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.

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 onHistory &

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.

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 onHistory &

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.

FOOTNOTES ON HISTORY: Pastor Samuel Antonio, Baptist Convention Pastor in Negros, Joins the National Democratic Liberation Movement...

Pastor Samuel Antonio of Baras Diutay, Kabankalan, Negros Occidental is Baptist Convention pastor who joined the New People’s Army. He decided to go to the hills, after his house was raided several times, during the darkest years of President Marcos martial law regime.

He was a committed and courageous Baptist young minister. He led the youth of his time to fight and build a just and fair life under a political l system that was unjust and controlled by the rich and powerful. He showed his determination to contribute in the struggle a demcratice society thru the people’s revolution.

Early in life, he felt God was calling him to the ministry. The call was persistent. He enrolled at the Convention Baptist Bible College (CBBC) one of the Bible Schools, under the Convention of Philippine Baptist Chuexhwa, He finished his studies in 1971.

He was called by La Granja Baptist Church in La Carlota City to serve as their Pastor. There he worked as pastor and evangelist. Pastor Sam Antonio has a gift as an evangelistic preacher. He often held evangelistic meetings in the churches and do Bible Studies with evangelistic under tones in the sitios. He worked in the church for several years, During dry seasons he held evangelistic meetings. He worked there for several years.

Then he was called Puti-an Baptist Church in Cuartero, Capiz where he pastored the church, whos members were mostly farmers and farm workers in the mountains. He ministered at Puti-an for several years. But the desire for further studies continued to pester his mind. He want sto succeed in the ministry and serve the needs of his members.

His desire of further education, pushed him to study as a working student at Filamer Christian College, a Baptist College in Roxas City, Capiz. He took Liberal Arts and finished two years. But he decided to quit due to the very difficult financial situation as a working student and pastor of Puti-an Baptist Church at the same time.

During this time, in Capiz, martial law made life very misserable for many Filipinos in the countryside. After another year in Puti-an Baptist Church, he went back to his home town in Upper South Negros. There he worked coordinating minister for some 20 small local Baptist congregations in 4 munipalities in Upper South Negros.

It was while working in this small village congregations in upland towns, that Pastor Samuel Antonio saw and witnessed the hardship and sufferings of ordinary farmers and farm workers living under the martial law regime. They were constantly harassed by the military and para-military units operating in the area. There were many times, when farmers and farm workers were shot wihtoug provocations.

When a person was suspected as a rebel or an NPA, they were just shut. Their was no justice. Their was tyranny. And people continue to live in difficult situations, most often suspected by the military. living under a difficult situation, most often suspected by the military.

About 1979, the situations in the upland villages of Upper South Negros became more harder, unbearable and intolerable. During this time and onward, he was questioned several times on his connections with the NPA. He told the military that he was not an NPA. He is a pastor working with poor farmers and farm workers, teaching his members in the churches of the teachings of Jesus in the gospel. But the military suspicion persisted and continued.

Pastor Samuel Antonio kept on his work. The members of the churches he served as Coordinating Minister needs his spiritual guidance and his counsel. They need the spiritual strength in this very delicate and dangerous time of martial rule.

He faced the military and explained to them the situations. He told the military of the sufferings of the poor people under pressures from both sides of the warring group, the military on one hand and the NPA on the other hand. But military’s orientations were different. They want to sow fear in the mind and hearts of the people. They want the people of the upland and mountain villages to cower in fear, and just kept silent. Perhaps, they want the people to kneel before them. The people have began to be wary and afraid of the military.

The people of the hinterlands began to respect the NPA and those working in the revolutionary movement.

Sometimes in 1982 Pastor Samuel Antonio’s house was raided the military several times. He began to worry for his life and the life of his wife. With raids, he believed the military was now after his life. It was now dangerous for him to continue serving as Coordinating Pastor of the 22 churches in Upper South Negros.

He said, after praying for his situations, he made a very, very hard decision. He will join the New People’s Army. Under the situations, their was no other recourse for him to take. He cannot continue to live in the mountain villages of Upper South Negros anymore. He must stand and fight for his life and the life of his wife. He said, it was the hardest decision he made in his life.

