with Mr. Orlina's collection of jewelry displayed in a glass showcase. One even asked if they could buy commissioned jewelry from the prolific artist .

As we reached the roofdeck, it was time to leave for lunch. Mr. Orlina had been invited to lunch at Antonio's. Mr. Orlina was his usual jovial self and as we reached the driveway of the fine-dining restaurant, Chef Antonio Escalante was on hand with some of his staff to welcome the guests. Lunch was superb, as usual. Everywhere they went,cameras and media were ever present. The obligatory photo ops just never stop. However, due to my training, selfies and photos were never encouraged.  I have none of my own to show for the prestige of the tour. We managed our way back to Manila at four p.m. on the dot. That gave the ladies time to rest and get ready in time for the state dinner that very evening.

In order to get out of the area, I had to ride a van to the Philippine International Convention Center, only to find out that Aung San Su Kyi of Myanmar had just arrived and proceeded to the site even if she didn't have an official function to attend yet.Too bad, I had to be ferried back to the entry point near Macapagal Avenue so I could head home.

OCCIDENTAL TOURIST

Sometimes, a perfect plan can go wrong especially when most of the participants in a trip  fail to follow through and back out (sometimes, even at the last minute) of a set plan. But if a trip is blessed, those little annoyances turn out for the better.

Over this past weekend, our big group was supposed to troop down San Jose, Occidental Mindoro to conduct a Charity Mission for the Mangyans. The Mangyans are an indigenous community living in the  hinterlands of the province.There are four tribes namely: Hanunuo, Iraya, Buhid and Tawbuid. The main objective was to provide them some basic necessities which they  are beyond their financial capability or simply are not available within easy reach in their communities.

The donors were a loosely gathered group that was cut down to four people namely: Presy Vivar, Ofie Palma, Mabelle Tenorio and myself. However, some of those included in the chat who could not be with us physically sent their donations with our paltry group. Esquierdo Bhel Asinas who earlier declined joining the group to Mindoro due to a tight schedule but sent cartons of pre-loved clothing and toys. The rest of us brought sweets and cookies for the kids, products for personal hygiene, ready to eat meals, snacks etc., etc.

Our hosts in San Jose,  Mindoro are an unassuming couple in the persons of Mary and Eduardo Dela Cruz. They were not born in Mindoro but relocated in the mid seventies to get married and settled down in the area. Over the decades, they lived a simple existence establishing business enterprises in San Jose that eventually grew in operations. They have been married since the seventies and nurtured a family of six children - and seventeen grand kids! All the more hands to help them when they eventually grow feeble.

Eddie was Presy's schoolmate so it was he that initiated the  germ of conducting the charity work. Doting wife and mother,Mary, has this advocacy of taking care of and protecting the rights of the Mangyans through her dear friend Sister Thea (currently training the communiy to be self reliant). The plan underway, we set the machinery for providing a charity mission to their area.

We DIY'd the whole inland transfer. The meeting place was at P Tuazon in Quezon City at the bus station of Dimple Star. Reservations were made in advance so the round-trip fare Cubao-San Jose-Cubao cost P2,400.00 including the boat ride from Batangas to Mindoro... My butt hurt from the 5 hour ride to the Batangas pier; another 2-3 hours on the ferry to Abra de Ilog port and then another 5 hour bus ride from Abra de Ilog to San Jose, Mindoro. A long trip, right? Well, that long trip done in the day time will afford you numerous natural wonders and vistas that are picture perfect! Just look at my album on Facebook and you'll understand.

We  left Cubao at 12:30 and arrived in Mindoro at 2:00 a.m. That was the horrible part. The next day was the Mangyan interaction.so we prepared our love offerings prior to bed. We had to leave our home-base around half past nine just so we can be back before it got dark. That was a good two-hour drive. Once there, we were treated to some songs by the community and we handed over the loot bags. Some of the community leaders we consulted for their other more pressing needs. This early we plan to start acquiring rice, school supplies and maybe roofing material for the school that was built specifically for the Mangyans to make them more competitive in the job market. We think this is a noble cause... let me know if you plan to make donations so we can connect you to the right people. Let me make it clear though, our group does not plan to collect monetary donations. WE will facilitate, but not handle your cash. CLEAR?

