Is he a real hero? or he is just one of the person that engage the sabotage with the Japanese people for his own will or is he just thinking of himself and not his countrymen?

he’s precidency in the philippines is very much controversial regarding the philippine history. many would say that lots of people had suffered because of his personal interest and many would say he just do it because he is thinking for the filipinos, for their best.

Is he a hero or a traitor?

Its for you to choose

Quoted as the “Pearl Of the Orient Sea”, the colorful tropical setting of a populous republic divided by the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The Philippines gathers a virtual kaleidoscope of wildlife, people, places and things.

Located on the Pacific seas resides it’s world reknowned oceanic seabeds and coral reefs consists of vast array of marine life and sea creatures of different shapes and sizes. The unearthly deeps often explored by happy tourists and scuba enthusiasts from the other side of earth . To the white sandy beaches of Boracay and the cold, cozy climate of the Mountain Province. From the untamed urban Jungles of Manila, to the untouched rural civilization governed by indigenous tribesmen.

The love of arts and music has been a second nature to the Filipinos. Busy sidewalks congested with festive karaoke bars. And the rhythmic beats of disco pubs with ecstatic grinding bodies at the dancefloor.

The overcrowded streets are filled with massive malls in every corner. Strolling along the enormous variety of malls has been a traditional pastime of the extravagant consumers, as well as he penniless window shoppers. It’s a nice and pleasant worry free place.

From the lush aromatic forests and greeneries of the province, to the animated life in the Capital City. A place that always seems to have a bright sunny day.

But in any bright sunny skies do have a dark cloud. A dark cloud that manifest raging storms. Looking back, the historical milestones has it’s share of bitter rather than sweet memories. A nation full of smiles also do have a facade that frowns. A haven of joy and cheers also been a lonely place of famine, war, and natural disasters.

Tribulation has been the nation’s long time companion. Actually, an unwanted guest. Battle scarred with a blemished reputation consists of heinous crimes, terrorism, corruption and so on.

The chaotic past led by the foreign invaders motivated by their intent to dominate and conquer the land which tainted horrific scenarios of war and terror.

As people marching across the bloody fields, praying that no dreaded bombs will cross their paths. These series of lunatic events has orphaned countless youth. The racial bullying caused men to be slain and women raped. Evil lurks as the black smoke has filled the air.

The deliberate massacre to my motherland has left a deep scar from it’s monumental past.

Today, a constant struggle is still here to stay. Extreme contrasts of lifestyles resonates the reflection of the society. From the abundant yet corrupt public officials, to the scarcity of the poor struggling for the daily search to bring food on their empty plates.

The lack of opportunity is a sad reality. A very slim chance to land a decent job. Hookers down the boulevard prospecting old promiscuous perverts. And pickpockets at the marketplace, gazing shoulder bags to slit it open with their butterfly daggers. Not because they want to, but they need to . Survival’s act of desperation. Like a bitter pill that is hard to swallow.

Crime is the devil’s ultimate medium of expression. And the devil’s advocate, the sons of perdition. Are just roaming everywhere to spread diabolic activities, preying for their helpless victims. Drug trafficking, robberies, manslaughter, abduction, rape, carjacking to name a few.

There’s also man-made faults such as environmental pollutions and toxic hazards. The pungent odor of rotten wastelands and muddy brown skies caused by smoke belching automotive and factories. Sewer like stench made by negligent waste disposals reflects the lack of discipline of an ill society.

Calamity strikes more than a couple of times. Earthquakes, floods, typhoons, landslides isn’t uncommon.

The nation’s daily troubles and dilemma seems to be an endless unfortunate venture. The classic depiction of a third world nation isn’t paradise at all.

But is there still hope? The hope that one day all the sadness will turn to smiles? All the pains and heartaches will just fade like a bubble burst? All stains made in the past be washed and swept away?

As an old adage say, ” a pessimist sees a half-filled glass, half-empty, an optimist sees it half-full”.

Irregardless of how she appears. I’ll still love and accept her as my own. Like an abstract masterpiece, you can find beauty underneath it’s ugliness. But I will not remain complacent nor stagnant to do my share. To make it a better place. To seek for the remedy rather than regret the past tragedies.