Through a friend, he sent me a message. He wants to see me. I was in Aklan, when his message reached me. I went home to Iloilo City. I passed by my house and have a talk with Hesther. my wife. I told her, I will have to go to Bacolod. It was an urgent matter to do.

I met Sam in Bacolod City. Allan Sy joined me. Allan was a respected Baptist leader. He was the former President of the Baptist church leader. Allan Sy was former president of Central Negros Baptist Conference. I talked to Pastor Sam Antonio. He told me: "Pastor Rud, I have no other choice. My life is in danger. Under this situations, working as Coordinating Pastor of churches in Upper South Negros is now nest to impossible. I am deeply suspected as an enemy by the military."

I asked Pastor Sam to go and join me in Iloilo. This keep the political heat colder for some months. I asked him to Iloilo until the hit of political situation lessens. I told him we can find some work for him Iloilo, so he need not join the NPA.

But he told me military raids were going on in different places also in Iloilo. And all over Panay Island. It will be more dangerous for him to live and work in a place where he is quiet alien. He will be working in Iloilo alone, with new friends. It will be more dangerous for him. I thought, Pastor Sam Antonio was right. We also experienced raids by the military. And in every military raids, were on the balance, between life and death.

I told Pastor Sam Antonio, in situations like this, his own decision is right and respected. Every one of us, one time will make a life and death decision. He will make a very important decision for his life. Perhaps, it is a decision that is not between life and death but, a really hard decision. I told him, I respect his decision.

We hold hands together. We bowed our heads to seek God’s will and guidance. And to seek his blessing for the decision that will be made. I prayed for God’s strength and wisdom. I told the Lord that Pastor Sam was making a hard decision for his life and future. He have decided to join the New People’s Army, as a way to protect his life and his wife. I prayed God to guide Pastor Sam in his decision. I prayed for God’s protection for his wife. I asked God to guide them, wherever they are and what ever work they will br doing. I asked it in Jesus name. I asked Brother Allan Sy to pray for Sam. He prayed for him and entrusted him, his wife and children to God's care. It was a hard and solemn moment for us three.

Then I talked to Pastor Sam. I told him, with his decisions, the situations has now changed. Perhaps, I will not have the chance to meet and communicate with him again. But we will reached each other thru prayer.

I assured Pastor Sam that we will be with him. If in the future, he decides to go back to the folds of the law, and fight his cause thru legal means and processes, we will be there to be with him and work with him.

As I reflected on this decision, I thought perhaps. joining the NPA was a new ministry God opened for Pastor Sam Antonio. In my prayer, I have entrusted him to our Saviour’s hands. And I said, a similar decision as Pastor Sam, I could have also made. Except, that I have asked the Lord, if possible I will not fight with guns and bullets. I have asked the Lord, that I will fight our cause with the legal and at most para legal means. I have closed avenues for armed struggle in my work and ministry with God.

Before we parted, Pastor Sam gave a piece of paper. It was a name. I was his alyas in the in the underground. But Pastor Sam said, he always listen to mo on Hour of Discovery. Often, when I gave a Bible reflection and a prayer, I know Pastor Sam was listening somewhere in the hills of Central Negros Island. He said, he always listened to me on the radio.

I also reminded him of Hour’s of Discovery program in Station DYRI & GMA Bacolod Ahd GMA Iloilo. He may listen there for some insights, guidance and our prayers. Then, we leave each other back to our works and ministry.

Pastor Antonio joined the NPA together with his wife. He cannot leave his wife back. It will be very dangerous, if he leave him and be away. He will not be able to protect her.

Pastor Sam started his new journey in life. It was also a new directions of his Christian ministry, as member of the New People’s Army.

After his re-orientations, he was assigned in education and training works. Then he was assigned in building the united fronts. Later he was assigned as full time member of the NPA. He was now with the fighting force. He said: Pastor Rudy, mine was a journey that was delicate and dangerous. It was a journey I decided to travel to help in the salvation and deliverance of our poor people from the powers of the elites and Pharaohs of our time.” I sat down and reflected on the life of Moses, many centuries ago.

