Del Pilar: 'Underrated' sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas

Tuwing mag-aaral ng kasaysayan, ang laging bida ay si Jose Rizal, na tinaguriang pambansang bayani dahil sa kanyang dakilang panulat na gumising sa damdaming makabayan ng Pilipinas, at si Andres Bonifacio na tinuturing na ama ng rebolusyong Pilipino.

Ngunit tila nakakaligtaan na hindi lamang sila Rizal, Bonifacio ang humubog sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, marami pang ibang bayani na nagbuwis din ng kanyang buhay para sa inang-bayan, at maaaring mas dakila pa ang kanyang kontribusyon, gaya ni Gat. Marcelo H. Del Pilar.

Kung tatanungin mo ang isang elemantary student, sa malamang ay isasagot niya si Rizal bilang kanyang paboritong bayani,at marami ang nagtataguri kay Rizal bilang pinaka-dakila ng lahing Pilipino, at si Del Pilar ay tila nasa background na lamang.

Ngunit maaring mas dakila pa ang mga nagawa ni Del Pilar kumpara kay Rizal, sang-ayon sa mensahe ni King Cortez, pangunahing tagapag-salita sa 'Mastermind Conference' kung saan tinalakay ang kontribusyon ni Del Pilar sa Rebolusyon at paghubog sa Bansa,.

Ayon sa kanyang tinalakay, salungat sa paniniwala na si Bonifacio ang ama ng Katipunan, si Del Pilar ang tunay na mastermind ng Katipunan, sumasalungat din ito sa paniniwala ng marami na si Del Pilar ay isa lamang propagandista gaya ni Rizal, isa din syang rebolusyonaryo.

Ayon kay Cortez, si Del Pilar pala ay mas malaki ang naiambag sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas kumpara sa kung ano ang tinuturo sa mga estudyante. Siya ang 'Mastermind' ng rebolusyong Pilipino laban sa Kolonisasyon ng mga Kastila.

Ang mga batas at pagkilos ng Katipunan ay dapat sumang-ayon kay Del Pilar, at si Bonifacio ay tumayo lamang na 'foster father' ng Katipunan.

Si Plaridel ang naglatag ng plano at inisyatibo para sa rebolusyon na nais lumaban sa mapang-abusong kamay ng mga Kastila 

Siya pala ay meron na din itinakdang plano para sa Pilipinas kung sakaling magtagumpay ang rebolusyon ng Pilipinas, ilan dito ay ang pagpapagawa ng mga kalsada, pagkakaroon ng economic treaty sa mga ibang bansa, pag-aalis ng buwis na napupunta sa simbahan at pagpapatayo ng state universities gaya ng konsepto ng Bulacan State University na kung saan nag aaral ang nagsulat ng artikulong ito.

Tunay ngang malaki ang naiambag ni Del Pilar sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, at sa kung ano man ang Pilipinas ngayon, ngunit bakit nga ba 'underrated' si Del Pilar sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas?

Sa mga nagawa ni Del Pilar, maari na siyang ihanay kay Rizal at Bonifacio sa konbersasyon na kung sino ang dapat maging pambansang bayani. Meron na din ilan na nagsasabing dapat ay si Del Pilar ang pambansang bayani at hindi si Rizal.

Lahat ng bayani ay dakila sa kanilang sariling karapatan, ngunit nakakalungkot isipin na may ilang bayani na malaki ang kontribusyon sa inang-bayan ngunit 'underrated' sa paningin ng ordinaryong Pilipino.

Crucifixion in Paombong: a show of devotion or just a mere show-off?

People are mostly familiar about some devotees who would put their selves on the brink of danger by allowing their bodies to be nailed to the cross in the middle of hot afternoon during Black Friday. Aside from crucifixion, they also do other penance as well to show their devotion during Holy Week.

But is it truly a show of devotion? Or just a show for the on-lookers who came to watch them. The crucifixion in Kapitangan, Paombong was viewed by a crowd of 2000 who jam-packed the small vicinity of Kapitangan church to witness men who chose the hard way of penance.

