47. 5 INSPIRING PHYSICALLY-CHALLENGED KAPAMPANGAN ACHIEVERS

Five inspiring stories of Kapampangans who surmounted their physical impediments to become leaders, achievers, and outstanding citizens—living proofs of the triumph of the human spirit over personal handicaps and adversities.

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ATTY. AHMED C. GARCIA, San Fernando

Disability: Total Blindness

Claim to Fame: Practicing Lawyer for over 30 Years, using Braille.

Atty. Ahmed C. Garcia has one of the most remarkable careers in the field of law—for he was not only a brilliant lawyer, but he was also completely blind. Born with a normal sight, he was allowed to enroll at the U.P. College of Law, on scholarship. Among his classmates were kabalen Renato D. Tayag  and the future president, Ferdinand E. Marcos. Four years after graduation, Garcia went completely blind. He went to America in 1947, but doctors confirmed that he would be blind for the rest of his life. While in the U.S. ,Garcia deemed it wise to learn Braille at a Braille Sight Saving School, which he mastered.

His marriage to 18 year old Marcelina Ocampo  in 1948 prompted him to resume his stalled legal career. His keen sense of hearing compensated for his blindness. He could navigate around the courthouse, recognize a person through his voice, and feel his way through the railings of buildings. In his court appearances, Garcia relies on his wife who reads and reviews his notes with him, helps in preparing his briefs and in describing witnesses’ reactions.  Otherwise, he takes down his own notes in Braille.

One of his high-profile clients was Huk leader Casto Alejandrino. In 1961,  Garcia decried as unconstitutional, a  1957 law that outlawed the Communist Party of the Philippines, because “it denied individuals to group among themselves”.  He assiduously pursued the case all the way to the Supreme Court, but Alejandrino’s conviction was upheld.

At their 1964 Silver Anniversary Reunion, Garcia’s classmates honored him with an award “in recognition of his courage, perseverance and determination in the pursuit of the legal profession as a practitioner, despite adversity imposed by total loss of sight”.

MANUEL ABAD SANTOS, Angeles

Disability: Lost one leg in a shooting

Claim to Fame: The Fighting-est Mayor of Angeles

Elected in 1951, Manuel Abad Santos is best remembered as a town leader who stood firmly on one leg and a crutch, sticking firmly to his principle of standing up for the common good of his people. Born  26 March 1907 to parents Irineo Abad Santos of San Fernando and Teofila Dizon of Angeles, Manuel counts the late martyr-jurist Jose Abad Santos and the great people’s leader, Pedro Abad Santos as uncles.

 An incident in 1926 would leave him physically maimed for the rest of his life. While in a San Fernando entertainment place, he was caught in a gunfire started by a PC trooper who suddenly went on a shooting rampage. He lost his left leg in that carnage. Once recovered from his wounds, however, he went back to Ateneo and earned a pre-law degree,  which he finished in 1927. Manuel, however, opted to work right after college, joining his parents in expanding their burgeoning moviehouse business.

In 1951, Abad Santos, then already in his mid-40s,  joined the political fray. Running as a minority candidate, he won the mayorship of Angeles by a landslide, signalling the beginning of a long, fruitful career.  In 1955, he was re-elected but this time, his term was marked with bitter and contentious moments with Clark Field and socio-civic groups. Nevertheless, this “only one-legged mayor of the Philippines and the one with the most kick inspite of his handicap”, would continue running the affairs of the town with nationalist zeal. To him,  there is no other accomplishment greater than protecting the rights of the people whom he vowed to serve.

NORMA LAPUZ

Disability: Blindness

Claim to Fame: “The Blind Songstress”

Kapampangan Norma Lapuz was just 16 years old when word of the blind girl’s singing talent reached the LVN Studios. She had made waves as a singer in Clover Theater along Rizal Avenue, the one of the hottest entertainment spots in the city back in the 50s, along with Diomedes Maturan and Elsie Oria.  And so, in 1959, Lapuz was given the title role in the movie “Ginintuang Tinig”,  the “blind girl with a silver song” paired with “the most popular voice in the Philippines”, Diomedes Maturan.  The film turned her into a full-fledged movie star, but it was still her extraordinary voice that people remember, with signature songs like “Kung Maging Ulila” (a kundiman by Prof. Jose Silos), “Ligaya Mo, Ligaya Ko” (a Tagalog adaptation of the hit theme song, “To Sir With Love). By 1961, she was one of the top recording artists of the country, ranking along Sylvia La Torre, Diomedes Maturam Tres Rosas, Reycard Duets, Pilita Corrales and Fred Panopio.

RONNIE MANALANG, Angeles

Disability: Lost both hands, part of arms and left leg in an electrical accident.