That was a long and dangerous journey he and his wife made for some 11 years. There 3 sons and a daughter were born while they were in the armed struggle. His decision to serve the people and fought there causes, not only with ideas, but with guns and bullets, and led them in the journey for peace, freedom, justice and liberation.

He said: “I often cry when I saw my four young children away from us and cared by our friends, in the masses. It was painful seeing them, left few days after their birth. It was a sacrifice we have to make for the future – the liberation of our people from deep poverty and hopeless live, in the midst of the vast tracts of lands and resources that were owned by the rich and elites in our land”

He thought, the will be fighting all their lives. But there were life’s circumstances that came along. During President Fidel Ramos time in the 1990’, he called for a National Reconciliations. The President invited those who were fighting the government to in the hills to join him in a reconciliations process for change.

Pastor Sam Antonio and his wife, Leonila studied deeply and reflected on the reconciliation call of the President. He decided to accept the call. He decided to come back to the folds of the law and start a new struggle, the parliamentary, the peaceful struggle with farmers and workers in the in Central Negros Island.

He wrote the President, stating his decision to join him in his call for reconciliation. He told the President why he want to go back to the folds of the law.

He told me:: “I was already getting old. My 4 children were now growing and started going to school. Soon, they will be in high school. We want them to continue their studies in college. We need to be with them and guide them.”

They were not able to guide them in their early years. For they were always away and absent from their children, in their growing days. He need to find work. And he feels, there was a time for everything.

He said: “There was a time for everything. A time to fight and a time to stop fighting. A time for war and a time for peace. A time to plant and time water the plants”. In his letter, he told the President Ramos, he did not surrender. Yes, he said. He did not surrender. He accepted his call for reconciliations.

He said, he was going old. The struggle will be taken over by the younger generation. He was called by God for another job. A work God prepared him to do. And new fight for equality, freedom and justice.

Pastor Sam talked with his officers in the revolutionary struggle. They understood his decision. They gave him the go-signal to decide the course of his life and action that was good for him and the people.

When he decided to go back to the folds of the law, Convention Baptist leaders in Negros came to assist him. CPBC President Wilson Guanzon Sr., Vice President Thor Famillaran, Pastor Fred Jacildo and other Baptist leaders in Bacolod and Kabankalan were around together with ecumenical church leaders. They fetched Pastor Sam Antonio and his wife Leonila Antonio from the mountains in Kabankalan to Bacolod City.

In Bacolod City, with radio stations interviewing him of his coming back, Pastor Sam Antonio asserted that he did not surrender. He joined the call of President Ramos for a “national reconciliation”. He continued the struggle and his fights….but on a different level and different methods. A legal means of fighting for change.

He told me one day: “To be holy is to be separated for the cause of Christ and protected by His power. Therefore, those who were for the Lord’s purpose will be reformatted and protected by Christ the Lord. “

Today, Pastor Sam Antonio was committed to led in the revival of the churches but also building and transforming communities in the hinterlands of Central Negros Island.

After he left the NPA, and joined the Reconciliation Process of President Fidel Ramos, Pastor Sam Antonio, started a strong legal efforts to bring peoples developments in the mountain villages in Upper South Negros towns and villages thru education, organizing, advocacy works, organizing the masses – farmers, workers, farm labourers and fishermen and organized them into farmers associations and cooperatives.

He reached out to different government agencies and mobilized resources– cash, seeds, seedlings, farm implements for the people of the countryside, who were left behind in development and trained them to be productive and have the strength and courage to stand and assert their rights.

He dreamed and pray that a tractors will be provided by the government to their associations and cooperatives, together with cows and carabaos needed by the people of the hinterlands for their works. Slowly, their dreams began to flower. And one of the strength in their service and ministry is a song, they often sung, to give power their dreams, the Philippine National Anthem –Bayan Magiliw (Dutang Bilidhon) that he translated in Ilonggo, the song of our people. They usually sing this song with the people, before their meetings, and as they start their works:

DUTANG BILIDHON

` 1. Dutang Bilidhon, nga amon natawhan

Sa may kaisog kami naga-ambahan;

Dutang balaan sang mga baganihan

Ang manlulupig, amon pamatukan.

