MAGSINGAL ASSOCIATION OF HAWAII GRANDE (MAHG) OFFICIALLY ENDORSES THE MAGSINGAL COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT
Bert Ugalino
by Odulino O. Tomaneng
June 28, 2008 - Indian Ocean
The writer below is the daughter of the late journalist Maximo Soliven, the publisher of the Philippine Star before his death two years ago. Manong Max was born and raised in our neighboring town of Santo Domingo. His late father Benito Soliven was our Congressman in the first district of Ilocos Sur during the outbreak of the World War Two. He was the youngest ''diputado'' at that time.....he was called to active duty during the war and served in Bataan under the USAFE...he was a prisoner of war (POW) during the Bataan death march, died with malaria in Capas, Tarlac concentration camp before the Japanese released him. He is a great Ilocano leader, statesman, a soldier and a hero who gave his life to his beloved country. Apo Benito has a big monument in the town plaza of Santo Domingo...taldiapan yo no lumabas kayo.
Max Soliven was a respected veteran journalist/war correspondence in the Korean War, Vietnam War and the 1967-68 Arab-Israeli War. He was awarded with the prestigious Order of Malta for his dedication and bravery during the call of his duty in those areas of conflict.
I had the pleasure of meeting Manong Max in person, during my stop-over in Paris, Charles de Gaule Airport in France on my way home 10 years ago. When he learned that we were Filipino seamen waiting for our flight to Manila, he invited us for a drink at the bar which we graciously accepted (our flight Air France was delayed for 5 hours..same flight as his ...one of the many strikes of Air France). One round of drinks became five for the road till we boarded our plane.
When he learned that I am from Magsingal, he told me that his late Mom was from Flora, Santo Domingo. He asked me to give his regards to his relatives in Manzante / Namalpalan, the Lazo and Tobia families. I also learned that he is a good friend of journalist/columnist Tatang Willie Jurado, one of the past presidents of the Philippine Press Club in Intramuros, whose roots is from Magsingal. Tatang Willie is an uncle of ex-Vice Mayor Manong Maning Jurado.
Max Soliven is one of my favorite writers/columnists especially his trademark ''Sosmaryosep'' in the Philippine Star news paper, and those war stories during his time as a reporter. One worth mentioning is the ''Tet Offensive'' in Vietnam...as of this day, I still keep his calling card on my wallet as a gesture of my respect to a brave and respected Ilocano journalist. It is very hard to find someone of his caliber nowadays.
Apo Benito used his sword to defend the shores of Bataan and Manong Max used his pen to defend the free press of our land....both of them...father and son...died as heroes for their motherland.
I am sending this opinion of Ms Sara Soliven de Guzman for all of you. It’s an interesting read for you and me na nagmamahal sa ating bansang Pilipinas na minumutya nating lahat. Lalo ngayon ay lumubog yong isang barko ng Sulpicio Lines na M/V Princess Star sa bay-bayin ng Sibuyan Island. Kawawa naman yong mga pasahero at lalo na sa mga tripulante na kapatid sa hanapbuhay tulad namin dito.
Naimbag nga rabii yo amin nga awan labas na.
From the Philippine Star
Opinion
As a matter of fact
by Sara Soliven de Guzman
Monday, June 23, 2008
What else can you do when everyone seems to be leaving town for a "reason"? A reason that is difficult to accept. But who am I to sulk or sour grape. Oh well!
GMA's trip with the 59 congressmen just hit me when I saw that it was a 10-day working visit. A working visit, by the way, means that the Philippine government will pay for the trip since the US government did not invite them in the first place. Yup! In other words, it's a Philippine government initiated trip. Ouch!
I hate to say it but this trip falls smack into the Manny Pacquiao scheduled fight on June 28 (for USA time; June 29 Manila time) where he faces the WBC lightweight titlist David Diaz at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. What a coincidence huh?
What even puzzles me more is why our President still has to meet outgoing US President George W. Bush who I'm pretty sure is busy closing shop and tying loose ends before the end of his term. Furthermore, I do not know why GMA needs to meet US presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama at this time? Shouldn't she wait until after the elections when one of them is proclaimed the winner? What a waste of time? And what is worst is that she is tagging along all 59 congressmen...for what?
Let's see who these "kings of the hills" are: Speaker Prospero Nograles (who already informed the media that he is paying for his trip and is watching Manny Pacquiao), Rep. Rachel Arenas, Elpidio Barzaga, Amelita Villarosa, and Raul del Mar. The ten cabinet officials are: DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, Acting Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye. What about DENR Secretary Lito Atienza? Surely, he will not miss a "Pacman fight"? He probably took a vacation leave. Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!
And the list continues... Bangko Sentral Gov. Amando Tetangco, Senators Miriam Santiago and Richard Gordon not to forget Mickey, I mean "Mikey" and Dato Arroyo. Wow! What a grand "vacation" - I would say. Sarap naman!
I have no right whatsoever to make judgments. I just do not understand what the roles these people play in this US working trip. Were their names randomly picked?
