Kabataang Makabayan (KM)...

M E M O R I E S: Life and Time of Pastor Rudy Bernal, hia  Glimpses on History &

                          The People’s Struggle for Freedom

Chapter 21– Kabataang Makabayan (KM), Organized & Started  the Struggle for National Democracy in Iloilo and Panay

The Kabataang Makabayan (KM), the student movement that rocked Iloilo and Panay  in 1972  until 1987,   started  in 1969 with some 12 atudents  from a  college and a  universities of Iloilo City.  The   liberation  ferment    started softly with  flickering  embers,  grew  steadily  with  flares  and flames  that  touched and moved the poor people to Panay  to participate in the revolutionary struggle..

Alberto Espinas was  the missionary   of this  liberation movement in  Iloilo City. He came from  Lyceum of the Philippines in Manila, a product of what was known, the First Quarter Storms of Philippine Revolutions. With  8 of  his friends, they   organized the Iloilo chapter of Kabataang Makabayan.   Bert Espinas  came  to Iloilo as Joven Defensor. That was his new name.  His nom-de- guerre.

Bert Espinas recruited  Fluelyn  Ortigas and Rolly Lorca  for  KM -Iloilo.    Flu Ortigas, on the other hand, recruited his younger brother Virgil Ortigas and  Vic Beloria.  Rolly Lorca  recruited Francis Monfort, Eddie Carilimdiliman and VSC.  They continued their Discussion Groups (DG) and made studies on   the arts and technics in   organizing and mobilizations of students.  They studied histories. They studied the revolutionary movements in the country and other parts of the world.  They studied the lives of revolutionaries.  They studied  the  ideas of Mao Zedong,  from a small booklet knowin known as Mao Zedong Thoughts.

They organized the first Kabataang Makabayan (KM) chapter in Iloilo.  The  organizational meeting was held at the home  of Flu Ortigas, at the front of  CPU.  Flu Ortigas presided the organizational meeting. Flu’s parents, Rev. Restituto Ortigas and Mrs. Felisberta Ortigas, were Baptist Minister of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churcches.

Elected  first KM officers were  Alberto Espinas, President; Josil Jaen, Vice President; Virgil Ortigas,  Chairman Education.  

Members were Fluelyn Ortigas, Rolly Lorca, Francis Monfort, Eddie Carilimdiliman,  Vic Beloria.

Soon, other members came - Norman Cabangal,  Romie Deprado, Boy Estandarte, Pablito Araneta, Tomas  Dominado, Alex Gonzales, Fabie Fernandez, Elmer Unsay, Gregorio Castigador, Ferdie Arceo and  Jim Geduspan.

There were 4 ladies who were members of CPU KM chapter,  shortly after the organizational meeting. Three of the  lady KM members were from   Davao City and 1 from Iloilo. We’re trying to recall their names.

The first KM members     guided  Kabataang Makabayan, as it organized chapters in Central Philippine Unversity, University of San Agustin, University of the Philippines –Iloilo, Iloilo City Colleges, Visayan Central Colleges and other colleges, including  girls exclusive schools.

After they have organized the chapters in Iloilo City, they moved forward and organized KM chapters in   colleges, high schools and communities in towns  in Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique and Guimaras.

Earlier, KM chapters were organized in  universities, colleges and communities if Bacolod City.  And softly, it reached out to colleges and high schools  and communiteis in the towns   of Negros Occidental.

In 1972, before President Marcos declared Martial Law, KM and its allied associations has organized chapters  in nearly 25% of the barangays in Panay.

When President Marcos was overthrown in 1986, KM, SDK, CPP and NDFP with their allied associations has chapters  in some 60% barangays  in Iloilo and Panay.

When martial law was declared, the first who were arrested in Iloilo and Panay were  KM and SDK members, student activists, militant farmers and workers,  some pastors and urban poors.  Commander Walingwaling, the veteran of the HUKs and People’s Liberation Army  of the 50’ and 60’s was arrested. The Pastor of Katipunan Baptist Church in Katipanan, Tapaz, Rev. Dianala, at 70 years old,  was also arrested. They were detained for months at the military stockade of Camp Delgado in Iloilo City.

A big  military Stockade was built in several rooms at Camp  Delgado for those who were  detained.

 KM was   declared an illegal organizations.  From their groups,  cadres of the  Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and  the New People’s Army (NPA) were organized. They were the vanguards for the revolutionary movement in Iloilo  and Panay.They resisted the martial law regimes. They stood and fought with the  people of Panay in the hard struggle for the liberation of the poor and struggling  masses.

The revolutionary spirit   instilled deep on  KM members hearts, steeled  them to  resist  martial rule  for decades, until President Marcos was toppled from power and exciled to Hawaii.

During the first ^t three months  after the declaration of martial law, 10  KM members and activist were killed. They were the first victim’s for President Marcos martial rule. Killed  by military operatives in Bingawan, Iloilo, few months after martial law was declared were Alex Gonzales, UP-Los Banos, Fabie Fernandez, Central Philippine University,  Elmer Unsay, Univesity of San Agustin, and student Gregorio Castigador.

Few months after the Bingawan incident, student activists and KM members were killed by military operatives in Antique. They were Virgil Ortigas, CPU, Eddie Legislador, USA, Alberto Espinas, Lyceum of the Philippines,  Vicente Biloria, CPU and  Jim Geduspan.

Many KM members died fighting  for the liberation of the masses. A big number of them were   imprisoned   by the  martial law regimes and succeeding regimes. Others, in their  old age, continue to  different battle fronts.   And those who have gift for singing struggle songs,  again sung their songs while in the hills. In the old age today, they sung their today,  whenever there were opportunities to sing  these again.

Other KM members joined    labor and farmers unions. Some joined  professional groups– physicians, lawyers, nurses, professors, engineers and other professionals. Some  joined poltical parties.  Some  priests, pastors and  nuns served in the  united fronts.

They  participated in the hard and long  struggle.  They were   mostly  unknown.  And they remained unknown until today. But   soon, their lives and  struggles will be written. They will write it themselves.  They  will tell the stories of their lives and their struggles. They  will tell the stories of their failures and successes.  They will share the pains and laughters of  their  past.   They will tell us their defeats and victories, their loses and  gains. They will share  their faith,  hopes and dreams  to  the young  and coming generations. They will tell the simple stories of their lives, and like the living  stories of the Bible, it will live for years and years,  if  not forever.    

In 1971, to help  the  workers’ education works, PANELFU opened “People to Peoples Program”  at Station  DYRI.  I was assigned  Anchorman and   news commentator. By that time, PANELFU has some 350 village chapters in Panay. We  reached  out to them through “People to People;s Program”. We were heard daily, 7 days a week at 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM.

And  many years later,  in the  90’s,  I started a religious radio program, a  social, economic,  political and Biblical reflections, a radio ministry that lasted for 24 years until 2006,  at DYFM and DYRI in Iloilo City.