Claim to Fame: Finished Architecture at age 46

Ronnie Manalang was 20 years old when he was working in the construction of a building in Angeles. It was breaktime, but Ronnie was still at his post, hold an iron rod. Then, the unthinkable happened. The iron rod touched a power line, immediately delivering 13,800 volts to his body. When his arms and left foot were severely burned, 80 % of his body electrocuted. His recovery was long and expensive, but good thing his mother Yolanda met William Pitsenberg who made it possible for Ronnie to get reconstructive orthopedic treatments and surgery at Shriner’s Hospital in Boston and Los Angeles. While undergoing treatments, Ronnie managed to take up drafting courses in California. Outfitted with iron-hooked hands he designed himself and with his health back, he returned to the Philippines in 1997, and continued with his schooling. At age 46, with his wife Catherine and son Tyron in attendance, Ronnie Manalang walked proudly on stage to receive his diploma, achieving his dream against all odds.

ERWIN V. DAYRIT, San Fernando

Disability: Born with a brittle-bone disease

Claim to Fame: Multi-Awarded Visual Artist

An Outstanding Fernandino awardee for 2011, artist Erwin “Weng” Dayrit was born in 1979 with osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle-bone disease), which gave him a barrel-shaped rib cage and a short, dwarfish stature. Despite this, the young Erwin flourished and persevered, finishing a drafting course at Don Honorio Ventura State University. He put up an art and sign business along with friends, but it was his amazing artwork pieces drawn using ballpoint pens that made him well known in the local art circle. Soon, Erwin was winning competitions, and began receiving extensive media coverage for his art. His inspiring life story was featured in the popular Channel 7 drama anthology program, “Magpakailanman”, hosted by Mel Tiangco, in an episode entitled “Abot-Kamay ang Pangarap: The Erwin Dayrit Story”, which aired on 18 March 2017. Erwin Dayrit portrayed himself in the biopic, that also starred Aicelle Santos, Ana Capri, Gary Estrada, Jazz Ocampo, and David Remo,  as the child Erwin.

SOURCES:
AHMED GARCIA: Carpio, Solomon T., “Pampanga, Blind Lawyer: Courtroom Celebrity”, The Sunday Times Magazine, pp. 38-39
MANUEL ABAD SANTOS: Manuel Abad Santos, The Fighting Mayor of Angeles 
NORMA LAPUZ: Jessie B. garcia, A Movie Album Quizbook, Erehwon Books and Magazines, 2004.
RONNIE MANALANG: Universitas, Holy Angel University publication
ERWIN V. DAYRIT: Edwin V. Dayrit FB page
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/603707/may-kapansanang-artist-na-si-erwin-dayrit-sasabak-sa-acting-sa-magpakailanman/story/

33. 10 KAPAMPANGAN COMEDIANS IN PHILIPPINE SHOWBIZ

1. PATSY (Lubao) 
Pastora Mateo (b. 12 April 1916/d. 1979) was the child of Alejandro Mateo from Lubao, who worked at the Tondo market. As a youngster, Patsy was nicknamed “lapad”, in reference to her flat nose. She joined bodabil shows at an early age--when she was in Grade 2, she passed the audition to be a dancer at Savoy Theater--until her parents discovered her shenanigan. In 1939, while singing with comedienne Hanasan (Aurelia Alaldo) on stage, somebody in the audience informed her that her father had died, but like a real trouper, went on with the show. Patsy continued to entertain during the years of the Japanese Occupation. Her biggest break was when she was asked to host (with Lopito) the highly-popular singing contest, ”Tawag ng Tanghalan” that started on radio as “Purico’s Amateur Hour”. When it moved to television, it became and even bigger hit. Her film credits include : “Juan Tamad Goes To Society”, “Manananggal vs. Mangkukulam” (1960) and the hit, "Pitong Atsay" (1962), where she was part of a group of seven bungling househelps. TV kept Patsy busy in the 1970s (“Wanted: Boarder”, “Boarding House”). In all her appearances, Patsy remained true to her character—splicing Kapampangan words into her dialogues at every opportunity, speaking with that distinct “gegege” accent that became her trademark.

2. TUGAK (Guagua) 
Guagua-born Perfecto Piñon (b. 10 May 1917/d. 7 Jan. 2006) used to be a painter of movie billboards, which led him to try showbiz, naming himself as “Abe Tugak” and performing in bod-a-bil. He found a team-mate in the person of another Kapampangan comedian Pugak— and so the bald tandem of Pugak and Tugak was born. They made the rounds of theater stages with their comic antics and even did novelty records. In1954, they were topbilled in the movie “Is My Guy” with kabalens , Eddie del Mar and Rosita Noble and “Pitong Pasiklab” (1962). They were well-known for their 60s spoof movies, “Pogi Dozen” (1967), “We Only Live Wa-Is”(1968) and “Crazy 8 at Walong Dyango” (1969). When movie offers came too few, Tugak fell back on his painting skills and became a successfull painter. He put up his own Peck Piñon Art Gallery that had branches in Ali Mall in Cubao, SM North Edsa and in Makati. He moved to the U.S. with his family where he continued painting until his death.