The Next day was a full itinerary. We got our feet wet at thee beach which was conveniently the backyard of our hosts sprawling property. After breakfast we went to their sprawling farm. Then we sped off to the sprawling fishpond and salt beds a few kilometers in the opposite direction. Sorry, no directions. I don't plan on giving away our new friends' privacy. After a sumptuous lunch of seafood, veggies and fish which they grow on their farm, we headed back to town. to meet a former governor, congressman, mayor and self-made landowner: The Honorable Jose Tapales Villaroza. Along the way, we went around the night spots and the famous Aroma beach.

I hate to say it, but despite a charitable angle to our trip... we were pampered like anything! We were hosted, fed and driven around by our gracious hosts who woke up at an ungodly hour of four a.m. just for a six a.m. departure on a Sunday. In the end, we came away with more knowledge and understanding of the plight of the Mangyans than the material stuff we donated to their community. And we gained real friends on the side too...

Tara 'Igan sa Montalban ( the blog entry)

Wawa Dam

Admittedly, the title isn't mine. However, I give credit to the owner of the concept. Either it was Tim Delez or Mabel Tenorio or the organizer of the tour, Edgar Canete. Some members of AHP and some of their friends decide to get away for a Sunday and visit the town of Montalban. The small group composed of: Pheeyah Salones, Mafe Dajalos, Dennis Geronimo Red Maristany, Jam Ki, Tim Delez, Mabelle Tenorio, Maricar Anatalio, Edgar Canete, Lopa Equitad, Arlene Arguel Cejar, Presy Vivar, Lydia Canlapan, Leah Mina Caliboso, Esquierdo Bhel Asinas, Allan Pardilla Martiinez. I hope I didn't leave anybody out...

Nstra. Sra. de Aranzazu church

We decided to get together and take up Edgar's long-standing invitation to experience his hometown. Along the way, we visit the Church of Nstra. Sra. de Aranzazu, a japanese temple,  Eulogio Amang Rodriguez' heritage home, and finally Wawa Dam where we get soaked to the skin to get rid of the heat and much on simple food lovingly prepared by Edgar's Family. To rinse off we went to Edgar's home in Montalban  adn finally head home to Manila. But I'm getting ahead of my story...

Nstra. Sra. de Aranzazu knave

This trip was one for the books. I woke up early for the 5 a.m. call time at Mc Donald's Centris. Some members were late (as is normal in these meet ups) so we finally reached the first item on the itinerary. The Nstra. Sra. de Aranzazu in Marikina. I first became aware of the Nstra Sra. de Aranzazu at the Grand Marian Procession held in Intramuros. I see her yearly every time I make an attendance at the procession. So to visit the shrine was a first for me. As it turns out Arlene Cejar was a church volunteer here in her younger years. We were met and welcomed by elders of the church ministry and toured around the church after a Mass celebration. After the orientation, we went up the choirloft and tried to make it to the belfry. Unfortunately, the entry was locked up and so we failed to go see the original church bells. After the obligatory photo ops, we then proceeded to the Japanese temple. 

Japanese Temple

The temple required us to walk uphill for some 5-10 minutes. Once we got to the site, it was easy to see why they would decide to build a temple in the area. It had a clear view of the mountains in front of the temple entrance. at the back of it was a vista of the Quezon City area. The temple is completely abandoned. A pity really, as it is made of  sturdy construction material: poured concrete in a dome-like structure with portholes and an exterior stairway leading to a circular view deck. On the very center of the exterior dome is a square baluster that probably serves as a look out. The interior was cool probably due to the molded poured concrete with a recessed altar at the very center. The acoustics were amazing. It  perplexes me why it was totally abandoned. I could totally convert it into a home... or at the very least, a cafe...

viewdeck of abandoned Japanese temple 

Montalban was a delight to re-visit. I remember going there during a few summers in my youth when we would stay at my cousins in Pasig. That was the nearest area to go to. Back then, there were no thriving communities in the area. It was sparsely populated and a few enterprising families would peddle snacks and soda which they allowed to cool in the running streams in the area. Yeah... I am old. The place is highly populated now and the tourism draw in the area is highly developed. The trek to the wawa dam was an easy one. so when we got to the area, it was mid day and quite a few groups were already enjoying the rushing water. beware of the slippery dam. Years of accumulated moss  can be dangerous. The rushing water can be therapeutic if you stay there long enough.