I do believe, the land of my birth is worth hoping for. Like a prizefighter, trying to rise up from a fall caused by a heavy blow.

I’ll stand up. I’ll not give up on her. I’ll do my share.

-          He sent his friends poker cards with bullethole. Which ment he knows how to use a gun.

-          He fences with the Luna Brothers

-          He is  doctor. He healed hs mother successfully but in his “diary” one  pge there was about him healing the child then the next day that child died. So we can’t really say if his goog or bad.

-          He wrote the two famous novels, El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere.

-          And of course as we know he is an illustrado. He studied in Europe.

Andres Bonifacio

-          Was he really poor? He’s middle class

-          He’s barefooted because the Katipuneros need to ambush Spainards in the terrain.

-          He’s a “bodegero” in this time. Which means he  manager in his time.

-          He’s a writer, too. He traslated “Mi Ultimo Adios” of Rizal. He wrote “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa”.

-          One reporter asked the living katipuneros what was Andres’ favorite weapon, and they said the PISTOL.

So there you have your different view of our two heroes based on the disscussion of my teacher. Thank you. Please comment if I have some mistakes & whatever you want ot comment.

Image via Wikipedia

Taon 1898 ay isinigaw
Ni General Emilio Aguinaldo
Ang araw ng kasarinlan
Ng bansang Pilipinas
Mula sa bansang Espanya
‘Di maipaliwanag ang kasiyahan
At kaligayahan na naramdaman
Ng ating mga ninuno
Kasabay ang pagwagayway
Ng makasaysayang bandila
Ang simbolo ng pagkakaisa
Ng mga mamamayang Pilipino
Kapalit ng maraming buhay
Na nalagas sa pakikibaka
Laban sa mga mananakop
At nalibing sa lupang hinirang
Na matagal nang nilapastangan
Ng mga banyagang kastila
Isang makasaysayang araw
Na kailan ma’y ‘di malilimutan
Ng bawat Pilipino sa mundo…
 
Ngunit ang Hunyo 12
Ay ‘di lamang para sa mga Pinoy
Marami rin pangyayaring naganap
At naisulat sa kasaysayan ng panahon
Na kailan ma’y ‘di mabubura
Na higit na bayolinte
At mas madugong kaganapan
Na naging sanhi ng pagkitil
Ng maraming buhay at mga pangarap…
 
Taon 1885, Hunyo 12 sa bansang France
Gumuho ang bubungan ng gusali
Na pinagdadausan ng murder trial
At natabunan ang tatlumpung katao
Sila’y namatay ng walang laban…
 
Taon 1889, Hunyo 12, 88 katao
Ang namatay sa Armagh rail disaster
Sa Northern Ireland , na nagdulot
Ng sobrang lungkot at pighati
Sa mga naiwanang pamilya…
 
Taon 1899, ang tornadong New Richmond
Ang pang walong deadliest tornado
Na sumalanta sa United states
At naging dahilan ng pagkamatay
Ng 117 katao at ikinasugat
Ng dalawang-daang katao…
 
Taon 1943, ang Holocaust
Umaga ng Sabado Hunyo 12
1,180 na Jews ang humarap kay kamatayan
Sila’y isa-isang pinagbabaril
Ng walang pakundangan at awa
At sama-samang inilibing…
 
Taon 1978, Hunyo 12
Si David Berkowitz
Na binansagang “Son of Sam”
Mamamatay-tao ng New York City
Ay nahatulan ng 365 taon na pagkabilanggo
Dahil sa kanyang pagpatay ng anim na beses…
 
Kung maraming yumaon sa petsang ito
Marami rin ang dumating na nagpamalas
Ng kani-kanilang lakas at galing…
 
Taon 1107 Hunyo 12
Ipinanganak si Gaozong
At naging emperor ng China
Umabot ang kanyang edad na otsenta
Namatay siya sa taong 1187…
 
Taon 1875, ipinanganak si Sam De Grasse
At naging Canadian actor
Na hinangaan ng milyon-milyong
Tagahanga dahil sa kanyang galing
Sa pag arte, namatay siya sa taong 1953…
 