Sa kalangitan mo, sa dagat,

kabukiran, amon ginapaabut

Ang pag-apin Mo sa kahilwayan,

Sa Imo hayahay, makita ang bituon

Gasiga, indi malupig kag

Mapintasan ang kadutaan nya.

Matahum duta, duta ka sang kapawa

Mangin sa imo ang kalipay.

Amon kabuhi, tanan gid ginaunong

Kon luiban ka sang kaaway.

(Translation: Pastor Sam Antonio

FOOTNOTES ON HISTORY: Pastor Samuel Antonio, Baptist Convention Pastor in Negros, Joins the National Democratic Liberation Movement...

FOOTNOTES ON HISTORY

Pastor Samuel Antonio,   Baptist Convention Pastor in Negros, Joins the  National Democratic Liberation Movement

By Rudy Bernal

Pastor Samuel Antonio of Baras Diutay,  Kabankalan, Negros Occidental  is  Baptist Convention pastor  who joined the New People’s Army. He decided to  go to the hills, after his house was raided several times,  during the darkest years of President Marcos martial law regime.

He was a committed and courageous  Baptist  young  minister. He  led the youth of his time  to fight  and build a just and fair life under a political l system that was unjust and controlled by the rich and powerful. He showed his determination to contribute in the  struggle a demcratice society thru the people’s revolution.

Early in life, he felt God was calling him to the ministry. The call was  persistent. He enrolled at the   Convention Baptist Bible College (CBBC) one of the Bible Schools, under the Convention of Philippine Baptist Chuexhwa, He finished  his studies in 1971.

He  was called by  La Granja Baptist Church in La Carlota City to serve as their Pastor. There he worked  as pastor and evangelist.  Pastor Sam Antonio  has a gift as an evangelistic preacher. He often held evangelistic  meetings in the  churches  and  do Bible Studies with evangelistic under tones in the sitios.  He worked in the church for several years,   During  dry seasons he held  evangelistic  meetings.  He worked there for several years.

Then he was called  Puti-an Baptist Church in Cuartero,  Capiz where he  pastored the church, whos members were mostly farmers and farm workers  in the mountains. He ministered at Puti-an for several years. But the desire for further studies continued to pester his mind. He want sto succeed in the ministry and serve the needs of his members.

His desire of further education, pushed him to study as a working student at Filamer Christian College, a Baptist College in Roxas City, Capiz.  He took  Liberal Arts and finished two years.  But he decided to quit due to the very difficult financial situation  as a working student and pastor of Puti-an Baptist Church at the same time.

 During this time, in Capiz, martial law  made life very misserable for many   Filipinos  in the countryside.  After another year in Puti-an Baptist Church, he went back to his home  town in Upper South Negros. There he worked coordinating minister for some  20 small local Baptist congregations in 4 munipalities in Upper South Negros.

It was while working in this small village congregations in upland towns, that Pastor Samuel Antonio saw and witnessed  the hardship and sufferings of ordinary farmers and farm workers  living under the martial law regime. They were constantly harassed by the military and para-military units operating in the area. There were many times, when farmers and farm workers were shot wihtoug provocations.

When a person  was suspected as a rebel or an NPA, they were just  shut. Their was no justice. Their was tyranny. And people continue to live in difficult situations, most often suspected by the military. living under a difficult situation, most often suspected by the military.

About 1979, the situations in the upland villages of Upper South Negros became  more harder, unbearable  and  intolerable. During this time and onward, he was questioned several times on his connections with the NPA. He told the military that he was not an NPA. He is a pastor working with poor farmers and farm workers, teaching his members in the churches of the   teachings of  Jesus in the gospel.  But the  military suspicion persisted and  continued.

Pastor Samuel Antonio kept on his work. The members of the churches he served as Coordinating Minister needs his spiritual guidance and his counsel. They need the spiritual strength in this very delicate and dangerous time of martial rule.