I spoke once a week reaching out to the people. We also reached out on the Air, some  NPA and CPP in the hills. We shared the  simple  messages of God’s Love,  that saves, redeem and liberates us from the forces that enslaved and buried the poor in poverty.  And some listened to our message.   For Jesus Christ’s  social, economic, political and revolutionary perspectives was similar, in not  the same,  with the communists in different lands.  Jesus fought and condemned  the oligarchs of his time. He condemned the elites of his  generations. But he was a friend of all  the poor and  struggling masses..

Last week,  April 22, 2017, I met Caster, a former NPA commander.  He is a farmer. He fought for years  when martial law was declared. There were times, when he and his group were building guerrilla zones in the mountain boundaries  of Iloilo Capiz, Aklan and Antique. It was a lonely place to live. But it was also  dangerous, for often  military operations were in nearby areas. .

 They were building their camp with   small huts,  these were their  sanctuary against  the rains and coldness of the nights.  For a short moment, he shared his life in the hinterlands.  “It was hard. It was  lonely. It was always dark. We could see only little lights at noon, when   noontime  lights  penetrate heavy leaves and foliage of “lunok” trees that covered  the skies.” He said, he continued with his group fighting the cause  of the liberation.

He  said me,  he remembered  me. Rather, he knew me.  For he  always listened    at  “Hour of Discovery”, our  radio ministry.  For “Hour of Discovery” was  designed  to  study  biblical, social, historical and political realities of our time.  It was a radio program that  spoke softly and clearly the   evils of  the elites, and  super  rich,  that owned  and controlled  for themselves, the lands that God has intended for all people to use for their living.   Feudalism  and  oligarchy  were evels   that buried the masses of our people in  deep poverty and  hopeless lives.

 The  KM movement was a phenomenon in the  history of students organizations.  I think, one of the reasons was the  inspiration  and guidance given by the great  revolutionary in Asia, Chairman  Mao Zedong. The power of his thoughts touching  the minds and hearts of the youth.

The small booklet, with quotes from the Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party   become a powerful force in the re-education of the youths in the late 1960’s to 1972’s.  It has transformed KM members to  cadres and missionaries  for social transformation,  exposing and fighting the three evils of Philippine society. The  small booklet was known “Mao Zedong Thoughts.”

While working with PANELFU in 1971,  Bert Espinas and Josil Jaen and some KM  members  visited, stayed and discussed relations with   Coronacion Chiva (Commander Walingwaling)  and her husband  Federico Togonon (Commander Guevara), in  Alibunan, Calinog.   Coronacion Chiva was Chairperson of  PANELFU in Calinog.  And Federico.  Togonon  was Chairman of  PANELFU in Central Panay. The two, has very strong influences with the fighters of HUKs and  the People’s Liberation Army in the 50’s and 60’s.

That meeting and the decision made was very important and strategic.  It  unified  the forces of the old revolutionary fighteers  of the  HUKS & HMB  with  youth of    Kabataang Makabayan.   This two forces, helped greatly in  strengthening the  CPP, NPA and NDF in Panay

. 

Last  February 11, 2017, several KM members attended  the ”10  Reunion of FQS Hidlawanay –WV “  in Iloilo City. There I met nearly a hundred Kabataan Makabayan   veterans. Most of them were  now old.  They were retired. They were veterans of the struggles.  There knees were  weak. Many have myopic visions.  But their hearts were  still  aflame. There  hopes  and dreams for a liberated country  remained strong in there hearts.   

The KM of West Visayas, veterans of the 1^st Quarters Storms   came all the way from different parts of the country. Some came from the   USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Asia, the Middle East.  Most of them have been imprisoned for years, fighting for their beliefs and  dreams. Some called for the  continuation of the Peace Talks  now going on in Neitherland. Some  calls for the continuation of the People’s War until victory is finally won.   

In 1986, when President Marcos was thrown out of power and exciled to Hawaii by the US, The painful record  of Marcos martial law victims and atrocities  in the Philippines were recorded for posterity to remember.     

            3,257  were killed.  (400 of these were from Panay).

            35,000  tortured.

           70,000   imprisoned.

The revolutionary movement has become a powerful force that now challenged the government of the Philippines.

The National Democratic Front, in its peak in the mid-1980’s  “commanded 35,000 Party members, 60 guerilla fronts, two battalions and 37 company formations and foisted ideological and organizational hegemony in the progressive politics during the Marcos dictatorship.” It was said, that this time, the  Democratic Front has chapters  in some 60%  of barangays/villages in Panay.

In Iloilo City, the NPA partisans were operating in different villages. In the outskirt  of Iloilo City -- in the towns  of  Leganes, Pavia, San Miguel. Zarraga and Sta. Barbara, the the NPA and the partisants were strengthening the organizations. The same were happening in Capz, Aklan and Antique. The possible  victory can be seen at a distance, as the revolutionary movement moved  on to a possible  stalemate.

But soon a crack developed in the once united movement.  The national democratic movement had devided – re-affirmists that support Joma Sisons positions and the  rejectionists block that was opposing Sison’s position. This devided the movement. But  it moved on, even it was quite broken and splintered in several pieces.

Kabataang Makabayan (KM)...

Chapter 21– Kabataang Makabayan (KM), Organized & Started the Struggle for National Democracy in Iloilo and Panay

The Kabataang Makabayan (KM), the student movement that rocked Iloilo and Panay in 1972 until 1987, started in 1969 with some 12 atudents from a college and a universities of Iloilo City. The liberation ferment started softly with flickering embers, grew steadily with flares and flames that touched and moved the poor people to Panay to participate in the revolutionary struggle.

Alberto Espinas was the missionary of this liberation movement in Iloilo City. He came from Lyceum of the Philippines in Manila, a product of what was known, the First Quarter Storms of Philippine Revolutions. With 8 of his friends, they organized the Iloilo chapter of Kabataang Makabayan. Bert Espinas came to Iloilo as Joven Defensor. That was his new name. His nom-de- guerre.

Bert Espinas recruited Fluelyn Ortigas and Rolly Lorca for KM -Iloilo. Flu Ortigas, on the other hand, recruited his younger brother Virgil Ortigas and Vic Beloria. Rolly Lorca recruited Francis Monfort, Eddie Carilimdiliman and VSC. They continued their Discussion Groups (DG) and made studies on the arts and technics in organizing and mobilizations of students. They studied histories. They studied the revolutionary movements in the country and other parts of the world. They studied the lives of revolutionaries. They studied the ideas of Mao Zedong, from a small booklet knowin known as Mao Zedong Thoughts.

They organized the first Kabataang Makabayan (KM) chapter in Iloilo. The organizational meeting was held at the home of Flu Ortigas, at the front of CPU. Flu Ortigas presided the organizational meeting. Flu’s parents, Rev. Restituto Ortigas and Mrs. Felisberta Ortigas, were Baptist Minister of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churcches.

Elected first KM officers were Alberto Espinas, President; Josil Jaen, Vice President; Virgil Ortigas, Chairman Education.

Members were Fluelyn Ortigas, Rolly Lorca, Francis Monfort, Eddie Carilimdiliman, Vic Beloria.

Soon, other members came - Norman Cabangal, Romie Deprado, Boy Estandarte, Pablito Araneta, Tomas Dominado, Alex Gonzales, Fabie Fernandez, Elmer Unsay, Gregorio Castigador, Ferdie Arceo and Jim Geduspan.