Taon 1906 ipinanganak si Sandro Penna
Siya’y isang magaling na Italian poet
Na hinangaan ng marami
Namatay siya sa taong 1977…
 
Taong 1912 Hunyo 12
Si Jameel Jalibi ay ipinanganak
Siya’y isang Pakistani scholar
Manunulat at Urdu linguist
Na ipinagmamalaki ng bansang Pakistan …
 
Ang Hunyo 12 ay pang 163 na araw
Sa Gregorian calendar at pang 164 na araw
Kung leap years, ito rin ay Russia Day
Mula noong 1990 at Lover’s Day ng Brazil
Dia dos Namorados – ang tawag nila…
 
At para sa mga kabataan
Ang Hunyo 12 ay pang Daig-digang Araw
Upang ipagtanggol ang mga menor de edad
Na sapilitang pinagtratrabaho
At supilin ang Child Labor sa mundo!

About the author – I am a father of 3 for 24+years, OFW for 16 years +, A Blogger, Sometimes a Poet, A Writer, Self-motivated. I am friendly animal but can kick you off when it is needed. LOL. I have no specific areas where my writing will focus on. I write any subject under the merciless sun. I am a writer/contributor of Triond, Wikinut, Bukisa and Allvoices. Also I am a DXN Member/Distributor. I welcome people around the world who are positively thinking to start business with DXN.

Hit Triond, Write and Get Paid 

My Other articles are available at The Filipino Diaspora and at My Article Photo Blog. 

1.) Pedro Almazan

Pedro Almazan was an Ilocano leader from Laoag. He was proclaimed and crowned King of Ilocos and led the First Ilocos Revolt against the Spanish regime in January 1661.

2.) Diego Silang

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Diego Silang, born in Aringay, La Union, was a revolutionary leader who conspired with British forces to overthrow Spanish rule in the northern Philippines and establish an independent Ilocano nation.

3.) Josefa Gabriela Silang

María Josefa Gabriela Cariño Silang, born is Santa, Ilocos Sur, was the wife of the Ilocano insurgent leader, Diego Silang. Following Diego’s assassination in 1763, she led the group for four months before she was captured and executed. She is regarded as Ilocandia’s “Joan of Arc”.

4.) Jose Burgos

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Jose Burgos, one of the so-called Gomburza, was a Filipino priest and martyr during Spanish period. He was born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

5.) Gregorio Aglipay

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Gregorio Aglipay, a priest during the Spanish regime, was the first Supreme Bishop of the Aglipayan Church also known as Philippine Independent Church.

6.) Isabelo de los Reyes, Sr

Isabelo de los Reyes, Sr. who was born in 1864 was a prominent Filipino politician, writer and labor activist in the 19th and 20th centuries. He also founded the Aglipayan Church, an independent Philippine national church. Because of his writings and activism with labor unions, he was called the Father of Filipino Socialism. He is also known as Don Belong. He died in 1938.

7.) Antonio Luna

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General Antonio Luna, one of the ablest Filipino revolutionary generals, is an Ilocano who’s both parents hailed from Badoc, Ilocos Norte. Luna was also the founder of the Philippine’s first military academy.

8.) Juan Luna

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Juan Luna, one of the greatest Filipino painters, is a famous Ilocano Filipino painter and the older brother of Antonio Luna. He was born in Badoc, Ilocos Norte.

9.) Artemio Ricarte

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Artemio Ricarte was a Filipino general during the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War. Ricarte is regarded by the AFP as the “Father of Philippine Army”. Ricarte is also notable for never having taken an oath of allegiance to the United States government. He was born in Batac City, Ilocos Norte.

*Jose Rizal

This might surprise you but the national hero – Jose Rizal is of Ilocano descent too.

