LOVING the BISDAK

Bisayang Dakô! BISDAK!
That is how we mock or label people, situations and just about anything that is below par or that is less than the global standards.
Like when someone wears green pants with pink top, its bisdak in bloom. The poor fashion shocker is bisdak! It is also so bisdak to listen to Sandara’s “In or Out”, or for anyone to memorize any of April Boy’s jukebox hits. You are bisdak if you can’t find your way around Glorietta, but are a good shopper in Gaisano. So bisdak when you don’t know how to use any high-tech gadget. And you are very much a bisdak when you are hooked to an afternoon soup opera.

Bisdak has become synonymous with baranganic, the old bakya or baduy tag, Manilans’ jologs and other Filipino slang, that are use to refer to something cheap or anything is “taga- boondocks”.
Using the term this way actually puts down, and insults, our very own sensibilities as Visayans. Why not say instead talog for talagang Tagalog to mean baduy? Then we protect our own regional identity. But the way not to degrade our own senses is simply to stop using bisdak in this context. (Saying talog will only hurt our kababayans in Luzon. Let’s just forgive them for their Luzon-centric tendencies.)
Bisaya is our color; an identity that has long been written in our history as people. It runs deep into our culture. Most important of all, it is our language.
I hate it when people think that those who are more comfortable expressing themselves in Bisaya are less intelligent than those who are fluent in English. In school, if you can mouth English fluently, you can be elected class president hands down. even if it is without sense. Speaking English has become part of a status symbol.
To speak fluently in Bisaya , however, is like committing a crime. As a result of this kind of attitude, many words in Bisaya have died in the tongue of the new generations of Visayans.
Bisaya as a language is rich and beautiful. To a large extent, it is even more powerful than the English language. Consider the verb “to carry” in English: I will carry it on my head, carry with my hand and carry it on my back. It’s the same word for all - so boring and redundant.
But with Bisaya, there is a word to use for every manner of carrying. Lukdô when you will carry something on your head, bitbit when you carry using your hand, baba when on you carry it on your back, pas-an when you carry it on your shoulder, etc.
How about the overused word “love”? I love my darling, I love my dog, I love to travel, I’d love to kill you, I love to eat.
But gugma in Bisaya sounds special and truly endearing. You can’t use it just for anything. It’s a big blunder if you were to say “Nahigugma ko sa pagkaon sa Cafeteria.” The Visayan gugma is “love for special someone.” It can not be reduced to the level of expressing love for foodstuff or a dog.
Bisaya is indeed rich, it is a beautiful language to express real emotions. Even anger sounds stronger when expressed in Bisaya. Yati na!Pesteng yawa!
It was with great joy when I witnessed the only Visayan song among the entries – Ernest Hope Tinambacan’s Mata sa Mata – was adjudged the grand prize winner in the 2005 Valentine Song Writing Contest at Silliman University. The contest was dominated with songs written in English. There were two songs in Tagalog but the beautiful flow of the lyrics in Bisaya and the contemporary arrangement by Gina Raakin gave justice to its intensity. Feel Earnest’s yearnings:

Sa akong mga mata imong hikaplagan
And imong gipangandoy nga
Gugmang wa’y paglubad
Sa akong mga mata imong Makita
Ang imong gipangandoy nga kamatuoran
Ang gugma ko alang kanimo

Sa imong mga mata akong nahikaplagan
Nga may pagbati ka usab sulod sa imong dughan
Sa imong mga mata akong nakita
Nagduha-duha ka ning akong gugma
O, ‘day paminawa
Ang gugma ko alang kanimo

Hangtud sa kahangturan ug walay katapusan
Sa kalipay ug sa kalisdanan
Hangtud sa kahangturan ug walay katapusan
Ikaw akong paga-unongan
Kay ikaw gihigugma ko…
It is simply amazing to know that such an expression was made by a very young composer, a Mass Communication student. Mata sa Mata gives hope for the language to be brought back to the mainstream. In its humble way, Mata sa Mata actually achieved a similar glory as Cesar Montano’s Panaghoy sa Suba, a Bisaya film that successfully provided the Filipino an experience of the beauty of our very own language and color.

Be proud you are a BISDAK!

