Tirad Pass 1899. 1999 and Goyo 2018

19 years ago, our motley mountaineering group trekked to Tirad Pass to explore the geographic connection between Ilocos Sur and Mountain Province. Passing through trails protected from soil erosion by rip raps, we reached a site where stands the monument of a brave, young and honorable man, Gregorio Del Pilar. Recalling from history, at 23, he led a troop of older and untrained soldiers protecting President Emilio Aguinaldo from American capture.

Retracing history like their escape, we leisurely trekked for hours camping near the peak on 1 December 1999, exactly a hundred years after the general’s death by a smiper bullet signaling the submission of the Philippine sovereignty to the colonizers. Del Pilar as a hero was then a concept to us immortalized in a monument of stone riding on a horse.

Last September 2018, working on a roadshow project, transported me to various landmarks in Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Pangasinan. From Cabanatuan, I proceeded to Sto Domingo in Nueva Ecija via public transport, Tarlac via Victoria and eventually settling down in Sta Barbara, Calasiao, Dagupan in Pangasinan.

Little did I know that these two events, almost 20 years apart will be linked together in Metro Manila in a Jerrold Tarog’s movie Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral #GoyoAngBatangHeneral .

Suddenly, there was a character in Del Pilar and there was historical significance in the places. The well-crafted movie demystifies the hero as human facing his demons, foreboding death, identity trauma, frustrated romance but eventually leveling up to an expectation interpreted as his redemption. “Miong, may plano ako!” Goyo in his unanticipated and accidental death is personified as a brave hero driven by love for country and its causes and not by personalities and its leaders. In his death, the boy known for his vanity, charm and impeccable image lying on the ground was stripped of clothes, jewelry, ornaments, clothes and dignity with a disfigured face.

Many reviews have been written about this piece of art on its visuals, audal, story line, characterization, script writing, musical elements, scoring among others. Among my favorite scenes were grand scenes such as the plaza program honoring the general, the dance and courtship scene, the brutal torture of Manuel Bernal, the photography set up scenes of Joven and Uncle Miguel, letter reading and exchanges, the love of country and dying for the country battle cry of Goyo, the eye contacts of lovers, parents and soldiers. On a more intimate level, engaging and impactful were the one on one conversations of Miong with Pule and MLQ and the fraternal relationship scenes of Goyo, Julian and Vicente. Particularly highlighted is the shared affinity of the two (to a certain extent Joven) in supporting Goyo whenever he is vulnerable with his identity.

I attempted to view the movie in Bacoor Cavite but was on limited screening time. I caught the movie on its 3^rd week in a commercial Metro Manila theater missing the critical first 15 minutes. Needing closure, I looked for another movie house this Saturday 22 Sept and discovered Cinema ’76 in Aurora Boulevard fronting St. Joseph Church to complete my viewing. I found out that tickets for the 2:45 PM screening have been sold out. I asked around for spare tickets from the waiting ticket holders but failed. As I was about to leave for another theater, a man from Bulacan who I had an earlier conversation with chased me to say, his brother is no longer bringing a friend and is giving me the ticket for free. This act of kindness allowed me entry in the intimate movie house.

Viewing it the 2^nd time around, I appreciated the structure even more examining the detailed production work concluding the bio epic, a large scale film with sweeping score, spectacle and impassioned characterization was a product of a passionate and disciplined professional actors, creative team and staff. At the Question and Answer segment after the screening, I expressed my appreciation to Director Jerrold Tarog for putting life to a man who 20 years ago was just a monument to me.

But the message that resonated well with me was the line of Apolinario Mabini “Ang tawag sa maliit na kabutihan ng nasa mababang posisyon ay karangalan. Ang tawag sa maliit na kabutihan na nasa mataas na posisyon ay kapabayaan.” Small acts of kindness from the ordinary people is honor. Small acts of kindness from those in power is neglect. The kindness shown by the Bulakenyo, province mate of Gregorio and Marcelo Del Pilar made it possible for me to experience the movie and the conversation with the director and actors (he was the one who asked Jerrod if a trilogy is forthcoming). (At di pala rapist at gangster si Mon Confiado. Walang kaso sa kanya pero galit ang mga Kavitenyo sa kanya).

Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral 1899. More than a century from now, the lessons from his tragedy is still relevant now, thanks to the storytelling of J. Tarog. The spirits of Mabini, Del Pilar, Aguinaldo, Bernal, Angelito, Vicente, Julian are alive. Heroes who matter now are those humans who breathe, live going through pains yet making choices favoring principles more than loyalty.

https://tochs.blogspot.com/2003/10/tirad-pass-as-challenge-for.html

https://tochs.blogspot.com/2004/08/green-view-cool-weather-full-blue-moon.html

Related article posted 27 October 2002

Tirad Pass is mountain range (with a 1,300 M ASL peak) which connects Ilocos to the Highlands, an important gateway to the Cordilleras during the Spanish period. It has historic significance because it was here where Gregorio Del Pilar was killed by an American’s sniper bullet in December 2 1899.

Today after more than a hundred years, the trail is still accessible only by trekking overtaken by other modern roadwork networks. This trail is not known to many up until this 2001 except for a handful like the Samahang Pangkasaysayan ng Bulacan (Sampaka), a cultural oriented organization that preserves and commemorates relevant historical artefacts. One of them is the heroic act of their province mate, Goyo born in San Jose Bulacan.

Sampaka, a cultural group based in Malolos Bulacan is known to have institutionalized the significance through the December 1- 2 Heneral Goyo Anniversary, a heroic pilgrim from Bulacan to Tirad Pass, Ilocos Sur to pay tribute to the youngest Bulakenyo General of the Phil Revolution. Marathon biking and trekking are regular features along with on the spot painting at the monument site.

Just this year, the Tirad Pass range from Candon Ilocos Sur to Cervantes then to Mt. Province is gaining popularity as a trekking destination.

September 8,1999, the Ateneo High School Outdoors Club through its President Aiel Vergara launched a charity project to raise funds through sponsorships and donations for the public grade school of this Class E town. He wrote in their web site "December 2 is the feast day of the Filipino Hero Gregorio del Pilar who died in battle in Tirad Pass, Ilocos Sur. A town just on the foot of Tirad Pass, known as Del Pilar Town, is hounded with poverty and people living there are classified as CLASS E, the lowest among all 5 classifications of Filipinos. The children trying to obtain essential education in a school present here receive only the worst of the worst in the Philippines."

http://www.geocities.com/ateneooutdoorsclub/itineraries/pasong_tirad.htm

Under the guidance of their clubs' adviser Mr. Jay Hernando, an open climb materialized this November 30-1 December 1999.  15 joined the trek with the AOC: 3 from Globe Adventure Club, 2 from PSI and 2 from Philippine Airlines Mountaineering Club PALMC and freelancers.

http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/4033/tirad.html

Since then, materials which were scarce before have now become openly available through the web for the world to discover the wonder of Tirad Pass. Itineraries, photo albums, narrations and MFPI discussions are stimulating visits to the town.

The town officials, recognizing the benefits of eco-tourism have given full support to open their natural wonders to transients as a source of livelihood.

Metropolitan Mountaineering Club Itinerary

http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/1030/itineraries/tiradpass_sagada.htm

Mystic Waters Personal Account

http://www.stormpages.com/mysticwaters/tirad/tirad.html

PALMC/ CBR

http://www.geocities.com/thetropics/shores/4033/tirad.html

www.geocities.com/thetropics/shores/4033/tiradjan02.html

http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=74576427203&n=7409827

To those studying the Limits of Acceptable Change, here is an opportunity to isolate the town Gregorio Del Pilar and the mountain range Tirad Pass and assess, what impact is the increasing demands on the town, the community and the range and what change can it take? Any takers?

