Bohol celebrates CPG’s greatness

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 celebrates his 122nd birth anniversary, Nov. 4.

Pres. Carlos P. Garcia’s commemorative postage stamp in 1973.
Contributed 

 caption

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

Born in November 4, 1896, CPG was a teacher, poet, orator, lawyer, public official, political economist and guerilla leader. His administration was anchored on three basic policies: Austerity, Filipino First Policy and Cultural Revival.

Here are excerpts from the post of Prof. Marianito Jose Luspo on CPG:

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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Loved ones should not be forgotten

At least 15,000 people visited the Victoria Memorial Park on Thursday night, All Saints’ Day.

Most of them spent the night at the park, according to Aurelio “Ondoy Kalag” Gahit, the park’s caretaker.

After they offered flowers, candles, and flowers, some family members had dinner.

Some teenagers wore Halloween costumes such as “Valac,” a horror character. They roamed around the cemetery for fun.

Instead of being scared, some people came to have pictures taken with the horror character.

But the crowd was not bigger compared to last year.

“Some came early to visit their loved ones,” said Gahit.

Some residents have spent the night at the Victoria
Memorial Park in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on Thursday, Nov. 1.
Photo by Helen Castaño

The Victoria Memorial Park, which opened in 1975, has around 3,000 graves. Notable interred here include Doña Basing, JJ’s Obdulio Caturza Sr. and his wife Juana, businessman Antonio Ong Guat, Dr. Prisco and Socorro Tallo, Gov.  Erico Aumentado, Peanut Kisses matriarch Carolina Alvarez, Grace Christian Church founder Dr. Nelson Rio Sr., educator- lawyer Victoriano Will Tirol Jr. and his wife Cristeta, et al.

Gahit said police visibility helped deter the occurrence of crimes in the area.

Memories give comfort as people also visited the tombs of their loved ones.   At the Taloto Catholic Cemetery, it houses the remains of Gregorio Penaflor.

The Dampas Catholic Cemetery in Tagbilaran City features the final resting places of many professionals and leaders. Dean of Boholano journalists lawyer Zoilo “Jun” Dejaresco and his wife Rosario, Miguel Parras, Bernardino Inting, UB treasurer Asuncion Mira, composer and soldier Alberto Cainglet, former city councilor Dr. Margarito Lim and Alona’s entertainer Uly Dolojol are among the most recognizable of the interred.

Only a few meters away from Dampas Catholic Cemetery is the resting place for United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) members. Interred here are Dr. James Alexander Graham and his wife Merne. Graham was a native of Scotland, the first medical missionary in Bohol. The Graham Avenue is named after him.

The Masonic Cemetery of the Dagohoy Lodge No. 84 also hosts some of the most prominent deceased. First University of Bohol president Victoriano D. Tirol Sr. and his wife Illuminada, educator Pio Castro, Catalino Castillo and Angelita Tormis are among the diverse famous buried here.

My Visita Cementerio last week brought me to Anda Cemetery and the ancient graveyard in Barangay Basdio, Guindulman.

Believers of Potenciana Saranza, also known as “Inday Potenciana”, never forget.

 Instead of being scared, Babie Baricuatro and some
 people came to have pictures taken with the
 horror character “Valac” roaming around the cemetery. 
Photo by Helen Castaño  

Every year, on All Saints’ Day, they gather before the tomb of local saint at her shrine inside the Anda Cemetery.

Cresencia Gultiano, 63, a resident of Anda, never missed a year visiting Inday’s grave. It’s been like a tradition for her, right after offering candles for her dead parents, whose crypts are also at the Anda Cemetery.

But only a few boat coffins are now left inside the caves. Boat coffins can also be found in the towns of  Duero, Candijay, Mabini and Anda.

Prof. Jose Marianito Luspo said that boat coffins were utilized by our ancestors to understand the belief system particularly in relation to beliefs about the soul and the afterlife.  The boats were thought as a vessel for “sailing” to the heavens and the stars.

“The secondary practice here in Bohol stems from the belief that the passage of life to the next life always takes on the passage way of water. This is actually part of universal belief system of the importance of water in transmission of life,” he said.