Orlando Faustino, president of Samahang Hudyo Res in Paombong Bulacan, said what they are doing during Holy Week is for them to show their devotion and sacrifice and not for the sake of money.

Their organization is the one organizing the crucifixion in Kapitangan. Faustino stressed that their ceremonies are not for entertainment but show of sacrifice whereas the crucifixion in Cutud, Pampanga is paid, meaning there's money involved.

Rogelio Tanael, who was already crucified seven times makes sure that his devotion for God is true, Holy Week or not. "After I was crucified, I usually have normal prayers and images of saints in my house, it reminds me that I can't do this(referring to bad things)."

"It would be a shame if they will see negative things on me," added Tanael.

But Sineng Gonzales, senior resident of Kapitangan is not on to this crucifixion and other kinds of hard penance. She stressed that they just beating their body too hard that it might take a toll on them. Plus she even stated that some of this devotees after Holy Week gets back to their old bad habits like drinking, gambling, and even worse, adultery.

For example, her son, who she denied to tell the name voluntarily crucified for three times but betrayed his wife by having a relationship to another woman.

Monsignor Epitacio Castro of Paombong, Bulacan explained that there are other ways of penance that Catholics could do during Holy Week like reducing on buying of foods, they could give their savings to those who in need, that according to him is better compared to beating oneself's body.

He said the true meaning of Holy Week is changing of mind, heart and ways instead of changing of physical by hurting their own body.

"Go to Kapitangan now, there are so many people who are doing those kind of penance, but the question is does it change his/her life after the penance? Not really, because some of them just resume to being a heavy drinker or gambler, then they are just showing-off," said Msgr. Castro.

"So sometimes it just turns out to be a tourist attraction, so many by-standers, some taking pictures, some tourist watching but they are not meditating for the Holy Week," he added.

The Monsignor hopes that the people who are doing this kind of physical penance, really feels sorry for the sins that they committed. He believes the some of them might be sincere after all.

Some might be sincere, some maybe not, but this kind of hard penance is definitely a part of the activities during Lent Season. 

Manila Cathedral sa Intramuros, Manila

Barangay Pugad: Simpleng Barangay, Simpleng Pamumuhay

Sa aming paglalakbay sa Barangay Pugad, marami akong natutunan at nalaman. Bakit nga ba masasabing simple ang pamumuhay sa Barangay Pugad? Marahil kung ikaw ay taga-lungsod at nanirahan ka sa Barangay na iyon, paniguradong maninibago ka.

Mahigit ilang oras din ang binyahe namin magmula sa Munisipyo ng Hagonoy patungong Barangay Pugad kung saan sumakay kami sa bangka. Marami sa amin ang nagtalukbong dahil para kaming mga tuyo na binibilad sa araw ng mga oras na yon. Ngunit kung ang mga taga-Hagonoy o taga Barangay Pugad ang sasakay, malamang ay sanay na sila.

Pagdating sa Barangay, tila ba nagtatanong ang mga tiga-doon kung sino ba ang mga bagong dating na lulan ng mga bangka? Dahil para kaming mga dayuhan ng naglakad kami patungo sa Barangay Hall ng maliit na pook. Sa unang tingin ko pa lamang sa paligid ay maihahalintulad ko na ang Barangay na ito sa aming probinsya sa Katimugan.

Simple lamang ang pamumuhay, masasabi kong walang ganong mga gadgets ang mga tao dito, maraming mga bangka at mangingisda, at napansin ko din na magkakaibigan ang mga tao dito dahil na din siguro sa maliit ang Barangay nila. At nung nandoon na kami sa plaza, malapit sa Barangay Hall, mas lalong tumibay ang paniniwala ko sa kasimplehan ng Barangay na ito. Hindi man lamang namin napansin na nandoon na pala ang Barangay Captain at mga officials nito dahil sa mga nakapang-bahay lang sila.