3. PUGAK 
Pugak was born in 1924 as Conrado Piring and was the other half of the well-known comedy team “Pugak and Tugak” in the 1950s-1960s. Tugak was played by Perfecto Piñon, who had to shave his head to match the bald pate of Pugak. They built a reputation as a slapstick version of Pugo and Tugo, regaling audiences with their funny repartees and wisecracks. Theirs was an on-and-off partnership that was many times threated with split-ups, until Tugak called it quits in 1960. But when duty called, the two would gamely get together, albeit temporarily. Pugak went full-steam ahead as a solo comedian, and dabbled as a director. He appreared without Tugak in movies such as “Fist to Kill” (1972) and “Matang Lawin at ang Crazy 4” (1976). Perhaps, Pugak is best known for his commercial appearance in the Datu Puti Vinegar, whose scrunched-up “mukhasim” expression remains unforgettable to TV viewers.

4. BENTOT (San Simon) 
Born Arturo Vergara Medina (b.1928/d. 1986) in San Simon, Benton began his showbiz career by joining 'bodabil' shows. At age 19, he made his first movie under Sampaguita Pictures, "Maria Kafra" (1947) billed as Ben Cosca. Leading comedians then had names like Chichay, Menggay, Tolindoy, Lopito, Pugo and Tugo, so Ben decided he needed a single catchy name too. Thus, Bentot was born. He was immediately cast in the radio program, “Sebya, Mahal Kita”, along with Sylvia La Torre, Rosa Aguirre, Eddie San Jose and Pugo. He next signed up with LVN Studios in 1951, and was cast as a lackluster boxer in “In This Corner”(1957). In 1961, the San Miguel Beer sponsored "Tang-tarang-tang", a spin-off of "Sebya" started on DZRH. The plot revolved Don Mariano (Pugo), his son Badong (Leroy Salvador Jr.), his love interest Ibyang (Sylvia La Torre), daughter of Aling Charing (Rosa Aguirre) who were of humble means. Providing the foil was Bitoy (Bentot) , Don Mariano’s youngest, who became one of the most unforgettable characters from the series. He remained active through the 70s, passing away in 1986 due to heart failure. His son, Bentot Jr., attempted to carry on
his father’s legacy by joining the movies also as a comedian.

5. APENG DALDAL (San Luis) 
Born Serafin Gabriel (b. 12 Oct. 1928/d. 9 Feb. 1992) in San Luis, the young Apeng moved to Manila, and despite his skeletal built, found work as a Divisoria kargador. He next tried his hand in the bod-a-bil circuit with a comedy group called “Top Three”, that drew crowds at the Manila Opera House. His success paved the way for a TV career, with the 1961 noontime show “The Big Show”, supporting Cris de Vera, Sylvia La Torre and Oscar Obligacion. Apeng Daldal’s gift of non-stop gabbing and witty ad-libbing had audiences laughing for more, so producers cast him in his debut movie “Libis ng Baryo” (1964) with Susan Roces. This was followed by appearances in “Bandong Pugante”, “Babaing Kidlat” and the 1964 Sampaguita blockbuster “Magic Bilao” after Rosemarie and Dindo Fernando. Apeng Daldal—now regarded as an A-lister funnyman along with Chiquito and Dolphy, was rewarded with a lead role in “Maskulado”, “Tatlong Mabilis” and another comedy-fantasy film, “Baticobra at Flying Salakot”. The final decades of his life were spent working in films, TV and radio as scriptwriter ( “Ayos Lang, Pare Ko” , “Dobol Dribol), novelty singer ( "Pandanggo ng Aswang", "Hoy Mamang Kaminero") , comic (“Super Laff-In”, “Trio Los Bobos” and “Cafeteria Aroma”). He died of emphysema, and is survived by his wife Elma Modesto and 8 children.

6. CHIQUITO (Apalit) 
Augusto Valdez Pangan, in real life, (b.12 Marc.1932/d. 3 July 1997) was well-known for portraying comic characters and spoofs of Hollywood movies. He was also a dancer, politician, inventor, jockey and businessman. His parents were Manuel Pangan, a San Miguel executive and Remedios Valdez. The Pangans trace their family roots to Apalit, Pampanga, but moved to San Miguel, Bulacan and finally to Manila were “Tito” or “Gus” grew up., After a stint with bod-a-bil,, he made a leap to the movies. The characters he portrayed would become major movie icons. Aside from “Mr. Wong” (1977) there were: the caveman “Barok” (1976), “Asiong Aksaya” (a Larry Alcala cartoon character, 1977), “Mang Kepweng” (1979), “Gorio” (1979), “Estong Tutong”, “Kenkoy at Rosing”, “ Tacio” (based on a popular comic strip, 1980), “Pete Matipid”, “Django” and “Atorni Agaton” (1990).He served briefly as the Vice Mayor of Makati, and then in 1992, he ran for a seat in the Senate, but lost. His last movie before he got sick with liver cancer, was “Strict ang Parents Ko’, with Amanda Page. 