See also

30+ Interesting Facts About the Ilocanos

Top 10 UNESCO World heritage Sites in the Philippines

Non-stop Beautiful Tourist Destinations in the Philippines

Well-Known Ilocano Sports Personalities

The World’s Most Popular Ilocano Filipinos

By: Rev. Osmundo ABAKAN de los Reeys

Friday, 25 February 2011    

       Back in the late 1800’s in Philippine History, we recall how The Traitor, Emilio Aguinaldo, murdered Gatpuno Andres Bonifacio and his brother. The events preceding  the tragedy were very glaring. The Katipunan was divided into 2 factions: The Magdiwang (meaning, “celebrate”) and the Magdalo (the masculinized “Magdala” from Mary of Magdala, the then patron saint of Kawit, Kabite).The former was the Bonifacio wing, and the latter, the cohorts of The Traitor. This division transpired in Kabite where The Traitor encased himself.       The infamous Tejeros Convention saw a rigged election. Bonifacio and his handful of loyal warriors were massacred both figuratively and literally. It was the ambition of The Traitor to be recognized as the first President of Asia who declared the Philippines as the first republic of the continent.
      Sometime in 1986, Milagros Guerrero, professor of History at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City and former co-author with the late Professor Teodoro Agoncillo in History of the Filipino People—claimed on television that she had a chance to have a word with The Traitor in the past. That Emilio Aguinaldo admitted to her his masterminding the murder of the Gatpuno.!            On 21 August 1983, a Sunday, former Senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. was murdered at the then Manila International Airport (now, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, as a law was passed in the Senate with then Senator Wigberto Tanada as the principal author). Without any doubt, most Filipinos pointed our accusing fingers at the conjugal dictators, Ferdinand and Imelda.      The two tragedies in our history show again man’s Total Depravity. Ambition “killed” both Emilio and Ferdinand being guilty of murder!  Their place in History is now mangled, tainted, and distorted by their treacherous acts. And not too long ago, a woman became our president replacing the laughable Erap. She lied about not running in the next presidential election. We remember she did and “murdered” democracy which was restored during the 1986 Bloodless People Power Revolution which we celebrate today.             Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo plundered the country again as did her predecessor, Erap. The people got tired of another “People Power” uprising and just waited patiently for the next presidential election. Patiently, we did and we have now a trustworthy Chief Executive at the Malacanan (”May Lakan d‘yan“) Palace.       Today, a lot of things are exposed and being done to stop the terrible situation of our government. If you listen or read to the news more attentively, you notice the difference. Paying attention to the news is watching and participating in Contemporary History (known as current events to our elementary and high school students).  +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Acts 12:21-23

   21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. ———————————————————————————————————————————-      The above passage reminds us of Contemporary History in the Philippines and worldwide. Here we had two Dictators: Fedinand and Gloria. Though undeclared, Arroyo’s dictatorship was more tragic because she did not declare Martial Law as did Ferdinand. In Libya, Qaddafy/Khaddafy, whichever way you may want to spell his name, speaks like Herod in the passage cited above. When Ferdinand ruled us from 1965 till 1986, we knew him as a real talker. He never read his speeches, he memorized them. “This is the voice of a god, not of a man,” the Marcos Loyalists would say in a way. The “Bagong Lipunan” was used as a facade that even his mother Dona Josefa owned Hotel Frederic at EDSA extension near Roxas Boulevard.        Yet, his genius was wasted because he allowed his maleducada wife to rob us relentlessly. Simultaneously, Ferdinand spoiled his generals like a prodigal daddy of spoiled children. Yes, that was the start of the plunder of the country. (Today, younger generations of Filipinos see on television the expose of military officers who steal money from the treasury of the country.)      Mao Tse Tung of China was as lecherous as Ferdinand. He made the Red Guards kidnap young village girls to rape them in his palace. Idi Amin of Uganda grabbed and raped a bride about to be wed on her wedding day. It was also said that Gregoria de Jesus, the ill–fated wife of the Supremo—was first raped by Emilio before she was given to his soldiers after he murdered her husband, Andres Bonifacio. And, yes, Ferdinand was no different from them… You know the story…       Other atrocities were done by dictators all over the world, some of them unrecorded because of censorship.       Herod and other dictators in History are hated and forgotten. Verse 23 tells us:  

Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.   

      Although dictators appear to be religious, they actually use religion as a smoke screen to attract the ignorants and illiterates.

      Transparency in any language and in any situation is paramount. Even in Church life, the pastor has to take careful steps in dealing with the Church, lest he dies like Herod…

      “Soli Gloria Dei!!!”

