Chapter 22– Enrolled the 2nd Time at CPU College of Theology in 1970, with the Students Movements Brewing in Iloilo City
Yes! I went back to the College of Theology nearly 6 years after I’ve left October 1964. That time, I’ve finished 1 & ½ years in the College of Theology. Why did I go back to the College of Theology? Because there were things thak kept pestering my mind.
After working with the Philippines Herald and Agence France Presse, for two years, I felt I would not like to work all my life in the news room or editing room. . Writing and editing the lives of big people –politicians, businessmen, diplomats- will be the daily chores. I realized I cannot live all my life writing stories of rich and powerful people in society.
The poor only comes out in crime stories in newsapers. I began to think, that I will take part in helping developed lives, specially the poor and the deprived. And I thought the ministry or labor organizing will be the work, that will soothe me better.
Some years before, I’ve read lives of pastors and labor leaders. I thought I could make good as a Pastor. Or I can be a good labor leader. Or, I could be both, a pastor and labor leader at the same time..
So, I enrolled in the College of Theology again, first semester in June- 1970. This time, the situations in Iloilo City was different than in 1964. Six years have passed since then. There was now a slow, brewing political ferments in the atmosphere of CPU and other universities and colleges in Iloilo City. By this time the Kabataang Makabayan, the most militant student movement that started in Manila in 1965 has now chapters in almost all colleges, universities and communities, specially what could be considered slums of Iloilo City.
Another group of young people, the Young Christian Socialists of the Philippines (YCSP), has organized chapters in CPU and other colleges and universities in Iloilo City.
My classmates in the College of Theology, were interesting young people. Most of them were 4 to 7 years younger than me. My classmates were young, lovely and handsome people. It’s a great feeling to think and remember them-- Enriquita Amolar, Roquita Poras, Grace Coloso, Leonardo Camarig, Joel Valdez, Manuel Arcenas, Samuel Galuego, Bert Bancolo, Eprodito Magno and Floripe Herradura. They were studious students, committed to make good in their studies. Later, they really made good in their ministry.
Floripe Herradura was the oldest of the group. He was already an experienced pastor that time. He has pastored Nabitasan Baptist Church in Leganes, Estancia Evangelical Church in Northern Iloilo and Lambunao Baptist Church, in Central Panay.
All the others were fresh students of the College of Theology. But all made good in their callings. Eprodito Magno, reached the top of his career as Senior Chaplain of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Samuel Galuego, transferred to the College of Law and became known law practitioner.
Enriquita Amolar worked in Buga Baptist Church and continued there for years. Roquita Poras went to a pastora ministry. Grace Coloso worked faithfully as instructor in the College of Theology. Leonardo Camarig pastored several churches in Iloilo. Joel Valdez worked wit Pototan Baptist Church, then joined the Convention Baptist Woodcraft and Skills Training Project. Later, he served in the ecuemical ministriy with Western Visayas Ecumenical Council (WVEC).
Manuel Arcenas, pastored several churches in Iloilo, later, Iheard he went to Palawan and continued his ministry there. Bert Bancolo, pastored several church in Iloilo, went to the United States.
My subjects in First Semester of 1970 were Old Testament Introduction, Early Medieval Church History, Research Technics in Theology, Homelitics 1, Christian Worship, Church Music Fundamentals and Choral Work, I tried to make the most of my studies. I read lots of books related to the subjects.
Dr. Johnny Gumban was the Dean of the College of Theology. Professor Rudy Acosta taught us history and Christian worship. Dr. Floyed Roseberry, New Testament and Homelitics. Mrs. Elora Jordan, teaches us Music and Choir directing. Rev.Hawkins, an American Missionary Professor, taught Old Testament and Research Techniques in Theology. It was fun learning the arts and technics of future pastor and ministers with more younger men and women, some 6 years difference in age, as my classmates.
We were all living at Johnson Hall. Most of our subjects were taken at Johnson Hall. We eat our meals at Johnson Hall. We were scholars. It’s good to live a student intern again. Free tuitions and free board and lodging. The university pay for our courses and our meals. It was a great privilege.
The women Theology students were housed on the 3rd Floor of Johnson Hall. This was the women’s dormitory. Their bathrooms were on the first floor of the dorm. The boys were living in a small wooden house attached at the back of Johnson Hall. We call the Boy’s Dorm “Stalag”. I don’t know how the name came about. And who coined it. But we enjoyed our stay at the Stalag.
