103. 10 ARTS AND CRAFTS OF PAMPANGA

In the late 19^th and early 20^th century, a design trend swept Europe and America called “Arts and Crafts”, a movement that promoted handcraftsmanship over industrial mass production. But long before that, Kapampangans have been creating all kinds of objects with their hands, with utilitarian and decorative functions, for their homes, work, leisure and religion.

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1. KURAN AT PASU (Sto. Tomas)

Utilitarian and decorative clay vessels and containers were among the earliest crafted objects made by man. All sorts of earthenware—including the ubiquitous  ‘kuran’ (round-bottom cooking pot)—have been produced in parts of Pampanga, as recorded by American Thomasite Luther Parker in the 1900s.  Sto. Tomas is the acknowledge pottery center of the province, with many major potters clustered along Quirino street. According to oldtimers, one pioneer potter was Apung Sindung Mercado who made “pilones”, clay jars used in the manufacture of molasses. From making traditional oya, tapayan, kuran, gusi, balanga and pilun , the potters also added ornamental pasu or masetas for growing garden plants and flowers,

2. PUKPUK (Betis, Apalit)

The fine art of metalsmithing was known to pre-Hispanic people in our archipelago, blossoming in the the late 16th to the 19th century, when the Spanish missionaries arrived to introduce the idea of sacred art in which the Chinese excelled. To decorate the altar, Mexican silver coin were melted and fashioned into tabernacles, altar frontals and vessels, ramilletes (silver floral standees), carrozas, and more. Betis artisans mastered the art, locally termed as ‘pukpuk’ (to hammer) as designs were created by chasing and using the repoussé method,  in which designs are raised on a metal sheet by pounding a pattern from the back using a sinsil (blunt chisel). This is achieved by working on the metal against a wooden block, on which designs have been incised. Artisans spread the art to Apalit which once had the largest number of ‘pukpuk’ shops. Names like the Ramirez Family, Edgardo Yutuc and Jeric Canlas continue this tradition to this day.   

3. DUKIT (Betis)

Betis is the town synonymous with quality carved woodcrafts (“dukit” -to carve) —from church and home furniture, decorative architectural pieces,  to religious statuaries and  relief sculptures.  One of its ancient barrios—Sta. Ursula—was known as the premiere source of such carved masterpieces.  A famous resident is Maestro Apung Juan Flores, who started as  a santo carver an expanded into “muebles” and carved wooden furnishings. He made the decorative wooden carvings of Malacanang Palace during the term of Marcos. Angeles, with its many Clark residents, was a major market of woodcarved products during the 50s thru the 80s. Modern-day mandudukit include the descendants of the Flores family, Willy Layug, Peter Garcia, Salvador Gatus, and the artisans of Betis Crafts of Myrna Bituin, who exports their prized furniture worldwide.

4. PARUL (San Fernando)

The lantern industry owes its popularity to San Fernando lantern maker pioneers who evolved the parul from the simple wooden and paper star lanterns for the “lubenas” (procession)  to the giant kaleidoscopic lanterns that the world marvels at, every December’s Giant Lantern Festival. The advent of electricity gave rise to the invention of the rotor by Rodolfo David; which is used to give the lanterns their amazing play of colors. Well-known parol makers include the Quiwas (led by Ernesto David Quiwa), Rolando Quiambao, Arnel Flores, and Jesus Maglalang. The Christmas capital of the Philippines  has parul stores all over the city still selling traditional lanterns. The Dau Expressway exit is line with lantern stores, hawking paruls of all sorts—capiz, LED-lit,  wire and plastic, and even “rope” lanterns.

5. BURARUL (Angeles)

Kite-making,  though not exactly an industry,  requires a certain degree of artistic and technical skill. Believe to have originated in China, these paper and wood air craft are flown mainly for leisure and play—but they were said to be used also for measuring distances and for military communications. In Pampanga, they are called “burarul”, from the Spanish “volador”,  one that flies. The basic “karang-karang” is nothing more than a folded paper with thread. But the more elaborate kites come in box (“tukong”) or diamond shapes (“sapin-sapin”). There are high-flyers (“gurion”) and competition fighter kites (“panyaklit”). The most complicated ones are figural kites mastered by the professional kite-maker Eulogio Catalan of Angeles City. A former sepulturero, Mang Eloy won renown for his imaginative, award-winning kite creations. He made kites in the forms of birds, fishes, angels, saints and figures  of our  national heroes—all using wooden framework,  paper and paint. His most elaborate was a ferris wheel kite with seated human figures, that actually turned when flown on a string. He also introduced the concept of folding kites. The art of kite making died with him, and today, just a handful in Pampanga know how to fashion homemade kites from “tingting” and papel de hapon.

6. DASE (Candaba, San Luis, San Simon)

As early as the 18^th century, dictioanarist Fray Diego Bergaño made mentioned of towns lining the Candaba Swamp that were known for weaving house mats or “dase”. Made from “ebus” (buri palm leaves) . These included weaving families from San Luis and San Simon who are skilled in the art of “pamaglala”, or weaving, usually done communally, after the day’s work. Mat weavers or”magdadase” wove fine mats of large, medium and small sizes—made for sleeping or for covering the bamboo floor. For variety, the leaves are dyed in different colors to produce mats with appealing patterns.

7. KUPIA (Apalit)

An allied product from the province’s weaving tradition are hats or “kupia”, an essential accessory for our tropical climate, where  wearing a head protection from the  scorching sun or sudden rains is mandatory.Before commercial hat shops were established in Pampanga, everday functional hats—"kupia"-- were made all over the province. Apalit was once a hat center, and in Barrio Sucad, ‘kupyang ebus’ by the thousands were woven and commercially sold in town markets from as far as Tarlac, Baguio, Bataan, Zambales and Manila. But due to the scarcity of ‘ebus’ materials, production  gradually slowed down in the 1920s. Pampanga shops that operated in the 1930s sold hats of all shapes, sizes and materials. In San Fernando, one could go to La Fernandina, Zapateria Moderna or to the Japanese bazaar of T. Tsuchibashi along Mercado St. and the Indian Bazaar of Battan Singh. "Sombreros del pais y del extranjero" (local and imported hats) could be bought in Macabebe at the Bazar L. Magat, while "El 96" in Angeles offered a few headwear selections.

8. SANTOS (Betis, Macabebe, Bacolor, Apalit)

Although Betis is the center of woodcarving  in Pampanga, it is Macabebe town which is known as the home of santeros. A santero is a craftsman who uses wood, ivory, cement or fiber glass to produce an ecclesiastical art piece known as santo, in the image of Christ, Mary or a Saint. Before the war, fishing and farming were the only means of livelihood of the people of Macabebe. Santo making was then merely an expression of their ingenuity, and the products were mostly for personal use. Pablo “Ambo” Bautista, a local businessman, is credited with promoting santo-making in the town by gathering local artists and putting them to work in a talyer he opened just for them. Sons Antonio (a painter) and Gener (a carver) further grew the business and improved the craft of santo making. This inspired other carvers to put up shops that soon proliferated along the whole stretch of the town’s main road. Others found their way in the other towns of Pampanga. U.P. Fine Arts graduate Maximiano Jingco also set up a pre-war religious statuary shop in Guagua. Second and third generation carvers continued the santo tradition like Rolando and Boyet Flores (from the Flores family of Sta.Ursula), while a new breed of highly trained carvers came to fore—Nick Lugue (Apalit).Wilfredo Layug  (Betis),  Joseph Magcalas (Apalit) ,  Joed Miclat (San Luis) and the Viray brothers (Bacolor).