7. BEN DAVID 
The King of Over-Acting, Ben David, was born as Bienvenido Parungao, the 4th of 8 children of Enrique Parungao and Raymunda David, both Kapampangans. He grew up in Tondo and reached first year college at Manuel L. Quezon University. As a teen, he did odd jobs—from being a sidewalk vendor, messenger, post office messenger to serving the Naval Intelligence from 1949-1952. David had a deep, baritone voice which led to a job as a radio talent for DZBC soap dramas in 1959 , often assigned to voice villain roles. In 1967, he became an announcer for ABS-CBN. He produced and directed “Dear Kuya Cesar”, acted in “Operetang Putul-Putol”and disc-jockeyed for “Patrolman OA”. David also broke into the movies, debuting in “Ismol bat Teribol” , a 1957 comedy from Sampaguita Pictures. He was nominated for a Famas Best Supporting Actor for “Alamat ng Sandaigdig” (1961), adapted from a DZAQ radio serial. The horror shocker introduced the audience to David’s ‘over-the-top’ acting that became his trademark, along with lines like –“O, Hindeee!”, “Hangallll!” delivered with feelings that were more comedic than dramatic. In the 1970 “Edgar Loves Vilma” teen flick, David was heard talking in Kapampangan. On TV, David had recurring roles in “Rosemarie-Pepito Show” and “Oras ng Ligaya”. In the 80s, David managed a male entertainment club in Manila, until he passed away.

8. NANETTE INVENTOR (Macabebe)
The comedienne who became nationally famous as the irreverent “Doña Buding” was a Kapampangan from Macabebe (b. 23 Jun 1954) named Agnes Nanette Inventor, or simply Nanette Inventor. Inventor was first a singer, a member of the UP Concert Chorus, who sang commercial jingles and back-up vocals, and recorded covers of international hits. In 1983, her career took an unexpected turn when she was asked to do a satirical piece on Channel 7’s “Penthouse Live” as “Dona Leonila Evaporada Viuda de Ford” or “Dona Buding.” This role catapulted her to fame, and in the next few years, Inventor staged award-winning comedy acts like “Tit for Tat” (with Maya Valdez), “Rock da Vote” and “Eh Kasi Eh Ano?”. In 1984, she sang the winning song, “Salamat Musika” of Gary Granada at the 7th Metro Pop Song Festival. This led to more solo concerts , capped by her 20th anniversary show “Fat, Fifty and Fabulous” at Greenbelt. Inventor was also seen in TV’s “Por Kilo” “Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata”, and most recently in “Family Zoo” and “Yaman ni Lola”, a game show. Inventor has also conquered the theater stage as an actress in “The Wiz”, “Noli Me Tangere” and “Separasyon”. She provided her vocals for the song, “Kapampangan Ku”, which has become an anthem of sorts to celebrate the renaissance of Kapampangan culture.

9. JON SANTOS (Mabalacat) 
One of the country’s top stand-up comedians, impersonator and film/TV/ stage actor, Jon Santos (b. 18 Jan. 1966) is the son of Joselito Santos and Zenaida Samson Adriano. His maternal grandmother, Zenaida Samson y Garcia comes from Dau (daughter of Jose Castro Samson and Laureana Garcia. It was as an Economics student at the University of the Philippines that Jon started his impersonations, often supporting the already established Tessie Tomas and Willie Nepomuceno in campus shows. Since then, he has been impersonating and imitating people for over 19 years. Some of his best-loved characters are the classics: “Ate Vi”, “Basana Roces”, “Armida Sigyon-Makareyna”, “Sherap Espada”, “FVR”, Shawie”, “Bro. Mike Volare”, “Tita Kory”, “Sen. Juan Flavor”, “Sen. Meeryam”, “Pres. Gloring”, “Krissy Anino”, “Mommy Dionisia”, among others. Some of his hit shows include “For Voter or For Worse”, “Love in 3D”, ”101 Jojemons: The Pinoy Fower List” and "Im.Person.Nation”. Jon is married West Stewart of Canada since 2005.

10. RYZZA MAE DIZON (Angeles City) 
Ryzza Mae Dizon (born 12 June 2005) is a product of Eat Bulaga’s popular contest, Little Miss Philippines, a crown she won in 2012. Thus began her showbiz career that endeared the precocious Angeleña to an adoring public. She became a co-host of Eat Bulaga, and even had her own talk show—The Ryzza Mae Show. Her TV appearances include “Tweets for my Tweets”, “Vampire ang Daddy Ko”, “Calle Siete” and “Princess in the Palace”. She starred in box-office movies like “ My Little Bossing” (2013) with Bimby Aquino, “My Big Bossing” (2014), “Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako” where she played a dwarf. Ryzza Mae is a contract artist of GMA7.

PHOTO SOURCES:
Pugak: screencap from youtube "Idol Kong Si Pugak"
Ryzza Mae Dizon: gma7network.com
Nanette Inventor: balita.com (The Overlooked Side of Nanette Inventor)
Jon Santos: Jon Santos FB page
Patsy, Apeng Daldal, Bentot, Chiquito, Ben David, Tugak: Alex Castro Collection

24. 24 LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT ROGELIO DE LA ROSA

November 12, 2016 marks the birthday centenary of Rogelio de la Rosa (b. 1916/d. 1986)—matinee idol, politician, ambassador. This feature pays homage to Lubao’s famous son who rose to become the first King of Philippine Movies during the golden age of Philippine cinema, and the first showbiz personality to become a successful politician, and later, a much-admired diplomat.  

