Metro Infanta Foundation, Inc.

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by Delcie Runco

We have several projects going on at the same time with our Philippine Committee.

We are once again having "Christmas in July" collecting stuffed animals for next Christmas. Also, K-Mart has had boxes of 24 crayons and spiral notebooks on sale for ten cents so we have collected 300 boxes of crayons and 100 spiral notebooks because I figure that they will make good Christmas presents also.

A couple from our church has a connection with Carters baby clothing company. The store lets them know when they are having a closeout sale. They have purchased over $3,000 worth of new baby clothing including 52 pairs of tennis shoes that light up when the children walk. We have now shipped 150 boxes of clothing, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, sheets, towels, etc.

This weekend at all the Masses we are selling white, children's T-shirts for the poor families whose children can't go to school because the family can't afford a uniform. We are selling them for more than we paid for them so that we will have extra money to purchase the pants and skirts needed for the uniform. We will wire the extra money to Fr. Von for the MSK workers to purchase the uniforms there because they are so much cheaper and that way we know that they are the right color.

When I first came home we raised $3,000 to purchase vegetable seeds and chickens for the poorest villages so they could raise their own food. Fr. Von has a volunteer who will teach them how to prepare the soil and how to raise animals.

It sure keeps me busy but I am having the most rewarding time of my life.

Fr. Von needs back surgery, please pray for him. Also, his cook has just been diagnosed with a serious illness and needs our prayer.

Posted; July 10-14

Remembering Infanta

by Rudy Arizala

Mr. Roces, in his column about old customs or things past, reminds me of life in Infanta when we were kids and even during early postwar years.

At the strike of 6:00 p.m. wherever we may be and whatever we were doing, whether at work or at play, we stopped and rushed home for the "hable" or angelus. Mother would lead the prayers and we kids would kneel with our parents and respond or participate in the angelus prayers.

There was also a time when old people in Infanta, especially Nana Sepa, aside from the Angelus also prays at 8:00 p.m. and at 6:00 a.m.

After the Angelus, it was dinner or supper time. All members of the family should be at the dining table. There was no electricity, no radio or TV programs. We kids either study our lessons by kerosene light after dinner or hear stories from our parents such as "Juan Tamad", Don Juan Tenioso, Ibong Adarna, etc.

At an improvised altar in a corner of the family bedroom is the flickering light from a tiny kerosene lamp called "teringke". Its tiny glow gives eerie light night and day. And we sleep soundly until the crowing of the cocks when the older members of the family wake up at 5:00 a.m. to prepare breakfast. We school children, by 7:00 a.m., are on our way to school, rain or shine.

Speaking of the first rain in May -- "unang patak ng ulan sa buwan ng Mayo" -- I remember the old folks in Infanta used to gather said rain water in basin of water (palanggana) saying it is not only good for washing the face and hands but also for watering plants. Plants grow faster with that rain water.

We were also told by our teacher that the cleanest and safest water is rain water. And that was true because during my childhood, our air or atmosphere was not yet polluted as it is today. And if you will recall, behind the municipal building of Infanta, Quezon, was a huge circular concrete tank. It was used for collecting rain water. And that concrete tank behind the municipal building was the source of water of the people of Infanta during rainy or monsoon days, in addition, of course, to existing dug-in wells of concrete of the town such as the ones in Tata Apin´s yard in Isla, that of Amang Potes; and that of Amang Polon, to mention a few. There were no piped waters yet in Infanta at that time.

There were no door bells in Infanta at that time. People would knock at the door saying "Tao po" or if passing through the yard or in front of the house of someone else, although seeing nobody, the passersby would say "Makikilipas po", to signify that they are not trespassing or invading somebody else yard or property.

But I digressed. Mr. Roces is correct in suggesting that we better revive or at least remember our things past -- especially old customs and traditions. They are not incompatible with life in this modern "globalized world."

Posted: July 1-9

THE OTHER 4TH OF JULY DECLARATION

(1898 Rianzares Proclamation & 1946 Truman Recognition of Philippine Independence "Sigaw at Pagtalima")

By Rodolfo A. Arizala

4 July 2006

I. Introduction -- "Ang Sigaw"

As every school children is presumed to know, the US Continental Congress in Philadelphia on 4th July 1776, declared the independence of the United Colonies of America from the British Crown stating that "all political Connection" between them "is and ought to be totally dissolved."