CHIP off the OLD BLOCK

It is easily believable to contend that for most Sillimanians, the fruit often does not stray far from the tree. Talents radiate, and are passed on, like genetic properties, from one generation to the next—always distinctly Sillimanian in flavor and spirit.I learned this one day when a former cook for a high school dormitory once shared to me that this famous teen actor on Philippine television is the son of a Sillimanian. Then he shared his memories and anecdotes revolving around the dormitory life of the father of this young actor. Alas, I failed to document this, and now it is increasingly hard to remember even the names of the father and his son who has made waves in local stardom. I have totally forgotten everything, even the name of the Abby Jacobs Hall storyteller.But the sense of pride I felt from that sharing is still in my heart. It has certainly become one of the building blocks of the Silliman Spirit that I now constantly radiate.This feature of Silliman parents in tandems with their famous children is offered with the hope that the glories they have achieved will spell boldly the Silliman Spirit, the special bond of love that we all share.

ELMO & FRANCES

When FRANCES MAKIL IGNACIO visited Dumaguete last year, many recognized her as the actress behind the role of Tamara in ABS-CBN‘s Hanggang sa Dulo, then a top-rating soap opera. During a stop in a nearby town in the middle of our itinerary, she had teachers and students from a local public school running after our vehicle. Her fans were excitedly shouting after her, calling her “Tamara!” It was indeed a harvest of recognition springing from a memorable TV performance. And yet there is more of her, from television shows such as Buttercup and others. She is, however, more recognized as a stage actress; hers is a bigger name in Philippine theater, with assorted (and acclaimed) performances in Dulaang UP productions, and a lead role in Fluid, staged by the University of the Philippines Playwright’s Theater. Frances is very much like her late father, ELMO MAKIL, an Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee in the Performing Arts. In fact, she confessed to me that her energy as a performing artist stems from her father who is remembered as one of the best baritones in Philippine music history. The Silliman community will never forget the actor in Elmo, either—the great Elmo Makil, who gave us memorable performances in musicals like The Man of La Mancha, The Fantastiks, and Carousel.

JINGLE & PATTY

A page in Portal ’79 contains this line, “… LEAH ‘JINGLE’ C. SIBALA, sweet fifteener, won the most coveted title, Miss Silliman, with her charisma.” It is, without doubt, the same charisma that made her daughter PATTY LAUREL win in the recent Philippine MTV VJ Hunt. Patty was chosen over a tough roster of top entertainment personalities, but it was a recognition that sparkled. This daughter of the 1978 Miss Silliman also shines with the same sweetness people knew of her mother. Patty’s magnetism on and off screen is definitely a reflection of Jingle’s lovely presence. Like her Mom, Patty is simply, truly beautiful. That has made her the favorite cover girl of many leading Philippine magazines.

KITTY & MARIA
The mother-and-daughter artistic tandem of KITTY and MARIA TANIGUCHI is a partnership that has borne so much creative gusto. Both women are two of the visual artists who were featured during the Silliman Centennial celebration. Kitty is considered as one of the leading women artists in Southeast Asia, and she has rightfully represented the Philippines in various art festivals around the world. Overshadowing Kitty, at some relative points, is her own daughter Maria, who has had a grand slam of sorts in the local art world, winning the various art contests in the country in 2001. The young Taniguchi recently represented the Philippines in the Singapore Art Festival, and there she made her presence felt in the wider world of art. These Sillimanian women share the same passion in painting and sculpture, but they—like the truest artists—capture social realities in different shades and genres.


ISABEL & SUSAN

ISABEL DIMAYA VISTA, the former director of the Silliman School of Music, gave Silliman two national honors when her choirs won two first places in the National Music Competition for Young Artists. And the most memorable of these glories was in 1973 when, as Champion, the Silliman’s Young Singers performed for the former First Lady in Malacañang and then at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, together with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. Isabel’s daughter ELIZABETH SUSAN VISTA-SUAREZ also became director of the School of Music, and also directed choirs that became national winners. Her magical distillation of choral music, through the acclaimed SU Campus Choristers, led the way for the choir being chosen as the Philippine Centennial Goodwill Ambassadors to the United States. Like a blast from the past, Susan’s choir also performed with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra during the Silliman Centennial in 2001. Indeed, like mother, like daughter.