There were 4 ladies who were members of CPU KM chapter, shortly after the organizational meeting. Three of the lady KM members were from Davao City and 1 from Iloilo. We’re trying to recall their names.

The first KM members guided Kabataang Makabayan, as it organized chapters in Central Philippine Unversity, University of San Agustin, University of the Philippines –Iloilo, Iloilo City Colleges, Visayan Central Colleges and other colleges, including girls exclusive schools.

After they have organized the chapters in Iloilo City, they moved forward and organized KM chapters in colleges, high schools and communities in towns in Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique and Guimaras.

Earlier, KM chapters were organized in universities, colleges and communities if Bacolod City. And softly, it reached out to colleges and high schools and communiteis in the towns of Negros Occidental.

In 1972, before President Marcos declared Martial Law, KM and its allied associations has organized chapters in nearly 25% of the barangays in Panay.

When President Marcos was overthrown in 1986, KM, SDK, CPP and NDFP with their allied associations has chapters in some 60% barangays in Iloilo and Panay.

When martial law was declared, the first who were arrested in Iloilo and Panay were KM and SDK members, student activists, militant farmers and workers, some pastors and urban poors. Commander Walingwaling, the veteran of the HUKs and People’s Liberation Army of the 50’ and 60’s was arrested. The Pastor of Katipunan Baptist Church in Katipanan, Tapaz, Rev. Dianala, at 70 years old, was also arrested. They were detained for months at the military stockade of Camp Delgado in Iloilo City.

A big military Stockade was built in several rooms at Camp Delgado for those who were detained.

KM was declared an illegal organizations. From their groups, cadres of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) were organized. They were the vanguards for the revolutionary movement in Iloilo and Panay. They resisted the martial law regimes. They stood and fought with the people of Panay in the hard struggle for the liberation of the poor and struggling masses.

The revolutionary spirit instilled deep on KM members hearts, steeled them to resist martial rule for decades, until President Marcos was toppled from power and exciled to Hawaii.

During the first ^t three months after the declaration of martial law, 10 KM members and activist were killed. They were the first victim’s for President Marcos martial rule. Killed by military operatives in Bingawan, Iloilo, few months after martial law was declared were Alex Gonzales, UP-Los Banos, Fabie Fernandez, Central Philippine University, Elmer Unsay, Univesity of San Agustin, and student Gregorio Castigador.

Few months after the Bingawan incident, student activists and KM members were killed by military operatives in Antique. They were Virgil Ortigas, CPU, Eddie Legislador, USA, Alberto Espinas, Lyceum of the Philippines, Vicente Biloria, CPU and Jim Geduspan.

Many KM members died fighting for the liberation of the masses. A big number of them were imprisoned by the martial law regimes and succeeding regimes. Others, in their old age, continue to different battle fronts. And those who have gift for singing struggle songs, again sung their songs while in the hills. In the old age today, they sung their today, whenever there were opportunities to sing these again.

Other KM members joined labor and farmers unions. Some joined professional groups– physicians, lawyers, nurses, professors, engineers and other professionals. Some joined poltical parties. Some priests, pastors and nuns served in the united fronts.

They participated in the hard and long struggle. They were mostly unknown. And they remained unknown until today. But soon, their lives and struggles will be written. They will write it themselves. They will tell the stories of their lives and their struggles. They will tell the stories of their failures and successes. They will share the pains and laughters of their past. They will tell us their defeats and victories, their loses and gains. They will share their faith, hopes and dreams to the young and coming generations. They will tell the simple stories of their lives, and like the living stories of the Bible, it will live for years and years, if not forever.

In 1971, to help the workers’ education works, PANELFU opened “People to Peoples Program” at Station DYRI. I was assigned Anchorman and news commentator. By that time, PANELFU has some 350 village chapters in Panay. We reached out to them through “People to People's Program”. We were heard daily, 7 days a week at 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM.

And many years later, in the 90’s, I started a religious radio program, a social, economic, political and Biblical reflections, a radio ministry that lasted for 24 years until 2006, at DYFM and DYRI in Iloilo City.

I spoke once a week reaching out to the people. We also reached out on the Air, some NPA and CPP in the hills. We shared the simple messages of God’s Love, that saves, redeem and liberates us from the forces that enslaved and buried the poor in poverty. And some listened to our message. For Jesus Christ’s social, economic, political and revolutionary perspectives was similar, in not the same, with the communists in different lands. Jesus fought and condemned the oligarchs of his time. He condemned the elites of his generations. But he was a friend of all the poor and struggling masses.

Last week, April 22, 2017, I met Caster, a former NPA commander. He is a farmer. He fought for years when martial law was declared. There were times, when he and his group were building guerrilla zones in the mountain boundaries of Iloilo Capiz, Aklan and Antique. It was a lonely place to live. But it was also dangerous, for often military operations were in nearby areas.

They were building their camp with small huts, these were their sanctuary against the rains and coldness of the nights. For a short moment, he shared his life in the hinterlands. “It was hard. It was lonely. It was always dark. We could see only little lights at noon, when noontime lights penetrate heavy leaves and foliage of “lunok” trees that covered the skies.” He said, he continued with his group fighting the cause of the liberation.

He said me, he remembered me. Rather, he knew me. For he always listened at “Hour of Discovery”, our radio ministry. For “Hour of Discovery” was designed to study biblical, social, historical and political realities of our time. It was a radio program that spoke softly and clearly the evils of the elites, and super rich, that owned and controlled for themselves, the lands that God has intended for all people to use for their living. Feudalism and oligarchy were evels that buried the masses of our people in deep poverty and hopeless lives.

The KM movement was a phenomenon in the history of students organizations. I think, one of the reasons was the inspiration and guidance given by the great revolutionary in Asia, Chairman Mao Zedong. The power of his thoughts touching the minds and hearts of the youth.

The small booklet, with quotes from the Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party become a powerful force in the re-education of the youths in the late 1960’s to 1972’s. It has transformed KM members to cadres and missionaries for social transformation, exposing and fighting the three evils of Philippine society. The small booklet was known “Mao Zedong Thoughts.”

While working with PANELFU in 1971, Bert Espinas and Josil Jaen and some KM members visited, stayed and discussed relations with Coronacion Chiva (Commander Walingwaling) and her husband Federico Togonon (Commander Guevara), in Alibunan, Calinog. Coronacion Chiva was Chairperson of PANELFU in Calinog. And Federico. Togonon was Chairman of PANELFU in Central Panay. The two, has very strong influences with the fighters of HUKs and the People’s Liberation Army in the 50’s and 60’s.

That meeting and the decision made was very important and strategic. It unified the forces of the old revolutionary fighteers of the HUKS & HMB with youth of Kabataang Makabayan. This two forces, helped greatly in strengthening the CPP, NPA and NDF in Panay

.

Last February 11, 2017, several KM members attended the”10 Reunion of FQS Hidlawanay –WV “in Iloilo City. There I met nearly a hundred Kabataan Makabayan veterans. Most of them were now old. They were retired. They were veterans of the struggles. There knees were weak. Many have myopic visions. But their hearts were still aflame. There hopes and dreams for a liberated country remained strong in there hearts.