1. Rogelio de la Rosa’s grandfather, Francisco, was a pure Spaniard and and surveyor.  His grandmother—Francisco’s wife—was an Ilocano belle, Marciana Dariano, of Naguilian, La Union.

2. Feliciano, Rogelio’s father, is credited with donating an artesian well to the people of barrio San Jose Gumi, pre-dating Magsaysay’s practice of giving out water pumps to barrios. Feliciano was a painter, while mother Rosario, was famed as a singer.

3. The de la Rosas were the first family in Lubao to own the town’s first car.

4. The young de la Rosa was a zarzuelista, and along with his friend, Diosdado P. Macapagal, appeared in staged plays like “Sumpang Metupad”, “Atul ning Banua” and “Bayung Jerusalem”, written by playwright, Urbano Macapagal, Diosdado’s father.

5. After high school at the Lubao Institute, de la Rosa went to Far Eastern College where he earned a Liberal Arts degree. There, he became a superb athlete (intercollegiate welterweight boxing champ, member of the undefeated basketball Central Luzon basketball team) and a champion orator (Claro M. Recto Gold medallist  in Oratory).

6. Rogelio’s favorite books:  The Political Upheaval) (Schlesinger), Caesar and Christ (Will Durant), The Importance of Living (Lin Yutang) and Soviet Russia in China ( Gen. Chiang Kai-Shek). Favorite food: Pinakbet.

7. His baptismal name was “Regidor”; Rogelio de la Rosa was a screen name given to him by Jose Nepomuceno (“Father of Philippine Movies”), who directed him in  his first movie. She was paired with Bacolor-born Rosa del Rosario (Rosa Stagner, in real life) and their love team was alliteratively billed as—Rogelio de la Rosa and Rosa del Rosario.

8. At age 16, Rogelio made his first movie, “Ligaw na Bulaklak”, directed by Jose Nepomuceno. As it was a silent film, his lead actress mouthed lines in English,  while Rogelio spewed out sentences in Kapampangan. Fearing that the audience could lip-read, director Nepomuceno enrolled them in a Tagalog language course.

9. At his prime, de la Rosa stood 6 feet tall, weighed 184 pounds and had a 45 in. chest. In 1948, he had a fixed monthly salary of Php 2,000, and had  25% to. 33.3% share of net proceeds from his pictures, giving him a guaranteed annual income in the range of Php 150,000- Php 200,000, a substantial amount in those days.

  

10. The popular Rogelio de la Rosa-Carmen Rosales love tandem began with the 1939 musical, “Takipsilim”. They would appear together in 12 more films:  Lambingan, Señorita, Diwang Awit, Colegiala (1940), Panambitan, Tampuhan (1941), Camelia, Kampanang Ginto (1949), Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954), Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig, Iyong-iyo (1955), and their last movie together, Lydia (1956).

11. The actor put up his own RDR productions  with J. Amado Araneta and Placido Mapa in 1941, and produced box-office hits including: Ang Maestra, Anong Ganda Mo (1941) and Caballero (1942).

12. De la Rosa was the first Filipino actor to in a film slated for international release in 1949:  ‘Sword of the Avenger’, where he was top-billed as Ramon Delgado along with Sigrid Gurie. Produced by Eagle Films and the United Philippine Artists, it also had a Tagalog version—‘Ang Vengador’, this time, with Pacita Francisco. Shot  in Hollywood, the film was directed by Sidney Salkow,and featured the exploits of “ the swashbuckling leader of the Filipino resistance to Spanish opposition during the 19^th century”.

13. Many of the films of Rogelio de la Rosa spawned a few theme songs that became very popular:”Maalaala Mo Kaya?”, “Sarung Banggi”, “Tayo Na Sa Antipolo” and “ Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig”.

14. De la Rosa won two Best Actor awards for his movie “Higit sa Lahat”, earning the FAMAS Best Actor nod in 1955, and the Asia Film Festival Best Actor trophy in 1956, held in Hong Kong.

15. The very private Rogelio was already married when he was at the peak of his career. He was married during the Japanese Occupation to  Dolores “Lolita”  Z. Bayot of Masbate. Rogelio was  married a second time to a fellow Kapampangan actress, Carlota “Lota” Concepcion Delgado”, who was born in Camp Stotsenburg.

   

16. The de la Rosa children’s names all begin with the letter “R”:  Ramon, Rudolf,  Reynaldo, Roberto, Regidor (Rocky) and only girl, Ruby. His son with Bayot was also named Rogelio Jr.

17. In 1951, de La Rosa bought a 300 hectare property in Irisan, Baguio which  he developed into the RDR Dairy Farm. He supplied his city friends with eggs, pork, beef  and 225 quarts of milk daily, from his 150 cows imported from the U.S. Bureau of Animal Industry officials once tested their dairy milk and found it to have superior butterfat content.

18. During the Japanese Occupation, de la Rosa joined the underground resistance movement. He also volunteered to go to the war during the height of the hostilities in Korea, to help boost the morale of the U.N. forces.