Kung ako’y titira dito, sa malamang mga ilang buwan din ang kakailanganin ko bago ako masanay.Ngunit kapag nasanay ako dito, masasabi kong magiging payapa ang paninirahan ko dito, malayo sa polusyon ng lungsod, malayo sa mga usok ng sasakyan, sariwa ang mga pagkain gaya ng bagong huling isda galing dagat, simpleng pamumuhay kumbaga.

Hanga ako sa mga residente ng Barangay Pugad dahil napaka simple lamang ng ikot ng buhay nila, sanay na sila sa hirap ng probinsya kaya naman nakakaraos sila sa pang araw-araw.

Lumisan kami sa Barangay baon ang imahe ng kasimplehan ng buhay sa nasabing Barangay. Pero syempre nalaman din namin ang mga hirap na binubuno nila sa paninirahan sa lugar na ito. Ganun naman talaga, sa bawat sarap, may kaakibat na hirap ngunit natutunan na ng mga taga-Barangay Pugad na yakapin ang buhay na meron sila.

Modern Transition: The transition of the Parish of Saint Ildephonse from old style to modern

By: James Sebastian Bendijo

The Parish of Saint Ildephonse located in Guiguinto, Bulacan at first look is like a modern and newly-painted church, inside and outside. But believe it or not, it is already 393 years old, dating back from 1621 when the main church and convent was first constructed.

1621 when it was constructed by the first ministers of Guiguinto, finished in 1734, it has already faced three major renovations, already withstood a major earthquake in 1863 and fire in 2002. But unlike other old churches, it looks more modern compared to other heritage religious landmarks.

Carmelita Maturingan, 81 years old, an old resident of Guiguinto and a regular server at the church noticed the significant transformation of the church. Mrs. Maturingan who first seen the church when she was just seven years old relived the differences of the church from then compared to the present in terms of physical structure.

“Dati walang pintura, rough na rough lang katulad noon, na merong nakatanim na iba’t-ibang halaman na tumutubo sa ibabaw ng bato na yon, meron din tayong kampanang isang malaki doon na maganda, na pagka-ginalaw, kinalembang mo, maganda tunog,” Maturingan recounted.

Maturingan further recounted, “noong unang panahon, ang altar ay nakatalikod sa mga tao, doon sa likod na ganon nakalagay, hindi siya nakaharap, ngayong panahon na ito, nabago e, naging harap.”

“Nagkaroon kasi ng pagbabago e, yung pulpito tinanggal, kaya ang sermon ay doon na lang sa harapan ng altar, ang altar ay hinarap sa mga tao kaya ang pari ay nagmimisa na nakaharap na sa altar,” added Maturingan.

The last renovation in 2002 that lasted until 2006 was needed when fire destroyed the church back in January 24, 2002 which coincided with the town fiesta at that time. That renovation transformed the church to its current form.

“Sa ngayon maganda ang aming simbahan at naging kaenga-enganyong pasukin at maraming natutuwa na mga mamamayan sa pagkaka-bago ng simbahan namin sa pamamagitan din naman ni Monsignor Nokon at Father Monique,” said Maturingan.

“Ang nabago lang naman yung loob e, pero yung labas hindi, nagkaroon lang ng painting, para tumibay, kaya nilagyan ng painting yon para tumibay ang mga bato,” stated Maturingan.

But despite the obvious change in the structure of the church, Mrs. Maturingan said that the church is still the church that withstood the hands of time. She noted that the Parish of Saint Ildephonse, even if it has transitioned to a modern look is still a significant part of the history of the town of Guiguinto.

Kongkreto sa gitna ng dagat

James Sebastian Bendijo

Isang malaking tanong kung paano nga ba nakapagtatayo ng kongkretong bahay sa Barangay Pugad kung saan ang lugar ay napapaligiran ng dagat. Malaking katanungan din kung paano mapapanatili ito gayong unti-unting lumulubog ang lugar habang lumilipas ang panahon.