I thought our country is undergoing a great crisis. I thought we need more classrooms, toilets and teachers. I thought we needed more money to purchase modern defense equipment. Why aren't we exercising prudence? Mind you the expense for one person (airline and lodging) alone is equivalent to four toilets maybe even more.
I won't deny it but i am envious! That's going to be a swell trip. But I still cannot stomach it. Why? For very obvious reasons: we have far too many problems in our midst; the trip does not seem to be one of great urgency; why are there too many officials tagging along, it isn't even a state visit; who is left to run the country now? Noli?
I was going to write, "Let's just hope and pray that nothing untoward happens in the political, economic and security situation in the country." Unfortunately, something major and terrible did happen. Typhoon frank just hit us over the weekend gushing very strong winds. Flashfloods and landslides killed at least 19 people all over the nation and forced the evacuation of thousands. The typhoon also caused power outages in the central part of the country and cancellations of domestic flights and ferry services. The Risao River in the town of Upi in southern Maguindanao province overflowed, drowned 10 people and washed away at least five houses.
The latest news over the radio (as of the time I write this column) is that Sulpicio Lines MV Princess of the Stars passenger ship carrying at least 700 people capsized off the waters of Sibuyan Island, Romblon. All GMA was able to do was to get mad over the phone (as it was heard over the radio) to the coastguards who seemed to be inefficient in warning the vessels not to travel. They claim they had used the 1998 guidelines on this matter. What I cannot understand is why they could not stop or hold the ship from traveling claiming the size of the ship was not part of the current guidelines.
You know sometimes "people" need to use their head when making a decision for the security and safety of the majority. Guidelines are available but when a situation calls for another action you can use your authority or at least recommend your plan of action to the OIC - if the chief is not around. What happened with this Sulpicio ship tragedy is not acceptable - lives could have been saved. How irresponsible!
While our chief executive and her officials are in the US, the Philippines is sinking in troubled waters. Was the trip really worth it?
Dole,
Pasensya kan brod ta nagpukawak bassit.
I envy you for being able to meet Max Soliven.
He was my favorite columnist (all-time).
I always read his columns up to the one he made last when he was in Japan. It was a shock to learn that he died on that trip. But he died doing what he liked best, traveling.
ronnie
NAIMBAG NGA RABIIM KAYONG/MANONG GARMAN,
MARAGSAKAN NAK LA UNAY NGA MAKA-AMMO NGA IKIT KO GAYAM NI NANANG NI MANANG EDNA...MANONG IMANO NAK MAN KEN IKIT........KABSAT YO GAYAM NI MANANG MELBA....ADDA GAYAM SADDIAY SPAIN ISUNA..SADINO NGA LUGAR MANONG ?....WEN KASLA NAIYALIS TI MAGSINGAL DIAY BARCELONA...NAPUSKOL DA SADDIAY...ADDA MAYSA NGA DAKKEL NGA RESTAURANT/BAR NEAR PLAZA CATALAN ( NAGPAS-PASYARAN DAGIDI MAINGEL NGA BANNUAR TAYO A KAS KEN APO RIZAL,LUNA BROTHERS,MARCELO H. DEL PILAR AND OTHERS)..... NGA KUKUA NI MANONG JIMMY TACAZON NGA TAGA KARAISAN KEN NAPO...ANAK TI TANG MIGUEL TACAZON.....ISU TATTA TI AKIN KUKUA DAYDIAY PA-GASOLINAAN DIAY IGID TI KALSADA DIAY BANGGAY...SOS APO IDI NAKAPASYARAK SADDIAY KET NAGADU MET NGA KAILLIAN NEN ITI INNAK NASARAK....AGLALO KADAGITAY KAILLIAN TAYO DIAY NAPO ESP THE TUBON/TACAZON FAMILY KEN DAGITAY KABAGGIAN NGA CERIA/TOLENTINO FAMILY DIAY PATONG.KEN MANZANTE...ADU NGA ESTORYA, KIN-NUMUSTA KEN ADU NGA SERBESA SAN MIGUEL KEN SERBESA CAMPO TI NALIDOK KEN CALAMARES PRITOS/PLANTSADO, JAMON SERRANO TI NAPULUTAN SAKBAY NGA INTULOD DAK...AWISENDAK PAY KETDI NGA AGPARTI TI KALDING TI KABIGATAN NA NGEM DAKSANG-GASAT TA PUMANAW KAMI METTEN TI KABIGATAN NA..
.MANONG JIMMY'S SUCCESS AND ACHIEVEMENT IN BARCELONA, SPAIN IS VERY INTERSTING TO FEATURE HERE IN THE SITE....I WILL GO AND SEE HIM IN BANGGAY (IF HE IS NOT IN BARCELONA) NEXT TIME I AM AT HOME PAMBARAN AGALAN TO TI PARYA KEN RABONG DIAY BANGGAY ...PAMBARAN TOPAY TI MANGSIRIP NO ADDA OONG GADO WENNO OONG GALIS...DIAYU SIROK TI BANGAR...