The KM of West Visayas, veterans of the 1^st Quarters Storms came all the way from different parts of the country. Some came from the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Asia, the Middle East. Most of them have been imprisoned for years, fighting for their beliefs and dreams. Some called for the continuation of the Peace Talks now going on in Neitherland. Some calls for the continuation of the People’s War until victory is finally won. In 1986, when President Marcos was thrown out of power and exciled to Hawaii by the US, The painful record of Marcos martial law victims and atrocities in the Philippines were recorded for posterity to remember. 3,257 were killed. (400 of these were from Panay).

35,000 tortured.

70,000 imprisoned.

The revolutionary movement has become a powerful force that now challenged the government of the Philippines.

The National Democratic Front, in its peak in the mid-1980’s “commanded 35,000 Party members, 60 guerilla fronts, two battalions and 37 company formations and foisted ideological and organizational hegemony in the progressive politics during the Marcos dictatorship.” It was said, that this time, the Democratic Front has chapters in some 60% of barangays/villages in Panay.

In Iloilo City, the NPA partisans were operating in different villages. In the outskirt of Iloilo City -- in the towns of Leganes, Pavia, San Miguel. Zarraga and Sta. Barbara, the NPA and the partisants were strengthening the organizations. The same were happening in Capz, Aklan and Antique. The possible victory can be seen at a distance, as the revolutionary movement moved on to a possible stalemate.

But soon a crack developed in the once united movement. The national democratic movement had devided – re-affirmists that support Joma Sisons positions and the rejectionists block that was opposing Sison’s position. This devided the movement. But it moved on, even it was quite broken and splintered in several pieces.

Kabataang Makabayan (KM)...

Chapter 21– Kabataang Makabayan (KM), Organized & Started the Struggle for National Democracy in Iloilo and Panay

The Kabataang Makabayan (KM), the student movement that rocked Iloilo and Panay in 1972 until 1987, started in 1969 with some 12 atudents from a college and a universities of Iloilo City. The liberation ferment started softly with flickering embers, grew steadily with flares and flames that touched and moved the poor people to Panay to participate in the revolutionary struggle..

Alberto Espinas was the missionary of this liberation movement in Iloilo City. He came from Lyceum of the Philippines in Manila, a product of what was known, the First Quarter Storms of Philippine Revolutions. With 8 of his friends, they organized the Iloilo chapter of Kabataang Makabayan. Bert Espinas came to Iloilo as Joven Defensor. That was his new name. His nom-de- guerre.

Bert Espinas recruited Fluelyn Ortigas and Rolly Lorca for KM -Iloilo. Flu Ortigas, on the other hand, recruited his younger brother Virgil Ortigas and Vic Beloria. Rolly Lorca recruited Francis Monfort, Eddie Carilimdiliman and VSC. They continued their Discussion Groups (DG) and made studies on the arts and technics in organizing and mobilizations of students. They studied histories. They studied the revolutionary movements in the country and other parts of the world. They studied the lives of revolutionaries. They studied the ideas of Mao Zedong, from a small booklet knowin known as Mao Zedong Thoughts.

They organized the first Kabataang Makabayan (KM) chapter in Iloilo. The organizational meeting was held at the home of Flu Ortigas, at the front of CPU. Flu Ortigas presided the organizational meeting. Flu’s parents, Rev. Restituto Ortigas and Mrs. Felisberta Ortigas, were Baptist Minister of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churcches.

Elected first KM officers were Alberto Espinas, President; Josil Jaen, Vice President; Virgil Ortigas, Chairman Education.

Members were Fluelyn Ortigas, Rolly Lorca, Francis Monfort, Eddie Carilimdiliman, Vic Beloria.

Soon, other members came - Norman Cabangal, Romie Deprado, Boy Estandarte, Pablito Araneta, Tomas Dominado, Alex Gonzales, Fabie Fernandez, Elmer Unsay, Gregorio Castigador, Ferdie Arceo and Jim Geduspan.

There were 4 ladies who were members of CPU KM chapter, shortly after the organizational meeting. Three of the lady KM members were from Davao City and 1 from Iloilo. We’re trying to recall their names.

The first KM members guided Kabataang Makabayan, as it organized chapters in Central Philippine Unversity, University of San Agustin, University of the Philippines –Iloilo, Iloilo City Colleges, Visayan Central Colleges and other colleges, including girls exclusive schools.

After they have organized the chapters in Iloilo City, they moved forward and organized KM chapters in colleges, high schools and communities in towns in Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique and Guimaras.

Earlier, KM chapters were organized in universities, colleges and communities if Bacolod City. And softly, it reached out to colleges and high schools and communiteis in the towns of Negros Occidental.

In 1972, before President Marcos declared Martial Law, KM and its allied associations has organized chapters in nearly 25% of the barangays in Panay.

When President Marcos was overthrown in 1986, KM, SDK, CPP and NDFP with their allied associations has chapters in some 60% barangays in Iloilo and Panay.

When martial law was declared, the first who were arrested in Iloilo and Panay were KM and SDK members, student activists, militant farmers and workers, some pastors and urban poors. Commander Walingwaling, the veteran of the HUKs and People’s Liberation Army of the 50’ and 60’s was arrested. The Pastor of Katipunan Baptist Church in Katipanan, Tapaz, Rev. Dianala, at 70 years old, was also arrested. They were detained for months at the military stockade of Camp Delgado in Iloilo City.

A big military Stockade was built in several rooms at Camp Delgado for those who were detained.

KM was declared an illegal organizations. From their groups, cadres of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) were organized. They were the vanguards for the revolutionary movement in Iloilo and Panay.They resisted the martial law regimes. They stood and fought with the people of Panay in the hard struggle for the liberation of the poor and struggling masses.

The revolutionary spirit instilled deep on KM members hearts, steeled them to resist martial rule for decades, until President Marcos was toppled from power and exciled to Hawaii.

During the first ^t three months after the declaration of martial law, 10 KM members and activist were killed. They were the first victim’s for President Marcos martial rule. Killed by military operatives in Bingawan, Iloilo, few months after martial law was declared were Alex Gonzales, UP-Los Banos, Fabie Fernandez, Central Philippine University, Elmer Unsay, Univesity of San Agustin, and student Gregorio Castigador.

Few months after the Bingawan incident, student activists and KM members were killed by military operatives in Antique. They were Virgil Ortigas, CPU, Eddie Legislador, USA, Alberto Espinas, Lyceum of the Philippines, Vicente Biloria, CPU and Jim Geduspan.

Many KM members died fighting for the liberation of the masses. A big number of them were imprisoned by the martial law regimes and succeeding regimes. Others, in their old age, continue to different battle fronts. And those who have gift for singing struggle songs, again sung their songs while in the hills. In the old age today, they sung their today, whenever there were opportunities to sing these again.

Other KM members joined labor and farmers unions. Some joined professional groups– physicians, lawyers, nurses, professors, engineers and other professionals. Some joined poltical parties. Some priests, pastors and nuns served in the united fronts.