19. De la Rosa’s first fling with politics was in 1957, when he ran for the Senate and won—largely on the support of his legions of fans, mostly from the masses. His most vital piece of legislation was his sponsorship of a bill that condemned the illegal appropriation of public streams and rivers by big fishpond owners. As a senator, he met with Pres. John F. Kennedy at the Oval office when the U.S. president signed the War Bill in 1962.

20. Pres. Ramon Magsaysay designated de la Rosa as his adviser on labor, agriculture and rural development. He impressed the president so much that Magsaysay even encouraged him to run for governor of Pampanga in 1955.

21. When de la Rosa ran for the Presidency as an Independent in 1961, he chose the salakot and a pair of bakya (wooden shoes) as elements of his campaign seal.His slogan was : “We shall return to Malacañang!”, in reference to his pro-“masa” (common people) approach to governance.

22. Ten days before the election, de la Rosa withdrew his presidential bid as he realized that he would split the opposition votes against the ruling re-electionist  Carlos P. Garcia. This move generated many ugly rumors: that he was paid Php 500,000 by the Macapagal camp to withdraw, plus a key cabinet position and control of the Central Bank, and that his decision had driven his wife, Lota, to drink poison and attempt suicide.  Another rumor had it that Malacañang paid de la Rosa to run to split the Luzon votes, but when he looked headed for victory in the South, the Nacionalistas were alarmed that he could actually win the presidency. De la Rosa gave way to his brother-in-law, thus paving the way for Macapagal’s victory.

23. De La Rosa served in the diplomatic corps for 18 years, starting as ambassador to  Cambodia in 1965, where he was admired even by Prince Norodom Sihanouk, He was also assigned to the Hague, Poland, and Bulgaria and Sri Lanka. During his term, he became the dean of the diplomatic corps. He retired from the Foreign Service in 1983.

24. He ran for a position in the Batasang Pambansa under the banner of KBL in 1984, but lost, amidst mounting protests against President Ferdinand Marcos. 

SOURCES:

 The Case for Rogelio de la Rosa,  Sunday Times Magazine, 23 November 1961.

 The “Untimely Withdrawal” of Roger de la Rosa, by Quijano de Manila, November 1961

 Garcia, Jessie B., A Movie Album Quizbook, Erehwon Books and Magazine, Iloilo City. December 2004. P. 107-111.

 Rogelio de la Rosa: Matinee Idol, Icon, Patriot, Gentleman. By Tonette Orejas, Philippine Daily Inquirer.p, A2-3.  13 Nov. 2016.

Doña Sisang and Filipino Movies. Philippines: Vera-Reyes, Inc. Published by A.R. Mercado Management, Inc.

Photo sources: Video 48, The Chronicle, Sunday Times Magazine,Constantino, Ronaldo, K., ed., "Memorable Tagalog Movie Ads 1946-56" Manila: Danny Dolor Publications, 1994,  Alex R. Castro Photo Collection. SPECIAL THANKS to; Michael de Leon, for photos of RDR and Lota Delado, and children.

5. 12 AMAZING AETA ACHIEVERS

1. CARAGAN, Mabalacat Chieftain who Gave His Name to a Festival 

 Caragan (or Carangan, Garagan) of Mabalacat is acknowledged as the first Aeta chieftain of the town in 1768. He married a fellow Aeta with the Christianized name of Laureana Tolentino, who went on to become Mabalacat’s first female cabeza de barangay. On 28 February 2008, to honor the Negrito chieftain of Mabalacat, the 1st Caragan Festival was held to cap the month-long town fiesta celebration. The festival, akin to Cebu’s Sinulog, Bacolod’s MassKara and Iloilo’s Dinagyang, featured festive street dancing, colorful Baluga costumes and “uling” (charcoal) face swiping. In 2016, a statue of Caragan was installed at municipal city grounds.

2. BASILIO, Pole Climbing Champion, 1904 'Anthropological Games of the 1904 Olympics 

 The 3rd world Olympics coincided with the holding of the 1904 St.Louis World's Fair. So, a sporting event was organized with international cultural minorities culled from the Fair, who competed in several running, climbing and throwing competitions at the "1st Anthropological Games". Winning 1st place in the Pole Climbing Competition was BASILIO, a Filipino Negrito, who climbed the pole in 20,25 secs. His performance was recognized as a "marvelous performance at pole climbing ever witnessed in this country" and that the times in this particular event were praiseworthy and worthy of a record".. In second place was another Negrito, Sayas, who timed in at 42.25 secs.

3. LUCAS, King of Negritos 

 In 1922, Gen. Johnson Hagood took command of Camp Stotsenburg and met with Negritos up close. He found the Negritos and their lifestyle so fascinating that he even wrote about them in his memoirs, Gen. Hagood was most amused with the Baluga chief, “Lucas”, who once presented himself to him arrayed as “a brigadier general in a miniature khaki uniform wearing a sword” wearing and assortment of “fantastic and humorous commendations” and medals, one of which was a Manila Carnival medal that identified Lucas as “a prize bull”. Gen. Hagood proclaimed Lucas as “King of All Negritos”, and gave him a peace- keeping role among feuding Baluga tribes. The general conferred additional titles to the new “king”--Defender of the Orchids”and “ Grand Commander of the Order of Dead Mules, Second Class”.