SAPAY KOMA TA MABASA DA DAYTOY NGA SURAT DAGITAY KAKABSAT KEN KAKABAGGIAN DITA BARCELONA, SPAIN...''GRACIAS MILLIONES''.....KADAKAY AMIN NGA AWAN LABAS NA...KUMUSTA KAYO AMIN ...... SAPAY KOMA TA PUMASYAR KAY MET DITOY PARA-ANGAN DITOY PLAZA TAYO...(MVP) TA AGI-INNILIW KEN IGI-INNABRASA TAYO AMIN NGA TUMUNGGAL MAYSA....WELCOME TO MVP......NA PLAZA NATING LAHAT.....
MANONG BERT, PLEASE GIVE MY REGARDS TO KAPID MANANG EDNA KEN DAGITA UBBING YO BUT MOST ESPECIALLY TO IKIT...SAAN MO NGA LIP-LIPATAN NGA IMANO NAK KANNIA NA...
SAPAY KOMA TA SALLUADAN NA TAYO NGA KANAYON NI APO DIOS KEN NAIMBAG NGA RABII YO AMIN,
KAYONG NGA ADING MO,
DOLE
M/V NELE MAERSK
PORT OF MUSCAT
OMAN
Dole,
Is that right? Yes, I read somewhere some time ago that Emil Jurado is from Magsingal and he went to school with Max Soliven at the Ateneo. Would be great to feature either Emil or Willie if you have access to them.
I in fact tried to email Manila Standard Today where he has a regular column to get his contact details but never heard back from them. Ikaw lang pala ang nakakakilala sa lahat ng mga sikat na taga Magsingal, hehe.
SITE: PORT OF MUSCAT, OMAN
Brod Vic,
Tang Willie and tang Emil Jurado are brothers...they are the cousins of the late tang Ilis and tang Toning Jurado and nang Andring Jurado Tiri (I think she is now in hawaii ) uncle isuda ni kabatch mo nga ni Fraxedes Jurado dita Hawaii....Ka-anakan isuda daydi lelong ex mayor apo Carpio Jurado.....kasabayan sila ni apo Max Soliven sa National Press Club noon AT SA PHILIPPINE FREE PRESS MAGASINE NOON ...kaya very close silang tatlo...
AGURAY KA MAN....SAAN LAENG NGA DIAY NAGBAETAN TI SIMBAAN KEN DAAN NGA KUMBENTO TI KUKUA TI SIMBAAN NO DI KET PATI DAYDIAY NALAWA NGA LOTE DIAY LIKOD TI DAAN NGA KUMBENTO (RUINS OF THE FIRST CHURCH OF MAGSINGAL) DIAY DATI NGA M-CAG NGA GARDEN DAYDI MANONG ANGHEL CORTEZ...DIAY AYAN TATTA TI DAKKEL NGA BALITE...DIAY PINOORAN NI DIEGO SILANG NGA KUNA NI MANONG BERT...DURING THE BASI REVOLT.......
SAPAY KOMA TA MAI-PARIPIRIP TO NI APO TEDDY KADAYTOY NGA PANAGBAKASYON NA KEN NI APO ARSOBISPO ERNESTO SALGADO DAYTOY PLANO TAYO NGA NO MABALIN KET AGPATAKDER TAYO TI MAYSA NGA BUILDING SADDIAY A KAS COMMUNITY CENTER.....LETS KEEP ON PRAYING NGA SAPAY KOMA TA PATGAN TAY DAY-DAYAWEN TAYO NGA OBISPO DAYTOY NGA DAWAT...AGLALO KET PAGSAYAATAN MET TI PAROQUIA NI APO SAN GULLIERMO NGA ILI TAYO NGA MAGSINGAL....''WISH LANG PO NATIN LAHAT''
CIAO / MED VENLIG HILSEN
DOLE
Dole,
I did not see any GMA cabinet members at the Pacquiao fight. I did not even see Chavit this time.
Delighted to received an email from you yesterday. You are so amazing that you know all my relatives there in San Clemente and abroad. I am also amazed that our good friends and neighbors in San Clemente are also your relatives. Yesterday when I received your email, I asked my mother in law if she is related to your father since I know that she is related to Apo Pedro Tomaneng. She said that she and your father are second cousins. So Edna and you are third cousins. So that makes me your kayong then. Hehehe! So it is appropriate that I call you Kayong from now on.
Again this would have not happened if the two genuises from San Ramon did not create this MVP. But you were the one who discovered the two genuises and put them together. I am also giving you credit for that.
Toy Kayongmo
Dole, talaga met nga uray diay waiting lounge ti airport ket adu latta ti masarakam nga karruba. Is the Willie Jurado you mentioned the same as Emil Jurado? I read in one of Emil Jurado's columns that he is a good friend of Max Soliven. I actually heard that Emil Jurado is also from Magsingal that's why I was wondering if Willie Jurado is the same person as Emil Jurado.
Hello Dole,
I really like to read your articles, pero nagrigat ti agbasa ti Ilocano. Haluan mo naman ng Tagalog at English, please. Sorry, alam mo naman, Ilocano Tagala ako. Dios ti agngina, tama ba?
Thanks and God bless! Regards daw, from Alex.