9. GITARA (Guagua)

Cebu may have a reputation as the Philippines’ guitar industry leader, but the more well-known guitar brands are made in Guagua, Pampanga. The “gitara” has its origins in Spain, and there’s a mention of  a guitar-prototype in Byron Pabalan’s zarzuela “Ing Managpe”—a stringed instrument called “kalaskas”. Another is the pre-Hispanic “kudyapi”, which, like the guitar, has a box and a fretboard. The pioneer guitar maker in Pampanga is a Matuang Bacani who managed to copy an old Spanish guitar. He passed on his techniques to his son-in-law, Angel Lumanog who mastered the craft of guitar-making, opened a shop and started supplying Macabebe, Bacolor, and San Fernando stores. Son, his guitars were being sought after in Manila. Today, the Lumanog brand is a name synonymous to fine guitars. Apart from the Lumanogs, families like the Garcias, Dizons, Mallaris, Jucos and Manansalas engaged in the production guitars.

10. GAWANG PANDE (Apalit)

The first cannon maker of the country was a Kapampangan named Pande Pira, a smith who put up a foundery in Manila to make “lantakas” or cannons, and other artillery to protect the Intramuros and for use in Spanish galleons. Apalit takes pride in continuing this smithing tradition, and is the leading source of world-class steel crafts in the province,  such as bolo, machete, all types of knives and daggers, plus home and garden implements like rakes, hoes, spades, and other tools. The steel products are made the old fashioned way by hammering sheets of metal ,  made malleable by superheating them, then shaped into blades for bolos, palang, knives, scythes, spears or any bladed implement. The industry gave Apalit town its nickname, “The Blacksmith Capital of Pampanga”. In Floridablanca, smiths produced aluminum crafts, using “aluminyu” that are heated and pounded into shape, using molds.

SOURCE:

SINGSING MAGAZINE, "Pampanga's Folk Arts & Crafts: Going, Going, Gone?", Vol. 5, No. 1.Published by the Center for Kapampangan Studies,Holy Angel University. Excerpted and edited from the articles of JoelPabustan Mallari (Dase, Gitara, Kuran, Burarul, Kupia), Arwin Lingat (Santo), Alex R. Castro (Pukpuk), 

www.viewsfromthepamang.blogspot.com (Hold on to that Hat, Hamming on an Old Guitar, The Art of  the Kuran)
PHOTOS:
Alex R.Castro (Pande, Kupia, Gitara, Santos, Parul, Pande, Pukpok, )
Best, Jonathan. A Philippine Album: American Era Photographs 1900-1930, The Bookmark Inc.(Dase)
Miss Millenial Pampanga 2017 FB Page: (Betis Carving-Dukit)
Singsing Magazine: (Burarul)

102. 9 SAINTLY KAPAMPANGANS WHO COULD BE FUTURE SAINTS

Before the Spaniards came in 1571, Kapampangans were pagans and Muslims. The fact that they quickly embraced Catholicism (and later the other Christian denominations) is a testament of not just the diligence of missionaries but also the inherent religiosity and spirituality of the Kapampangans themselves. Here are a few known for the depth of their holiness, that could qualify them as future saints.

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1. MARTIN SANCHO, The 1st Filipino Jesuit (1593)

The distinction of becoming the first Filipino Jesuit goes to a young boy savant who went to Spain to be presented to King Philip II by his guardian, P. Alonzo Sanchez. Not yet 10 years old, Martin Sancho impressed the court not just for his knowledge of Catechism but also for his pious ways. In 1593, Sancho became a Jesuit novice, but died upon his return to the Philippines in 1601, a victim of the white plague which he contracted in Europe.

2. Sor MARTHA de SAN BERNARDO, The 1st Filipino Nun  (1633)

Upon the death of Sor Martha de San Bernardo in 1630, at least 15 Kapampangans initiated the inquiry for her possible beatification. The saintly Kapampangan was the first Filipino nun, having broken barriers by being accepted at the Santa Clara Monastery in Manila, which had previously banned “indias” into their fold. When the Franciscan Provincial initially rejected the application, the Spanish nuns pleaded that she be taken in. A Franciscan chronicler observed that “she was so influential a woman, so noble and virtuous”. Thus, she was accepted, but sent instead to a new monastery set to open in Macao. In 1633, she was invested with her holy habit while on sea, to circumvent Spanish laws, and professed her vows in the Macao—the first brown nun of the congregation.  Sor Martha  spent the rest of her life in holiness and prayer, living up to the highest standards of the Spanish order.

3. Sor MADALENA DE LA CONCEPCION, The 2nd Filipino Nun (1637)

This Kapampangan noblewoman--Madalena de la Concepcion-- was admitted directly to the Sta. Clara of Manila, after the fine example shown by Sor Martha de San Bernardo. She was clothe in the habit by her namesake,  Abbess Madalena de Christo, and professed her vows in 1637. According to her biographer, “she persevered in her monastic life for 49 years in such an exemplary way…; in all those years, no deficiency was noted in her compliance with the policies of the convent, ever excelling with diligence in the most humble and difficult tasks…and always abhorring positions of honor.” The virtuous nun died on 5 April 1685.

4. JUAN DE GUERRA, The 2^nd Filipino Martyr after Lorenzo Ruiz (1640)

Juan de Guerra was part of the contingent of 4 diplomats and 70 crewmen sent by the Portuguese city of Macao in 1640  to patch things up with the Japanese anti-Christian officials. It must be remembered that Lorenzo Ruiz was executed for his faith in Nagasaki—the first Filipino martyr. Little did everyone know that the 30-year old seaman from Betis-- Juan de Guerra—would suffer the same fate. At age 6, he had been living at Colegio de San Juan de Letran as a student “interno”. Upon landing in Japan, all people on board were captured and jailed for conspiracy to spread Christianity. They were taken to Nagasaki, at the same place where Ruiz was martyred. Thirteen members of the crew were spared, however, so they could return to Macao as bearers of the Japanese’s warning. Juan de Guerra and a fellow Filipino, Juan Enriquez Carreon, were among the 61 who were beheaded for their Christian faith. It was said that when Manila received the news of their martyrdom, the city celebrated their noble deaths.