Nakapanayam ng manunulat na ito si Lucila Calayag, residente ng Barangay Pugad. Kasalukuyan nilang pinapa-taasan ang kanilang bahay. Isinalaysay niya na mas mahirap magpagawa at magpaayos ng bahay sa lugar nila kumpara sa kabayanan.

Ang mga materyales na gagamitin sa kanilang bahay ay isinasakay pa sa bangka, kung kaya naman paputol-putol ang paggawa sa bahay nila hindi tulad kapag nasa kapatagan. “Doble ang pagpapagawa ng bahay dito,” salaysay niya.

“Imbis na kunwari meron kang budget na 50,000 lang, magiging doble, kasi pati yung taong maghahakot, may bayad na din,” salaysay pa niya.   

Sa sitwasyon nila, wala silang pagpipilian kundi ang pataasan ang kanilang bahay dahil maaaring lamunin ulit ng karagatan ang Barangay Pugad sa panahon ng Bagyo. Kung kaya’t binubuno nila ang pagpapataas at pagpapaayos sa kanilang bahay.

“Pangarap din namin makatira sa kabayanan, kasi nga yung sitwasyon na rito pangit na talaga at mahirap, syempre wala pa naman kaming pagkukunan ng mabibili ng lupa, kaya dito na lang kami,” paliwanag niya.

Isa pang dahilan kung bakit hindi nila maiwanan ang lugar ay dahil sa ang bahay na kanilang tinitirahan ay pamana ng magulang ng kanyang mister sakanila kung kaya’t kahit paano ay napamahal na sila sa bahay.

Ngunit pangarap niya na sa kapatagan na lang sana manirahan ang kanilang mga anak upang hindi na nila maranasan ang hirap ng paninirahan sa Barangay Pugad.

“Sayang naman kung iiwan namin ito, hangga’t siguro kaya naming mamuhay dito, pero pangarap nga lang din namin sa mga anak namin na wag na dito tumira,” salaysay niya

Sa kanilang pangangalaga, patuloy na titindig ang kanilang bahay sa Barangay Pugad, gaya ng pagtindig ng buong Barangay sa gitna ng dagat. Kahit gaano kahirap ang magpaayos ng bahay ay patuloy pa din sila sa pagpapagawa nito, hangga’t sa matapos nila ito.

Blessing of the Sea

By: James Sebastian Bendijo

Most of the people of Barangay Pugad, Hagonoy, Bulacan relies on the sea for their livelihood knowing that their Barangay is surrounded by saltwater. The sea is very important to them because they get their blessings here like Mang Angelito.

Angelito Celso, 59 years old, operates ‘Tuyo’ business in Barangay Pugad. He stressed that the sea is his important source of livelihood and income.

He explained that after catching small fishes using his own boat, they will remove the inside of the fish, submerge it in salt and will proceed to drying of the fish outside their house.

They sell one pack of ‘tuyo’ for P20-25 and they receive an estimated amount of P4,000 per 500 packs.

His wife, Sonia Celso sells the ‘tuyo’ in Pampanga while they send other packs to Bicol through Bus.

What if they only generated small income? “Pagka kikita lang kami dalawangdaan (200) may pambigas na kami, hindi na problema ulam dyan, lulusong ka na lang sa dagat,” he explained.

“Ito na ang kinabubuhay namin, pag ito nawala pa, wala na kami, dito lang kami kumukuha sa dagat,” quoted Celso.

He knows that the sea is vital not only to him but to the residents of Barangay Pugad that when the sea is raged during bad weather, they don’t know where will they get their source of income.

“Pag masama panahon andito lang kami, hindi pwede, walang kita, naghihintay lang sa rasyon,” said Celso.

When asked about the issue that the sea as their blessing provider is slowly dying due to pollution, he answered, “dapat talaga dyan, maka-isip naman ang gobyerno ng iba pang pangkabuhayan para yung mga tao hindi magutom, kung ako lang gobyerno eh.”

But as of now, the sea is their main provider of livelihood, not unless they find any alternative in a Barangay surrounded by saltwater.

