Mighty Baylon
Stories from Mighty Baylon
Israel is lucky they are the favorite client state of the US. It invades Gaza and US reaction is mute. Even the US press is relatively subdued in its reactions with some major news agencies having no commentary at all regarding the invasion.
When martial law was declared in 1972 all student organizations in UP was banned. After all, there is even a presidential decree which says that any group of three persons is an "illegal assembly". And if this three persons talk they will even be guilty of "rumor-mongering" which is punishable by imprisonment! I even remember an incident with Nestor Raneses in the waiting shed going to Yakal Residence Hall from Molave.In the four academic years that I have been on-and-off a resident member of UP Ibalon (this covers the school years that started in the years 1974 to 1977 but his stretches up to March 1978), a total of about 110 members entered the organization. This includes the 19 doctors of medicine that I already wrote about ["The MDs of UP Ibalon Of Earlier Years", 11/15/08]. With my own eyes I have seen Ibalon grow big and flourish. 
The anniversary celebration of UP Ibalon and UPIAA on December 1, 1995 was more subdued than 1994 (which was the organization's 20th anniversary). But it was no less attended. Its ambience was even better as it was held in the old house of Lodie Padilla and Delen Padilla-de la Paz in Magallanes Village, Makati.
I always fancied UP students to be bright. And as bright persons I thought they will be able to sift truth from facts. After all, UP was strong in empirical research.
I first heard about Zards from Susan Princesa when I followed her up in UP Rep where they were also org-mates. Of course, I have known Susan from her high school days being a favorite stude of my mother and being the sister of Grace, a close friend. Talking about Zards, she was bubbly and it helped formed in me a favorable impression of Zards whom I haven't met till that time.
Tags: Allen Samar, bicol, Daima, Iligan, Kiwlan, Legazpi Oil, Matnog, Millenium Shipping, Mindanao, Mukas, Ozamis, Recodo Zamboanga
It was said that even before the Spaniards came, our region was already called Ibalon by its inhabitants. I doubt if we were already a united entity during that time owing to the difficulty of transportation and communication and having no ruler higher than a datu. But somehow due to a common language, albeit with distinct dialectical variations, its people might have some sort of common identity.Looking at the Philippine electoral pool in the 2010 elections some people are less than enamored with some of the presidential and vice-presidential wannabes. Why wannabes? Well, because calling them presidentiables and vice-presidentials might be too much. In the olden days to talk about a politician as presidential or vice-presidential timber is a sign of respect about the caliber and potential of the man.
Tags: 2010, Barack Obama, Bong Revilla, Cardinal of Quirino, Gringo, Jinggoy, Kabayan, Lacson, McCain, Palin, Villafuerte
Last summer I went to Zamboanga City for a vacation. Upon the advice of my brother I took the long overland route via Lanao del Sur passing by the renowned Narciso Ramos Highway, named after the former President's father. This is the new highway connecting Cotabato City in Sultan Kudarat and Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur. Before the opening of this highway one has to backtrack to Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte before one can proceed to Pagadian City. The new highway cut travel distance by more than three-fourths.
In 2000, I was a keen observer of Erap's war against the MILF. I was then living in Iligan City and information was readily available because
Last week Davao City held its traditional pagan festival, the Kadayawan Festival which was held 1 week late. Cited cause was the lack of funds though others believe the reason is probably security in nature. Lack of coordination was evident as most malls held their sale period on the original schedule.
Tags: Ata Manobo, Davao City, Dibabawon, Hiyas ng Kadayawan, K'lata, Kadayawan, Kalagan, Maguindanaon, Maranao, Matigsalog, Ovu Manobo, Sama, Sangil, Subanen, T'boli, Tagabawa, Talaandig, Taosug