5. NICOLAS DE FIGUEROA, The Valiant Martyr of Bacolor (1672)

The Jesuits began their evangelization work in the Oceania with the Marianas Islands, led by Diego Luis de San Vitores and 5 other Jesuits, with a band of soldiers, majority of which were Filipinos, to protect the priests and pacify the native Chamorros. The group landed in Guam on 15 June 1668 and set up the mission there. In the group was a boy catechist from Bacolor, Nicolas de Figueroa, who assisted the priests in their ministries. On 1 April 1672, a band of 20 Chamorros lay in wait to ambush Figueroa and 3 others, that led to the killing of their Spanish companion, Manuel Rangel. Undaunted, the brave Figueroa turned against their leader, killing him with a cutlass, beheading him and chopping up his body, thus successfully scaring the Chamorros away. Fleeing the scene, de Figueroa sought refuge in the village of Ipao, where natives tricked him—dragging him and pushing him from a cliff. His body was repeatedly speared to ensure his death. A day after his martyrdom, San Vitores and his teen aide, Pedro Calungsod, were also killed. In 1673, a Jesuit tribunal began proceedings in Guam to look into possible sainthood for Figueroa.

6. JUAN DE LOS REYES, The Gentle Martyr (1676)

As a member of the missionary group in Micronesia, Juan de los Reyes was known for his extraordinary zeal in his ministerial work, matched with a gentle temperament and conduct. As such, his superiors promoted him to the rank of an “alferez”, holding him up as “an example to others, charitable and thoughtful to the other soldiers”. On 6 September 1676, as de los Reyes and his group (including Fray Sebastian de Monroy, a Spaniard and 5 soldiers) were preparing to set sail from Sumay village to Agana, Guam, they were suddenly attacked with lances, clubs and deadly native weapons, leaving  them all dead.

7. PHELIPPE SONGSONG, The Venerable Martyr of Macabebe (1685)

The life story of Phelippe Songsong (also, Felipe Songsong) is perhaps the best documented of Filipinos in our Spanish colonial history. A Jesuit chronicler from the period described his “life of heroic sanctity” in the missions that led to his death. The Macabebe martyr was born in 1611, after losing his wife, he left his material wealth to his son to volunteer for the religious mission in the Marianas led by the future saint,  Diego de San Vitores. The group of 17 also included Pedro Calungsod. In Agana, Songsong served the Jesuits faithfuly as a domestic, carpenter, tailor, cook, and all-around help. Although referred to as a “frater”, he, as a native, was never admitted to the order. But his holiness was renown.His solid virtues were an example to his countrymen and who, being a noble to his own people,  is now, we believe, from his blameless life, a noble citizen of the realm of heaven”. At the advance age of 73, Songsong was attacked by native heathens who wounded his head and neck seriously. He lingered for 6 months and died while kneeling in prayer on 11 Jan. 1685. Hailed as a saint, his coffin was carried by the governor of Guam to his grave site to honor his sanctity. Meanwhile, San Vitores and Calungsod have been declared saints, but the cause of Songsong has just begun.

8-9. THE SISTERS TALANGPAZ, Servants of God

MADRE DIONICIA DE STA. MARIA TALANGPAZ (b.1691/d.1732)/ and MADRE CECILIA ROSA DE JESUS (b.1693/d.1731)
These nuns were half-Kapampangans. Both their paternal grandmother (Juana Mallari) and maternal grandfather (Agustin Sonsong de Pamintuan) were from Macabebe, Pampanga. Born in Calumpit, they founded the Beaterio de San Sebastian de Calumpang in 1719, thus making them only the second Filipino foundresses of a religious congregation.  Their beaterio was just the 4^th in the city, and the only one that was founded by native “indias’. The sisters suffered innumerable times while running the congregation, and at one point, polarizing the women into factions. There were aspirants who used the influence of powerful people to gain admittance into the order, while others were unable to give the required dowry. This led to the sisters’ being ousted from their rented place. But they overcame all these and today, their religious community is the oldest non-contemplative congregation in the Recoleto order.  Devotees of the Talangpaz sisters, Mother Dionisia and Cecilia Rosa, applied for their beatification and the cause was accepted in 1999, thus entitling the sisters as  "Servants of God."

BONUS! A Future Saint Who Walked Among Kapampangans:

FR. CARLOS BRAGA SDB

The life and heroic virtues of Fr. Carlos Braga—“the little Don Bosco of China”---are now under study in  Vatican for his future sainthood.  Born in Tirano, Sondrio, Italy, the motherless child was entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco and became a priest of that order. In the 1^st World War, he was sent to the Far East and served in southern China as a director of the Don Bosco Middle School in Shiu Chow. Don Braga is credited with the erection of many orphanages and schools  in Macao and Hong Kong, and the expansion of  Salesian ministry to Beijing. 

Don Braga reached the Philippines in 1953 and was designated as the first Provincial Superior in 1955. Under his helm,  the Salesian mission in the Philippines flourished, schools were founded all over the country, including the first ever Don Bosco school in Tarlac,  and Don Bosco Pampanga which credits him as a co-founder in 1956. He died in 1971 in Bacolor, Pampanga where he was staying, both as a Confessor and Salesian Director. Four decades years after his death, the Philippine Salesians filed a petition for his beatification, and the Diocesan inquiry began in 2014 in San Fernando, Pampanga.

SOURCES:

Santiago, Dr. Luciano P.R., Laying the Foundations: Kapampangan Pioneers in the Philippine Church 1592-2001, Center for Kapampangan Studies, Holy Angel University 2002.

Tantingco, Robby P. : Felipe Sonsong: From Macabebe Soldier to Saintly Missionary, Center for Kapampangan Studies, 2018

Talangpaz Sisters: http://religiouswomen.blogspot.com/2012/03/second-native-fiilpino-beaterio.html

Carlo Braga: 

“Inquiry on Canonization of Salesian Opens Today”, https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/327296

“China – The cause of the Servant of God Fr Carlo Braga SDB is moving slowly ahead”, http://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/1200-china-the-cause-of-the-servant-of-god-fr-carlo-braga-sdb-is-moving-slowly-ahead

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Braga

www.newsaints.webfaith,com

101. 12 AMERICAN THOMASITES IN PAMPANGA & TARLAC

The American contribution to Philippine education began with the arrival of Thomasites – a band of American teachers who came to our shores in 1901, lured by a sense of adventure, prospects of employment in the exotic Far East. and a genuine will to serve and build a new nation. Here is a select group of these pioneering teachers who served in Pampanga and Tarlac.

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1. GEORGE N, ANDERSON, Arayat, Candaba

George N. Anderson’s commitment to advance education in the islands was so total, that when the school in Candaba was razed to the ground , the supervising teacher shelled out Php 500 from his own pockets as his contribution towards the rebuilding of the school. As a pioneer teacher in Arayat, Anderson put up an intermediate school to teach Grades 4, 5 and 6 students (a primary school was already up, that took in Grades 1-4 pupils). Established in 1909, the intermediate school would be named in his honor: Anderson Intermediate School, which operated under that name from 1909 to 1974. It then became Anderson Elementary School, offering complete Grades 1-6 classes. A fellow teacher by the name of Carrie E. Anderson taught in Arayat at the same time as George did; she may have been his wife.

2. ALFRED ARNOLD, Apalit, Arayat

Thomasite Alfred Arnold  was assigned as a primary school teacher to handle Grades 1 to 4 classes, in Arayat. He is well known for taking the extra step to win over Filipino officials who were indifferent to the idea of public education propagated by the U.S. The assiduous teacher organized and staged special programs of entertainment at his schools to interest the native town heads and gain their support and cooperation.