LESLIE & DENNIS

The heartthrob of Silliman University High School Class of 1964 LESLIE HO is the proud father of DENNIS TRILLO, the Best Actor of the 2005 Manila Film Critics Awards and Best Supporting Actor in the 2004 Manila Film Festival for his remarkable performance in the movie Aishte Imasu.Winning an award in his first major film assignment is a sign that the name Dennis Trillo will be a big star soon. He was also was featured in the movie “Mano Po 3” as the boyfriend of teen star Angel Locsin who played the role of a smart daughter of Vilma Santos in this film that won Best Picture in the MFF.

FLORIAN & CRAIG

The debonair ATTY. FLORIAN ALCANTARA of Class 1989 is very supportive of his son’s showbiz career. And the young Alcantara—who is now known with his showbiz moniker of CRAIG SIROTA—is slowly penetrating the industry with sure breaks in TV and print commercials.Craig who is Nick Alcantara to friends back home has appeared in TV ads such as Taquitos, McDonald’s ‘Love Ko To’ and in the drama program “Maalaala Mo Kaya”. He is now co-hosting to IBC’s noontime show Chowtime Na!. He is also a vocalist in Maryo J. delos Reyes’ boy band M-Gage.

WING & RAMON


Silliman University High Class of 1999 member JOSE RAMON VICENTE SINGSON DEL PRADO made history when Egg, the first full length Filipino animated film he made as a student project leading to a degree in Communication Arts from De La Salle, won 1st Place in the 5th UP Film and Video Festival in September 2003. It also won the Grand Jury Award from the UP Indeo Film Festival in 2004 and a harvest of honors from other award giving bodies(on February 6 at 8am, Egg will be shown on national television GMA 7). Ramon’s creative success is a reflection of his mother’s versatility as a visual artist. SOCORRO “WING” DEL PRADO, a daughter of a cartoonist, is prolific visual artist. Her costumes and garment designs in school plays and other productions made memorable scenes and characters on and off stage. Her miniature paintings are part of the early works that are now valuable private collection. Ramon is also grateful to his father NONOY DEL PRADO for introducing to him the art of animation. What he got is really in the bloodline! But it’s not just on the creative hands, Ramon also inherited the beautiful genetic make-up of his parents. We will be seeing more of Ramon for this handsome young artist is now at the threshold of a modeling career. He carries not the typical weird image of an artist but that of a hunk with a cool fashion sense.

LOVE with a PRICE TAG

What is said to be the world’s oldest profession has also become an “easy job” for almost all ages. From time to time, you get shocked at news of a nine year old or so going into the flesh trade. In fact, prostitution has long invaded the schools.
I was still in a church-based high school in Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte when my pretty classmate confessed that she enjoyed the thrill of dating moneyed salesmen and young entrepreneurs. She told me she particularly love the shopping package.
What made matters worse was that I learned that this pretty classmate of mine never got out of such a job even when she was already in Cebu for college. In that big city, her range of clientele simply widened. Ton think that she was a smart student back in high school. She even got the Mathematician of the Year award on graduation day. The typical campus “beauty and brains” in the flesh (no pun intended), now “wasted” by the lure of material gifts from DOM.

