Ancestral houses: A peek from the past

Hard to be found and yet it is seen in every corner of San Miguel in Bulacan this is why San Miguel was name as the “Vigan of Bulacan”.

There are fifteen ancestral houses that was built during the Spanish Era. And we were able to see two of them.

Sevilla residence also known as “tatlong palapag” is consider as the only three-storey house which inspired from a local story about the male ego.

Originally built in 1921 by the former municipal mayor Catalino Sevilla.

According to Erlinda Ervon the care taker said the old house is in need an immediate rehabilitation.

“Maraming nawala noong bumagyo” Ervon said.
It’s been 15 years since the house was open for visitor but due to the bad condition it was closed to the public.

Ervon also told that the local government from the start do not give any assistant for maintaining or restoring of the old house.

The Sevilla residence once also become a museum but the co-owner do not agree on some conditions.

For 40 years of looking out, Ervon said that she developed fondness towards the house.

“Dito na ako lumaki. Simula pagkabata nakikita ko na sya (bahay)”. But she said that it was still depend on the owner if he wants to sell the house or not.

Ervon also denied the rumour about the series accident happened in front of the house were people die.

“Paano mga lasing yung mga naaksidente. Kung meron yan sana hindi na ako nagtagal dito” Ervon add.
The last one is the Claring Libunao house which was built in 1940.

According to Marilyn Roxas- Alparo the one who lived in the house, her mother-in-law the real owner found the house already in mortgage.

Alparo admit that it was hard to maintain the cleanliness of the old house.

“Mahirap kase malaki” Alparo said. The house have four rooms located at second floor, two comfort room up and down and two terrace which is back and front.

She adds that there are already made few restoration in the house.

Alparo also mention that the government do not give any assistant from the local government.

“Wala sarili gastos lang sya” she said.

In 25 years of living, Alparo also said it is more comfortable living in this kind of house.

“Pag-summer open mo lang yung windows malamig na kahit December malamig pa din” Alparo said.

Alparo add that she already developed an attachment toward the house. When she asked where she preferred to live she choose to be at the ancestral house.

“Hahanap-hanapin mo kase yung comfortableness na sa ancestral house mo lang makikita” she said.

 Ancestral houses are serve as a living pieces from the past. We should know that we are the responsible in preserving what was left. We should learn how to appreciate and value everything from the past. Just as the saying “Ang taong hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan”.

Cold weather: Double the Pain of Homeless

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan-- While most of us enjoyed the cold weather for the past weeks of January, it was a big struggle for others.

We are secured with the four walls of our house and find comfort with our own bed but for homeless people there is nowhere to go.

Booby Ricarte together with his wife who lived in the street for almost 20 years described their experience during the cold weather.

“Sobrang lamig parang nag-yeyelo” Ricarte described. Ricarte together with his wife Antonina live along the MacArthur highway of Guiguinto.

“Pinayagan naman po kame ng may ari” he explained about the legality of staying in a private lot. He told that they lived in that particular area for five years since his cousin got married and left them.

“Pag-gising sa umaga namamanhid yung buong katawan namin” he adds. Also Antonina experience arthritis every now and then.

According to Josefina Joaquin Nurse III of Guiguinto Health Center, cold weather can cause hypertension or blood pressure where some arteries is elevated.

“Dati hereditary pero ngayon nasa lifestyle na sya” Nurse Joaquin said about the cause of hypertension.

She adds that it still depend on how a person taking care of his/her own body.

In their report, this year there are 253 cases of hypertension in the town from age 45-64. Which is followed by acute respiratory infection with 226 cases children are prone from this disease.

“Siguro yung sa pagkain ng tama at balanse. May kasamang gulay at prutas kung maaari” Nurse Joaquin also adds.

According to the latest report, the youngest cases who experience hypertension was only in the age of 24.

“Mas gusto namin yung mainit. May araw” Ricarte said. ###

Unknown Hero

“Hindi ko nga sya kilala”.