      Amen…

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These weapons are examples of finely crafted Moro blades made from Basilan province in the southernmost part of the Philippine archipelago. The name “Basilan” is derived from the word “basih” which means “iron” in English.

Kalis

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Kalis is the most popular Moro weapon. This Filipino sword is also known as Keris or Kris. There are many variations of the Kalis from among the Moro tribes. This double-edged weapon is wide at the base and can be straight, waved or half-waved half-straight.

This sword can be used for thrusting and cutting. The wavy part of this uniquely-designed Moro weapon is said to be meant to facilitate easier slashing in battle. Straight edged sword tends to get stuck in the opponent’s bones while the Kris is easier to pull. This unique bladed weapon was used in 1521 by Lapu-Lapu and his men against the Spanish colonizers headed by Magellan during the “Battle of Mactan” where Magellan was killed.

Kampilan

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Another famous Moro weapon is the Kampilan. This single-edged long sword was widely used in the Philippines especially by the Muslims of Maguindanao and Maranao. This weapon is distinct for having a tapered blade being much broader and thinner at the point than at its base.

Panabas

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Panabas is one of the most prolific weapons used by the Muslims. This large, forward-curved sword, which can be as long as 4 ft, was used as an execution tool (beheading), as a combat weapon and as a display of power. It was also used as a butchering and agricultural tool. It can be held with one or both hands. Nowadays, this weapon is exclusively used by farmers for cutting grass.

Gulok

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Gulok is a broadsword which is famous not only in the Philippines but also in Indonesia and Malaysia. In Indonesia, it is called Golok. This bladed weapon is often use in bush and branch cutting.

Kalinga Sword

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The Kalinga Sword of the Tinglayan tribe of Kalinga province in Cordillera Autonomous Region or CAR in Northern Luzon is a bladed weapon similar to the Samurai sword of the Japanese. This handcrafted weapon was first produced in Kalinga during the Second World War.

Luzon Highland Axe

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Luzon Highland Axe, which is more popularly known as Kalinga Head Axe, is a bladed tool that serves as a weapon and as a tool. As a tool it has had multiple uses such as a grappling hook for climbing slopes, as an adze, as a kitchen blade, as a shaver, for circumcision and many others. A souvenir of this weapon is available for tourist in Kalinga province. This weapon is widely used in Luzon but is more popular among the people of Kalinga.

Pinuti

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Pinuti is a unique Filipino sword that originated in the Visayas. The Philippine bladed weapon was originally intended as an agricultural implement but was also used for combat. When a farmer sharpened the blade of its Pinuti for combat, he polished it clean and white (puti) hence the name.  This bladed weapon is usually 40 to 45 cm in length with a grip usually made of guava wood.

Punyal

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Punyal is a distinct Filipino weapon popular to the Maranao people of Mindanao in the Philippines. This small knife is used as both as a tool and as a weapon by the Maranaos. Like the Kris, designs of the Punyal differ, some are wavy and some are straight. It can also be single-edged or double-edged. Its name was derived from the Spanish word “puñal” which means dagger.

Dahong Palay

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Dahong Palay is a bladed weapon from the Philippines especially in the provinces of Batangas and Mindoro. This single-edged sword took its name from the Dahong Palay which literally means “Rice Leaf” in the Tagalog dialect. Or to Dahong Palay, a green snake common in the Philippines. Originally, the sword was used as a tool for farmers but used widely for battle during the 1896 Philippine Revolution.

Barong

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Another popular Moro weapon is the Barong. This bladed Filipino weapon is a thick, leaf-shaped, single-edged blade sword. The blade of the Barong is thick and is very heavy. This sword usually has a length that range from 22 to 56 cm.

Bolo

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The above photo shows various antique Philippine swords. Starting from left; A- is a Bolo from Panay-Negros in the Visayas and is called “Ginunting”; BCD – are bolos also from the Visayas called “Talibongs”.

Image by Naval History & Heritage Command via Flickr

Bolo is a large Philippine bladed weapon used as a cutting tool in the jungles of the Philippines it is also used in the jungles of Indonesia and in the sugar fields of Cuba. Its foremost use is for clearing vegetation for agriculture and trail blazing. The Tagalong called it “Itak” while the Hiligaynons named it “Binangon” or “Talibong”.