They participated in the hard and long struggle. They were mostly unknown. And they remained unknown until today. But soon, their lives and struggles will be written. They will write it themselves. They will tell the stories of their lives and their struggles. They will tell the stories of their failures and successes. They will share the pains and laughters of their past. They will tell us their defeats and victories, their loses and gains. They will share their faith, hopes and dreams to the young and coming generations. They will tell the simple stories of their lives, and like the living stories of the Bible, it will live for years and years, if not forever.

In 1971, to help the workers’ education works, PANELFU opened “People to Peoples Program” at Station DYRI. I was assigned Anchorman and news commentator. By that time, PANELFU has some 350 village chapters in Panay. We reached out to them through “People to People's Program”. We were heard daily, 7 days a week at 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM.

And many years later, in the 90’s, I started a religious radio program, a social, economic, political and Biblical reflections, a radio ministry that lasted for 24 years until 2006, at DYFM and DYRI in Iloilo City.

I spoke once a week reaching out to the people. We also reached out on the Air, some NPA and CPP in the hills. We shared the simple messages of God’s Love, that saves, redeem and liberates us from the forces that enslaved and buried the poor in poverty. And some listened to our message. For Jesus Christ’s social, economic, political and revolutionary perspectives was similar, in not the same, with the communists in different lands. Jesus fought and condemned the oligarchs of his time. He condemned the elites of his generations. But he was a friend of all the poor and struggling masses..

Last week, April 22, 2017, I met Caster, a former NPA commander. He is a farmer. He fought for years when martial law was declared. There were times, when he and his group were building guerrilla zones in the mountain boundaries of Iloilo Capiz, Aklan and Antique. It was a lonely place to live. But it was also dangerous, for often military operations were in nearby areas. .

They were building their camp with small huts, these were their sanctuary against the rains and coldness of the nights. For a short moment, he shared his life in the hinterlands. “It was hard. It was lonely. It was always dark. We could see only little lights at noon, when noontime lights penetrate heavy leaves and foliage of “lunok” trees that covered the skies.” He said, he continued with his group fighting the cause of the liberation.

He said me, he remembered me. Rather, he knew me. For he always listened at “Hour of Discovery”, our radio ministry. For “Hour of Discovery” was designed to study biblical, social, historical and political realities of our time. It was a radio program that spoke softly and clearly the evils of the elites, and super rich, that owned and controlled for themselves, the lands that God has intended for all people to use for their living. Feudalism and oligarchy were evels that buried the masses of our people in deep poverty and hopeless lives.

The KM movement was a phenomenon in the history of students organizations. I think, one of the reasons was the inspiration and guidance given by the great revolutionary in Asia, Chairman Mao Zedong. The power of his thoughts touching the minds and hearts of the youth.

The small booklet, with quotes from the Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party become a powerful force in the re-education of the youths in the late 1960’s to 1972’s. It has transformed KM members to cadres and missionaries for social transformation, exposing and fighting the three evils of Philippine society. The small booklet was known “Mao Zedong Thoughts.”

While working with PANELFU in 1971, Bert Espinas and Josil Jaen and some KM members visited, stayed and discussed relations with Coronacion Chiva (Commander Walingwaling) and her husband Federico Togonon (Commander Guevara), in Alibunan, Calinog. Coronacion Chiva was Chairperson of PANELFU in Calinog. And Federico. Togonon was Chairman of PANELFU in Central Panay. The two, has very strong influences with the fighters of HUKs and the People’s Liberation Army in the 50’s and 60’s.

That meeting and the decision made was very important and strategic. It unified the forces of the old revolutionary fighteers of the HUKS & HMB with youth of Kabataang Makabayan. This two forces, helped greatly in strengthening the CPP, NPA and NDF in Panay

.

Last February 11, 2017, several KM members attended the ”10 Reunion of FQS Hidlawanay –WV “ in Iloilo City. There I met nearly a hundred Kabataan Makabayan veterans. Most of them were now old. They were retired. They were veterans of the struggles. There knees were weak. Many have myopic visions. But their hearts were still aflame. There hopes and dreams for a liberated country remained strong in there hearts.

The KM of West Visayas, veterans of the 1^st Quarters Storms came all the way from different parts of the country. Some came from the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Asia, the Middle East. Most of them have been imprisoned for years, fighting for their beliefs and dreams. Some called for the continuation of the Peace Talks now going on in Neitherland. Some calls for the continuation of the People’s War until victory is finally won. In 1986, when President Marcos was thrown out of power and exciled to Hawaii by the US, The painful record of Marcos martial law victims and atrocities in the Philippines were recorded for posterity to remember. 3,257 were killed. (400 of these were from Panay).

35,000 tortured.

70,000 imprisoned.

The revolutionary movement has become a powerful force that now challenged the government of the Philippines.

The National Democratic Front, in its peak in the mid-1980’s “commanded 35,000 Party members, 60 guerilla fronts, two battalions and 37 company formations and foisted ideological and organizational hegemony in the progressive politics during the Marcos dictatorship.” It was said, that this time, the Democratic Front has chapters in some 60% of barangays/villages in Panay.

In Iloilo City, the NPA partisans were operating in different villages. In the outskirt of Iloilo City -- in the towns of Leganes, Pavia, San Miguel. Zarraga and Sta. Barbara, the NPA and the partisants were strengthening the organizations. The same were happening in Capz, Aklan and Antique. The possible victory can be seen at a distance, as the revolutionary movement moved on to a possible stalemate.

But soon a crack developed in the once united movement. The national democratic movement had devided – re-affirmists that support Joma Sisons positions and the rejectionists block that was opposing Sison’s position. This devided the movement. But it moved on, even it was quite broken and splintered in several pieces.

Kabataang Makabayan (KM)...

Chapter 21– Kabataang Makabayan (KM), Organized & Started the Struggle for National Democracy in Iloilo and Panay

The Kabataang Makabayan (KM), the student movement that rocked Iloilo and Panay in 1972 until 1987, started in 1969 with some 12 atudents from a college and a universities of Iloilo City. The liberation ferment started softly with flickering embers, grew steadily with flares and flames that touched and moved the poor people to Panay to participate in the revolutionary struggle..

Alberto Espinas was the missionary of this liberation movement in Iloilo City. He came from Lyceum of the Philippines in Manila, a product of what was known, the First Quarter Storms of Philippine Revolutions. With 8 of his friends, they organized the Iloilo chapter of Kabataang Makabayan. Bert Espinas came to Iloilo as Joven Defensor. That was his new name. His nom-de- guerre.

Bert Espinas recruited Fluelyn Ortigas and Rolly Lorca for KM -Iloilo. Flu Ortigas, on the other hand, recruited his younger brother Virgil Ortigas and Vic Beloria. Rolly Lorca recruited Francis Monfort, Eddie Carilimdiliman and VSC. They continued their Discussion Groups (DG) and made studies on the arts and technics in organizing and mobilizations of students. They studied histories. They studied the revolutionary movements in the country and other parts of the world. They studied the lives of revolutionaries. They studied the ideas of Mao Zedong, from a small booklet knowin known as Mao Zedong Thoughts.