While my high school classmate was “working” in Cebu, I didn’t realize that I was also slowly being introduced to their kind of life – right here in this University Town. I was a college freshman then and so, was like a kid brother particularly to two seniors. They would regale me with campus stories, they would take me to clean fun activities and because of their wit and adorable sense of humor, I felt that it was simply cool jamming with the seniors.
Since these two senior-friends of mine would have to fulfill some “extra-curricular responsibilities” at night, they would ask me to do their homework – which I willingly did. And for doing their school assignments, they would reward me with fun-filled weekends in Cebu, a trip to Camiguin island one time and chances to visit their nice affluent homes in Mindanao.
I never really cared to know what kind of “work scholarship” they were into especially that one of them was also very active in church activities. I only learned that these two lady friends of mine had what call “sugar daddies” after one wife barged into my friend’s apartment to confront her.
I should say that today, it’s even worse. And in some instances, less discrete. No one campus in this University Town can claim that their students are all morally prim and proper. I know of students who do this kind of work as a “sideline.” I know of one who is actually engaged in it as her main source of her tuition. (As the story goes, when the old man asks, “what’s your schedule like? The lady eagerly, albeit wrongly, replies, “our midterms would be on… our finals would be…)
I do not know of any formal study that has been conducted to explore the “dark rooms” of campus prostitution but I and my friends have several anecdotal experiences/ eyewitness accounts of student sex workers.
Some dealings are discreet. A student –prosti would approach a storeowner, and borrow some money in a business-like transaction. The mode of payment would be a secret deal. Or she would ask him trough text messaging for a mobile phone load. Aand one thing leads to another.
Or a male student would approach a ‘client’ in a bar and ask to have a drink with him. Inside the dark moviehouse, he would slide beside the possible ‘mama’ and engage her in a conversation of sorts.
Sometimes, these students are so desperate, they would do anything for P100 per “session.” (Again, as the story goes, a DOM asks a student in unform if P50 is okay, and she asks if it could be increased a bit because she has yet to commute home about three of four towns away.) The better your school’s reputation for academic excellence, the higher the rate one could command. So the unwritten rule: Only those coming from “the leading school” can command 500 pesos or more per ‘session.’ (Now pray, tell me, who would want to admit his is the leading school?)
While students in this one university (this University town already has four), would indulge in this “adventure” for dire financial reasons, those from the affluent school are doing it for love. Genuine love.
For sophomore business student Albert, for instance, the monetary aspect is “just part of the thrill.” One would understand that Albert grew up in a family with an absentee father. He never felt deep bond with his medical doctor-dad who was almost always in the hospital operating on someone he hardly knew. Whatever interaction they had was always cold and distant. Or what do you expect from a serious hardworking father who, whenever he was able to come home when everybody still awake, would bark orders and expect strict obedience like he did in his profession? This was how the stern father made an impact on Albert’s young life. Of course, no one expected the campus hunk Albert to eventually fall for the “parental” love from his gay lover, a doctor like his dad, who showered him not just with gifts, but most importantly, quality time and the precious art of listening.
In Sheena’s case, her public school teacher-“stage mother” and OCW father compelled her to out and look for her own love. She had always felt the pressured to excel academically since she was in high school. She was never allowed to socialize for fear it would distract her from her studies. Sheena eventually graduated with honors and got a college scholarship that brought her here – away from home. Finally being in Dumaguete was “sheer freedom” from the regimented life under the careful watch of the stage mother. Like a bird finally out of a cage after the longest time, teenage Sheena has not ceased to flap her wings of freedom all through the night, jumping into the love and care of a “very nice and understanding” medrep who also happens to be very much married.
For Mike, meanwhile, all the perceived images of “good role models” have crumbled. His parents are separated. In third year high, his mentor-priest touched him. And now, one of his college instructors is making him a ” toyboy.” To find love, he intentionally sleeps around with whoever gives him full attention. Not to mention, whoever he sees is able to especially provide for his need for “extra money” to buy “that substance” that has become part of his system.
Our poor national economy is definitely not the only reason why our students are driven into prostitution. The lack of warmth and genuine concern from parents who care in the right way and at the right time should be counted as the main culprit. Then, there is that big failure of the “guardians of the moral fiber.” If we only realized that lessons imparted by high-tech multimedia gadgets and games are louder and more consistent than those at the pulpit. They’re even more intense than programs that promote the boring lessons of values education.
Let it be known that a child today needs a very high quality care experience at home. Young souls like Albert, Sheena or Mike and even my high school classmate in Agusan had stepped out of their homes without such a valuable foundation called parental love. When evidently working, LOVE at home comes without a price tag.

A DAY WITH EDDIE ROMERO

It was in 2003 when Taiwanese actors, actually a boyband named F4, through the Meteor Garden drama series became the country’s pop icons. The “invasion” was a huge success as they came when the country’s film and TV industry was in a struggle - it seemed to suffer from a lack of new and good material. The fresh look of the F4 drama on campus life gave the badly-needed new blood for Philippine showbiz industry. A foreign creative energy overpowered our very own.
This sad state of the country’s film and broadcast industry was to be the background scenario when Negros Oriental’s very own Eddie Romero was honored as the National Artist for Cinema and Broadcast in 2003.

