Chapter 12 – My Third & Fourth Year High School, Dumangas, Iloilo
It was in April 1959, when I came to Dumangas, Iloilo to continue my 3rd and 4th year studies in high school. This was the 4th school I attended the last 4 years. Attending different school in 4 years time, from Mindanao and Panay, was a great fun and learhing. It also started my tours in different parts of the country and some parts of the world.
Dumangas was about 30 km., north of Iloilo City. It is coastal town facing Guimaras Island. Dumangas is a progressive town. It was a lively farming, fishing and business communities. It has wide farming area, with its lowlands suitable for rice farming on rainy seasons. Dumangas farmers plant rice variety that were harvested after 5 months. They planted rice only once a year. But they raised fish – catfish fish (hito), specially together with rice in the fields. Rice and Catfish were grown together. They gave some fish feeds for fish start. And when rice started to bloom, there were lots of insects for fish to eat. And with flowering of rice, abundant fish feed were now available. When they harvest rice, they were also harvesting Catfish.
To enriched the fertility of the soil, Dumangas farmers planted beans, the variety we called “mongo”. They broadcast mongo seeds, 3 days before harvesting palay, mostly on December. The soil were still wet and mongo seeds all go down to the soil, when people trudge the field while harvesting. Mongo were harvested on March and April. The rice husks and mongo leaves & stems that rot on the rice fields becomes composts that made the soil fertile. And the dried mongo seeds were sold at good price. It provided farmers additional income. Farming was a lucrative enterprise. The three crops a year in Dumangas – rice, catfish and mongo- provided them bigger incomes, compared to other farmers in the province. In Carles, I have not seen farmers planting mongo after rice harvest. And Catfish were not cultured deliberatedly. There were few Catfish and other fishesin the rice fields, but limited. With monocrop rice, hunger became part of farmers’ lives from July to Septemter
Dumangas has also a well- developed fishpond industry. The seashores and coastal areas were vibrant with different kinds of shells, snails, crabs and small fishes that were daily caught fishermen and sold in the market. I think this were cultured in small farms. Large bangus production in big fishponds, using modern technics and technologies were mastered by Dumangas fisher folks. They produced bangus with better technology and good marketing skills --fast growth, heavy with better tastes – made bangus in Dumangas sealable in nearby towns, in Iloilo City and in Manila.
The town has a strong business groups. Dumangas market day, which was Sunday was strong and vibrant. It catered to the needs of most residents. It is a town where Chinese businessmen were not able to penetrate and established their business. I think, Dumangas businessmen have worked hard, making sure that no Chinese businessman comes and compete with them and control business in their town.
Dumangas was one of the towns in Iloilo that has a very good public transportations system. There were many small buses and jeepneys that cater to the needs of the passengers. Every time a bus was going out for Iloilo City, it go around the town two times, blowing their horns, telling passengers they will soon go. But the joke persist, many Dumangasanons, were still taking baths, as jeepney or a bus waits for them at the front of their homes.
Dumangas was one of the few towns in Iloilo, where a national newspaper was sold or delivered every day in 1959-1960. I learned to love reading newspapers. The Philippine Evening News came daily and delivered until 6:00 PM. Many Dumangasanons were newspaper readers.
I studied in Dumangas High School as a working student. I worked as janitor of Dumangas Baptist Church. I do the work on Wednesday afternoons, Saturday evenings and early Sunday mornings. The church gave me P8.00 love gift monthly. It was enough for my tuitions and fees every month. I stayed with the Carvajal family. Often my parents sent rice and dried fish for me in Dumangas.
Many of my classmates, specially the girls were studious. The boys were mostly handsome. Barkada was the order for most boys. We have our own barkadas. And the girls were beautiful and lovely. We seem really serious in our studies. Of course, some boys came to classes after a bout with tuba which were available in stores nearby. Still, many of my male classmates were good in their classes. Many of the girls were still very young and girlish.