The LAC process has been developed as a means of coping with increasing demands on recreational areas such as the outdoors in a visible logical way.  The challenge is not one of how to prevent any human-induced change, but rather one of deciding how much change will be allowed to occur, where, and the actions needed to control it.  The process requires deciding what kinds of conditions are acceptable, then prescribing actions to protect or achieve those conditions.

WHAT IS THE LIMITS OF ACCEPTABLE CHANGE (LAC) PROCESS?

http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/gwj/nra/LACWhat%20is%20LAC.htm

The calm before the rage

High living in a high altitude ridge

Diverse stories in 3 days. Cinemalaya 2018

Cinemalaya represents to me diverse Filipino stories said in a film format. Each film tells a unique story that primarily captures the nuance of a Filipino, our story. Some are well told, some still to be better told. The films can either inform, entertain, provoke. What they unique do is trigger sparks.

#schoolservice Strong opening with a tragic ending. Taboo subject triggers curiosity. Characters and conflicts quickly established at the start. Service designed creatively with all elements and characters crammed in a small space. Yet the story revolves in the street and in the peripherals. Ai Ai is convincing demonstrating versatility. Joel, Joe exaggerate their characterization effectively. Kids are au naturel. A docu structured in a full length movie leaving a perspective begging for a moral judgment.

Slow, restrained and calm for an extended time until it explodes. Then settles down again. #distance in #cinemalaya2018 intimately unfolds the internal family conflicts engaging one to seek for more until it peaks and eventually settles down. The start to finish is appropriately “Sa Pagitan ng Dito at Doon“ hoping that when it reaches there, life goes on differently this time. Well crafted, written well and acted well by Iza and Nonie.

#Mamang. Ghosts of the past coming back alive even if age has forgotten them. Creatively, that’s how the O’ Hara’s created and executed life in a dementia gracefully and entertainingly essayed by Celeste Legaspi aided by inseparable and dependable son portrayed finely by Ketsup Eusebio. Time and reality are suspended to convey the messages of fear of death, separation, unresolved issues, unexpressed love, joy of living in the present with simple needs satisfied and the fulfilment of the promise of everlasting happiness in the afterlife.

The ghosts of the past and the blind spots of the millennials. #ML other than martial law could also stand for millennials. Imagine what happens when you put side by side a retired military colonel with a psychological disorder with the freewheeling pleasure oriented, gadgets driven, "now na," "you only live once" generation. This is graphically presented and impactfully dramatized by veteran actor Eddie Garcia and boyband singer Tony Labrusca. Film is engaging, disturbing and even entertaining. While only the torture and brain washing perspective were highlighted with the military putting value on blind loyalty and YOLO gen on immediacy, #ML projects both as humans, with a drive to contribute but needing understanding and help for their imperfections.

Liway. The charming, inquisitive son of Day & Ric was blessed to have been raised well by his parents. Careful with how the cause oriented parents rear their child on the lurking dangers outside of the comfort home, they protect Dakip from the myths and the half-truths outside the camp and consciously pace the child’s orientation only when he is ready to face and accept reality. I viewed the story not only from the perspective of the mother Day a.k.a. Liway and father Ric but on how Dakip copes growing up. High point for me is when he sees the world outside for the first time and his sincere speech to the crowd. Truly, Dakip the character and the dramatization of Kenken Nuyad were remarkable.

What made #Liway an indie (associated with twist and unconventional and pinoy’s story) was not the ending but rolling credits to close it. It made me ask how will Dakip be nurtured without his parents as the military aggressively exterminates the enemies of the state. There was an impulsive drive to meet him as I knew this was based on a real story and he is a Filipino based somewhere in the island. Did he grow up as a normal child? Did he pursue the cause of his parents? The credit gave me the answer. Ang galing ni Dakip, a.k.a. Kip, a.k.a. @kipoebanda #cinemalaya2018. So do Glaiza, Soliman.