The honor may have been given at the wrong time, and was in fact, long overdue. But Eddie Romero being awarded with the country’s highest honor in culture and the arts means a lot to us anyway. For students in this University Town, it is a call to discover his gifts of inspiration and sense of nationalism through the knowledge of his classic works.
Eddie Romero’s touch was a major force that led to Phillippine Cinema’s golden age in 1976. It was his Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon? that gave the Philippine film industry a sense of national identity. The use of local color through production design and musical score achieved an Amorsolo light in Philippine cinema. His Kamakalawa, which had the Negros Oriental riverbanks and mountain slopes as setting, was a manifestation of his love for the folkloric Philippines. With all of these, a distinction was made concrete.
It was a delight that through his Alma Mater (Silliman University High School in 1940) the University Town was able to honor him with an important homecoming. On February 11 at the Luce Auditorium, National Artist Eddie Romero was the Guest Speaker for Silliman University Honors Day.
He started his speech with a recollection of the one-act comedy he wrote. Sixty-four years ago when he was still a sophomore liberal arts student, “History is Made in Bed” was mounted on Silliman Hall stage. This was after he sold his first screenplay to a film company in Manila. Knowing now that he started so young as a playwright, and with Dumaguete as the cradle of his early works is truly a great inspiration.
Literary artist and film critic Ian Rosales Casocot describes Romero as “the quintessential storyteller” and “a film artist who is known for going beyond didacticism to tell, in his films, stories about people in the midst of the richness and everyday complexities of their lives.” He further states that among the more than 70 Romero films are masterpieces that “have enriched the Philippine cinema with his deft artistry and activism”. His creative energy has gone as far as major international projects that have “contributed to the pantheon of Hollywood cult classics that have influenced such filmmakers as Quentin Tarantino.”
When invited to share his insights on the Philippine film industry with a classroom session with MassCom students and the Weekly Sillimanian staff, Eddie Romero pointed out the “need for truly passionate film artists” that will not compromise their ideas with trends and commercial pressures.
He also shared that government tax and the lack of support from politicians made it impossible for a director to have all the resources needed for an outstanding production.
There is so much to learn from this National Artist for Cinema and Broadcast. Even his closing statement on Honors Day reveals an important call: “We are all dependent on one another, whether we want to be or not. The quality of a human life can only be measured by the quality of its response to this inescapable need. It is the totality of that response that determines whether nations flourish or wither away. I cannot bear the thought of not having a country to be proud of. Bit there is nothing I fear more than deceiving myself. That is my story for today.”

WIND KISS

the wind kisses the skin
for the earth prince to dream
with eyes open


The lines from a haiku I wrote one stormy night reveals the power of the wind to teach us a lesson.

The wind kisses us in many ways but its most enduring kiss is the one that’s carried through the airwaves: MUSIC.
Wind Kiss was the title I gave to a concert that featured a young violinist. Calling her performance a kiss was perfect as the classic gentleness of her music went so deep into the senses. It’s the classical and the jazzy that truly feels like a kiss. And we had so much of this classic touch of the wind in 2004. (Thank God, it wasn’t totally lorded over by Britney!)
I discovered the impact of these 2004 wind kisses not from an FM radio or MTV Top 10 but from the bathrooms in student dormitories and in boarding houses. Most memorable are the Nora Jones hits introduced to me by Saree of Sampaguita Hall.

Nora Jones, chosen by Time Magazine as the most influential artist of 2003, brought back the coolness of fresh sounding songs. My favorite Don’t Know Why seems to keep getting better and better each time I listen to it. She sings: “ My heart is drenched in wine but you’ll be on my mind forever….” I wasn’t surprised then when, from among her many songs, Don’t Know Why was given the Grammy for technical arrangement.
The No. 2 wind kiss for me is the music of Josh Groban. His The Prayer, which is performed in almost all Invocations in school programs, dominates all else. But it wasn’t actually this song that grabbed my attention but Groban’s version of Don MacLean’s Vincent.
Vincent brings to life the story of my favorite Impressionist Van Gogh, made more intense like a solid brushstroke with Groban’s classic style.
And when happen to pass by as my friend Giovanni sings Vincent, it’s like listening to Groban performing live.
Among all of Groban’s songs, I have memorized Aléjate simply for its sentimental flow – never mind that the lyrics sounded strange at first. I became prouder of my choice when I learned that this Spanish song is the favorite of the cool Dr. Mervyn Misajon and his son Joshua. And when the former Silliman University President admitted that he did not understand any line in the lyrics, I excitedly translated at least for him the chorus for him:
Aléjate, no puedo más
Ya no hay manera de volver el tiempo atrás….
Olvídate de mí
Y déjame seguir a solas con mi soledad
Aléjate, ya dime adios
Y me resignaré a seguir sin tu calor
Y jamás entederé que fue lo que pasó
Si nada puedo hacer, aléjate