Many Dumangas students were of fair complexions. Spaniards, I think have intermarried with ladies in Dumangas. Most have high bridge noses. My nose was a bit different. A bit flat. Like them, I was differently handsome. I think my classmates were mostly and really committed to make good in their studies.
Those were days when we lived very simple lives with “simple pleasures of growing up being innocent boys and girls trying to find our little niche in that little society called Dumangas High School”, as Rosemary Digdigan wrote in 2015 of our younger days at DHS in 1960.
I remember one morning, a week after classes begun. One of my classmates called me telling me, that somebody was looking for me. I went to the porch of the school, we are on the 2nd floor, and I looked at a group of lovely girls down. After I showed my face, one girl, Limbania Deza, the leader of the group signalled that all was over. They saw me. And they saw nothing much, perhaps. Or they saw, some one new, with lots to share. The next days in our classes, I tried to talk to the girls, mostly classmates from Section 1. I tried to win their friendships. They were really lovely, girlish and tough gals. Limbania Deza, Rosemary Digdigan, Cecelia Diancin, Priscy Resurrecion, Elsie Javelosa, Leticia Duller, Madoline Demabildo, Fenina Dulaugon, Myrna Demonteverde, Ligaya Divinagracia and many more. We were frined and close to each other.
Limbay Deza is one of our most popular classmates. She’s assertive and commands attentions. She has more money than any of us. His father was a big businesaman of the town. And she’s the Secretary-Cashier of her father. She often brings candies, lots of candies and shared with us.
For two years we worked and studied quite hard. We played and joined in games. We became close friends. My male classmates were bright and talented. Rex Drilon 111, Jose Lusaya, Boy Dequina, Clemente Doyo, Jesus Duller, Teodore Deramos, Warren Divinagracia, and others. My barcadas, three of us- Warren Divinagrace, Boy Dequina often go to visit our crushes. We shared our problems. We wrote love letters together.
One reason? We boys, helped each other wrote our love letters to our crushes. When all was well, some of us celebrated as a group, specially Warren Divinagracia and Boy Dequina. When we were busted, we have found ways to forget the pain easily, and start anew. Our friendship grew. One reason that most of us made good grades when we graduated in high school.
Our teachers were great. They find ways to help developed us as students and find ways to improve our skills and abilities. Mrs. Palma, our English teacher saw that I am interested in oratory. He gave me a piece and encouraged me to memorized and practiced. After several weeks, she asked her brother, Mayor Ramon Duremdez of Dumangas, a lawyer and top orator and debater to visit our school and listened as I practice my oration
Mayor Duremdes talked to Mrs. Palma and I thought gave her some suggestions But he did not tell me anything wrong with my delivery. He just pat my shoulder. He came two more times listening as I practiced. He did not make any correction. But encouraged me to go on and continue practicing.
One day Mrs. Palma told me to prepare. Next Friday we will go to Iloilo City. I will join the provincial oratorical contest. We went to Iloilo Provincial High School at 2:00 that afternoon. But I think she missed the schedule. The contest was done the previous day. There were contestants from different high schools in the province of Iloilo. I learned, Miriam Defensor won First Prize. I have not heard of Merriam Defensor before. But several years later, when I was studying at Lyceum of the Philippines in Manila and she was at the University of the Philippines, in Deliman, we met in one activity. We participated in the discussion.
Meriam Defensor became a lawyer, went to government service and joined politics. She became a Senator. She ran for President. I joined her campaign. I think, he would be good President of the country. But she lost. She lost to General Fidel Ramos, the first Philippine President who’s a Protestant. His church donomination, United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), was a member of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. When I was in Manila, I sometimes attend church at Cosmopolitan Church. There, often I saw General Fidel Ramos, while he was Chief of the Philippine Constabulary, teaching Sunday School, the Adult Sunday school class at Cosmopolitan Church. I felt greatly humbled, seeing a general, the Chief of Philippine Constabulary, teaching Sunday School.