They organized the first Kabataang Makabayan (KM) chapter in Iloilo. The organizational meeting was held at the home of Flu Ortigas, at the front of CPU. Flu Ortigas presided the organizational meeting. Flu’s parents, Rev. Restituto Ortigas and Mrs. Felisberta Ortigas, were Baptist Minister of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churcches.

Elected first KM officers were Alberto Espinas, President; Josil Jaen, Vice President; Virgil Ortigas, Chairman Education.

Members were Fluelyn Ortigas, Rolly Lorca, Francis Monfort, Eddie Carilimdiliman, Vic Beloria.

Soon, other members came - Norman Cabangal, Romie Deprado, Boy Estandarte, Pablito Araneta, Tomas Dominado, Alex Gonzales, Fabie Fernandez, Elmer Unsay, Gregorio Castigador, Ferdie Arceo and Jim Geduspan.

There were 4 ladies who were members of CPU KM chapter, shortly after the organizational meeting. Three of the lady KM members were from Davao City and 1 from Iloilo. We’re trying to recall their names.

The first KM members guided Kabataang Makabayan, as it organized chapters in Central Philippine Unversity, University of San Agustin, University of the Philippines –Iloilo, Iloilo City Colleges, Visayan Central Colleges and other colleges, including girls exclusive schools.

After they have organized the chapters in Iloilo City, they moved forward and organized KM chapters in colleges, high schools and communities in towns in Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique and Guimaras.

Earlier, KM chapters were organized in universities, colleges and communities if Bacolod City. And softly, it reached out to colleges and high schools and communiteis in the towns of Negros Occidental.

In 1972, before President Marcos declared Martial Law, KM and its allied associations has organized chapters in nearly 25% of the barangays in Panay.

When President Marcos was overthrown in 1986, KM, SDK, CPP and NDFP with their allied associations has chapters in some 60% barangays in Iloilo and Panay.

When martial law was declared, the first who were arrested in Iloilo and Panay were KM and SDK members, student activists, militant farmers and workers, some pastors and urban poors. Commander Walingwaling, the veteran of the HUKs and People’s Liberation Army of the 50’ and 60’s was arrested. The Pastor of Katipunan Baptist Church in Katipanan, Tapaz, Rev. Dianala, at 70 years old, was also arrested. They were detained for months at the military stockade of Camp Delgado in Iloilo City.

A big military Stockade was built in several rooms at Camp Delgado for those who were detained.

KM was declared an illegal organizations. From their groups, cadres of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) were organized. They were the vanguards for the revolutionary movement in Iloilo and Panay.They resisted the martial law regimes. They stood and fought with the people of Panay in the hard struggle for the liberation of the poor and struggling masses.

The revolutionary spirit instilled deep on KM members hearts, steeled them to resist martial rule for decades, until President Marcos was toppled from power and exciled to Hawaii.

During the first ^t three months after the declaration of martial law, 10 KM members and activist were killed. They were the first victim’s for President Marcos martial rule. Killed by military operatives in Bingawan, Iloilo, few months after martial law was declared were Alex Gonzales, UP-Los Banos, Fabie Fernandez, Central Philippine University, Elmer Unsay, Univesity of San Agustin, and student Gregorio Castigador.

Few months after the Bingawan incident, student activists and KM members were killed by military operatives in Antique. They were Virgil Ortigas, CPU, Eddie Legislador, USA, Alberto Espinas, Lyceum of the Philippines, Vicente Biloria, CPU and Jim Geduspan.

Many KM members died fighting for the liberation of the masses. A big number of them were imprisoned by the martial law regimes and succeeding regimes. Others, in their old age, continue to different battle fronts. And those who have gift for singing struggle songs, again sung their songs while in the hills. In the old age today, they sung their today, whenever there were opportunities to sing these again.

Other KM members joined labor and farmers unions. Some joined professional groups– physicians, lawyers, nurses, professors, engineers and other professionals. Some joined poltical parties. Some priests, pastors and nuns served in the united fronts.

They participated in the hard and long struggle. They were mostly unknown. And they remained unknown until today. But soon, their lives and struggles will be written. They will write it themselves. They will tell the stories of their lives and their struggles. They will tell the stories of their failures and successes. They will share the pains and laughters of their past. They will tell us their defeats and victories, their loses and gains. They will share their faith, hopes and dreams to the young and coming generations. They will tell the simple stories of their lives, and like the living stories of the Bible, it will live for years and years, if not forever.

In 1971, to help the workers’ education works, PANELFU opened “People to Peoples Program” at Station DYRI. I was assigned Anchorman and news commentator. By that time, PANELFU has some 350 village chapters in Panay. We reached out to them through “People to People's Program”. We were heard daily, 7 days a week at 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM.

And many years later, in the 90’s, I started a religious radio program, a social, economic, political and Biblical reflections, a radio ministry that lasted for 24 years until 2006, at DYFM and DYRI in Iloilo City.

I spoke once a week reaching out to the people. We also reached out on the Air, some NPA and CPP in the hills. We shared the simple messages of God’s Love, that saves, redeem and liberates us from the forces that enslaved and buried the poor in poverty. And some listened to our message. For Jesus Christ’s social, economic, political and revolutionary perspectives was similar, in not the same, with the communists in different lands. Jesus fought and condemned the oligarchs of his time. He condemned the elites of his generations. But he was a friend of all the poor and struggling masses..

Last week, April 22, 2017, I met Caster, a former NPA commander. He is a farmer. He fought for years when martial law was declared. There were times, when he and his group were building guerrilla zones in the mountain boundaries of Iloilo Capiz, Aklan and Antique. It was a lonely place to live. But it was also dangerous, for often military operations were in nearby areas. .

They were building their camp with small huts, these were their sanctuary against the rains and coldness of the nights. For a short moment, he shared his life in the hinterlands. “It was hard. It was lonely. It was always dark. We could see only little lights at noon, when noontime lights penetrate heavy leaves and foliage of “lunok” trees that covered the skies.” He said, he continued with his group fighting the cause of the liberation.

He said me, he remembered me. Rather, he knew me. For he always listened at “Hour of Discovery”, our radio ministry. For “Hour of Discovery” was designed to study biblical, social, historical and political realities of our time. It was a radio program that spoke softly and clearly the evils of the elites, and super rich, that owned and controlled for themselves, the lands that God has intended for all people to use for their living. Feudalism and oligarchy were evels that buried the masses of our people in deep poverty and hopeless lives.

The KM movement was a phenomenon in the history of students organizations. I think, one of the reasons was the inspiration and guidance given by the great revolutionary in Asia, Chairman Mao Zedong. The power of his thoughts touching the minds and hearts of the youth.

The small booklet, with quotes from the Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party become a powerful force in the re-education of the youths in the late 1960’s to 1972’s. It has transformed KM members to cadres and missionaries for social transformation, exposing and fighting the three evils of Philippine society. The small booklet was known “Mao Zedong Thoughts.”

While working with PANELFU in 1971, Bert Espinas and Josil Jaen and some KM members visited, stayed and discussed relations with Coronacion Chiva (Commander Walingwaling) and her husband Federico Togonon (Commander Guevara), in Alibunan, Calinog. Coronacion Chiva was Chairperson of PANELFU in Calinog. And Federico. Togonon was Chairman of PANELFU in Central Panay. The two, has very strong influences with the fighters of HUKs and the People’s Liberation Army in the 50’s and 60’s.