Go away, I can’t bear it anymore
There is no way to go back in time
Forget about me
And let me go on alone with my solitude
Go away, go on and tell me goodbye
And I will resign myself to go on without your love
And I will never understand what happened
If there's nothing I can do, go away

Jazz is almost an ‘endangered’ music tradition to the Britney Spears generation, until I had this kiss from Diana Krall. From a website, I learned that it was on June 29, last year that the Grammy award-winning superstar Krall gave a career-defining performance to over 15,000 fans at the 25th Annual Montreal Jazz Festival.
Her ‘presence’ in our University Town was confirmed when a dormitory sophomore beauty Gaily sang the 1977 hit Just the Way You Are with a jazz beat. I asked who’s version she was she singing since I remember Billy Joel singing it. And that’s when Gaily told me that it’s Diana Krall’s, from the soundtrack of the film The Guru.

My wind kiss music defines a sharp contrast from the favorites of my secret bodega friend Jaja – rock. Listen to Incubus’ Pardon Me with the usual explosive lyrics:

Pardon me while I burstA decade ago, I never thought I would be.A twenty three on the verge of spontaneous combustion
Woe is meBut I guess that it comes with the territory.An ominous landscape of never-ending calamity.

and Bamboo’s Mr. Clay …
So now you got the fires rockinBlood and hateThen you got the people talkingLegacyYou will never be forgottenYour place in historyA black mark in timeA black mark in time

JONES, GROBAN & KRALL. made waves in 2004 even without the scream of INCUBUS or the noise of BAMBOO. Their offering of the intelligence of jazz and the coolness of the classics will definitely conquer 2005… and even beyond.

It’s peace with a wind kiss!

NO “danger zone” for the SU BAND

ZAMBOANGA CITY – It was so hard to give a “yes” to City’s invitation for the Silliman University Concert Band to be part of its Fiesta Pilar celebration last year. The main opposition came from parents of the student band members who thought of Zamboanga as “danger zone.”
This school year, the Silliman alumni groups of the entire Zamboanga peninsula once again invited the SU Concert Band to embark on a concert tour. Ipil, the town that made headlines years back with its historic bloody terrorist attack at its business district, initiated preparations for the concert. After getting the ‘go’ signal from the military, we managed to assure the band members that everything would be smooth and peaceful.
As the SU Band’s impresario, I could say that indeed, the entire concert tour from from Dapitan to Zamboanga City in the big island of Mindanao in southern Philippines was smooth and peaceful.
A Peace & Goodwill Tour of the SU Concert Band on October 18 to the Zamboanga Peninsula capped the first semester of this school year. It was a mission guided by a great promise in Joshua 1:9, to be “…confident and be of good courage for the Lord, your God, will be with you wherever you go….”
Our first stop was in Dapitan City, where we were ushered to Jose Rizal Memorial State College, whose president is our very own Dr. Henry Sojor, also president of the new Negros Oriental State University. Dr. Sojor’s staff showed us Dapitan’s hospitality and served as our “home away from home.”
The dynamic secretary of JRM State College Board of Trustees, Chalee Camazo, served as anchor host for the Sillimanians in the area. Another Sillimanian, Elena Abad of the local tourism office, helped mount the first performance at the City’s gymnasium.
Local high school girls were screaming with delight over the good-looking gentlemen of the SU concert Band’s jazz section. Before we left Dapitan, the ladies made sure they got the cellphone numbers and Friendster accounts of student-musicians Mark Beevers and Jude Lozada.
Day after concert night, I saw many school children imitating the vigoruos hand movements of Maestro Joseph Basa, the SU Concert band’s director. The kids loved the soundtrack themes from great movies like Superman, Starwars and Mission Impossible.
The legacy of great music and sweet memories came with a touch of history as we took time to visit the old Church’s “Mindanao Map” made by the national hero Jose Rizal, and the famous Rizal Shrine that was filled with tranquility. After the Dapitan tour, Elena assured us with a prayer that we would be safe.
Dipolog City was our next stop. United Church of Christ in the Philippines Bishop Hilario Gomez, Outstanding Sillimanian in the field of Peace Advocacy, was there to keep the preparations moving. He officially declared the event as a “Concert for Peace” when he opened the performance with a prayer.
From the marches to the classical, to Philippine folksongs to the modern ballroom music, these were always capped by a thunderous applause from the audience who simply knew how to show their appreciation..
The town of Polanco in Zamboanga del Norte brought back scenes of Valencia with its huge shady trees and a nice green park fronting the church. The Singles for Christ there, as coordinated by Mrs. Jovita Ocupe, easily got the support of the parish. The men in the Silliman Band were housed at the convent, while the ladies were housed at the hilltop home of Mrs. Ocupe. The whole town was excited about the concert. Afterall, it was going to feature their favorite son, Ian Encarnacion, not only as instrumentalist but also as a vocal soloist.
And true enough, Ian brought the house down when he performed his Yoyoy Villame numbers.
If the townsfolk from other places were impressed by the performance of the SU Concert Band, the student-musicians were also impressed by the sense of organization over at Sindangan town. From the time of our arrival until the concert night, everything had the personalized hands-on leadership of Atty. Alanixon Selda, a crew member of the Luce Auditorium in his student days. Even with the limited technical features, the Sindangan National Agricutural School gym turned out to be a good venue for the largest gathering of people in this concert tour.
The lively audience was composed mostly of students from the various schools in Sindangan who would vigorously stomp their feet or sway with the music, and clap after each number to express their fun and enjoyment. Young as they were, they seemed to enjoy most the rock n’ roll medley.

