The greatness of CPG

By Leo Udtohan 

Ang lalawigang Bol-anon

May anak nga bantugan

Matarung ug maligdong

Sulundon ug buotan.

Ang iyang mga mithi

Gugma ug kaangayan

Pag- alagad nga hingpit

Sa yuta tang natawhan.

Ug halad ka sa langit

Alang Bol-anon katawhan

Ang mga buhat mong matarung

Kanunay namong gikamingawan

Ang dila mong balaknon

Garbo ning yutang tabunon

Carlos P. Garcia buhi ka sa tanang panahon.

Ikaw mao ang kadasig,

Ikaw mao ang kalagsik,

Ikaw mao ang kahayag,

Sa dalan namong mangitngit.

Among paninguhaun ang pagsunod sa imong mga lakang

Ug ang imong pagtulun-an

Dili namo hikalimtan.

 — Carlos P. Garcia: Bantugang Bol-anon

While singing and humming that song (composed and written by Onecimo “Onie” Oclarit from his Ubilandia album), you and I can further reflect on the greatness of the late Carlos P. Garcia as Bohol celebrated his 126th birth anniversary last Friday, Nov. 4.

As we remember CPG, may we be inspired by his example of prioritizing the interests of the Filipino people.

Meanwhile, the greatness of CPG was remembered after three former governors of Bohol were honored during the commemoration of the 126th birth anniversary of CPG, Bohol’s most illustrious son. 

The posthumous awards were given to Victor De la Serna, Constancio Torralba and David Tirol for their exemplary deeds and contributions to the province. The awards were received by their respective familes.

Dela Serna was appointed officer-in-charge (OIC) governor from March to October in 1987 following the 1986 People Power Revolution. He was the first Boholano bar topnotcher in 1965 and he served as a delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention. 

Torralba, former undersecretary of DPWH under Pres. Corazon C. Aquino, was appointed OIC governor from October to December in 1987.  He was elected governor from 1988 –1992. 

Tirol was elected governor from 1992-1995.

Nov. 4 is a special non-working holiday in the province of Bohol. 

The commemorative program in honor of CPG was attended by CPG scholars and provincial officials led by Gov. Aris Aumentado. He led the flag- raising and wreath laying ceremonies along with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Gov. Victor Balite, heads of offices, national agencies and civil society organizations at the CPG Park before the program that was held at the provincial Capitol lobby. 

In his message, Aumentado said CPG is a

shining example for the youth. He recalled his own inaugural address to pay tribute to CPG, who he said along with his late father and former Gov. Erico Aumentado whose public service life birthed his own passion and commitment. 

He said his "Abante Bohol, Boholano First," was inspired by the former president’s widely known Filipino First Policy. 

"The History of Bohol" written by Lumin Tirol-Pamaran was also launched during the event. The book provides rich historical account of the province from  pre-Spanish era to the early 1970s.

The event was also attended by Marilou Valmoria-Fudalan, a descendant of CPG. 

CPG, who was born in a small village in Talibon town, became the 4th president of the Republic of the Philippines and the first president of the 1971 Constitutional Convention. He was known for his "First Filipino Policy." 

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CPG is the real ‘lodi’

For Adrian Clark Bandija delivering a poem on Saturday’s event was an “honor and privilege. “

Bandija delivered the poem, “Dalagang Pilipinhon” (Young Filipina/Filipina Maiden) during the 121st birth anniversary of the late Pres. Carlos Polestico Garcia held at the Bohol Cultural Center.

For his impressive rendition of “Dalagang Pilipinhon,”
immortalized by the late Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Adrian Clark Bandija
wins in “Indigay sa Balak” Junior category.  Photo by Leo Udtohan

Garcia, who hailed from Talibon town, became the eighth president of the Philippines.

Bandija, 17, a student of Dr. Cecilio Putong National Hugh School, was the winner of “Indigay sa Balak” (Poetry Contest), one of the highlights of this year’s CPG Day. Other highlights include chess tournament and the opening of Cafe Caloy Coffee Shop.

Bandija said he memorized “Dalagang Pilipinhon” in just a week after he was told he would join the poetry contest held on Friday.

Garcia was known for his eloquence in writing and delivering balak (poems) during his time and earned the nickname as “Prince of Visayan Poets.”

In “Indigay sa Balak,” the contestants were given a contest piece, the “Dalagang Pilipinhon,” written by Garcia for the junior category.