There were important developments from 1968, - 1970 & 1971. The Founding of Christian Social Movement by Sen. Raul Manglapus, the elections of delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1970 and the Senate Special Electin on November 10, 1970.
There was the action to hold a Constitutional Convention. The ConCon will re-write the Constitution of the Philippines. This will make changes on the Constitution that was approved many years ago, that establish the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Mn of its provisions, were now outmoded and need to be changed or amended. Special Election will be held on November 10, 1970.`
By this time, Dr. Rex Drilon was President of Central Philippine University. Dr. Drilon decided to run as delegate to the 1970 Constitutional Convention.
The ConCon delegates were elected in every congressional districts in the country. In the Second District of Iloilo, which include 8 municipalities, with Iloilo City and Guimaras, the prominent candidates were Emilio M. de la Cruz 11, Oscar Ledesma and Rex Drilon. Elected were Emilio de la Cruz 11 and Oscar Lesesma.
I’ve joined Dr. Rex Drilon, Central Philippine University president’s campaign for ConCon delegate. Many CPU leaders, church leaders and students help in the Dr. Rex Drilon’s campaign. Some of us in the College of Theology join in his campaigns. I joined him with some young people in the campaign.
The students go around different markets in Iloilo City with Dr. Drilon. They carry leaflets giving it to every one they met in the market. When, there was no class, I joined them, introducing him to store keepers and people around. Dr. Drilon, continue shaking hands of every one most of the days. In the afternoons, after the campaign, with a hundred thousands hands he shaked, Dr. Drilon got tired. Heavily tired. But the following day, after most of his task were done, he went with different groups, campaigning in slums of the city. Visiting slums were easier, for the residents are open, even just to shake hands with the candidate. It’s was hard to aspire for positions that needs people’s vote, if you do not have he needed money to mount a campaign.
Elected ConCon delegate were Emilio de la Cruz 11 and Oscar Ledesma. Dr.Rex Drilon lost. But it was a good job. He had visited all the markets of Iloilo City, visited almost all slums in Iloilo City.
Another event that year, was the senatorial r elections that was held on November 8, 1971. It was also a hard elections. At the College of Theology and CPU many of us joined and helped in the campaign of Senator Jovito Salonga. The opposition Liberal Party won 5 seats in the Philippine Senate.
The Nacionalista Party, the administration party won 3 seats. This was the result of the Plaza Miranda bombing on August 21, 1971. The grenade thrown at the Meeting de Avance of the Liberal Party at Plaza Miranda, wounded all the Liberal Party’s candidates. Senator Jovito Salonga and John Henry Osmena nearly died in this deadly incident
Elected Senators that time were: Jovito Salonga, Genaro Magsaysay,
John Henry Osmena, Eddie Elarde, Eva Estrada –Kalaw, Ramon Mitra and
Alejandro Almendras
But their terms as senators were shortlived. President Marcos declaration of Martial Law in September 1972, ended their senatorial aspirations.
On the political arena, President Ferdinand Marcos, was on his second term as President of the Republic. He was elected in 1965. He ran for reelection 1969. This will end in 1973. President Marcos Nationalista Party will battle with the Liberal Party in the next elections.
Senator Raul Manglapus, was set to challenge the elitest and oligarchical politics in the country. He started mobilizing and founded 1968 the Christian Social Movement (CSM).
The people behind the Christian Social Movement (CSM) were intellectual giants – the likes of Father Francisco Araneta, Fr. Jose Blanco, Jose Feria, Edgardo Kalaw, Jeremias Montemayor. F.Sionil Jose, Jose Concepcion and many others.
The also organized the youth group – Young Christian Socialists of the Philippines (YCSP). Heading the youth group was Benjamin G.Maynigo, President. He is the son-in-law of Senator Raul Manglapus..
In Iloilo City, CSM was under the leadership of Atty. Alfredo Banares and Atty. Edgar Villalobos and others. They were going around Iloilo City, Leganes and Pavia making campaigns. During village fiestas, they often crown the village Queens. They gave short political speecheson the misson of the Chistian Socialist Party of the Philippines.
When President Marcos declared Martial Law, Christian Social Movement, the Young Christian Socialists of the Philippines and the Christian Socialists Party of the Philiipines have greatly weakened. In a few years, we did not hear anymore of CSM, YCSM nor the CSPP.
No comments:
Post a Comment