Wawa dam

By 11:30, we went further uphill to have lunch in the resrrvoir where we feasted on grilled milkfish, eggplant served three ways: omelet, grilled and steamed. steamed okra and camote tops, crispy biya, salted egg, and leche flan and mango ice cream for dessert. The bamboo rafts drifted along the river while lunch was going on and so it nearly lulled me to sleep after eating a large meal.

rafting on the dam

By half past two we needed a good rinsing from the river and headed to Edgar Canete's home. While admiring his abundant blooms, we had merienda of Ginataa'ng bilo bilo, fried bananas and fresh coconut water gathered from his trees. Oh my, I must have eaten a three days' meal worth of food. I got home really tired so i ended up falling asleep on the couch while restiing  my tired legs from walking and climbing all day....

Ginataang bilo bilo

This trip was epic fun...

Eulogio Amang Rodriguez heritage house

AHP in Pampanga (3)

San Luis Gonzaga Church

The Advocates for Heritage Preservation family visited Pampanga for the third time. This visit saw the group travelling to the east side of the province. The areas we went to were San Luis, Arayat, Sta. Ana and Candaba.

God the Father detail above the main altar of San Luis

Interestingly, the four municipalities mentioned have their share of noteworthy heritage churches that have withstood the ravages of time and also the whims of its parish directors. Incidentally, there were also some heritage homes that we saw (not necessarily entered but it was worth a go-see.) We motored early towards San Luis which was the first stop in our itinerary. It was an impressive facade that greeted us. Obviously, the community poured its resources in building the church of San Luis Gonzaga. The church is described thus:

the oldest church bell of San Luis

"The town's Renaissance and Baroque church was finished during the late eighteenth century and restored in 1883 by Father Isidro Bernardo. The main altar was restored by Filipino Father Jacobo David in 1984. The convent was enlarged in 1877 by Father Francisco Diaz.

hidden columbary inside the sacristy

The church is 56 meters long, 13 meters wide, 11 meters high and has a heavily stone-laden, chipped off and painted Byzantine facade decorated with triangular, segmented and arched window panels as well as arched and oval blind windows. Its recessed, carved main entrance door has the papal insignia on top and is flanked by two small niches. The main center window is decorated with heavily carved stone balusters. The pediment is encompassed on both sides  by scroll like volutes. Flat, Ionic pilasters run up to the heavily carved stone balusters (enclosing the two bell towers) at the arched niche on each side, and the upper portions. San Luis is located 69 kilometers from Manila.*"                                                                                                                                                                                                

San Luis Gonzaga knave

We then visited the Don Pablo Eleuterio house with painted frescoes on its exterior built in 1892.. Sadly, we were not allowed entry into the home as it was  occupied by the family. The home was the typical "bahay na bato" with  cast iron grills on the windows and "ventanillas" the iron work was exquisite.

Don Pablo Eleuterio heritage home in San Luis, Pampanga

Our next stop was at Arayat, Pampanga where we visited the church of St. Catherine of Alexandria. Located on the east side of the province, we navigated towards the town passing through Sta. Ana first before reaching our destination.

Facade of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Arayat, Pampanga* photo by Dolcevitalux

"The town's church, built in honor of St. Catherine of Alexandria in 1863, is one of the oldest in the province and is known for its classical architecture. The present church was restored by Father Jose Torres in 1858, continued by Father Juan Terrero in 1887 and finished by Father Bedoya in 1892. The presbytery, ceiling and main altar have recently been renovated and the original stone covered with cement and painted white.