  

Paglalakbay sa Coastal side ng Hagonoy, Bulacan

Caretakers: protectors of old houses

By: James Sebastian Bendijo

They say that the ancestral houses are windows to the past. It has witness history and stood over time. But as the modern day approaches, the question is if there are enough people who are willing to preserve old houses?

This writer along with other co-writers went to San Miguel, Bulacan where ancestral houses are located. Most of the old houses there are still intact but time has made them fragile.

Erlinda Evron, caretaker of Catalino Sevilla Mansion, puts her heart in taking care of the three-story house in San Miguel. She has been taking care of the slowly-declining house for 40 years.

She would ask for young men to clean the house per week because she is quite ripe in age. Although it’s difficult for her because the house could fall anytime, she said that the house is somewhat attached to her.

“Syempre, kasi dyan na ako lumaki, dyan na ako tumanda, napamahal na din ako sa bahay, para nang akin,” said Evron.

As a caretaker, she is receiving P2,000 per month for her services from the owner of the house who now lives in Quezon Boulevard.

Marilyn Roxas-Alparo, caretaker of the house of the late Claring Libunao in San Miguel, finds comfort in living on the old house. Although it’s quite hard for Alparo and her mother-in-law to preserve the house, they still love the house.

“Komportable, lalo na pag summer, yung mga windows niya sa taas, i-open mo lang yan,” said Alparo.

She assured that as long as she is living on the house, she will make an effort to preserve the old house.

Estrella Barrios, caretaker of the house of Manuel Lipana for 32 years knows the importance of ancestral houses.

Taking care of the 160 year old house that was then owned by Crispina De Leon, member of the prominent De Leon family in San Miguel is hard for Barrios but she knows that the house holds historic resemblance.

All of the three caretakers that we interviewed assured that they will protect their respective heritage houses assigned to them.

Remembering Ka Blas’ Legacy

By: James Sebastian Bendijo

It has been a decade since Blas F. Ople died but his legacy is still remembered by Bulakenyos who attended the 87^th commemoration birthday for the former Senate President.

His son, Felix Ople reminded everyone what his Father left to the Bulakenyos.  He admired Blas F. Ople as a politician, leader and especially, as a father.

According to him, the two laws that his father created, Labor Code and Overseas Employment Act are still bringing benefits to the Filipinos. He added that other countries have copied the laws that his father authored for their own good.

He added that due to his father’s effort to extend the labor of Filipinos to abroad, now the nation’s economy is benefiting from OFW’s remittances.

But above all, he admired Ka Blas as a great father. He said that the value that he learned from his father is staying simple despite holding a high position.

His fellow from Hagonoy, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado has nothing but praise for Ka Blas. He admired Ka Blas for his efforts to overcome poverty and marked his legacy before he died.

“Kung ang salitang himala ay makapagkakatawang-tao, ang magiging pangalan nito ay Blas F. Ople,” said Alvarado. He added that Ople was a ‘wonderboy’ of his generation.

“Tinawid ni Ka Blas ang guhit ng kapalarang naghahati at nakapagitan sa ordinaryo at namumukod-tangi,” said further by Alvarado.

Alvarado as a youth also gained inspiration from Ka Blas. “Pareho kaming taga- Hagonoy, siya’y naging inspirasyon ko rin kung papaano siya nung araw sa kanyang kahirapan ay palaging nasa library,” explained Alvarado.

“Average student lamang ako, but I graduated also valedictorian from highschool, sa pagpupunyagi, ang aking inspirasyon ay nakita ko yan kay Blas F. Ople,” added Alvarado.

He stated that like him, the youth should also idolize and remember Ka Blas.

“No pain no gain, so siya hindi lamang ordinaryong pain ang kanyang binata, yung mas malaki para mas maraming gain, at hindi lamang ordinaryong apoy ang kanyang sinuong kundi mas malaking apoy kaya higit siyang nagging dalisay, parang ginto, so ang mga kabataan dapat ganoon din,” explained Alvarado.