For our musical performances in the towns of Labason and Liloy, the former Miss Young Dumaguete and Miss Silliman first runner-up Sandee Lim, with husband Benju Palanas were concert coordinators.
The organizers told me they considered concert like these as “cultural exposure.” Yolly Galicia, one of the hosts, expressed hope that they get other chances to sponsor such “very educational concert” for the local people. Mrs. Jean Lim said she was simply delighted that the audience loved even the classical set that included the Magic of Mozart. Former Congressman Angel Carloto expressed gratitude that the music of his time was alive once again and performed by very young Silliman performing artists. For him, it was an evening of nostalgia.
The fiesta in Titay had one great feature: the Silliman Band Concert was dubbed as the “Grandeur in Music.”
Councilor Ronnie Castillo, who as student played the trumpet for the SU Band, was the prime mover of the event. Again, the Singles for Christ were highly supportive--. from the stage design, to the jampacked audience. Among them, Silliman alumni came in almost full force-- and in red Silliman shirts. Our concert stop at Titay was indeed grand with the warmth and hospitality of town fiestas.
Technically, the best sound system and lighting for the concert tour was in Ipil. The magic of the municipality’s leaders, Eleanor Funda-Sardual and her daughter Ceejay led to a free concert.
The Band members were billeted at Roderic’s Resort, a natural beauty by a creek, enjoyed the partaking of the various sumptuous tasty cuisine at Montebello, and sampled the busy slice of Ipil nightlife at the Underground, their version of El Camino.
Ipil Mayor Rey Olegario, a Silliman alumnus, and his family made sure that the Silliman student- musicians would remember Ipil as the place where they had a great time! The Underground gave the Sillimanians a colorful evening reception after the successful concert. In addition, Zamboanga Sibugay Congresswoman Belma Cabilao, also a Sillimanian, gave the SU Band a love gift.
Our final stop, Zamboanga City was done with so much elegance. It was a blast! From the alumni usherettes in full gowns, to the SkyCable coverage at Marcian Garden Hotel, we were pleasantly surprised.
Zamboanga City Mayor Loreto Lobregat sat through the final set of the concert, and his mere presence surely made a lot of difference
Silliman alumna Myrna Cabato, dean of tthe College of Nursing of the Western Mindanao State University, led her fellow alumni in the production of this memorable night of music. Alumni president Willie Espinosa successfully paved the way for the Silliman Band to conquer Zamboanga.
In the words of the Silliman Alumni Affairs Director Prof. Jocelyn Somoza de la Cruz, “it was a successful mission of sharing the gift of peace and goodwill through music.”
It was an inspiring story of a place and its people who had so much peace to share. Like the music we shared, Zamboanga peninsula was indeed a beautiful and peaceful haven.



by: Moses Joshua B. Atega
Published on October 31, 2004
METROPOST Dumaguete

THE FINAL QUESTION

"At the end of each rainbow, so the saying goes, is a pot of gold. As a woman of the earth, what else would you rather find at the end of the rainbow?"