“Masaya ko pag- Ople day, kase walang pasok”.

These are the common answers given by Bulakenyos when asked if they knew Blas Ople. Some only know him by his surname while others do not have any idea who he is at all.

But for others who really know him by heart, this is the time of remembering one Gat Blas F. Ople.

In honouring the 87th birthday of Gat Blas Ople, the province declare a non-working holiday as Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado lead simple event together with Vice governor Daniel Fernando happened at Kabataan, Sining at Kultura ng Bulacan Capitol Complex.

Felix “Toti” Ople, son of the late Ka Blas’ talked about how he remember him not only as a good public servant but as well as a loving father.

“Bago sya matulog, sisilipin muna nya yung kwarto ng mga anak nya” Toti said. The board member of first district also add that with the help of his father he was able to finish his term paper during college days.

“Nakatulog ako, pag gising ko tapos na” he add. He also add that even though Ka Blas’ was not as expressive and showy, he has his own way of showing how much he loves his family.

The younger Ople mention that his father keep his feet on the ground despite of having a position in the government and he believe that this is what a government official must have. “Simple at payak. Manatiling walang bahid” he said.

Toti together with his younger sister Susan continue the legacy of their father by being in charge in the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, non-profit organization who help Filipino Overseas workers around the world.

Ka Blas’ who also fought in the World Was II as a officer of the Del Pilar Regimet, Bulacan Military Area at very young age and under the BMA's Buenvista Regimet until 1945 when General Yamashita was captured.

He also become a columnist and co-founder and executive vice chairman of the National Progress Movement or Kilusang Makabansa. ###

Looking in the past

Looking in the past

“Ang taong hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan hindi makakarating sa paroroonan”. These are the words uttered by Jose ‘Joe’ Clemente when asked why he choose to collect artifacts.

Joe Clemente who was a former labor operation officer and the owner of Ciudad Clemente in San Isidro Bulacan said this is the first ancestral house.

Clemente said that the materials are from knickknacks from other ancestral houses so the wood like mahogany, narra and other old woods.


There are buyers who took interest in the place but Clemente refuse to entertain them.

“Because I want this as the repository of the future” Clemente reasoned out.

There are already thousands of artworks are there in the Visual Museum. Most of them are works by Bulakenyos.

“This is something na you as a Bulakenyo would be proud of” Clemente said. There are works from Bulacan artist, senior and award winners.

Although there are people who pay attention to go and visit the place Clemente said it is still not open for public viewing for security reason.

“After two years baka ready na saka yung catalogue ko” Clemente said.

He also planning to document all the

“Security (reason). Kulang pa sa CCTV, lie detector, guide sa direction” Clemente explained. 

Maguindanao Massacre: "Justice by 2016"

Maguindanao Massacre: "Justice by 2016"

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan-- In commemoration in the Maguindanao massacre, media practitioner and students held a prayer vigil last November 21 at the Capitol Grounds Malolos City.

It has been four years since the fatal occurence happened where 58 people were brutally killed- 32 of them were media workers and journalist.

The  ceremony which start at 4:30 in the afternoon was lead by Dino Balabo, president of National Union of Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP) Bulacan chapter who urged the government specially the President to give justice to the victims and to their family.

"Justice by 2016. Binibigyan natin ng deadline ang Pangulong Aquino na bigyang katarungan ang pagkakapaslang doon sa tatlompu't dalawang (32) mamamahayag na nasawi sa Maguindanao Massacre" Balabo state. He adds that before 2016 President Aquino must accomplish what was he promised in the beginning of his term.

In addition, other media group such the Bulacan Press Club (BPC) together with their president Cecilio P. Franista and Camp Allejo Press Corps with their newly-appointed president Carmela Reyes-Estrope participate.

In addition, students from Bulacan State University (BSU) and school publication also show support. They also brought placards with statement "Do not shoot the messenger" and "Defend Press Freedom".