Luspo said he would ask the National Museum to save the remaining boat coffins.

“We really would like our people to be aware of the importance of secondary burial coffin because this will help understand that our culture is that age old and it has been here for the past thousands of years and this will help chart our course towards the future,” he said.

To all those who’ve gone ahead, our prayers and flowers.

From the press: Dean of Boholano journalists Zoilo Dejaresco, Palanca winner and Bohol Sunday Post columnist Cloviz Nazareno, radio reporter Fil “Hitman” Layao, Bohol Balita Daily News publisher Tony Silagon, Bohol Sunday Post columnist-lawyer Isabelo Sales, dyTR’s Showbiz Chikka anchor Anzing Poquita, radio reporter Ben Pingkian, Bohol Sunday Post publisher Boy Guingguing,  Bohol Standard publisher and Tagbilaran councilor- lawyer Aleckoy Lim, broadcaster Nestor Daarol,  Reynaldo Daro, Sr. , Engr./Chairman Maurito Lim, Loy Palapos, Joseph Ligan, and people’s lawyer Tim Cabatos.

***

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Remembering our loved ones…and CPG

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Six teams are competing for the first Tarsier Ultimate Frisbee Tournament held at CPG Sports Complex yesterday and today. According to Beryl Lupot, one of the organizers, Ultimate is a team sport played with a flying disc. Wikipedia adds, “The object of the game is to score points by passing the disc to a player in the opposing end zone, similar to an end zone in American football or the in-goal area in rugby.  Players may not run with the disc, and must keep a pivot while holding the disc.”

 

Scene: Nearly 100 children together with their parents celebrated Halloween by trick-or-treating last Oct. 28 at the Island City Mall. The Activity Center was decorated in a spooky yet fun way for the Halloween celebration. The children roamed the mall in their best costumes and were given prizes for being scary-looking, cute and having the most elaborate disguise. A one-month old baby girl was the youngest participant.

 

Seen: The 12 contestants of the Scariest Halloween Costume 2012. The contestants dressed in movie-inspired Halloween outfits, like Freddie, Jason and other evil dead characters. (Lamok:” 'I'll swallow your soul!')

 

***

If I do Visita Iglesia during Holy Week, I do Visita Cementerio - that is my own version of visiting cemeteries during Kalag-Kalag. My visit gives me spiritual realization and the chance to know more of our sam-ang and the people who passed away.

 

Days before Kalag-Kalag, Inday Charity and I visited an ancient graveyard at Basdio, Guindulman.  There were many boat-shaped coffins in Duero, Candijay, Mabini and Anda which were utilized by our ancestors to understand the belief system particularly in relation to beliefs about the soul and the afterlife. I have been there several times and I’d noticed that only few of the boat-shaped coffins or bangka can be found wedged on cliff sides.

  

Boat coffin

On boat coffins, Prof. Jose Marianito Luspo said, “It’s part of the belief system of the ancient people that death is like a river or passage to other life which can be reached by a body of water. Among the ancient Greek they believe the so called river Styx that can traverse by spirit on his way to the afterlife. It’s not surprising, here in the Philippine also has that tradition. We human beings are born to the womb of our mother which is always liquid-filled. Perhaps this give an idea to the ancient people that when we die we pass thru the passage.”

 On Nov. 1, I visited the Dampas Catholic Cemetery. It houses the remains of the dean of Boholano journalists lawyer Zoilo Dejaresco and wife Rosario, Miguel Parras, Bernardino Inting, Asuncion Mira, composer and military man Alberto Cainglet, Dr. Margarito Lim, et al.

 

Few meters from Dampas Catholic Cemetery is the cemetery for UCCP members. It houses the remains of Dr. James Alexander Graham and his wife Merne. Graham was a native of Scotland, the first medical missionary in Bohol.

 

The Masonic Cemetery of the Dagohoy Lodge No. 84 houses the remains of UB first president Victoriano D. Tirol Sr. and his wife Iluminada, Pio Castro, Catalino Castillo, Angelita Tormis, et al.