Sibat

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Sibat is an ancient Filipino weapon that can be used hand-to-hand or thrown from a distance. It is also known with different names such as Bangkaw, Palupad and Sumbling. Sibat is commonly made of rattan with a head made from metal which can be single-edged, double-edged or barbed. Styles vary according to function and origin. Hence, there is a Sibat designed for fishing, hunting, combat and etc…

Balisong

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One of the most popular bladed weapons in the Philippines is the Balisong of Batangas. It is not only popular amongst the Filipinos but also to tourists. This Filipino weapon is also known as a Butterfly Knife or Fan Knife. This folding pocket knife with two handles is used as a pocket utility knife and for amusement through hand manipulations called “flipping” or “fanning”. A Balisong or Bente Nuwebe was also used as straight razor before conventional razors was available in the archipelago.

See also

• Philippine Events with Great Impact and Importance in World History

• World’s Most Powerful and Most destructive Weapons Ever Built

• 10 Unique Multiple Barrel Guns in the World

• The World’s Best-Selling Handgun

• World’s Most Powerful Gun 

Then an island surrounded by the China Sea, Abra River, Mestizo River, and the Govantes River, Vigan became a trading port bustling with trade and commerce long before Fernando Magallanes stumbled on Philippine shores. A flourishing community already existed then called Kabigaan after the bigaa, a taro plant that grew abundantly at the bank of the Mestizo River.

In 1572, Don Juan de Salcedo asked his grandfather, Governor General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the permission to explore the frontiers north of Manila. Given the blessing, Salcedo sailed from Manila, arrived in Kabigaan through the Mestizo River, and forged peace with the Bigueños after a little resistance.

From Kabigaan, Salcedo navigated the tip of Luzon and conquered Albay, Camarines, and Catanduanes. Upon his return as justicia mayor de esta Provincia de Ylocos, Salcedo founded the Villa Fernandina de Vigan in honor of King Philip II’s first-born son. Vigan then became the capital of the Province of Ylocos, which then composed of Abra, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and some parts of the Mountain Province. Years after, Augustinian friars pioneered the spread of Christianity and Roman Catholicism in the province.

Salcedo, following the colonial master plan of every encomienda in the archipelago, ordered the construction of a church at the center, a plaza adjacent to it, and an ayuntamiento municipal nearby. He instructed the Bigueños to build their houses near the church for the easy dispensation of their religious formation.

When the See of the then Diocese of Nueva Segovia transferred from Lal-lo, Cagayan, to Vigan in 1758, Vigan was renamed Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan in honor of King Ferdinand VI. From then on, in spite of harsh climate and poor parched land, Vigan became second to Manila in importance.

We then went to the cobbled-stone Crisologo Street, which was called pariancillo or pueblo de los sangleyes del parian, where wealthy Chinese-mestizos built their stately and imposing ancestral houses that reflect the artisanship of Sixteenth Century Ilocanos who developed a unique blend of Spanish, Mexican, Filipino, and Chinese architecture adapted for an earthquake prone tropics.

Narrow cobbled-stone streets. Thick brick walls and massive stone columns. Grand staircases and wooden floors and doorways. Ornately designed capiz ventanas and charming azoteas. The shades and shapes, the moods and movements of a distant past. These things fascinated us as we toured the Heritage City of Vigan on board a calesa. Beaming in delight, we could not imagine how such a wonder of arts and culture could be so preserved in a country ravaged by revolts and uprisings against colonists and the terror of Japanese invasion during the World War II, a global military conflict that in terms of lives and material destruction was the most devastating war in human history.

As if sensing the question lingering in our minds and amid the clang-clang of the calesa and the clackety-clack of the horseshoe down the cobbled-stone road, Manong Edgar dela Cruz, our tour guide, told us a story of how love saved Vigan from the wrath of war. Expecting him to narrate a gory battle or an unsung treaty with the enemy, we were moved with the story behind the city’s survival in a time of strife and much injustice.