In the recent data from NUJP, there are 157 journalist that were killed since the year 1986 up to present time. Maguindanao Massacre happened on November 23, 2009, during the term of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was knowned as an alliance of the accused members of Ampatuan.

The country today is considered the second dangerous place for journalist and other media practitioner next to Iraq. ###

Gov. Alvarado urged the immediate rehabilitation of Angat Dam

Gov. Alvarado urged the immediate rehabilitation of Angat Dam

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan-- "May pera naman, gastusin na".

These are the words coming from Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvardo in his speech at the Angat Dam Break Drill happened last December 13 at Bulacan Sports Complex.

Governor Alvarado who led the drill was urging the national government to take immediate action in the rehabilitating of the dam.

"Bakit hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa ginagastos kahit ni isang sentimo para patibayin ang istruktura ng Angat Dam" Alvarado adds. It was a year ago when President Ninoy Aquino released P5.7 billion for the rehabilitation of the dam.

The 44-year-old dam is consider laying atop of Marikina West Valley Fault Line based on the study of Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PhilVolcs) said that a 7.2 magnitude earthquake is needed to make the dam collapsed which may lead the Bulacan and other near provinces like Pampanga and even Metro Manila in serious danger.

"Sila (Koreano) ay nagtungo dito (Pilipinas) para mag-negosyo" Alvarado said pertaining to the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water) who won the bid and gets the approval of the Supreme Court (SC) in the privation of the dam.

"Walang magmamahal sa mga Pilipino kundi tayo ring mga Pilipino at walang magmamahal sa ating mga Bulakenyo kundi tayong mga Bulakenyo" Alvarado adds.

As the dam is under management of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) saying that they are still on debate whether the (K-Water) the bidder, will finance and will hand them the signed contract together with the (PSALM)

The dam which carry 815 million cubic metric tons will bring 30 meter high flood that will submerged the province. It will also cause the whole Metro Manila’s supply of water (shortage) as 97 percent came from Angat Dam.

"Ngayon hindi bukas sapagkat baka magamit nila yung pera sa pangongolekta ng mga bangkay doon sa Manila Bay" informed by Alvarado.

Angat Dam Break Drill

More than 12,000 Bulakenyos from different sector of life participate in the Angat Dam Break Drill to make everyone aware to the possible disaster that may hit the province.

Lead by provincial government employees and hospitals as well as students from Bulacan State University (BSU), Bulacan Polytechnic College (BPC), La Consolacion University of the Philippines (LUCP) and Central Escolar University (CEU) who walked together to get through in the assigned evacuation place.

Gov. Alvarado who stands as the incident commander said that this drill is important for everyone to know what will do before, during and after the disaster. “Hindi pwede yung palakad-lakad lang. Kailangan mahkaroon ng pananaw” Alvardo state.

Director Josefina Timoteo of Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region III  also said that this drill was timely as disaster after disaster hit the country, like the Typhoon Yolanda and the earthquake in Bohol. This drill will make the Bulakenyos aware and prepared for the worst case scenario.

Timoteo adds that this will also establish how effective the incident command system that will gives needed information in case of emergency and also to inspect all the infrastructure like hospitals that will be used in the actual disasters.

“Kampante ako dahil may mga competent at talagang good leaders na maasahan na tutugon kung may mga kalamidad” Timoteo add.

The province of Bulacan is two time Gawad Kalasag awardee from year 2012 and 2013 Arm Forces of the Philippine.

Governor Alvarado also planned to file an executive order that will mandate every town in Bulacan to have this kind of drill.###

Jasmine Lorraine Tan

‘Sa kabila ng lahat’

“Someone na hindi na umaasa sa family nya, someone na sumusuporta na sa family nya, na binabalik na sa parents nya, hopefully kung ano na yung mga nabigay sa kanya”.
 