“Patuloy sanang maging inspirasyon ang buhay ng Amang Blas  lalo na po sa lahat ng mga naglilingkod at naghahangad na maglingkod dito po sa ating lalawigan at sa ating bansa,” quoted Felix Ople.

Pagpapasinaya sa pagpapasa ng panandang pangkasaysayan sa tahanan ni Francisco 'Soc' Rodrigo

Jasmin Lorraine Tan: From Zero to Hero

By: James Sebastian Bendijo

Larawan ng katatagan at pagsisikap, si Jasmin Lorraine Tan ay nagpursige mula sa mga pagkabigo nya noon hanggang sa marating niya ang tagumpay ngayon.

Sa katatapos lamang na  13th Regional Higher Education Press Conference na ginanap sa Pampanga, napanalunan ni Jasmin ang 1st place sa tatlong dibisyon na sinalihan nya; Sports Writing, Column Writing at Opinion Writing. Dahil dito, siya din ang ‘Highest Pointer’ sa mga indibidwal na sumali sa patimpalak.

Ito ay kahanga-hanga dahil noong nakaraang taon lang ay 9th placer lamang siya sa Sports Writing at hindi nanalo sa Poetry.

Inilahad ni Jasmine na noon ay marami siyang kabiguan, gaya ng wala siyang napanalunan na contest noong Elementary, hindi din siya natanggap sa kanilang publication noong Highschool. Ito ang kanyang ginamit na motibasyon upang magtagumpay ngayon.

“Isa sa mga pwedeng gawing biggest motivation niya ay yung mga failures niya noon,” ani ni Jasmin.

Isang “Monster” na ngayon ang taguri kay Jasmin dahil sa kanyang performance. “Hindi ako makapaniwala na ewan, kasi nga dati lagi lang ako talo and everything pero ngayon, sabi ko nga bawing-bawi na yung lahat ng pagkabigo ko simula ng kinder,” paglalahad ni Jasmin.

Ano nga ba ang motibasyon ni Jasmin?

Kinailangan ni Jasmin ng malakas na motibasyon upang malampasan niya ang mga pagkabigo at pagsubok sa buhay niya. Ginamit niyang motibasyon ang mga pagkatalo niya sa mga naunang contest na sinalihan niya upang magwagi ngayon.

“Kailangan, kung ano ginawa mong effort dun sa nauna mong contest, dun sa kasunod, kailangan mas malaki, mas mabigat,” ayon kay Jasmin.

Ginamit din niyang motibasyon ang mga kritisismo sa kanilang organisasyon na Pacesetter kung saan siya ang editor-in-chief ng nasabing publikasyon. Ayon sa kanya, marami daw sa mga kritiko ang nagsabing sila daw ang weakest batch ng mga Pacesetter. Ngunit kampante naman siya na nabawi na nila ang mga sarili nila dahil sa tagumpay na nakamit nila ngayong taon.

Sinabi pa niya na kapag nahihirapan na ay dapat maniwala lang sa Diyos. “Trust lang kay God lagi, kasi hindi ka naman niya ilalagay sa kung nasaan ka kung hindi mo kakayanin,” ani ni Jasmin.

Si Jasmin, o Ate Jasmine sa karamihan ay isang modelo at dapat tularan, siya ang nagpapatunay ng kasabihang “try and try until you suceed.”

Day for Prayer Rally: Calling God for help

By: James Sebastian Bendijo

People pray to God for help, now the province of Bulacan is praying for help amid the issue of a possible Angat Dam Break.

Atty. Elmo Duque, Comelec Provincial Officer, the guest speaker for the event said the prayer is a way to ask help from God. “Kailangan lang ng lambing, pag hindi mo kasi sinabi, hindi kasi ibibigay ng Ama yan,” said Duque about the prayer.

Duque stressed that it is critical for people to pray to God knowing the possibility of a disaster in Dam Break. He added that prayer is critical due to the unpredictability of calamities nowadays.

He said that Bulakenyos should be prayerful because it is possible that calamity could strike Bulacan.