He faced the military and explained  to them the situations. He told the military of the sufferings of the poor people under pressures from both sides of the warring group, the military  on one hand and the NPA on the other hand.  But military’s orientations  were different.  They    want to sow fear in the mind and hearts of the people.  They want the people of the upland and mountain villages to  cower in fear, and just kept silent. Perhaps, they want the people to kneel before them. The people have began to  be wary and afraid of the military. 

The people  of the hinterlands  began to respect the NPA and those working in the revolutionary movement.

Sometimes in  1982  Pastor Samuel Antonio’s  house was raided the military several times. He began to worry for his life and the life of his wife. With raids, he believed  the military was now after his life. It was  now dangerous for him to continue  serving as Coordinating Pastor of the 22  churches in Upper South Negros.

He said, after praying for  his situations, he made a very, very hard decision. He will  join the New People’s Army.  Under the situations, their was no other  recourse for him to take. He cannot continue to live in the mountain villages of Upper South Negros anymore. He must stand and fight for his life and the  life of his wife. He said, it was the hardest decision he made in his life.

Through a friend, he sent  me a message. He wants to see me.  I was in Aklan, when his message reached me.  I went home to Iloilo City.  I passed by my house and have a talk with Hesther. my wife. I told her, I will have to go to Bacolod. It was an urgent matter to do.

I met Sam in Bacolod City.  Allan Sy joined me. Allan was a respected Baptist leader. He was the former President of the   Baptist church leader.  Allan Sy was former president of  Central Negros Baptist Conference. I talked to Pastor Sam Antonio. He told me: "Pastor  Rud, I  have no  other  choice.  My  life is in  danger. Under  this  situations,  working as  Coordinating Pastor of churches in Upper South Negros  is now nest to impossible. I am deeply   suspected as an enemy by the military."

I asked Pastor Sam to go  and join me in  Iloilo.  This  keep the political heat colder for some months. I asked him to  Iloilo until the hit of political situation lessens.  I told him we can find some work for him  Iloilo, so he need not join the NPA. 

 But he told me military raids were  going on in different  places also  in Iloilo.  And  all over Panay Island.  It will be more dangerous for him to live and work in a place where he is quiet alien. He will be working in Iloilo alone, with new friends. It will be more dangerous for him. I thought,   Pastor Sam Antonio was  right.  We also experienced raids by the military.  And in every  military raids,   were on the balance, between life and death. 

I told Pastor Sam Antonio,   in situations like this, his own decision  is right  and respected.  Every one of us, one time  will make a life and death decision. He will make a  very important decision for his life. Perhaps, it is a decision that is not between life and death but, a really hard decision.  I told him, I respect his decision.

We  hold hands together. We bowed our heads to seek God’s will and guidance. And to seek his blessing for the decision that will be made.  I prayed for God’s strength and wisdom. I told the Lord   that Pastor Sam  was making a hard decision for his life and future. He have decided to  join the New People’s Army, as a way to protect his life and his wife. I prayed God  to guide Pastor Sam in his decision. I prayed for God’s protection for his wife. I asked God to guide them, wherever they are and  what ever work they will  br doing. I asked  it in Jesus name. I asked Brother Allan Sy to pray for Sam. He prayed for him and entrusted him, his wife and children to God's care. It was a hard and  solemn moment for us three. 

Then I talked to Pastor Sam.  I told him, with his decisions, the situations has now changed. Perhaps, I will not have the chance to meet and communicate with him again. But we will reached  each other thru  prayer.  

I assured Pastor Sam that we  will be with him. If in the future,  he decides  to go back to the folds of the law, and fight his cause thru legal  means and processes, we will be there to be with him and work with  him.

As I reflected on this decision, I thought perhaps.  joining the NPA was a new ministry  God opened for Pastor Sam Antonio.  In my prayer, I have  entrusted him to our Saviour’s hands. And I said, a similar decision as Pastor Sam,  I could have also made. Except, that I have asked the Lord, if possible I will not fight with guns  and bullets. I have asked the Lord, that  I will fight our cause with the legal and at most para legal means. I have closed avenues for armed struggle in my work and ministry with God.   