 

The Victoria Memorial Park was laid out in 1975 in a park-like, rural setting away from the center of the city. Notables interred here include Doña Basing, Obdulio Caturza Sr. and his wife Juana, businessman Antonio Ong Guat, Carolina Alvarez, church founder Dr. Nelson Rio Sr., et al.  (Note: Boy Kalag is there to guide you.)

 

From Tagbilaran, I went to Calape to visit the tomb of another great Boholano. Outside the Calape Catholic Cemetery was the tomb of Roman “Yoyoy” Tesorio-Villame, the Philippine King of Novelty Songs.

 

I was roasted under the scorching sun when I went to Loon Catholic Cemetery to find the tomb or grave of Justino “Tining” Romea. However, I failed to find his tomb. An old woman told me that Nong Tining was buried in Maribojoc.  I also saw the tomb of Juan “Aning” Relampagos, a World War II veteran and mayor of Loon (1951 to 1959).

 

From Loon, I went back to Tagbilaran to visit the Taloto Catholic Cemetery to offer flowers to my relatives. And I spent the night with my cousins at Victoria Memorial Park to visit the graves of my sister, aunts, uncles and relatives.

 

There were no major hitches as we remember our loved ones during Kalag-Kalag. Floral offerings were made as early as Nov. 1. Many of us stayed overnight at cemeteries. Many took it as an opportunity to make money. Vendors sold flowers, candles, siomai, doughnuts and other food products. Children cleaned the tombs or graves for money. They also collected and sold melted candles.

 

Memories give comfort.

 

***

Today, November 4, Bohol celebrates the 116^th birthday of Most Illustrious Son, the late President Carlos P. Garcia (CPG). As we remember CPG on his 116th birth anniversary, may we be inspired by his example of prioritizing the interests of the Filipino people.

 

Born in November 4, 1896, CPG was a teacher, poet, orator, lawyer, public official, political economist and guerilla leader. His administration was anchored on three basic policies: Austerity, Filipino First Policy and Cultural Revival.

 

In addition to being a political leader, CPG was a poet, orator and teacher. He was known as the “Prince of Visayan Poets” and the “Bard from Bohol.”

 

I am putting out the lyrics of one of my favorite Visayan songs that has a humbling effect on me and, I’m sure, on anybody who digests its lyrics. Yes, I’ve put out the song Carlos P. Garcia: Bantugang Bol-anon by Onecimo “Onie” Oclarit from his Ubilandia album for CPG‘s birthday today and I think another replaying of it anytime won’t do any harm.

 

Okay, all together now:

 

Carlos P. Garcia: Bantugang Bol-anon

 

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.

 

And maybe while humming that song, you and I can further reflect on the greatness of CPG with the help of another song, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, a finalist of the 1996 Bohol Song Festival performed by Marjorie Rebuya and written by Rudy Tutor.

 

Ikaw Carlos P. Garcia

Ang kanunay ginahandum sa mga Pilipinhon

Tungod sa imong kinaiya

nga kanamong mga Bol-anon mapasigarbuhon.

Ang pagpangalagad mo sa katawhan

Gipanaminan, gilarawan ug dili hikalimtan

Gibuhos mo ang  kaugalingon

Aron pagtagbaw sa kinabag-an mong mga igsoon…

 

Nagsuod siya sa pakarepresetante

Hangtud nga nahimong nasudnong presidente

Batid na ka pangagamhanan

First Filipino First Policy ikaw ang amahan

 

Talagsaun kang alagad nga wa magpaadunahan

Ni wala magpabuhong sa kaugalingon sa pangatundanan

Matiunud-anon ka ug ang dughan mo puno sa gugma

Pagkadalaygon mo President Carlos P. Garcia…

 

Just recently, Inday Charity and I visited the CPG Heritage House (formerly the Bohol Museum). The last time I have been there was in 2002, but it is good to see that the CPG Heritage House is still there to make the dream of leaving a legacy for CPG – the man and his works – but also to create an opportunity for this legacy to continue, which the heritage house now stands for.

 

Spending a day at the CPG Heritage House is like getting reacquainted with the life and works of CPG. It is a two storey strong concrete, white house. On display here are some of the late president's memorabilia - you may take time to see old photographs and read some notes about CPG.

 

***

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