4. MAGDALENA NEGRITA, The Illiterate Aeta Heiress 

Dean C. Worcester once caused a stir among Filipinos when he wrote about the existence of slavery and peonage in the Philippines. The charge did not sit well on Filipinos, which prompted Mr. Worcester to cite the inspiring story of a Negrita from Bamban, named Magdalena, and her extraordinary relationship with her mistress, Dña. Petrona David. The latter had met the young Magdalena at the town market where her parents were selling “bulu” ( a bamboo specie) . She took in the 7-year old Magdalena as her househelp, and after her parents died, the kind Doña had her baptized. Magdalena served her foster mother dutifully until the Doña died. She left behind a will, bequeathing one third of her property valued at Php15,000 to Magdalena, who, she said “ has rendered me great service, serving me with loyal and sincere love, and never separating herself from my side ”. As expected, David relatives, contested the legality of the will, and they pursued the case for two years— all the way up to the Supreme Court. But on 24 June 1922, the highest tribunal of the land declared the will, legal, authentic and binding. Still, intrigues hounded her—people could not understand why the Negrita should not be divested of her legacy due to her ignorance. Little did they know that Magdalena’s one special expense is the Php70 that she shells out on the anniversary of her mistress’ death—to buy candles which are lit in her honor and her memory.

5. KUDIARO LAXAMANA. Aeta World War II Hero 

 In the last World War, Kudiaro Laxamana, an Aeta tribal chief born in the foothills of Mount Pinatubo, distinguished himself by heading the 55-155th Squadron of the Northwest Pampanga Mountain District. As a World War II guerilla hero, he reputedly killed 50 Japanese soldiers, thus saving the lives of 10 U.S. airmen. The brave Aeta supposedly chopped off 17 enemy heads with his bolo knife. He is also credited with saving the lives of Col. Gyle Merrill, the overall commander of a U.S. military contingent, and Maj. Henry Conner, of the 27th Bomb Group. Laxamana’s exploits were finally recognized with a posthumous award given on 28 January 1995 in Mabalacat. He returned to civilian life post-war and became active in fighting for the rights of Aetas. He was killed because of his advocacy in 1970 and at his death, he was given a 21- gun salute and buried at the Clark Cemetery. A major road in Clark—Kudiaro Laxamana Avenue—is named after him.

6. MARY, QUEEN OF NEGRITOS, Subject of Annie Leibovitz’ Photo 

 Not much is known about the subject of the photograph, “Mary, Queen of the Negritos” that was taken in Clark Air Base. But the fame of ”Mary” rests on the photographer—the celebrated Annie Leibovitz, who began her career as a photojournalist for Rolling Stone magazine in 1970. Leibovits rose to become the magazine’s chief photographer for 10 years before moving to Vanity Fair. But two years before, she was on a summer break in the Philippines to visit her father, Samuel Leibovitz, who was serving in the U.S. Air Force in Clark. Of the 1968 photograph entitled “American Soldiers and Mary, Queen of the Negritos”, Leibovotz recalled, “It’s one of the first photographs I took after I started to think I could take pictures. I lined them up like a family picture.” The black and white photo was of “Mary” was purchased by the Norton Museum of Art in 2013, where it was shown in a retrospective exhibit that same year.

7. WAYDA COSME, First Aeta Law Graduate 

 In 2001, 26-year old Wayda Cosme made history by becoming the first Aeta to finish law school at the Harvardian College, City of San Fernando. She finished her course through scholarships and stipends, and worked her way to a law degree. This accomplished graduate, was employed in the legal department of Clark Development Corporation. Though she has yet to pass the bar exams, the feat of this woman of color is a courageous story of how a member of an indigenous race overcame prejudice, poverty and personal difficulties to pursue a better life through education, not just for herself, but also for her people. Her remarkable story was made into a telemovie in Channel 7’s “Magpakailanman”. 

8. JONALYN ABLONG, Best Actress Nominee, Gawad Urian 

Jonalyn Ablong was first cast in the movie “Manoro” (The Teacher), a movie that tells the story of an Aeta teacher who made it her mission to teach her fellow Aetas , how to read and write,so that they may be able to vote in the coming elections. Directed by Brillante Mendoza, the film won international awards and gave the Jonalyn Ablong a Gawad Urian Best Actress nomination in 2006, the first and only woman from a cultural minority group to achieve the honor. Her co-nominees included such veterans as Maricel Soriano, Gina Parreño (winner for ‘Kubrador’), Cherrie Pie Picache, Angel Aquino and Mylene Dizon. Ablong’s latest appearance is in the Holy Angel University movie, “ARI, My Life with a King”, (2015) which has also won awards at several international film festivals in London, India and Harlem, New York.