Waiting for Sunset. Truly a great ensemble, Dante Rivero in particular! And Perla and a restrained and effective Menggie (and his outfit). #kungpaanohinintayangdapithapon is a well crafted execution of a story on falling out of love, recognizing it and accepting it in time. Dapithapon explores subliminally that even before one dies physically, without a life, one is no longer alive (father and son Benedicto and Chito). The slow pacing and development of the characters is in keeping with the theme's tone on aging eventually building up to a simple high point, friendship and acceptance expected of people in mature stage. Promotes Kapampangan. Characters use it proudly for intimate talks. #cinemalaya2018

Musmos. A prayer in a song. A prayer in a (full length) movie. A powerful story set in a one setting: river, water and the bank. Treating a century old conflict philosophically and spiritually: going with the flow of the river, slow unfolding of developments, unique rituals, beliefs, practices and culture yet with a universal human message. #Musmosnasumibolsagubatngdigma a century long conflict told differently. Only in #Cinemalaya2018

#pandesalawal offers hope to those in despair and the emotionally and physically handicapped. A fairy tale format Pandacan style unfolds a story of a child who miraculously cures aliments of residents she finds giving them spark in their life. As part of the #cinemalaya2018 festival, it adds a genre to the offering of diverse Filipino stories on film. As situations are pinoy familiar and dramatically essayed by actors, empathy with the theme and characters is spontaneously established making one feel good towards the end.

#thelookout is a person stationed to keep watch for danger or trouble. The situations presented in the mystery thriller set up the ambiguity of who the lookout is. The victim, protagonist, the pick, authorities, the brother or the sister, villain or all of the above?

More interesting is the relationship that develops between the newbie lead actor Andres Velasquez as Lester Quiambao/ George and the newbie secondary actor Jay Garcia as Travis Concepcion/ Timothy effectively interpreted by new faces on film. Set against the backdrop of a well-crafted visuals and lines, the crime story becomes incidental to the evolving, deepening and conflicting bond between them.

Appreciate this if you treat the sub plots are mere diversions and distractions and see the two lead characters as the lookouts for each other.

Photos from cinemalaya promotional images

"Power of Emphatic Humanity"

Alex Magno in his The Philippine Star column "First Person" this 10 July 2018 writes about the heroic humanity in saving the lives of trapped Thai football players. It is the kind of message we need to read to enable us out of apathy.

"Surviving against the odds for nine long days, with no hint of a comprehensive rescue effort ongoing, is remarkable in itself. These are a brave band, summoning some heroic to survive.

Extracting them, however, proved to be a great challenge. One trained diver has died in the effort. Meanwhile, oxygen was running thin where the boys are trapped and forthcoming monsoon rains threaten to flood the cave even more. The best divers from several countries are on the scene, putting their own lives at risk to rescue fellow human beings.

More than two weeks after the boys entered the cave, four have been successfully extracted. The rest, we all hope will be saved.

We will wait in great suspense. This is an effort that would nit have been possible at all without the best equipment and the best technical divers there are. Still, the effort has to beat the odds, win the race against time in a most hostile environment.

If this massive effort is successful, it will be a dramatic tribute to the compassion we can muster in the direst of times. That will stand in stark contrast to all the callousness and crassness that seem to have pervaded modern societies these days.

Should this massive effort end in triumph, the real heroes will be those who thought nothing about risking their lives to save another human being. It will be a reassuring story about the power of emphatic humanity."

Grabbed from https://expressdigest.com/terrifyingly-narrow-passage-that-trapped-thai-football-players-must-squeeze-through/

NY Times article https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/02/world/asia/thailand-boys-rescued.html

L.A. at the UB? Vietnam in C. M. R.? #youniversitysuites

Walking along the pedestrian walkway from Loyola st. to Legarda st. along CM Recto Avenue in Quiapo, my attention was caught by a modern building with a unique entrance, giant oak fountains in between two known outlets, Watsons and The Coffee Beans. I was drawn inside and spotted an atrium that is about 5 stories high. Above it is an airplane hanging from the ceiling.

This structure is the retrofitted Laperal Building now converted into a student dorm with all the amenities. Now named YOUniversitysuites, its main attraction is the food court with concept restaurants spread out at the three floors of the suite.