3. WILLIAM M. CARRUTH, Betis, Sta. Rita, San Simon

A young graduate of Cleveland, Ohio, William Carruth arrived in Betis in 1901 and was immediately besieged with problems---all the books in the school where he was supposed to teach were in Spanish. He wrote to the Dept. of Public Instruction for help, and soon, the right supplies arrived and school operations began to run smoothly—until he fell ill. But  Carruth carried on, even making himself available to teach geometry, algebra and physics at a teacher’s program in San Fernando. The Betis school was abandoned due to poor facilities and financial constraints.  Carruth, thus, moved to Sta. Rita, where he began anew to organize the primary school, plus 2 barrio schools. Faced with incompetent teachers and apathetic town officials, he finished his term in 1903, and then moved to San Simon. Carruth was an efficient, professional administrator, but the of support from his superiors and the community, perhaps wore him down to frustration. Carruth did not renew his 3-year contract and returned to the U.S.

4. W. HUSE CHAPMAN, Angeles, Zambales

W. Huse Chapman, of Connecticut, was a civil servant of the U.S. Bureau of Education and worked as a Thomasite teacher among the Negritos in the Philippines, in the Zambales region. He was deployed to Angeles, Pampanga as Supervising Teacher. While there, Chapman took an interest in photography and took ethnographic portraits, of  Negritos, their customs; activities; dwellings, structures and other material culture; and natural surroundings. Specific subjects include basket weaving, a burial, scarification, and a group of hooded self-flagellants. These 163 photos compiled in 1909, are in the Bancroft Library of the University of California Berkely.

5. ADAM C. DERKUM, Mexico, Tarlac, Zambales

Born in 1874, Adam C. Derkum studied and graduated from the University of Southern California. He was appointed to the civil service on 30 December 1903. On 1 March  1906,  Dr. Adam Derkum, together wife Agnes, were assigned to Mexico, Pampanga. He became a supervising teacher then rose in position to become  a Division Superintendent of schools in Zambales and Tarlac. He had a new building erected at a new location in 1915 after the Tarlac Provincial High School had incurred much damage wrought by usage and time. He also organized  training programs for students,  through teacher camps and educational missions. As part of the American effort to promote physical education and national fitness, Dr. Derkum help found the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation, along with Manuel L. Quezon, Camilo Osias, Regino R. Ylanan and Jorge R. Vargas. He was chosen as President  and Chairman of the 1926 Pampanga Fair and Provincial Garden Day, This was to be one of  his last major activities as the Derkums and their four Philippine-born children, returned to America where they would spend rest of their lives in California.

6. LULU LONG HIGLEY, Bacolor

Born on 1 Oct. 1874 in Lagrange County, Indiana, Lulu Long-Higley and her husband Levi Campbell Higley (b. 1871/d.1959) taught together at Bacolor and at the Pampanga Industrial School. Lulu herself, taught industrial arts. Husband Levi was the assigned to an industrial school in Lipa, Batangas, and assumed the position of principal of the secondary school. Lulu Higley remained in Bacolor, where eldest son Phillips Isidors was born. When Higley returned to her husband’s home state, she gave birth to two more sons: Ralph and Erwin Isaac. She passed away in Genesee county on 21 Mar. 1951 at age 76, and she is interred with her husband at the county’s Springvale Cemetery.

 7. WILLIAM S. IREY, Magalang, Bataan

Pennsylvanian William Segner Irey was born in 1872, in West Chester county, an education graduate of West Chester State Normal College.  After a 13-year teaching stint in his home state, he would joined the contingent of teachers sent to the Philippines in 1901. He was stationed in Magalang, where he is credited with establishing the elementary school in the poblacion. Irey would be moved around Pampanga, living in Mexico and San Fernando, and also serving in Bataan as a 3^rd grade supervisor. Irey was also an inventor of some sorts; obtaining patents for such ingenious creations as a cigarette-producing machine, a cooking apparatus, change-speed gearing and  improvements to kerosene lamps.

8. KILMER O. MOE, Magalang

Upon arrival in the Philippines, Thomasite Kilmer O. Moe, from Hoople, North Dakota, was assigned to teach in Magalang. His interest in agriculture was piqued when the “Granja Modelo”, a pilot agricultural school founded in 1885 by Spaniards, and later renamed “Estacion Pecuaria” became idle. Together with Assemblyman Andres Luciano, Moe—now a district supervisor-- initiated its reconstruction in 1917. The Bureau of Education threw its support behind its reopening and Gov. Honorio Ventura donated more funds to aid the project. Thus, the Magalang Farm School was born. Moe was also involved in the restoration of the Central Luzon Agricultural School which opened in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija on 10 Jun. 1909. After suffering typhoon damage in November, Moe initiated changes such as the use of strong materials for the school buildings.  Additions included student dorms, a superintendent office, a house for American teachers, a machine shop and a sawmill. Kilmer O. Moe wrote many treatises about various aspects of Philippine farming, including rice and sugar planting.

9. JOHN W. OSBORN, Angeles, Magalang, San Fernando

John W. Osborn is known for being the first principal of Pampanga High School in 1908, the most revered institution for secondary education in the province. PHS would produce  a president,  eminent scholars, writers, politicians, military leaders, lawyers, and builders of  our nation. Osborn was from Bringhamton, New York,  a 1901 graduate of Western Reserve University, Ohio . Before his assignment in the capital town, he was minding the affairs of the elementary schools in Magalang (1904) and Angeles (he rented the ground floor of the Gomez/Masnou House with Marion Huff, another Thomasite). PHS originally was located at the Eusebio Residence located near the town plaza, with classes opening in 1908. Enrollment was so low that it was unable to form a senior class until 1911-1912. As student population grew, the school was transferred to a new building near the Provincial Capitol. It was Osborn who chose future Justice Jose Gutierrez David to deliver a speech before  Secretary of War, William Howard Taft and presidential daughter Alice Roosevelt, during their visit to San Fernando in 1904. In his unpublished memoirs, Justice Gutierrez recalled that “Mr. Osborn  was quite satisfied and elated judging from the manner he congratulated me. For me, that was enough”.

 10. LUTHER PARKER, Masantol, Arayat, Bacolor

The most high-profile Thomasite Pampanga, Luther Parker was born in Missouri to James R. and Mary C. Parker, in 1872. A graduate of the State Normal School in Chico, California, he arrived in the Philippines  in 1901, and served in the Bureau of Education for twenty-five years, the last 7 years as division superintendent of schools. His first assignment was Masantol, then in Arayat as Supervising Teacher, and the town postmaster. He was also a regular contributor of articles for Manila Times. Parker’s accomplishments included writing a “Diccionariong Ingles, Kapampangan at Kastila," in 1905, studying Philippine linguistics, and initiating the writing of town histories. Parker became the Principal of the Bacolor Trade School in March 1907, as well as General Inspector of school shops in the country. He was assigned from 1914-1916 in San Francisco to oversee the  Philippine exhibit of school industrial work. For his achievements, Kapampangan officials proposed to adopt Parker as a son of Pampanga province. Parker also served in Pangasinan  ( 1918, promoted food production campaigns and gardening), Ilocos Norte,  (1921, organized Bands of Mercy , mainly a children’s group that championed kindness to animals) and Nueva Ecija (1922-26). He retired and lingered in the country until 1931, when the Parker family left the country for good. The Parkers took up residence in Santa Cruz, California. He passed away in 1948. His collection of pictures, memorabilia, albums of clippings are kept in the University of the Philippines.