Before we parted,  Pastor Sam gave a piece of paper. It was a name. I was his alyas in the  in the underground.  But Pastor Sam said, he always listen to mo on Hour of Discovery. Often, when I gave a Bible reflection and a prayer, I know Pastor Sam was  listening somewhere in the  hills of  Central Negros Island.   He said, he always listened  to me on the radio.

 I also reminded him of Hour’s of Discovery program  in Station DYRI &  GMA Bacolod Ahd GMA Iloilo.   He may listen there for some insights,  guidance and our prayers. Then, we leave each other back to our works and ministry.

Pastor Antonio Antonio joined the NPA together with his wife. He cannot  leave his wife  back. It will be very dangerous, if he leave him and be away. He will not be able to protect her.

 Pastor Sam started  his  new journey in life. It was also a new directions of  his Christian ministry,  as  member of the  New People’s Army.

 After his re-orientations, he was  assigned  in education and training works.    Then he was assigned  in  building  the united fronts. Later he was assigned as   full time member of the NPA.  He was  now  with the fighting force.  He said: Pastor Rudy, mine was a journey that was delicate and dangerous.  It  was  a journey  I decided to travel to  help in the salvation and deliverance of our  poor people from the  powers of the  elites and Pharaohs  of our time.”  I sat down and  reflected on the life of Moses, many centuries ago.

That was  a long and dangerous    journey he and his wife made for some 11 years.  There 3 sons and a daughter were  born while they were  in the  armed struggle. His decision to serve the people and  fought  there  causes, not only with ideas, but with  guns and bullets, and led them   in the journey  for    peace, freedom, justice  and liberation.

He  said:  “I often cry when I saw  my four  young children away from us and cared by   our friends, in  the masses.  It was painful seeing them, left few days after their birth.  It  was  a sacrifice we have to make for the future – the liberation of our  people from  deep poverty and hopeless live, in the midst of the vast tracts of lands and resources  that were owned by the rich and  elites in our land”

He thought, the will be fighting  all their lives. But there were life’s  circumstances that  came along.  During  President Fidel Ramos  time  in  the 1990’,  he called for  a National Reconciliations.  The President  invited those who were fighting the government to in the hills to  join him in a reconciliations process for change.

 Pastor Sam Antonio and his wife, Leonila  studied  deeply and reflected on the reconciliation  call  of the President. He decided to accept the call. He  decided to come back  to the folds of the law and start a new struggle, the  parliamentary, the peaceful   struggle  with  farmers and workers in the  in Central Negros Island.

He wrote the President, stating his  decision to join him in his call for  reconciliation .He told the President why he want to go back to the folds of the law.

He told me::  “I  was already getting old. My  4 children were  now growing and started going to school. Soon, they will be in  high school. We want them to continue their studies in college. We need to be with them and guide them.”

They were not able to guide them in their early years.  For they were always away and absent from their children, in their growing  days.   He  need to find  work.  And he feels ,there  was  a time for everything.

He said: “There   was a time for everything.  A  time to fight and   a time  to stop fighting.  A time for war and  a time for peace. A time to  plant and time  water the plants”. In  his letter, he told the President Ramos,  he did not surrender.  Yes, he said. He did not surrender.    He accepted his call for reconciliations.

He said, he was going  old. The struggle will be taken over by the younger generation. He was called by God for another job. A work   God  prepared him to do. And new fight for  equality, freedom and justice.

Pastor Sam talked with his officers in the revolutionary struggle.  They understood  his decision. They gave him the go-signal to  decide  the course of his   life and action that was  good for him and the people.

When he decided to go back to the folds of the law, Convention Baptist leaders in Negros  came to assist him.  CPBC  President Wilson Guanzon  Sr., Vice President  Thor Famillaran,  Pastor Fred Jacildo and other Baptist leaders in Bacolod and Kabankalan were  around together with  ecumenical  church leaders.  They fetched   Pastor Sam Antonio and his wife Leonila Antonio from the mountains  in Kabankalan to Bacolod City.  