Patronizing the food court are mostly students and young professionals presumably working within the vicinity.

Times indeed have changed. Decades ago, only school canteens provide food service to the university belt population. Then carinderias sprouted at the side streets offering tasty and affordable meals. The UB also witnessed the proliferation of fast food chains occupying the preferred real estate locations. Catering to the majority of workers are the food providers selling ulam in plastic packs daily. In keeping with combining function and concept, glamorized carinderias called cafes and bistros earned their niche in the district.

When entrepreneurs are willing to invest in capital costs, the consumer always wins. A structure built as massive as YOUniversitysuites is an indication of the changing landscape in Quiapo, the emergence of a more discriminating student consumer and an untapped gold mine in the university belt.

How easy is it to get back to grind?

  I’ve stopped watching games since the MICAA days after I concluded that whether it is Yco or Ysmael or Utex that wins, viewing the games over black and white TV elicits thrill. Victorious if it’s a win, pain for loss. The rivalry between Crispa-Toyota years after validated the see sawing emotional reactions of a victory and defeat. To avoid pain, don’t get involved.

Recently, through the intercession of a professional colleague, I was asked as an enterprise trainer to provide input in designing a bonding session to a collegiate basketball team.

That exposure led to a series of interactions making me ask, how easy is it to get back to the grind these days in the digitals’ and millennials’ era?

The teams are professionally run. There is science to their play. Strategies are in place and clear to all. (1) Teams are supported by a clear organizational structure. (2) Routines are in place and managed. (3) Stats are systematically and digitally derived for key results management. Resources are not the player’s concern. Roles and responsibilities are formally and informally clear. Processes are respected. Skills development is given importance. (4) Rewards are great with sanctions for non performing players. (5) Productivity is always looked at for enhancement.

Watching the games in venues other than Araneta Coliseum is pleasant. Sound and lighting systems are excellent, officiating is fair and the energy is high care of the large cheering crowd.

What reinforces the learning process which is unique in this era is the emerging of young annotators providing not only statistics and highlights but an analysis of the games from their perspective as spectators, ex-players, or sports enthusiasts. Responses are posted real time in Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

When you get home, you review the games in a large high definition screen reinforcing appreciation. Scenes you want seen can be viewed repeatedly.

How easy is it to get back to the grind? Easy these days especially if friends sit you at the VIP area to watch the opening game. How easy is it to transform a performing team to a high performing team? That is the challenge. As one coach said, even if the elements are in place, there is a competing team. “Bilog ang bola.” (The ball is round.) What is universal is there is pain in loss, joy in a win.

Images of Tagbilaran 2018

The central Visayas city that has held on to its roots resisting the pressure of urban influence.

Churches are well preserved. People move in habal habal with stray dogs still in downtown’s city streets. Crossing islands over sea surface main transports in sea vessels and fishing boats.

They proudly connect with their rich and unique language, their version of Bisaya.

But soon, the people's value of faith, tradition, for family and community centeredness, kindness and honesty will be replaced with entrepreneurship, ownership, speed eventually letting go of its heritage.

Unless its hold for simplicity is stronger than the force of convenience, keeping up and complexity.

Leaving Bohol, I thank you for your unique and warm hospitality.

Perfect Escape out of NAIA 3

The perfect escape out of NAIA3. At the arrival area, proceed to the extreme right where buses park. Wait and board the bus bound for Airport Loop and Baclaran. Fare is Php 20.0. Get off at the EDSA/Taft intersection. Choose MRT, LRT, bus, jeep or taxi for your next destination. Keep safe. Secure your chip protected cards with RFID blocking bag and wallet.

• Only for the daring, patient and intrepid traveler
• Particularly helpful Mondays AM, Friday PM when the queue for regular and yellow taxi is long

First Moment of Truth in revisiting places

Decades after the last memorable visit to a place and goes back for a short stay, how does one brace himself for the re-visit?

Using the "First Moment of Truth" model where personal impressions are created from the first few seconds of interactions with various touch points (entrance, surroundings, guard, reception, other people, facilities, process etc) the sights, sounds and experience trigger reactions.