11. CARROLL A. PEABODY, Mabalacat, Tarlac

Thomasite Carroll Peabody, a fresh graduate of Western Reserve University in Ohio, was first assigned to Mabalacat in 1902 where he became a “maestro Americano” , teaching his Kapampangan pupils in nipa and bamboo classrooms.  He later  became a supervisor, then a Division Superintendent in Tarlac. His wife, Emma, was also a teacher. Also assigned there was Joseph L. Flaherty, a Supervising Teacher as of 1906. Peabody documented the hardships of setting up schools and keeping them running despite inadequate supplies (billiard cue chalk were sometimes used as blackboard chalk), in his unpublished memoirs, “Personal Reminiscences of Early Days, 1898-1902”.

12. FRANK RUSSELL WHITE, Tarlac

Thomasite Frank Russell White  was born in Millburn, Illinois on 8 June 1875. He has the singular distinction of opening the first provincial high school in the Philippines—Tarlac High School on 1 Sep. 1902—and was its first principal. The high school had an initial enrolment of 35 students which grew to 93 before the end of that year. White served for 2 months, and then appointed Division Superintendent for Tarlac province. The high school he founded would have a permanent 2-storey building of  Oregon pine, a 76 feet long and 42 feet wide. It was built though the initiative of his successor, Mr. S.C. Campbell,  at a cost of Php 48,000. It opened in 1904. White rose to become the 4^th Director of Education of the Philippine islands, but died an early death due to an illness on 17 Aug. 1913.  Unfortunately, the heritage building was razed by fire on 28 Oct. 2015. For years, tales of a “white ghost” haunting the high school were often heard—but this must have been simply a reference to the teacher who made history in Tarlac—Mr. Frank Russell White.

A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF THOMASITES ASSIGNED TO PAMPANGA & TARLAC

Albright, Henrietta M., Tarlac, Tarlac

Anderson, Carrie E. Arayat, Pampanga Intermediate

Ansbro, Lucinda, Tarlac, Tarlac

Bass, James H. Apalit, Pampanga Supervising Teacher

Briggs, George N. Surigao, Surigao, Cagayan and Misamis; San Fernando, Pampanga and Bataan Division Superintendent

Campbell, S.A. Tarlac, Tarlac; Cavite Division Superintendent

Carleton, Charles W. Bacolor, Pampanga Industrial School

Derkum, Agnes M. Mexico, Pampanga Intermediate School

Flaherty, Joseph L. Mabalacat, Pampanga Supervising Teacher

Franke, Walter E. Florida-Blanca, Pampanga Supervising Teacher

Gambill, J.M. San Fernando, Pampanga Supervising Teacher

Gammill, J.A. Iloilo, Iloilo andAntique; San Fernando, Pampanga and Bataan Superintendent

Gascon, Osmond Guagua, Pampanga In Charge Barrio School

Higley, Levi C. Bacolor, Pampanga; Lipa, Batangas Industrial School; Principal

(Secondary school)

Howard, Joseph G. Apalit, Pampanga Industrial School

Huff, Marion Bacolor, Pampanga Industrial School

Manns, Alys E. San Fernando, Pampanga Provincial High School

Manns, Thomas F. Balanga, Bataan; San Fernando, Pampanga Principal, High School (in charge)

Mayo, William L. Tarlac, Tarlac Provincial High School

McGee, Fannie, Tarlac, Tarlac

Preuitt, William E. San Fernando, Pampanga and Bataan Superintendent

Reimold, O.S., Tarlac, Tarlac

Rudy, Abraham Macabebe, Pampanga Supervising Teacher

Russell, Florence E. Tarlac, Tarlac Provincial High School

Russell, H.C. Laoag, Ilocos Norte; Tarlac, Tarlac Principal, High School

Shearer, Lucy B. San Fernando, Pampanga Provincial High School

Vaughan, William T. Candaba, Pampanga Supervising Teacher

Williamson, Katherine P. San Fernando,Pampanga Provincial High School

Young, Katherine M. San Fernando, Pampanga Provincial High School

SOURCES:

Alan Derkum, Carroll Peabody, John W.Osborn : www.viewsfromthepampang.blogspot.com

Lulu Long-Higley: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25692851/levi-campbell-higley

Frank Russell White: http://www.tarlachs71.com/about_tarlac_high_school.php, 

Photo of Kilmer O. Moe's calling Card: Doris Manlapaz, Magalang Historical Society

Photo of Luther Parker in Arayat: John Tewell, flickr.com

Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 25. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/p/philamer/acp1028.0001.025?rgn=main;view=fulltext

Dizon, Lino L., Mr. White, A Thomasite History of Tarlac Province 1901-1913, in Honor of Frank Russell White. Published by the Center for Tarlaqueño Stduies and the Center for Kapampangan Studies, 2002.

Larkin, John A. The Pampangans,: Colonial Society in a Philippine Province © 1972 The Regents of the University of California, 19913 Edition by new ay Publishing. Pp.143-157.

Gutierrez-David, Jose. The Story of my Life, unpublished memoirs

100. 10 KAPAMPANGAN MATINEE IDOLS OF THE 1950s-1960s

These midcentury Kapampangan screen stars were the Daniel Padilla, Dingdong Dantes, and Alden Richards of their days--captivating female fans, melting hearts and causing screams and swoons, with their good looks and great acting talents.

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1. GREGORIO FERNANDEZ, Lubao

(b. 25 May 1904/ d. 11 March 1973)

Actor-director Gregorio “Yoyong” Fernandez was the son of  Eugenio Aranita Fernandez and Maria Montemayor, and grew up in an artistic milieu. To help finance his dentistry studies, he  became an actor at  Mayon Photoplay Corp.  where he did  “Anak sa Ligaw”. This film started his long career in Philippine moviedom, first as an actor ( “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” ,  “Ang Lumang Simbahan”, and the 1921 hit, “Ligaw ni Bulaklak” ). His first directorial debut was  “Asahar at Kabaong” (1937). He would have a directing career at LVN Studios, even winning a FAMAS in 1955 for “Higit sa Lahat”. His children with Pilar Padilla became actors too: Merle Fernandez, and Rudy “Daboy” Fernandez. Fernandez  was active until the early 70s; his last film was “Daing”, shown in 1971. 

2. MANUEL CONDE, San Fernando

(b. 9 Oct.1915/d. 11 Aug.1985)

Manuel Pabustan Urbano Sr., better known as Director Manuel Conde, is recognized as one of the greatest Filipino directors of our time. Born in Daet to Dionisio Urbano and Lucia Pabustan of San Fernando, Manuel enrolled in Geology at Adamson University, hoping to be a mining engineer. But he was lured by the movies, starting as an ‘extra’ in “Mahiwagang Biolin”. It was in LVN that he became a director. When he started his production outfit, he starred in his on pictures starting with the popular “Juan Tamad” series, and costume epics like Prinsipe Paris (1949), Krus Na Kawayan (1956), Siete Infantes de Lara (1950) and its re-make in 1973. But it was for “Genghis Khan” (1950) that introduced Philippine cinema to the world. From among 780 film entries, it was chosen as one of 20 films to vie for awards at the Venice Film Festival. Though it did not win, the film emerged as one of the most acclaimed movies of the prestigious festival. United Artists bought the film for international distribution, where it would later be dubbed in 16 languages and became a bestseller.