To deepen our friendship and relationship with our classmates, we visited them in their homes. We visited Priscy Resurrecion in her home. We also visit Fenina Dolaogon in Patlad. We went to Myrna Demonteverde's home. We went to Elsie Javelosa in Tambuelan. We went to Rosemary Digdigan in Sapao. And Cecelia Diancin in her village. Cecilia played her piano when we visited her. She is a good and lovely piano player. She played the music of our days of the 50’s – Bisa Mi Mucho, The Great Pretender, Bridge Over Troubled Waters and Patti Page's Tennessee Waltz. We looked for ways to visit Limbania Deza, but we were afraid of her father. His father was very strict. His eyes were strong, bold and penetrating. He was a big, handsome and strong fellow. We did not dare visit her. But I learned later, his father has a soft and friendly heart.
Our classmates made good in their lives, vocation and professions. Many became nurses and worked in the United States, Canada and Europe. One finished medicine. Some went to military and police services. Some were teachers here and abroad. Some were businessmen. Some became teachers and taught in different towns and cities all over the country. Some were farmers and fishermen and helped build the economic life of the people. I became a Baptist pastor, worked for sometimes in the newpaper and the international news service, helped organized farmers union and non-government organizations.
March 1961 was our graduation day. We finished high school. We were nearly 100 graduates in two sections. In the graduation ceremony that afternoon, we were handed our diplomas. It was a great day for all of us. An old chapter in our lives has closed. And a new chapter has opened. A wonderful future was opening before us. But we will have to work hard to achieve the future.
Our class historian, Jesus Duller had written the future for each of us. For he has the wisdom to see and read the future before us. It was a great and inspiring reading. In few pages, our class historian wrote and foretold a great, wonderful and humorous future for each of us. He printed it. I looked at his story and read it again for many years. Until, Typhoon Frank hit us in 2008, submerged our home in water in 10 feet of flood, destroyed all my books and Jess Duller's prophesies of our future.
That graduation night was a celebration of our success. We joined together in dancing a Square Dance. Then the dance floor was opened for us to celebrate. It was on the 2nd Floor of Dumangas High School. The two adjoining rooms were opened. It was prepared and decorated into a dance hall. Our teachers joined us in the celebration. I danced first with one of my teachers.
Then we started dancing with our classmates. Earlier, we have some little drinks, to drive away our little inhibitions and fears. I danced with my classmates. It was also a way to say good bye. For we never knew if we will see and met each other after that graduation day. Many of us went to different schools and colleges. A few did not pursue their college education. They made good in farming, fishing, business and as entrepreneurs.
Last year, May 3, 2016, again we met. We met with some of our classmates for 25 years for a mini-class reunion. We often met on the 3rd day of May for sharing. We have our handshakes and hugs. We looked at each other's faces. We tried to cont the lines on foreheads. We laughed for old time sake. He share some thoughts... We have lunched together. Again, we promised to take care of ourselves well, so that we can attend our next reunion. A great and wonderful time together.
When some classmates arrived from USA, Canada and Europe, they call us for sharing and lunch. It was always great to be together again. We are now on the last stage of our life on earth. We worked lightly and continue our different commitments and challenges in life. Most of us are still active. We try to discover ways to strengthen our bodies. We're learning ways to rejuvenate and regain the powers of our minds We pray for strengths of our souls. We were reminded always to continue living the best of our lives. We worked and try to leave some footprints, a simple landmarks to help guide the younger generations in their search for life and a better future.
Last May 3, 2016, our classmates met in a beach here in Leganes, near Iloilo City for sharing, recollections, reflections, thanksgiving and lunch. It was a great day for all of us. And in the afternoon, at 4:00 PM we have some “kulabo” (young coconut meat) together. Again we made plans to meet next year, in 2017, God willing. We have been meeting together every May 3, the last 25 years. Last year was our 55th Class Reunion since graduating in March 1961.