9. AETA GOLD MEDALISTS at the 1ST ASEAN Tribal Games 

 At the 1st ASEAN Tribal Games held in Malaysia from 14-16 September 2010, Aeta Olympians from Mabalacat dominated the games. Jun Ablong, Dumlao Naval and Danilo Tecson won Golds for Treetop Archery, Archery Assault, Blow Pipe Game respectively, while Jimmy Ablong garnered a Bronze in Blow Pipe shooting. The team beat other ethnic delegates from the host country. The Mabalacat Aetas were part of the 12-man Philippine Tribal Team that consisted of Dumagats of Sierra Madre and Mangyans of Mindoro. The ASEAN Tribal Games was held in conjunction with the Nunuk Ragang World Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration in Kota Kinabalu.

10. ARJOHNEL GILBERT, Aeta youtube Singing Sensation 

 This Aeta boy from Marcos Village, became an online singing sensation when a video of his, singing Justin Bieber’s song, “Baby” in front of Puregold-Clark, was posted on youtube in 2011, attracting thousands of views. GMA-7 News did several features of the Aeta singing wonder, who sang to people as a way to get them to buy his nose flutes. YouTube user Ryanesky first posted Gilbert’s video that also show him rendering hits from Bruno Mars, Mariah Carey, and Sean Kingston. In just 3 days, the video had over 190 thousand views. Today, Gilbert has appeared with Grammy Award winner and Kapampangan apl.d.ap in a music video and is currently pursuing a possible showbiz career in Manila while making the rounds of TV talk and variety shows.

11. RONAGIE GILBERT, Winner, 1st Lagu ning Aeta Beauty Pageant 

 In the field of beauty pageantry, Ronagie Gilbert became the first winner of Lagu ning Aeta (Beauty of Aeta) contest in June 2012. The seminal pageant for women of color attracted 12 contestants from Sitio Bilad, Pulang Lupa, Monicayao, Madapdap, Haduan and Calapi. Completing her court of honor were Queen Rose Maye Sibal and Loretta Quedeng.

12. NORMAN KING, 1st Aeta Graduate of the University of the Philippines-Manila

On 20 June 2017, Norman King, 27,  made history when he became the first Aeta to graduate from the University of the Philippine-Manila, earning a degree in behavioral Sciences. The Brgy. Macapagal, Mabalacat native accepted his diploma proudly wearing his “lubay”-an Aeta g-string. King, the eldest of seven children of Warlita and Norman King, had to work his way through school, and used his savings from a job as a delivery boy to study computer technology in 2005. This led to a better-paying job at a BPO company, allowing him to continue his college studies at the state university where he was under a scholarship. King intends to pursue law studies to help his fellow Aetas, just like his aunt  Wyda Cosme, the first Aeta law graduate. King, who goes by the name Isagani Malaya on facebook, is aiming even higher after that. “I want to be a leader of our people,”  he said.

 EXTRA: AETA JUNGLE SURVIVAL TEACHERS 
In the early 1900s, American military men at Stotsenburg encountered the Aetas and found them as fascinating people, equipped with unique skills and capable of embracing change. They hired them as hunting assistants, errand and cargo boys and even posers for souvenir photographs. The Negritos’ mastery of the jungle impressed the Americans, and their skills for jungle survival were soon tapped by the U. S. military, most specially during the Vietnam War. In the 1960s, as communist military strength grew in Vietnam, the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) began to beef up its forces not only with better munitions but also training and readiness. Hence, PACAF Jungle School, under Maj. Ewing, was set up at Clark to prepare air crew members for their Vietnam assignment and to help banish the fear of jungle. Before their ‘students’, Aetas demonstrated such a wide variety of lessons as loading and shooting a primitive crossbow. They also showed the military how to identify species of poisonous snakes and crocodiles, often letting them pet slithering snakes like pythons to overcome their fear. They also gave instructions on how to build fire, collect water using funnel-shaped leaves, make traps and tent-style animal snares. Aetas also taught the Americans a cooking technique using a bamboo tube, called “binulu” (from ‘bulu’, a bamboo specie).It entailed stuffing the bulu with rice, meats, vegetables and water a filling meal. All these valuable jungle survival lessons were learned in the PACAF school, saving the ives of pilots shot down in the hinterlands of Southeast Asia--thanks largely to the Aetas who ably mentored the military from the 1960s thru the 80s. 

Sources:
Caragan, Lucas, Magdalena Negrita: www.viewsfromthepampang.blogspot.com "Negrito Newsmakers"
Basilio:Fermin, Jose:1904 World's Fair-The Filipino Experience. UP Press, 2004
Kudiaro Laxamana: www.allposters.com
Mary, Queen of Negritos: "Norton Museum Buys 39 Annie Leibovitz Photos Ahead of Early 2013 Retrospective", blogsartinfo.com

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/200461/sports/1st-asean-tribal-games-to-feature-spear-throwing-and-blow-guns#sthash.5uJVVbrB.dpuf

Ronagie Gilbert FB page, Punto Central Luzon / Wayda Cosme FB page / Jonalyn Ablong: Robby Tantingco FB page
Arjohn Gilbert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCXgMWQVbfM
Norman King: Orejas, Tonette: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/910248/first-aeta-up-grad-vows-to-serve-pinatubo-tribes#ixzz4mBsmUlJE