That was the final question in last year’s Miss Earth. It’s one of my favorites for beauty pageants final questions. My list includes the “the essence of a woman” fame of Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen of India.
With the Miss Earth 2003, the final answers didn’t actually matter much as the ladies gave sensible replies: “I’d rather find God and to give love to people,” “ world peace”; another went Biblical: “I’d rather find that Adam never ate the forbidden fruit so we all would be living in Paradise still”; the simplest answer: “ to find clean waters”; and the unexpected answer: “ I’d rather find nothing more than the pot of gold, for with I, I will have everything.”
The judges made their decision and the one who mentioned “God” eventually won. But really, it wasn’t her answer that made her the winner. It was more of her regal stage presence in white gown -- as she shared her wisdom –that won her the crown. She was every inch a queen. And everyone was happy with the choice for after all, the final answers were all in pageant-flavored standard lines and kind of roundabout.
The 2004 Miss Dumaguete final question moment was somewhat similar to the Miss
Earth 2003 climax. Sandurot Fiesta Chairperson Glynda Descuatan read the question: “Dumaguete as a Student City has done a lot of things to entice visitors to come. What do you think should be done to make these visitors stay longer?”

The question may sound easy but when one is under pressure, I think it’s hard to crack a witty response that calls for a “doable idea.” Afterall, it was a serious question, not a
simple trivia. And for that, I salute all the Top 3 finalists as they managed to think on their feet and speak so spontaneously.

Louella Dawn D. Chiu of Dumaguete Science High School enumerated
three points to ensure the visitors’ longer stay: sustain the “gentle people” stature, continue to offer quality education; and maintain the tranquility. The audience gave
thunderous applause. She had the best answer that night, which redeemed her beating-around-the-bush answer in the semi-finals.

Miss Foundation University Naddie May Kadusale Orillana answered with the phrase “quality education.” And added, “That’s it!” to signal the host that it was her final answer.

Josephine Karen Carlia M. Milio of Silliman University also had “quality education” as the only focus and took time to mention the four universities. In trying to recall the names of the schools, there was this uncomfortable gap, drowned by the audience’ reaction of surprise. She finally managed to end her reply with an emphasis on the “need for quality education.”

With Naddie’s brief answer, she was moved farther from the crown, giving Louella a step closer to the final glory as first runner-up.
The crown eventually went to the one who was leading in the semi-final round with the Best in Interview award, and a harvest of all the ramp fashion awards. Josie, who looked stunning in Silliman red gown, made the final march to victory as Miss Dumaguete 2004.

Clearly that evening, her answer to the final question was overshadowed by her physical presence that simply mesmerized almost everyone!

If we were to ask our Dumaguete visitors what would have been the best answer, I’m sure it wouldn’t be so much the offering of quality education “since it’s already being done, and in fact, taken for granted that it’s happening.

Neither would the “gentleness of the people” make the visitors stay in Dumaguete longer since it’s common occurrence here, and therefore, ordinary.

Maybe the visitors to Dumaguete would stay longer if air pollution problem in the City could be checked and managed, especially that which is caused by exhaust from the growing number of pedicabs. Many foreign residents have actually expressed concern over the culprit.

They would also stay longer if local government officials demonstrate better senses in not sacrificing their sense of history and their fervor for the cause of the environment for the sake of their own version of “generic” progress: reclamation and “eco-tourism” projects.

Visitors to Dumaguete would also extend their stay if our local police were more vigilant so that crime cases are solved immediately. We regret the case of Jonathan Marie Aguilar Sibala, a 23-year old balikbayan nurse from California, who stabbed by young men last week. Jonathan came to visit Dumaguete to celebrate the centennial of St. Paul University. He saw many things beautiful, and decided to extend his stay to celebrate the Sandurot fiesta with relatives here.

But the joyful homecoming ended with a painful twist of fate. His violent ending just gave this “City of Gentle People” a bad image in the Filipino-American community in the US. I can’t blame them if prospective visitors will be paranoid towards Dumaguete henceforth.

So you see, answering the seemingly-simple question was no easy task. It required a doable, relevant idea.

The final question in the recent Miss Dumaguete beauty pageant is still crying out for more concrete answers not necessarily from the beauty queens parading on stage, but more importantly from those in active public service.

Josephine Karen Carlia M. Milio,in white, of Silliman University

November 27, 2004
SCHOOL PIE by Moses Joshua B. Atega
Published in METROPOST