Depending on how the moments of truth appeal to our senses, emotions, values and memory, reactions can either be positive, negative or simply neutral.


Conscious of this process, I allow the feelings to surface validating, reinforcing or refuting the outcome.
How was it when you picked up your luggage? When you look for a ride to the plaza, who were offering and at what price? When you reach the highway, what messages were intruding?

After finding your bearing, what images register and form an impression? Attractions like the plaza, church, bridge, public market, restaurant, hotel, local flavor and the people. Store them as a benchmark for the next visit.

The 1st few seconds of the moments of truth are precious as their impressions last.

Capture to document and to share. Not to forget to secure your pack.

The thrill of discovery when traveling adds to the enjoyment.

Spain in Negros. Europe just South

There are specialty cafes influenced by Spain's cuisine. Buildings have European look. The wide avenues remind you of France. One need not travel far to get away.

The place of the landed few. So different from where you and I live. Yet welcoming to transients who stay there only for a while.

But only a ride away towards Libertad, there's a place where the majority are at home. Serving grilled food appreciated by everyone regardless of status.

Writing like "36 Hours"

How does one develop a unique writing style on travel?

It starts with going out, documenting what one sees, living the moment, getting insights and linking them all for a memorable and an impactful close.

So far, I only went out and documented some field testing an Android phone. Ideas just popped in mind while roaming, eating or simply gazing making me conclude, 

"Returning back to Negros, global has gone to the region. Yet, the region maintained its distinct heritage. The town, city and province are still distinctly theirs."

To realize this though, it took me more than 36 hours. I would have wanted to stay longer.

China's Van Gogh

China’s Van Gogh is a documentary of Chinese filmmakers Yu Haibo and Kiki Tianqi Yu narrating the story of a peasant turned painter Zhao Xiaoyong who operates an oil painting replication shop in Dafen in Shenzhen, China. Dafen is China’s biggest "oil painting village." Established in 1989 by a Hong Kong businessman, it is considered the world’s art factory.

The small family business replicates and copies works of Vincent Van Gogh in oil to serve the orders around the world mostly in Europe. One painting is done by several painters processing the layers and images step by step like a production line in a factory. As Zhao and his team replicate thousands of Van Gogh’s creations, he slowly imbibes the psyche of the Dutch artist immersing in his subconscious when he created his original works further appreciating the artists’ creations.

When invited by a client to visit the Van Gogh art museum in Amsterdam, he struggled to realize the travel even with obstacles. Successfully, he made the trip, saw his client and viewed  the original works. Awed by the beauty and the value of the originals which he gazed, internalized, touched and felt, he began to question his calling. Soon after, he invalidated his a thousand replicas sold in the streets at commodity value when comparing with the originals. "Am I that cheap? Is that just my value?"

He eventually regained his bearing when the piece of work he painted at the same spot the Dutch painter created the painting Café Terraces at Night was appreciated by onlookers for completing almost like the original in a record time of 30 minutes.

Documentary is a self-assessment of Zhao as a peasant turned replicator questioning his stature as an artist. It dramatizes a philosophical view on man’s search for expression and fulfillment. Towards the end of the 83 minute program, he starts to create his own works, no longer copying but conveying his message using his style in a piece of art.

China’s Van Gogh was viewed on Discovery Asia HD Channel 164 on SkyCable.

https://www.facebook.com/Chinasvangoghs/

https://youtu.be/OBulx6Bdp3U

Easter Faith reinforces lnequalities

Christ rising from the dead is God's fulfillment of the promise of redemption. It is a joyous moment for man as the symbol of Christ on the cross leads us to discover His redeeming love. The linen cloth in an empty tomb gives us hope amidst the hollowness.

Our brokenness can be made whole again. When we are down, in pain and in despair, our faith reinforces the inequalities made possible by Easter that "True is greater than False, Light greater than Dark and Love greater than Death.

-Paraphased from the  2018 Holy Week messages of Fr. Jett Villarin