It was at the height of the Japanese occupation, Manong Edgar narrated, and Capt. Fujiro Takahashi, the then Japanese military commander in Vigan, lived among the Bigueños, until he met and fell in love with Adela Tolentino of Magsingal, a neighboring town in Ilocos Sur. Having two children with Adela, Captain Takahashi took them into his care and had them protected by the Japanese Imperial Army.

However, the liberation period came to pass, and Japanese military units were attacked by Filipino and American forces across the country. As a last resort to flush out remaining Japanese troops, American forces planned to air-raid places with significant number of enemy troops—this included Vigan.

As the American forces and Filipino guerillas liberated town after town from the Japanese, Japanese troops, on the other hand, had their own contingency plans. As part of their military strategy toward the end of World War II, Japanese troops were ordered to burn and to destroy all occupied towns—presumably to incinerate vital information about the Japanese Imperial Army—before withdrawal because most of them knew that they would not come out of the battle alive.

As their military protocol, Gen Tomoyuki Yamashita, the Tiger of Malaya, who had quickly and decisively won the Malayan and Singapore campaigns in early 1942 and who assumed command of Japanese forces in the Philippines in 1944, ordered Captain Takahashi to leave Vigan and upon leaving, order his men to burn the city to the ground.

On January 9, 1945, more than six decades ago, while American forces landed in Lingayen, Pangasinan, the first major landing in Luzon, which began the liberation of the island, Captain Takahashi, however, could not bear to leave his family at the hands of the Bigueños after burning the city. Seeing that he had no choice but to leave Adela and their children behind, Captain Takahashi pleaded with Fr Joseph Kleikamp, German procurator of the Vigan Seminary, then located west of the Plaza Burgos, to protect his family upon his departure. However, upon seeing that drums of gasoline had already been strategically placed at the plaza and the surrounding of the city, Father Kleikamp granted Captain Takahashi’s request on the condition that he and his men would leave Vigan as it is and leave without burning the city to prevent the Bigueños from seeking revenge from his family. Captain Takahasi agreed and, with a heavy heart, left with his troops during the night.

Manong Edgar stopped for breath. The next morning, January 10, Bigueños were surprised to discover that Japanese troops had left the city peacefully. At that time, American aircrafts leveled Baguio despite guerilla reports that the Japanese had abandoned the city. Again, the next morning, January 11, upon learning that US air bombers were on their way to destroy the city, Bigueños hurriedly formed a large American flag out of rags at the Plaza Burgos to signal the city’s independence from the Japanese. It was in this manner that Vigan miraculously escaped the destruction of its cultural and historical treasures, a fate that befell other cities like Cebu, Iloilo, Cavite, Manila, and Zamboanga, particularly Intramuros.

When Manong Edgar finished narrating his story, we had lunch of adobado, binuribudan, dinakdakan, and adobo nga nateng. Our favorite was igado, an Ilocano cuisine cooked with guisantes, siling pula, and laman loob ng baboy—liver, heart, lungs, and kidney (Written With Don Michael Acelar De Leon).

Whatever came first, Carlos Romulo y Peña edited The Coconut, the official student publication of the Manila High School, now the Araullo High School. It was published in 1912 and it is now considered the first and oldest high school newspaper in the country.

In 1923, La Union High School in the Ilocos Region published The La Union Tab, the first printed and regularly issued high school newspaper in the country. Since then, high school newspapers came out one after the other.

Among these high school newspapers were The Pampangan, Pampanga High School, 1925; The Leytean, Leyte High School, 1925; The Rizalian, Rizal High School, 1926; The Coconut, Tayabas High School, 1927; The Volcano, Batangas High School, 1927; The Toil, La Union Trade School, 1928; The Samarinian, Samar High School, 1928; The Melting Pot, Tarlac High School, 1929; The Granary, Nueva Ecija High School, 1929; The Torres Torch, Torres High School, 1930; and The Cagayan Student Chronicle, Cagayan High School, 1931.

In 1931, 30 out of 106 high schools in the country had campus newspapers registered at the Bureau of Public Schools. In 1950, this number increased to 169; by 1954, to 253; by 1975, to 500; and by 1986, to more than 900 newspapers in English and in Filipino.