Retablo of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Arayat, Pampanga

 The church is 70 meters long, 16 meters wide, 12 meters high and has a three level Renaissance style facade dotted with geometric forms dominated by arches and circles of the doors and windows, and topped by a balustered dome. Projecting cornices separate the three levels. On the second level is a frontal arcade with  Celtic-like cross windows. The pediment has a blind pointed archway consisting of an inverted "C" form breaking the sides of the triangle. Underneath it is a small semicircular arched window below a superimposed gabled plane. Its bell tower on the left has  chamfered corners topped by intersecting gable roofs (replacing a former dome). Arayat is located 86 kilometers from Manila.*"

St. Catherine of Alexandria belfry

After the church, the AHP family had lunch at the famous Kabigting's restaurant. Known for its Pampango style halo-halo. We had a meal of Sizzling Sisig, Chicken ala King, mushroom soup, mixed veggies, leche flan and iced tea that was plenty  for a group of five but  was enough for our group of seven. 

Once lunch was done, we walked a few meters off the restaurant. We visited the Samia house built in 1895. It was, we learned the location for the TV series "Be My Lady". The home has been lovingly restored but was off limits to the public. Apparently the heirs of the property do use the home as a weekend retreat. In front of the heritage house was a "visita" or chapel. It housed a "Santo Entierro" apparently owned by the clan and its descendants. The chapel was done in the Philippine earthquake baroque style with buttresses outside of the walls.

Visita across the heritage home

We went to Sta. Ana after Arayat. We did pass by the church along the way so we knew it wasn't a long drive to another impressive church:

Sta. Ana church, Pampanga

"The town's present stone and brick chrch was begun by Father Ferrer in 1853 and finished by Father Lucas Gonzalez. It is 58 meters long, 14 meeters wide and 13 meters high. The massive, five story hexagonal tower was built in 1857 by Father Lucas Gonzalez and has blind and open recesses, canopied by triangular segments and is topped by a balusterred dome and cross. The stone convent was built in 1866 by Father Antonio Redondo and restoredin 1872 (by Father Francisco Diaz) and in 1877 (by Father Paulino Fernandez). Sta. Ana is located 79 kilometers from Manila.*"

Sta. Ana knave

Our final stop was in Candaba, Pampanga. Known for its marshlands, the area is visited yearly by migratory birds.However, Candaba is also rich in cultural heritage as evidenced by its church of St. Andrew the Apostle.

St. Andrew the Apostle, Candaba, Pampanga

"The town's present church was built by Father Jose dela Cruz.Father Esteban Ibeas made considerable renovations, adding the grand dome in 1878. It measures 60 meters long, 13 meters wide and 13 meters high and has a simple and sparsely ornamented facade with depressed three- centered arches on the windows of the second level.

St. Andrew knave

 The convent, built at around the same time as the church,was enlarged by Father Vicente Ferrer in 1854 and continually improved by Father esteban Ibeas in 1878 and father Isidro Bernardo in 1892. Its original facade has an arcaded front with alternating semi circular and depressed three centered arches on the first level, rectangular windows on the second level and a cornice decorated with geometric designs separating both levels. The convent's roof and interiors were damaged by a tphoon in the 1960's.

bell detail

The three- storey bell tower, mounted on a rectangular pedestal, interlocks with the church and convent and was built by Father Antonio Bravo in 1881. Another was installed by Father Bravo in 1890. Candaba is located 85 kilometers from Manila.*"

Reyes Mansion

Finally,  we visited a worn down mansion that was impressive in size but also left to decay. Apparently the heirs of the Reyes mansion had sold the house lock, stock and barrel to the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar group in order to arrest its further degradation. The house would have been amazing had it been kept immaculate. Among its details are embossed tin ceilings, tromp l'oile painted details on wood panelings and a bas rel;ief of a classical bust at the archway leading to the azotea. One would imagine how it would look like once it has been restored to its former glory. Then by late afternoon we had called it a day and headed back to Manila.

tromp l'oile detail

bust detail

* church descriptions lifted from 

A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Churches

Benjamin Locsin Layug

New Day Publishers 2007

                                                                                                 

 

 

 

 

NAKAKAIN BA ANG HERITAGE?

Jose Benigno Salvador distributing leaflets
*photo by Giovanni Roan, leaflet design by Jhon Gorme

When an "honorable mayor asks a question like the title above, you kinda get the idea the he has no qualms about destroying heritage... Obviously, it means little or absolutely nothing to him the the word "heritage" covers a wide scope: both tangible and intangible.