However, there was another Declaration of Independence also on 4th July which do not dissolve totally the "Political Bands" but with "reservations". I refer to the Truman Declaration of 1946 recognizing Philippine Independence.

Many years earlier, it may be recalled that on 12 June 1898, at Cavite Viejo (Kawit, Cavite), the Philippine Dictatorial Government under General Emilio F. Aguinaldo through Ambrosio Rianzares read a Proclamation before a huge crowd of Filipinos which states: "summoning as a witness of the rectitude of our intentions, the Supreme Judge of the Universe, and under the protection of the Mighty and Humane North American Nation, we proclaim and solemnly declare, in the name and by the authority of the inhabitants of all these Philippine Islands, that they are and have the right to be free and independent;"

Despite such proclamation and efforts of the Aguinaldo government to win recognition by the United States and other countries of such independence, the U.S. President decided not to recognize it but annex the Philippine Islands by virtue of the Treaty of Paris signed on 10 December 1898 between the United States of America and Spain.

II. Recognition with Reservations

It was only almost half a century later, on 4 July 1946, by virtue of the 1934 Tydings-McDuffie Act, that the US government through President Truman declared it "hereby recognize the independence of the Philippines;" and "do proclaim that in accord with and subject to the reservations provided for in the applicable statutes of the United States, the United States hereby withdraws and surrenders all rights of possession, supervision, jurisdiction, control, or sovereignty now existing and exercised by the United States of America in and over the territory and people of the Philippines;"

In this connection, it may be relevant to ask: "What are those reservations wherein or over which the United States shall continue to exercise rights of possessions, supervision, control or sovereignty despite the recognition of Philippine Independence by the United States in 1946?

They are, as provided in Section 10 of the Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934, "such naval reservations and fueling stations." These "naval reservations and fueling stations" were expanded later on to include military bases in various parts of the Philippines such as Pampanga, Bataan, Subic, Leyte. Samar, Tawi-tawi, Mactan, Palawan, La Union, Aparri, etc. by virtue of the 1947 RP-US Military Bases Agreement.

III. Rejection and Revival -- "Babalik ka rin."

However, as everybody knows, in 1991, by virtue of the Philippine Senate rejection by a vote of 12 to 11 of the US-RP Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Security, the last remaining U.S. naval base in the Philippines (Subic) was abandoned by the U.S. with the departure from Subic of the US last remaining war vessel Belleauwood.

Eight years later, US naval vessels and military forces were able to return or visit again the Philippines and conduct joint war exercises with Philippine troops under the Visiting Forces Agreement of 1999. And this military cooperation is reportedly being expanded through the proposed RP-US "Security Engagement Board for Nontraditional Security Concerns", to effectively fight terrorism.

As we celebrate again this year the Recognition of Philippine Independence by the U.S. on 4 July, a date which we now converted into "Philippine-American Friendship Day," it may be stated that despite the Truman Declaration of 1946 recognizing our Independence, the Philippines at present, is still "under the protection of the Mighty and Humane North American Nation" as solemnly declared in our 1898 Proclamation of Independence.

The US military bases under the 1947 Bases Agreement are gone. Nevertheless, the return of the concept of "naval reservations and fueling stations" could not be totally ruled out under the VFA and RP-US Security Engagement Board for Nontraditional Security Concerns. US war vessels carrying troops, supplies and equipment in connection with the RP &endash; US Joint War Exercises, are necessarily allowed to anchor or dock at Philippine ports and US aircrafts to land on our soil under the VFA.

IV. Conclusion -- "Pagtalima"; No Incompatibility

In resume, it appears from 1898 to 1934, 1946, 1947 then 1991 up to the present, RP-US Relations on independence and security matters: fight against imperialism, communism and now against terrorism, have undergone metamorphosis in form. From naval reservations -- fueling stations in 1934 to military bases in 1947, dismantling of said bases in 1991 and then revival of active cooperation under the VFA in 1999. That the withdrawal of US sovereignty proclaimed by President Truman in 1946, was not absolute but with certain reservations. And whether we like it or not, the form may vary but the substance of relations remains constant. An independence "under the protection of the Mighty and Humane North American Nation."