Our teachers in high school were superb. They were strict in the classrooms. They were friendly outside. They always tried to find ways to help developed us to be creative. They found ways to improve our knowledge, skills, talents and abilities. Whether our interests were on declamation, student journalism, oratory, creative writing and sports, carpentry, swimming, our teachers were always there to assist us.
Our classmates made good in their lives, works, vocation and professions. Many were nurses in the United States, Canada, Europe and here. One is a medical doctor. Some were engineers. Several were police officers and military services. Others were in the US Army, Navy and Air Force. Many were teachers here and abroad. A number became agriculturist. Some join the government. A number were businessmen, farmers. Fishermen and entrepreneurs. A few entered politics. Two were parttime journalists.
Our classmates were in different parts of the country and the world. I became a Baptist Pastor and preacher. And tried to experiments life and its different challenges. as a preacher, journalist and writer. Today, I am learning the arts and technics of natural / organic farming. We reached out with our classmates and communities using different communication ways-- lectures, printed words, internet, Facebook and Websites. Yes, life is a great challenge and opportunity for living, sharing and service.
Some of our classmates have joined the Lord. And every time we come together, we took time to remember and pray for them. Often, when a classmate, dies, we come together for the wake in their home. We joined together in Bible reflection and prayer for our classmate and their family.
Dumangas is a great town. It has wonderful people. The town officials in the past and the present, were mostly committed and hard working public servants. Time and again, I tried to reflect on the history of this town. For it has a great and wonderful past. On the town’s plaza, General Quintin Salas’ monument stood together with the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero.
Gen. Quintin Salas fought against the Spaniards during the Philippine revolution. And he fought against the Americans during the Philippine- American War. Many Dumangasanon were in the struggle and fought for freedom, equality and justice during the different three phases of our history.
In high school, I often sat and talked with Atty. Rosario Salas Doromal, the daughter of General Quintin Salas. She shared with me her involvement in the political life when she was working, in her younger days with country's top leaders - President Manuel Roxas, President Elpedio Querino, and President Carlos Garcia, when she was part of the Philippine deligation to the United States, and the United Nations.
When I visited some villages, I heard stories of Dumangasanon who joined the HUKS to fight the Japanese in 1941-1945. And In 1945-1965, I heard quite a number of people in Dumangas joined the People’s Liberation Army and fought for the liberation of the country from feudalism and US imperialism.
From 1972 some Dumangasanon joined the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army and other activists movement that fought the deadly President Marcos’ martial rule regime. Many continued to fight feudalism, US imperialism and bureaucratic capitalism, fighting for equality, freedom, justice and national liberation. Today, the struggle continues.
One revolutionary leader from Dumangas, Fernandito Togonon, (Andres) a former labor leader joined the HUKs to fight the Japanese. Later he joined the People Liberation Army fighting with Guillermo Capadocia in Central Panay from the late 40’s and early 50’s, He fought under the “Nome de Guerre “Commander Guevara. He was convicted of rebellion with his wife, Conacion Chiva (Commander Walingwaling) and imprisoned for some 10 years. In the 70’s, after the assissination of his wife, he joined the New People’s Army and fought government forces. He died in an encounter with the military forces a village near Dumangas. He was a simple revolutionary firebrand.
The liberations struggles in the Western Visayas continued to get inspiration and guidance from several leaders of the people’s movement in Panay, some of them from Dumangas who stirred the spirit of freedom and justice in the hearts of people in Panay, Guimaras and Negros Occidental. One of this freedom fighters from Dumangas is a soft spoken intellectual and activist, Tomas Legislador Dominado, dubbed by the military as enemy of the state. H
Two well-known and greatly respected journalists in the Philippines today, Amando Doronila and Ma. Ceres Doyo are Dumangasanon. They are known, loved and trusted journalists in the country and the
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