That meeting and the decision made was very important and strategic. It unified the forces of the old revolutionary fighteers of the HUKS & HMB with youth of Kabataang Makabayan. This two forces, helped greatly in strengthening the CPP, NPA and NDF in Panay

.

Last February 11, 2017, several KM members attended the ”10 Reunion of FQS Hidlawanay –WV “ in Iloilo City. There I met nearly a hundred Kabataan Makabayan veterans. Most of them were now old. They were retired. They were veterans of the struggles. There knees were weak. Many have myopic visions. But their hearts were still aflame. There hopes and dreams for a liberated country remained strong in there hearts.

The KM of West Visayas, veterans of the 1^st Quarters Storms came all the way from different parts of the country. Some came from the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Asia, the Middle East. Most of them have been imprisoned for years, fighting for their beliefs and dreams. Some called for the continuation of the Peace Talks now going on in Neitherland. Some calls for the continuation of the People’s War until victory is finally won. In 1986, when President Marcos was thrown out of power and exciled to Hawaii by the US, The painful record of Marcos martial law victims and atrocities in the Philippines were recorded for posterity to remember. 3,257 were killed. (400 of these were from Panay).

35,000 tortured.

70,000 imprisoned.

The revolutionary movement has become a powerful force that now challenged the government of the Philippines.

The National Democratic Front, in its peak in the mid-1980’s “commanded 35,000 Party members, 60 guerilla fronts, two battalions and 37 company formations and foisted ideological and organizational hegemony in the progressive politics during the Marcos dictatorship.” It was said, that this time, the Democratic Front has chapters in some 60% of barangays/villages in Panay.

In Iloilo City, the NPA partisans were operating in different villages. In the outskirt of Iloilo City -- in the towns of Leganes, Pavia, San Miguel. Zarraga and Sta. Barbara, the NPA and the partisants were strengthening the organizations. The same were happening in Capz, Aklan and Antique. The possible victory can be seen at a distance, as the revolutionary movement moved on to a possible stalemate.

But soon a crack developed in the once united movement. The national democratic movement had devided – re-affirmists that support Joma Sisons positions and the rejectionists block that was opposing Sison’s position. This devided the movement. But it moved on, even it was quite broken and splintered in several pieces.

Mets George Angel, Learns Some Arts on Politics and Saw Some Business Ventures

M E M O R I E S:  Life and Time of Pastor Rudy Berna, his  Glimpses on History &

                         The  People’s Struggle for Liberation

Chapter 20 –  Mets George  Angel,  Learns  Some Arts on  Politics and Saw Some Business Ventures

 It was   at Lyceum of the Philippines  that I met    George Washington Angel. We became friends  It’s a friendship that lasts  for years. He and his wife, Helen lives  in Quezon City today.  We  still   communicate with each other.

 George was from Sablan, Benguet Province.    He finished   Nautical Course and was on board international  ships for some    years.  He was   a navigator. After some years,  he decided to stop being on board ship  to pursue his college education. 

His father, an Igorot of Benguet, was a  bright and principled man. He was a farmer and a businessman.  His mother, was intelligent, a lovely woman, slim and toll.  I heard,  she  was of a  French ancestry.    George was handsome, with strong personality, whose statures,  looks, his way of speaking  shows  he came from a comfortable and  educated   middle class family.  

 They lived simple lives, with his father,  using a progressive,  productive and practical  farming technologies planting different kinds of crops for their family  needs and business. 

I think, George Angel  has three siblings. The eldest, Mike was  mayor  of    Sablan, Benguet in 1965.   He  had  higher political  plans for Benguet.  His other brother,  Nick was a respected  journalists in Baguio City  and Correspondent of Manila Times. His older sister, was in  vegetable  business  in Baguio City and sold vegetable products in the Subic.

George   ventured  to  Manila in 1965. He  worked  at   Philippine Evening News as a newspaperman. He has mastered the English language. Newspaparing was easy work for him.    He covered the  Health Department and do  other special assignments for the paper.  While working in the newspaper, he  studied at   Lyceum  of the Philippines.  In college,  George   robbed  shoulders with   big  names   in newspapers and   business.

He  has   high ambition in life.  He moves  among the top.    These   may have been contributed easily by his  natural intellect,  several years oo international travel  as a navigator and his  ability to develop   friendship  with  people he met  here and abroad.   He was  observant  of events, situations and opportuntiies in every city and country he visited while on international travels.  I am one year older than  him.

 His personality  can easily attract and befriend well-known  men and women in business.   I think,  he knew  this special talents he has. He   used it for good.   He was  deeply  honest and principled  person.  He’s not religious.

George knew that I have studied  few semester in Theology. He knew, I believed in God.  He  got some Bible verses and quotations from great men and women. He often used it to drive a point.  But he enters  the church, only when he has to attend weddings and when  a family  friend  or relative  will be buried.  He  is  a practical man.

To strengthen his mind and analytical power, he read books and newspapers always. He read  history, litertures, biographies, newspaper columns and Editorials.  

And to strengthen his body, he has his body building equipment,  dumb bells and other exercising equipment at home.   He exercised and  practiced  to  make sure  his body’s strength and reflexes were   ready for any   eventual  encounters, should there be a need for it. His punches were fast and  his hand grips were strong. He kept his trainng and exercises only at  home.  His skill were hidden.

He has a way of doing something better.   At Lyceum, most of  our classmates joined campus   politics. They run for position in the  student government. I joined in their campaigns in school.  George did not join campus politics.  He have higher plans. When election was held that year, he  filed his candidacy and  ran for Board Member in the  Lone District of Benguet Province.  He did not tell any of that he was running of Board Member in the province.

He invited me to join him in Baguio City.  Together, we  produced  5 -meters  long streamers with  bold red  letters. “ANGEL FOR BOARD MEMBER” which were stretched  across the streets  or on the sides of the road in Baguio City, Trinidad Valley and in all  towns of Benguet.

He  gathered  cartoons of materials for children -- crayons, ball pens,  notebooks, pad papers, pencils, etc. to give   voters in the villages. This  were provided him by his friends.

He held political  caucus  in the villages. His leaders cooked dog and goat meat duromg caucus at 3:00 PM. He joined campaign rallies. He spoke with other candidates on the platforms in Baguio City and in the towns of Benguet.  He fought well known,  moneyed and powerful politicians.   He waged a hard fight. He fought  hard.  He stood straight and tool and walked  during the campaigns in villages   with a confidence of a winner.  I think, he  knew  his chance of winning the election was slim.   But  he   inscribed  clearly  his   name in the minds and hearts  of the municipal, provincial and  regional   politicians and business   leaders of the time.  

With  the looming national  elections of 1965, there were some events that developed in the Liberal Party.  Speaker Cornelio Villareal, was  softly ousted President of the Liberal Party. Senator Gerry Roxas was  assumed  the presidency of the  Liberal Party. There was a need for party  re-organzation.  Sen. Gerry Roxas appointed George Angel, chairman of the Liberal Party of  Benguet.