“Dapat maging prayerful, kasi sa lahat ng mga sibilisasyon, there has never been a civilization na nakita ko na walang involvement ang religious leader sa kanilang paglago,” explained Duque.

He is well aware of the issue about the possible Dam break if strong earthquake happens. “Isa sa mga kritikal na issue yan dahil Dam yan, pag hindi narepair yan, isang malaking disaster ang idudulot niyan,” he said.

But he insisted that praying to God could be a big help. “God has the power to divert the storm or stop the calamity, only when maglalambing tayo sa Panginoon,” Duque stated.

Ciudad Clemente: a house built by love of art

By: James Sebastian Bendijo

Some used old houses for the primary objective of business. But Joe Clemente isn’t that type of person. His love for art led him to the idea of establishing Ciudad Clemente.

75 years ago when the original house was built at Paombong, Bulacan, Clemente made an effort to collect old artifacts to be displayed inside, with the house itself displaying its architectural prowess, he proudly boasted that people call this the visual arts museum of Bulacan.

“Kung mga architects ang pumupunta dito, nakikita nila na hindi ito nagagawa ng overnight, kumbaga talagang it’s planned, pati yung gathering of materials,” said Clemente.

He also made sure that he collects arts from multi-awarded artists of Bulacan to complement the beauty of the old house. This place is so beautiful that many people want to buy it as stated by him, but he refused.

“Hindi ako for-sale, I wanted to document it on a book before mag goodbye ako sa world,” he explained.

He stated that the brother-in-law of Paquito Ochoa who owns old houses in Bagac wanted to buy Ciudad Clemente but he denied the offer because he still wants to develop the house.

“I want this to be a repository of arts and culture,” stated Clemente. It is something na as a Bulakenyo, you should be very proud of,” he added.

His love for art is unparalleled that according to him, he traded his Starex in exchange for set of artifacts. He continues to collect old artifacts because he loves to do so. “That’s my love for art,” stated Clemente.

According to him, it’s also important for young students to witness art from the past, because modern is something they usually see. Although right now, the resort is not open for public, he promised that he will open it for the future.

Spending Christmas at Work

By: James Sebastian Bendijo

Nothing beats the Christmas in the Philippines as proclaimed by Filipinos. But thousands or even millions of 'Overseas Filipino Workers' spent their Christmas working abroad, some on countries not celebrating the yuletide season, away from their family.

These writer was able to interview two Filipinos working on Muslim Countries, Malaysia and Brunei. Usually, only Filipinos who work there celebrate Christmas. As much as they want to spend the Christmas with their loved ones, they choose to work extra time in abroad to give their family a better Christmas.

Gail Navarrete, who works as a Health Safety Environmental and Security Specialist on a corporation at Malaysia said he miss celebrating Christmas in the Philippines. "Every time I'm out of the country, I always miss the celebration in the Philippines," stated Navarrete.

When asked about the Christmas in Malaysia, Navarrete answered that it was sad. "Malungkot, actually there are some people here celebrating Christmas but not like grand as dun sa Philippines," said Navarrete.

"Iniingit nila ako dun sa kinakain nila, sa mga regalong natanggap nila, inggitan lang," he jokingly said. Navarrete connects to his family through Skype especially during Christmas season.

Navarrete who already worked 15 years abroad said he needs to sacrifice in order to give his family on Novalichez their needs even if it means not being with them during Christmas.

Marilou Abeja, who works as a vendor at a Souvenir Shop in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei said it was sad because Brunei people don't celebrate Christmas at all. "Parang hindi Pasko, malungkot, normal day lang," said Abeja.

"Iba yung Pasko sa atin, masaya, maingay, dito napakatahimik, wala lang, kasi nga Muslim country dito," added Abeja.

She connected to her family on Sampaloc, Quezon through Skype during Christmas but said it is still better to spend Christmas beside her family.

They both agreed that spending Christmas at work is not as bad as it may seem, they just sacrifice for their families.