There is no incompatibility between the Philippine 1898 Proclamation of Independence and Recognition of such independence by the US in 1946. We could celebrate both. One is the "Sigaw ng Paglaya"-- proclamation of independence. And the other, "pagtalima"-- the recognition of such independence.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! God Bless America!

A happy reunion for MCHS Batch 1964

The MCHS Batch 1964 held a reunion April 22, 2006 at Mt. Carmel High School Alumni Hall, Infanta. Although a bit disappointed with low response from fellow alumni scattered around the world, , Mario Leodones, Alice Coronacion-Rodriguez and Mellie Close Tena agree that the reunion was a complete success -- full of fun and truly enjoyable day meeting co-alumni of 42 yrs. ago. Activities held were photos browsing (mostly taken in 1963, '64 and '69 from my own high school album), short speeches (from everyone) and a brief update from high school to present; games; chatting and laughing (from Enteng Protesta funny comments), karaoke singing, dancing, eating and drinking as well of course (surprise where those hard liquor came from).

Mario Leodones gave the welcome speech (see left column).Bishop Tirona and Atty. Felix Barcena graced the event, both giving informative speeches. Also we would like to express gratitude to the students and teachers (MCHS) who assisted us in decorating the hall and cleaning up afterwards. The reunion raised few thousand pesos, which Bach 1964 donated to MCHS administration (thru Miss Quinto) on the condition that the money will be used solely to purchase 3-4 computers for students use. At present we are still waiting for the official receipt of this donation from Ms. Belen Foronda, principal of MCHS - Infanta.

MCHS Graduate Batch 1964:

Front row (L-R) 1.Leonora Prudente Buerano 2. Juanita Tan Palanca 3. Merly Atentar 4. Atty. Felix Barcena 5. Bishop Rolando Tirona 6. Alice Coronacion-Rodriguez 7. Nenita Gonzales 8. Julita Ruzol 9. Elsa Avellano Fortunado 10. Nancy Burgo Second Row (L - R)1. Narciso Aumentado 2. Lino Ramos 3. Emily Burgo 4. Herminia Combalicer 5. Milagros Mercado 6. Merlita Suaverdez 7.Elsa Potestades 8. Anita Torres Borreo 9. Cornelio Penamora 10. Mellie Tena-Close Third Row (L - R) 1. Mario Leodones 2. Jacinto Morilla 3. Armando Atentido 4. Romeo Vidal Not in Photo: 1. Lamberto Protesta 2. Felecita Regado 3. Shirley Astrera

Welcome to our 42 years class reunion. We are 17 years late for our 25 years reunion and 12 years late for our 30 years reunion, but three years early for our 45 years reunion. Thank you very much, Alice Coronacion Rodriquez, our overall chairman for this event, and Mellie Tena Close for conceiving this affair. A great thanks and appreciation to our local coordinators Lino Ramos, Mimi Suaverdez, Milagros Mercado Cajucom, Shirley Astrera, Nenita Gonzales, Julieta Ruzol and all alumni who made this first ever reunion since we gradruate in 1964. If you look at our graduation souvenir program this is almost the same date when we graduated in April 1964.

A class reunion is not about the wealthiest or the poorest classmate, it's not about the smartest or the dumbest, is not about the most handsome boy or the prettiest girl, but a chance for all of us to get together and remember our high school days. This is not Alice's or Mellie's, nor my reunion but our reunion. Whether you know it or not we are part of each other because we were classmates. We have a lot in common, we were childhood friends through elementary years; some became boy friends and girl friends in high school and some became husband and wife later in life. This is our day, so enjoy the party and may we have more reunions to come.

Posted: June 1-5

How can you help? By buying tickets for your relatives and friends in the Philippines, by sponsorships or helping us find major sponsors for this event. We would like to raise 1 million pesos from this event! Help us reach our goal so we can fund the many projects in our native town.

In order to achieve this goal, we will need at least 5 gifts in the Ginto level, 10 gifts in the Pilak level and 100 gifts in the Kaibigan level. I would like to pledge the first Ginto gift and would like to ask kababayans who have been blessed in their professions in the United States to match that first gift. But remember, we have other categories to choose from, so please take your pick so we can meet our goal to raise one million pesos by August 25. Also, gifts from kababayans will count for the Matching Grant we have received from other major donors who are not from Infanta.

Email address: jesssison_2000@yahoo.com