Sa ganito nailalarawan ni Jasmine Lorraine Tan ang kanyang sarili pagkalipas ng ilang taon. Si Jasmine na syang editor ng Pacesetter, na tinanghal kampyon sa katatapos lamang na 13th Regional Higher Education Press Conference (RHEPC) na inorganisa ng Association of Tertiary School Paper Advisers in Region III (Atspar-III).
 
Sa tatlong kategorya na kanyang sinalihan Sports writing, Opinion writing at Devcomn writing ay nakamit ni Jasmine ang unang puwesto dahilan upang tanghalin syang Individual Highest Pointer at tawaging ‘monster’ ng isa sa mga hurado.
 
Nabanggit din ng 20 taong gulang na dalaga na sa lahat ng kategorya, ang pagsusulat ng balita tungkol sa Sports ang pinaka hilig nya. “Masaya syang isulat, ma-aksyon, masarap paglaruan yung mga words” dahilan ni Jasmine.
 
Sa una inamin nya na hindi sya makapaniwala dahil sa mga nakaraang kompetisyon ay lagi syang umuuwing talunan. Dahilan upang mag doble kayod ang dalaga sa pag-e-ensayo. 
 “Bawing bawi yung pagkatalo ko simula kinder” biro nya.
 
Ibinahagi ni Jasmine na kinakailangan na may alam ka upang may maisulat ka. “Kahit na gaano ka kagaling magsulat kung wala kang alam, wala ka talagang masusulat”.
 
Dinagdag pa nya na dapat hanapan ng ibang anggulo ang isang balita kung saan alam mo na maiiba ka sa karamihan.
 
Ngunit sa likod ng bawat tagumpay ay nakaranas din ng pagkabigo ang manunulat. “Tatlong beses akong nag-try noong high school tapos hindi din ako natanggap” kwento nya. Pero sa halip na sumuko mas lumalim pa ang pagka-uhaw ni Jasmine na makapasok sa isang publication. “Never think that God’s delays is God’s denials” paniniwala nya.
 
Bukod sa pagiging manunulat ay isa rin si Jasmine sa mga estudyanteng subsob sa pag-aaral dahilan upang maging kandidato sya sa pagiging Cum Laude sa kanilang klase. 

“Kaya ako nag-aaral para sa family ko” ayon sa kanya. Estudyante sa araw editor sa gabe ganito sya ilarawan ng iba.
 
Sa dami ng kanyang responsibilidad nakakadama din ng pagkapagod ang tinaguriang ‘monster’. Pero sa halip na sumuko dinadaan na lamang nya sa pag-iyak kung minsan. 
Ngunit dahil sa suporta at pagmamahal ng mga tao sa paligid nya kinakaya at nalalagpasan nya ito lahat.
 
Si Jasmine ay nasa huling taon na ng kanyang kurso at ilang buwan na lamang ay haharapin na nya ang mas mabigat na responsibilidad sa labas ng unibersidad ngunit sa kabila nito ay iniisip pa din nya ang mga kasamahan sa publication na tinuring na din nyang pamilya.
 
“Nakakalungkot na nakakatakot. Paano kapag inapi-api sila noong mga nasa labas” saad ni Jasmine.Sa kabila nito, sisiguraduhin nya na maipapaunawa nya sa bawat isa na hindi biro ang mga gawain na kanyang maiiwan.
 
“Ibukas sa isip nila kung gaano kasalimuot, kung gaano ka lubak lubak yung dadaanan nila. Kapag hindi sila prepare tutumba sila along the way”. Ngunit ganun pa man kampante at tiwala naman ang editor sa mga taong maiiwan nya.
 
Sa lahat ng hirap, pagod, puyat at kabiguan sa bawat kompetisyon pasasalamat ang nais iparating ng dalaga para sa mga guro na sumuporta at naghubog sa kanilang mga kakayanan.
 
Gayunpaman, hindi lang ito nagsilbing karanasan kundi nagiwan din ito ng aral na kung saan natuto tumuyo ang dalaga sa kanyang pagkadapa at maglakad sa sarili nyang mga paa.