Rogelio Pangiligan Jr  who wins in “Indigay sa Balak”
open category and as mambabalak (poet) with the board of judges
 Dr. Jes B. Tirol, Prof. Marianito Luspo and Mike Ligalig.
 Photo by Leo Udtohan 

On the other hand, for the open category, the contestant wrote his or her own piece in Visayan and must adhere to the topic about “makinasudnon” (patriotism).

11 participants have joined the “Indigay sa Balak” including  Bandija who captured the ethos of our times in verse. He was declared winner with P5,000 and trophy.

Rogelio Pangiligan Jr, 64, won against six other competitors for his graceful and impressive delivery of his poem “Padayon Kaliwat Bol-anon” for the open category. He received P5,000 and trophy.  He also won as magbabalak (poet) which he received another P5,000.

Pangiligan said he started writing Visayan poems when he was 51.

CPG is regarded as one of the greatest presidents. But what lessons does his life 121 years ago have for today's youth?

Reading a biography of CPG can give valuable life lessons for the younger generation of any era.

“President Carlos P. Garcia led with his heart, as well as his mind. That’s why he is a good example of leadership for today’s youth.  He is the real lodi (idol),” said Bandija.

Bandija said few millennials have shown interest in Visayan poems.

The contestants, trainers and coaches of this
year’s “Indigay sa Balak.” Photo by Leo Udtohan 

“I hope the contest will encourage young people to cultivate the arts of public speaking, debate and poetry in the vernacular kay karun nawala na halos,” he added.

***

Prof. Marianito Jose Luspo on CPG: 

Carlos Polestico Garcia was 4 years old when the Americans came and made the Philippine Islands a colony. He was therefore schooled under the American colonial system. Not surprisingly, like most of his contemporaries, CPG cultivated all his life a close regard for America. Still, CPG never lost his sense of patriotism. More importantly he became imbued with a strong sense of nationalism, that is, the attitude of putting his country's welfare over and above other countries'.

CPG's nationalism became more evident after the war. In the early 1950s, in the debates that culminated with the signing of the Laurel-Langley Agreement, CPG stood firmly alongside the brave few who agitated against granting Parity Rights to Americans under the Republic, as well as against allowing the operation of American military bases in the country, a stance that earned for CPG the enduring hostility and distrust of American politicians. 

Now it may be argued that CPG's nationalistic stance was merely in pursuance of the Nacionalista's opposition to the programs of the then ruling Liberal Party. But when he became President upon the untimely death of President Magsaysay in 1957, he distinguished his administration by continuing to pursue nationalist policies. 

Thus, in 1958, the Garcia administration succeeded in hitching the Bohlen- Serrano Agreement, an accord that reduced the stay of the US bases from the original 99 to a mere 25 years. It was also during CPG's term that the Bayanihan Dance Troupe first earned both international adulation as well as the sense of pride and appreciation by Filipinos in our local folk dances. This happened after government lent full support to Bayanihan's desire to perform at the 1958 World Expo then held in Belgium Also around this time, the Philippine government successfully negotiated with the US government for the return of documents seized by American troops during the Philippine-American War - the so-called Philippine Insurgent Records(PIR) , the magnetic lode of so many researchers who want to know more about our nation's historical past. 

But perhaps the greatest proof to CPG' commitment to nationalistic values is found in his Filipino First Policy, the definitive program that distinguished the Garcia Administration, outlining programs of governance aimed at putting the Filipino ahead of others in the economic, business and social fields of endeavors.

Recently, I have been asked why is it that CPG never became popular among our people( no Garcia portrait in Philippine currencies, no major Manila thoroughfare named in his honor, etc.), both before and even now among millennials, especially the Boholano kind. Perhaps one reason is that Nationalism during the time of Garcia had never been popular at that time. 

We have to admit that from the 1950's to well into our time, Filipinos have been notorious for the so -called "Stateside" mentality. 

How do you think Garcia's nationalistic policies be received by the PX generation? 

On the other hand, how would our present- day generation living under this prevailing climate called Globalization appreciate the rhetoric of Filipino First? In other words, the CPG legacy is saddled by the misfortune of having occurred at the wrong historical place and time, a beautiful song sung amidst the noise of adverse realities. 

Still today, we continue to remember his birthday not just because he happened to be one of ours, but also because this " one of ours", the Lone Blue Star in the Bohol flag, once gave our people a dream and a greater vision of ourselves as Boholanos, as Filipinos.

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