  George moved decisively. He called young and potential leaders of  Baguio City.and Benguet towns for a meeting.  The new and potential leaders were organized.  They elected the  new members of the Liberal Party of Benguet. And he   appointed  the  members  of the newly re-organized Benguet Liberal Party.  The  group will now composed the leadership that will chose the  candidates of the Liberal Party for national election in 1965.  I joined George in his  efforts. I tried to study  his simple but decisive method in re-organizing the Liberals in Benguet. 

The political  powers during that time were  Sen. Gerry Roxas,  Sen. Ninoy Aquino, Sen. Gene Magsaysay, Sen. Jovy Salonga, Mayor Tony Villegas and Sen. Sergio Osmena. Behind was former President Diosdado Macapagal,  the chairman of the  Arbitration Committee of the Liberal party. I observed. Speaker Cornelio Villareal was out of the picture. He may have been hurt by his being sidelined,  with the assumption of Gerry Roxas to the  LP presidency.

Mayor Antonio Villegas of Manila, to strengthen his hold in Manila, asked George to help him in  strengthen  the Liberal Party of Manila. He appointed him consultant.

George also developed close  relationship with Ninoy Aquino. Several times, I joined him in the house of Ninoy  in Times Street,  Quezon City.  We  were often  at the White House,  the residence of Gerry Roxas. I observed closely the Liberal Party leaders, mostly Congressmen and Governers coming  for consultations with the new  President  of the Liberal Party.  We still  visit and have conversation with former Speaker Cony Villareal in his home in Macopa Street, Quezon City.

By that  time, I have resigned from Agence France Presse. I  have  decided not to continue   my newspaper works.  I do not like to use all my life writing  lives of people, what they were  doing, and what the intend to do. I have seen the political spectrum. I saw the same people and families hold positions of power  in government.  They get  to gain  power. And  with power they  get more money. 

 I have decided on two possible directions in life. To go back to my studies in Theology and  be a Minister of the Gospel and  participate in the work for spiritual, social and political change.  Or, to join a labor  union,  helped educate and organize workers and farmers to gain force and power for change. Or be  part of both, a pastor nvolved in social and political change. 

Soon after, George ran for  Congressman in Benguet Province. His opponents were incumbent Congressman Andres Cosalan who was running for re-election and  former Governor Dangwa, a well known political leader, millionaire and owner of the Dangwa Transportation Company that have route from Baguio City to Manila.   George lost in the political arena.

But he gained needed experiences, skills, management  abilities, connections  that enabled him to start strong in his business venture – a company he started in  Manila  with enterprise that  soon  reached to other cities of  the world. He visited   different cities of the world  doing business in – USA, Western Europe, Australia and several countries in Asia.

George  joined and became member and officer of  different professional, business, educational and civic organizations  to reach  and helped  people. He was a member of the Board of Regents of  Philippine  Politechnic  University with its several colleges in the country. He was  once  Chairman of the  Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa).  He has also been   Chairman of the  Philippine  Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was consultant to several business enterprises  in Manila with branches in other cities of the world.    He was always on the go – international and regional travels.

When he  was courting his wife,    Helen Villanueva, a nurse  at Philippine National Railways (PNR), a  daughter of the Auditor of  PNR, he asked me often to accompany  him on his visits.   When it was time to asked her hand in marriage, George  asked me to join him with his father and a relative to  Taytay,  Rizal  for the traditional  “kagon”. That was  a beautiful evening. Helen’s father and mother, his two brothers and two  younger  sisters.  I am with George, his father and a relative of his father that evening when his marriage  was   planned and made.

On  their  wedding that  early morning at 6:00 AM,   at a Catholic Church Mayor Tony Villegas stood as one of the principal sponsors. I was there to witness their solemn moment of marriage with our friend, Manuel Jeminez, who was taking  Foreign Service  at Lyceum.  Manny was the son of Vice Mayor Carol Jeminez of La Castilana, Negros Occidental and Judge Jeminez of Bacolod City.  We were blessed  attending their   wedding  that early morning.  

He and Helen decided to have their home in Manila. They were blessed with 3 children. They have  also grandchildren. Gino, the first born  is now  in the United States. Iveth, their  daughter  live with his family in  the States. Ang Gene, the youngest stayed for sometimes in the country.   They have very closed relations with each other.  Like me, George is also growing in years.

 My  friendship   with George  opened  me the opportunity to  learn political efforts, strategies of political parties.  It  gave me some insights  on the life and the ways and means of Congressmen, Governors and Mayors on ways to resource funds, and mobilized people for political power. These leaders, often and always, were at the home of Senator Gerry Roxas, the President of the Liberal Party. And just being with them, have small conversations with them,  I learnd lots of things that helped me in my ministry in the Convention of Philipine Baptist Churches, a church organizations with members in most regions  in the country.

I was present during the   Liberal Party  Convention  in 1965 at  Montano Auditorium in Cavite City, when the presidential and vice presidential candidates of the Liberal Party was to be decided to fight for the country’s president. But we were  out of the Convention Hall. Only delegates were inside. But  we were provided with developments inside the Convention Hall every few  minutes.

We learned  the processes  on the election of Senator Ferdinand Marcos, defeating President Diosdado Macapagal in 1965 elections.

After long years with the Liberal Party,   in May 2016 election,  George Angel   joined Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign in Manila. When I text  him one day, he asked me  how Mayor  Duterte  stands against Mar Roxas in Panay and Negros. I told him,  Mar Roxas  will get high votes in Panay and Negros, though Mayor Duterte  may get 2^nd in the Western Visayas

Last September 2016, George Angel  in a text message told me he joined  the Philippines  Foreign Relations Committee delegations to Beijing to help tackle the problems of the South Philippine  Sea.

I  thank   God  for this friendship with  George Angel and his  works and participation in the  social, economic  and political life of  our country.  A  friend who worked and moved   among  some   rich,    influential  and powerful  people in  our  country.

On  reflection I realized God’s wisdom. He gave my friend, George Angel  the opportunity to work with the rich, influential  and powerful.

 God gave me  the  chance to work with small people -- the poor, the weak and the underprivileged in our country. I helped  teaching, organizing, mobilizing them for change  in different villages, towns and  provinces  in our  country, sometimes travelling by plane, bus, motorcycles, bicycles,  sometimes, walking 2 days on small trails on the side of the mountains  to reach our venues for studies and meetings.

He  gave George  opportunity to  travel around the world  as a businessman and entrepreneur,  to stay in flush hotels  participating in business plans and  business transactions in many parts of the world.

God  gave me   chance visit  several cities  --India, Thailand, Bangla Desh, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia,  Australia, Germany and Sweden giving me   opportunity to  learn skills and knowledge from  people working with non-government organizations, participating in the  work for  development and change.

I learned  that God will use us according to  our  knowledge, skills, talents, abilities he had given us,  which we   develop and strengthened in our lives. 

 I thanked God. His wisdom is great and wonderful. He used  my  friend George  Angel to work  with the rich, influential   and powerful.

And God used  me to work with  the poor, the weak, the under privileged, most of them struggling masses  working for equality,  freedom, justice  and  liberation.