3. ROGELIO DELA ROSA, Lubao

(b. 12 Nov. 1916/ 26 Nov. 1986)

Lubao’s native son, born Regidor dela Rosa,  rose to become the brightest male star in the Golden Age of the Philippine Cinema (1940s-50s). Born to Feliciano de la Rosa and Rosario Lim, he was discovered by Gregorio Fernandez. He debuted in “Ligaw na Bulaklak”, with Rosa del Rosario in 1932. Soon, he was being paired with Emma Alegre, and Paraluman, but his team-up with Carmen Rosales was the longest and most successful . By 1948, he was the highest paid movie actor in the Philippines. . His 1955 role in “Higit sa Lahat” earned him a FAMAS 'Best Actor' trophy as well as the Best Actor Award at the 1956 Southeast Asian Film Festival in Hong Kong. After retirement, he entered politics, got elected as a Senator (1957-63), ran for Presidency (retracted upon the pleading of Macapagal, his brother-in-law, who was also running for the same position) and became an ambassador to Sri Lanka, Cambodia and The Hague, Netherlands.

4. JAIME DELA ROSA, Lubao

(b. 18 Sep.1921/d. 2 Dec. 1992)

Rogelio’s younger brother, Tommy, assumed the screen name Jaime de la Rosa, and he too, would earn his place in Philippine showbiz. He was studying Law when he was first featured in the Eastern Pictures movie, “Anak ng Lansangan” in 1939.Making his strong presence felt, he was cast successively in 3 movies: “Cadena de Amor”, “Bawal na Pag-ibig” and “Kahapon Lamang” . Before the war began, he was seen in a musical, “Ibong Sawi”. Two post-war roles would etch Jaime’s image in the hearts and minds of movie fans forever. One, was in the 1st ever “Darna” movie, starring Rosa del Rosario, as the lead’s love interest. And, in 1953, he was Fredo, the human lover of the fabled mermaid , “Dyesebel”, played by Edna Luna. Jaime was married to Betty Santos, also a Kapampangan.

5. EDDIE DEL MAR, Candaba

(b. 13 Oct. 1923/d. 8 Nov. 1986)

Born Eduardo Magat in Candaba, the son of Albino Magat and Benigna Sangalang, he was a medical student at UST when war intervened. After the War,  Sampaguita Pictures gave him a screen test which he passed. As “Eduardo del Mar” he became a featured player in "Kapilya sa May Daang Bakal" starring Oscar Moreno and Tita Duran, and directed by Tor Villano. It was at Premiere Productions where he made his most memorable film "Sisa". As Crisostomo Ibarra, he generated much buzz and an acting nomination. The film itself won the top "Maria Clara Award" in 1951. Thus began his association with "Rizaliana movies". His 1956 film, “Ang Buhay at Pag-ibig ni Dr. Jose Rizal” would changed the course of his showbiz career. The film, which dramatized Rizal’s romances,  won for del Mar the 1956 Best Actor Award trophy. Five years later, he would star in the movie adaptation of “Noli Me Tangere”  that was produced to commemorate Rizal’s birth centenary in 1961. Many actors have essayed the role of Rizal since— Joel Torre, Albert Martinez Cesar Montano, to name a few—but nobody was more famously identified with that role than Eddie del Mar.

6. LUIS GONZALES, San Luis

(b. 8 Aug. 1928/d. 15 Mar. 2012)

Luis Mercado, also known as Luis Gonzales, did over 100 films during his career, mostly by Sampaguita Pictures. He is best remembered for essaying the role of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos in two 1965 biopics: “Iginuhit ng Tadhana”, a Marcos’ propaganda film; and  “Pinagbuklod ng Langit”. He co-starred with Gloria Romero, who had appeared with him in the 1955 romantic comedy, “Despatsador” and which led to other blockbusters like “Artista” , “Hootsy Kootsy” (1955), Pagdating ng Takip Silim, Teresa, Vacationista (1956), Colegiala, (1957), Alaalang Banal, Palaboy, (1958), Sinisinta Kita (1963) and Show of Shows (1964). Together, they did about 30 movies. Luis would continue to be active in the next decades and some of his memorable movies include “Tubog sa Ginto” and “Haydee” in 1970, where he helped launch the career of another Kapampangan, Hilda Koronel. He was married to socialite Vina Concepcion, with whom he had 3 children.

7. EDDIE GARCIA, Macabebe

(b. 2 May 1929)

The bemoustached kontrabida you love to hate—Eduardo “Eddie” García started in showbiz as a swashbuckling hero in Manuel Conde’s 1950 classic, “Siete Infantes de Lara” . It also comes as a pleasant surprise that his grandmother was from Macabebe, married to a Spaniard, which makes him a quarter Kapampangan. Born in Sorsongon to Antonio Garcia and Vicenta Verchez, he joined the Philippine Scouts after the war. Fresh from his assignment in Okinawa, he answered a casting call for a costume film—and the tall, Hispanic-looking scout made it to the Conde film. Soon, he was being called to play villains, owing to his sleek, well-kept moustache, roles he played with such credibility. One of his movies was aptly titled, “Contravida”, which he did in 1955. Another memorable role is that fo a closeted gay husband in the 1970 film “Tubog sa Ginto”, by Lino Brocka. The durable actor is the only artist inducted in three categories in the FAMAS Hall of Fame: Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Director. The prolific Garcia continues to act in TV shows and movies today, with over 400 appearances to his credit.

8. JESS LAPID SR., Guagua

(b. 5 Oct. 1933/d.13 Jul. 1968)

At the height of his career, ranked among the bigtime action stars of the 60s, led by Fernando Poe Jr. and Joseph Estrada. Born as Jesus Songco Lapid, he had started as an “extra”, then became a stuntman, where he had the good fortune of doubling for Fernando Poe, Jr. They became fast friends, and Poe would eventually give Lapid his break in the  1963 FPJ Productions’ “Sierra Madre”, where he gave a noteworthy performance. His next move, “Kardong Kidlat” (1964) would catapult him to stardom. Lapid had just wrapped up the movie “Simaron Brothers”with Jun Aristorenas, when, on the night of 13 July 1968, he was shot to death at the Lanai Nightclub after a row between two groups of movie personalities, which also involved his reputed girlfriend,  Nancy Roman, an actress. Lapid was just 35. As a belated tribute, nephew Lito Lapid appeared as Jess in the biopic “The Jess Lapid Story”, released in 1978.