AHP and Pamanlahi with Mesdames Ching de las Alas Montinola, Menchu de las Alas Concepcion
*published in Manila Bulletin, 12 -February, 2017; courtesy of Alice de Vera Vasquez

The idea that heritage equates to being able to feed a hungry constituency has absolutely no bearing in preserving what shapes and molds our identity. It is simply non sequitur! The Dakila'ng Pamana ng Lahi hand in hand with the Advocates for Heritage Preservation just this past weekend (11-February-2017) staged another silent protest on the demolition of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. This is the second one which again was covered by media and attended by no less than the family of the Antonio de las Alas (whom President Manuel L. Quezon put to the task of building the sports Complex); Ching de las Alas Montinola and Menchu de las Alas Concepcion. Former Senator Freddie Webb was also on hand as a show of support for our cause.

Sports analyst Chino Trinidad interviewing the Freddie Webb
*photo by Giovanni Roan

I could go on and on re. the important role the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex has played ever since it was built in 1938. From the time it was erected, it has hosted the Far East Games, The Asian Games, local leagues like the NCCA, UAAP, MICAA, PALARO'NG PAMBANSA. In its hallowed diamond, baseball great Babe Ruth played. Philippine Olympians honed their skill in its gyms and athletes' quarters. There's just too many brilliant Philippine sportsmen and women who have literally carved a niche in international arenas to achieve sports immortality. The latest of which is Hidilyn Diaz; Silver Medalist in the recent Rio Olympics. At the tender age of eleven, Hidilyn honed her skill in weight lifting until she achieved what no other man has in weight lifting - and Hidilyn in a WOMAN!

Ernie Manio of ABS CBN interviewing Olympian and basketball great Fredie Webb
*photo by Giovanni Roan

In a situation where the destruction of a heritage building not just affects a community around it but tugs at the heart strings of the men and women who moved heaven and earth to build it; of the athletes who have sacrificed moving out of hearth and home to train endlessly in its facilities (limited and out moded as it may be); of Aling Marga, a side-walk vendor who has spent decades eking out a living by selling soda and snacks to sports fans who have shrieked and shouted for their teams in every game for years; shouldn't the local government at least consult them?

Freddie Webb greets Aling Marga, softdrink vendor forever and Mr. Webb's fan since his YCO playing days

I balk at the proposal that another mall be built at this 10+ hectare site! Personally, I'm affected by its proposed demolition! Every summer when I was a kid, my uncle would take me and my cousins to learn to play tennis there. The all-time tennis great Felicisimo Ampon gave me lessons at the clay courts. I learned to swim in the pool. I watched the asian volleyball powerhouses spike their way to victory there. I began weight training with Jojo Lastimosa, Harmon and Gerry Codinera, Tatang and Lydia de Vega, Elma Muros while they were housed in RMSC.  I even competed in high school volleyball in the PAVA games in RMSC. So for me, forget about whether heritage is edible! I may not be a sports luminary, but I sure as heck watched, whistled, worked out, and wheedled my may out of my personal issues in that complex!!! I TOO, THEREFORE, HAVE A STAKE IN WHAT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WANTS TO DO WITH IT!

RMSC Baseball stadium
*photo by Ma. Lilibeth Benosa

This time, however, I am not alone. The AHP and PAMANLAHI, (at the risk of being tagged as a yellow faction  by another ersatz heritage conservation group) have taken up the cudgels for the countless individuals who have found no voice or have been cowered into submission by puppet councilors who have approved without opposition the sale of the RMSC. Some members have continued to do silent protests to block the demolition. Members of AHP from all walks of life and all ages have showed up to drum up support for this cause.  

Here's a lot of good reasons to stop the demolition

As of this writing, the sale of RMSC to the Razon group has been suspended. But I wouldn't rest just yet. Who knows what the LGU can do under cover of darkness? The list just goes on and on: Torre de Manila, Admiral Hotel, Army-Navy Club... This issue hasn't been settled yet and the honorable mayor has recently approved a project to reclaim Manila Bay for an entertainment complex. Does the DENR know about this? Paging DENR Sec. GINA LOPEZ!!!!

AHP Members passionate about heritage preservation
*photo by Lloyd Anthony Nuestro Rafols