9. RAMIL RODRIGUEZ, San Fernando

(b. 22 Aug. 1944/d. 29 Apr. 2014)

Ramil Rodriguez,  (Rene Rodriguez Jr., in real life) the elder son of Rene Hizon Rodriguez and Ma. Rosa Moreno. The Rodriguezes are from a prominent family with roots in Bacolor. They were friends of the Vera-Perezes, who owned Sampaguita Pictures. Ramil, unlike the younger Pepito, was the more reticent one when they were offered to make movies. In the end, family friendship prevailed and began his showbiz career via the 1960 movie, "Palanca". He was officially introduced in 1964's "Leron-Leron Sinta", a musical comedy starring Susan Roces and Eddie Gutierrez. As part of Stars '66, Ramil was  paired with Loretta Marquez, and Liberty Ilagan. He took on everything from comedies,  musicals, action and drama flicks in the '60s and evolved into a fine dramatic actor in the 80s. He starred in classics like "Blusang Itim", "Magdusa Ka", (1986), "Asawa Ko, Huwag Mong Agawin", "Ibulong Mo sa Diyos" (1988). Ramil found a new set of fans with his appearances in telenovelas like 1997's "Mula Sa Puso", "Love to Love" (2004) , "Magpakailanman" (2005) and the highly rated "Bakekang" (2006-07). He died of lung cancer.

10. PEPITO RODRIGUEZ, San Fernando

(b.1944)

Pepito Rodriguez was born Jose Rodriguez in 1944, younger brother of Ramil. The Rodriguezes were from a prominent family with roots in Bacolor. In 1963, Pepito joined the movie bandwagon as the boy-next-door type, in the film “Haliging Bato”. He was noticed in light musical romances like “Dance o’ Rama”, “Jukebox Jamboree” and of course, in the popular “Mga Bata..” series. He dabbled in drama like “Alaala ng Lumipas” (1965) , “Hinango Ka Sa Lusak” (1967), but fans seemed to like him better in lightweight romance films. When actor Ricky Belmonte entered the picture as Rosemarie’s other love interest, an alternative love team was formed. After appearing in “Life Everlasting” in 1971, Pepito  dropped out of circulation, only to come back almost a decade later in the made-for-TV movie, “The Children of An Lac” as the Vietnamese Capt. Nam. He was lured to return in the 1985 drama, “Palimos na Pag-ibig”, and in the 1990 action film “Alias Baby Face”. He would permanently retire from showbiz after that, and settle in the U.S. as a successful businessman.

SOURCES:

www.viewsfromthepampang.blogspot.com

Wikipedia.com

http://www.andropampanga.com/history_sanluis.htm
Salumbides, V.icente. Motion Pictures in the Philippines, 1952
Tiongson, Nicanor, The Cinema of Manuel Conde, UST Publishing House, 2008

Photo of Eddie Garcia:  https://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Garcia

All others: Alex Castro Collection

99. 25 OLD KAPAMPANGAN SUPERSTITIONS ABOUT DEATH AND DYING

by Robby P. Tantingco

People weave superstitions around events that they cannot explain, and nothing makes them more superstitious than when confronted with death. 

Because death was fairly common in ancient times, our ancestors had to pay close attention to the warning signs. Here are some Kapampangan superstitions which are at least 100 years old, culled from H. Otley Beyer's 1916 collection of folk beliefs.

**********

SOURCE:

"Superstitions in Pampanga" (1917) in H. Otley Beyer's Philippine Folklore, Social Customs and Beliefs Vol. IX (Unpublished)

98. 10 TOMBS AND MEMORIALS OF REMARKABLE KAPAMPANGAN PERSONALITIES

DON ANGEL PANTALEON DE MIRANDA

(ca. 1765/ d. 21 Jun. 1835)

Place of Memorial: Sto. Rosario Church

Founder of Angeles. Together with wife, Doña Rosalía de Jesús and some followers, the group headed north to clear a forested area there for rice and sugar farming in 1796. The settled area became known as Culiat, named after the vines that proliferated in the place. Culiat would become the future city of Angeles, named after him and his patron, the Guardian Angel.

FELINO GIL

(b.1803/d.1884)

Place of Interment: Pio Chapel, Porac, Pampanga

Spanish civic leader. For helping secure lands in Porac for the friar missions, he was awarded tracts of land that he successfully turned into sugar plantations. Recognized as one of the founders—along with Juan P.  Zita-- of the “Escuela de Artes y Oficios de Bacolor”, which aimed to train artisans, on 14 Nov. 1861. Later renamed to Bacolor Trade School in 1915, which offerd courses in Woodworking Domestic Science, Ironworking and Building Construction.

 HONORIO T. VENTURA

(b. 30 Jul. 1887/ d. 3 Sep. 1940)

Place of Interment: Cementerio del Norte (Manila North Cemetery)

Son of Balbino Ventura and Juana Tizon of Bacolor. Graduated with a law degree from Universty of Santo Tomas , and went to Spain for advance studies in Jurisprudence. Appointed as acting governor of Pampanga in 1916. Served as Chief of the Executive Bureau of the Department of Interior and later as Secretary of the Interior in place of Atty. Felipe Agoncillo. The former Pampanga School of Arts and Trades in Bacolor, Pampanga which he supported as a philantrophist, was re-named as Don Honorio T. Ventura College of Arts and Trades in his honor. One of his scholars was the future president, Diosdado P. Macapagal.

FR. SIXTO M. MANALOTO

(b. 6 Jul. 1891/d. 30 Mar. 1952)

Place of Interment: Magalang Memorial Park

Though Tarlac-born, Fr. Manaloto would make a lasting impression on Magaleños, serving their parish for an unprecedented period of nearly 30 years. On 8 December 1915, feast of the Immaculate Conception, Fr. Manaloto, a product of San Carlos Seminary, was ordained into priesthood by Archbishop Harty in 1915. Assigned in Magalng in 1923, he is known for his major restoration works of San Bartolome Church., for opening a parochial school in the town and for sending poor, but deserving students to Manila, many of whom eventually returned as professionals and became leaders of the community.

 JOSE CORAZON DE JESUS

(b. 22 Nov. 1896/ 26 May 1932)

Place of Interment: Cementerio del Norte (Manila North Cemetery)

Son of Vicente de Jesús  of Sta. Maria, Bulacan and Susana Pangilinan of Pampanga. As Huseng Batute,  he wrote nationalistic articles for Ang Democracia, Liwayway, Taliba, under the pseudonym Huseng Batute. He supported Philippine independence and wrote critical articles about Philippine society under the Americans. Known as the King of Balagtasan, for his mastery of Tagalog poetry.Wrote the lyrics  of the popular Filipino song “Bayan Ko”,which has become an alternative anthem.

KUDIARO LAXAMANA

(b.1906/d.1970)

Place of Interment: Clark Cemetery, Angeles City, Pampanga

Born in the Mt. Pinatubo area. Aeta World War II Guerrilla Hero. Head of the 55-155^th Squadron of the Northwest Pampanga Mountain District. Reputedly killed 50 Japanese soldiers, chopping off at least 17 enemy heads with  his bolo. Given a post-humous recognition in Mabalacat in 1995 for his wartime bravery. Killed in 1970 for his advocacies. Given a 21-gun salute at his burial at the Clark Cemetery. A major road in Clark—Kudiaro Laxamana Ave.—is named after him.

RUFINO J. CARDINAL SANTOS

(26 Aug. 1908-d. 3 Sep. 1973)

Place of Interment: Manila Metropolitan Cathedral crypt

The 1^st Filipino Prince of the Church. Born in Sto. Niño, Guagua to Gaudencio Santos and Rosalia Jiao. Accepted as seminarian at San Carlos Seminary in 1921.  At 19, became a scholar of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1927. Ordained on 25 Oct. 1931 in Rome. Assigned to Imus, Cavite and Marilao, Bulacan as assistant priest; then to Manila. After his war imprisonment, was named by Arch.  Michael O’Doherty as Vicar General of Manila, then elected as the Titular Bishop of Barca and Auxiliary Bishop to the archbishop. Succeeded Arch. Gabriel M. Reyes as the new archbishop of Manila in 1953, following his appointment by Pope Pius XII. Elevated to the rank of the cardinal at the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome at 9:30 a.m. on 31 Mar. 1960.

CLEOFE J. BALINGIT

(b. 9 Apr. 1910/ d. 5 Jun. 1981)

Place of Interment: Apalit Municipal Cemetery

Daughter of  Macabebe Scout Felix Balingit and Juliana Jaime of Macabebe. Chosen to represent Pampanga in the search for the 1936 Queen of the Manila Carnival, touted as “the biggest annual event of the Orient”. Her candidacy was supported by the newspaper “Ing Catimauan”. Placed 4th after the winner, Mercedes Montilla, of Negros Occidental,  crowned Miss Mindanao 1936. Married to Dr. Mariano Bayani of Apalit.  Spent the rest of her life involved in socio-civic causes,  especially the Pampanga Chapter of the Girl Scouts and the local Red Cross.

DIOSDADO P. MACAPAGAL

(b. 28 Sep. 1910/ d. 21 Apr. 1997)

Place of Interment: Libingan ng mga Bayani

Born in Lubao to Urbano and Romana Pangan. “The poor boy from Lubao” became the 9^th President of the Philippines, serving from 1961 to 1965, and the sixth Vice-President, serving from 1957 to 1961. Was a member of the House of Representatives, and headed the Constitutional Convention of 1970. Father of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010. Succeeded by Ferdinand Marcos.

THE AQUINOS OF TARLAC

Place of Interment: Manila Memorial Park, Parañaque, Manila

Corazon Cojuangco Aquino ((b. 25 Jan. 1933/d. 1 Aug. 2009)

The first woman president and the 11^th chief executive of the Philippines.  The most prominent figure of the 1986 People Power Revolution that ended the 21 years of dictatorial rule by Pres. Marcos. People rallied around her after her husband’s assassination and swept the plain housewife to power. Hailed as the “Mother of Asian Democracy”.

Benigno Aquino Jr. (b. 27 Nov. 1932 /d. 21 Aug.1983)

A leading oppositionist of the Pres. Ferdinand Marcos and his dictatorial regime. Arrested and jailed for 7 years during the Martial Law of 1972.Founder of the lakas ng Bayan (Laban) party. Allowed to travel by Marcos in 1980 for medical reasons, byt was assassinated upon his return to Manila in 1983. His death was the catalyst for te People Power Revolution that ended the arcos regime and started his wife Corazon’s ascent to power.

FERNANDO POE JR

(b. 20 Aug. 1939/d. 14 Dec. 2004)

Place of Interment: Cementerio del Norte (Manila North Cemetery)

Actor, director, film producer and presidential of the Philippines. Considered King of Philippine Movies. Began showbiz career in the 1953 with the movie “Anak ni Palaris”. Has over 200 films to his credit. Most portrayals show him as a champion of the poor. 5-time winner of FAMAS Award. Married to showbiz royalty, Susan Roces; daughter Grace Poe is a senator. Ran for the 2004 presidential race, but lost by the slimmest of margin against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

ALEXIS TIOSECO

(b. 11 Feb. 1981/d. 1 Sep. 2009)

Place of Interment: Family mausoleum, Angeles City Cemetery

The young film critic is the great-grandchild of Leonardo Lilles, a successful agricultural engineer, businessman and town leader of Macabebe.  Noted film critic and film professor at the University of Asia and the Pacific. Known advocate of Southeast Asian cinema. Named  in 2005 as “one of the most important young people in the Philippines today”, by Philippine Star, for championing Philippine cinema. On 1 Sep. 2009, Tioseco and Slovenian girlfriend Nika Bohinc, were murdered in their Quezon City apartment by 3 burglars. Their househelp was convicted in May 2018 for her participation in the crime,

BONUS!

COLIN P. KELLY JR.

(b. 11 July 1915/10 Dec. 1941) 

Place of Memorial: Madison, Florida

B-17 pilot Capt. Colin Purdie Kelly Jr. died in action against the Japanese forces in 1941. Kelly’s damaged plane, while returning from a bombing run, blew up near Clark Field after being engaged by enemy forces. Declared as America’s first hero of WWII by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  The Kelly Theater of Clark as named after him. There is a  memorial statue of the fallen captain in front of the theater ruins inaugurated on 10 Dec. 2007—the 66th year of his passing.

CONRADO Y, GUINTO, KING OF POETS

(b. 21 Jan. 1946/d. 5 May 2015)

Place of Interment: Porac, Pampanga

Conrado Guinto is the fictional character in the award-winning advocacy film,”ARI: My Life with a King”, produced by Holy Angel University. The aging Kapampangan poet royalty befriends a Pampanga-born high school lad, JP, who can’t speak the language. Their contentious relationship ends with the death of Conrado, but only after passing the poet’s torch, and the laurel crown to the young boy. Portrayed by real-life poeta laureado,  Francisco "Frank" Guinto, who won Best Actor honors in the Metro-Manila Film Festival 2016, New Wave edition. The FAMAS-award winning sory was penned by Robby Tantingco and directed by Carlo Catu.

SOURCES:

HONORIO VENTURA:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/govph/

(tomb)

FELINO GIL: Jerry Punzalan Sagmit (tomb); Luther Parker Collection (photo)
SIXTO MANALOTO,:Old Cemetery: https://magalang-heritage.weebly.com/old-cemetery.html

JOSE CORAZON DE JESUS: http://malacanang.gov.ph/undas-2012-a-cemeteries-tour/(tomb); flickr.com, posted by NCCA Official (photo)

CLEOFE BALINGIT: Alex R. Castro Collection

COLIN KELLY: www.findagrave.com

(tomb); https://fcit.usf.edu/wwii/overseas.php.(photo)

CARDINAL SANTOS: findagrave.com (tomb); Alex R. Castro (photo)

KUDIARO LAXAMANA: www.finadagrave.com (tomb);

 www.art.com (photo)

DISODADO MACAPAGAL: Twitter photo, by Maria Cepeda (tomb); wikipedia.com  (photo)

CORY AQUINO, NINOY AQUINO: wikimedia commons

FERNANDO POE JR: Wikimedia commons (grave); Alex R. Castro (photo)

ALEXIS TIOSECO: Robby Tantingco (tomb), Association for Southeast Asian Cinemas Conference - WordPress.com (photo)