In Bacolod City, with  radio stations interviewing him of his coming back, Pastor Sam Antonio asserted that he did not surrender. He joined  the call of President Ramos for a “national reconciliation”.  He continued  the struggle and his fights….but on a different  level and different   methods. A legal means of fighting for change..

He told me one day:  “To be holy is to be separated for the cause of Christ and  protected by His power. Therefore,  those who were   for the Lord’s purpose will  be reformatted and protected by  Christ the Lord. “

Today,  Pastor Sam Antonio was  committed  to led in the revival of the churches but also building and transforming communities  in the hinterlands of Central Negros Island.

After he  left the NPA, and joined the Reconciliation Process of President Fidel Ramos,  Pastor Sam Antonio, started a strong legal efforts to bring peoples developments in the mountain villages in Upper South Negros towns and villages thru education, organizing, advocacy works, organizing the masses – farmers, workers, farm labourers  and fishermen and organized them into farmers associations and cooperatives. 

He reached out to different government agencies and mobilized resources–  cash, seeds, seedlings,  farm implements for the  people of the countryside, who were left behind in development and trained  them to be productive and have the strength and courage to stand and assert their rights.

He  dreamed   and pray  that a   tractors will be provided by the government to their associations and cooperatives,  together with   cows  and  carabaos  needed by the  people of the hinterlands for their  works .  Slowly,  their dreams  began to flower.  And one of the   strength in their service and ministry is a song, they often sung,  to give power their dreams, the Philippine National Anthem –Bayan Magiliw (Dutang Bilidhon)  that he translated in Ilonggo, the song of our  people. They   usually sing this song with the people, before their meetings, and as they  start their works:

              DUTANG BILIDHON

`            1. Dutang Bilidhon, nga amon natawhan

                  Sa may kaisog kami naga-ambahan;

                  Dutang balaan sang mga baganihan

                  Ang manlulupig, amon pamatukan.

                  Sa kalangitan  mo, sa   dagat,

                   kabukiran, amon ginapaabut

                   Ang  pag-apin Mo sa kahilwayan,

                   Sa Imo hayahay, makita ang bituon

                   Gasiga, indi malupig  kag

                   Mapintasan ang kadutaan nya.

                   Matahum duta, duta ka sang kapawa

                   Mangin sa imo ang kalipay.

                    Amon kabuhi, tanan gid ginaunong

                   Kon luiban ka sang  kaaway.

                 (Translation: Pastor Sam Antonio

FOOTNOTES ON HISTORY: Pastor Samuel Antonio, Baptist Convention Pastor in Negros, Joins the National Democratic Liberation Movement...

FOOTNOTES ON HISTORY

Pastor Samuel Antonio, Baptist Convention Pastor in Negros, Joins the National Democratic Liberation Movement

By Rudy Bernal

Pastor Samuel Antonio of Baras Diutay, Kabankalan, Negros Occidental is Baptist Convention pastor who joined the New People’s Army. He decided to go to the hills, after his house was raided several times, during the darkest years of President Marcos martial law regime.

He was a committed and courageous Baptist young minister. He led the youth of his time to fight and build a just and fair life under a political l system that was unjust and controlled by the rich and powerful. He showed his determination to contribute in the struggle a demcratice society thru the people’s revolution.

Early in life, he felt God was calling him to the ministry. The call was persistent. He enrolled at the Convention Baptist Bible College (CBBC) one of the Bible Schools, under the Convention of Philippine Baptist Chuexhwa, He finished his studies in 1971.

He was called by La Granja Baptist Church in La Carlota City to serve as their Pastor. There he worked as pastor and evangelist. Pastor Sam Antonio has a gift as an evangelistic preacher. He often held evangelistic meetings in the churches and do Bible Studies with evangelistic under tones in the sitios. He worked in the church for several years, During dry seasons he held evangelistic meetings. He worked there for several years.

Then he was called Puti-an Baptist Church in Cuartero, Capiz where he pastored the church, whos members were mostly farmers and farm workers in the mountains. He ministered at Puti-an for several years. But the desire for further studies continued to pester his mind. He want sto succeed in the ministry and serve the needs of his members.

His desire of further education, pushed him to study as a working student at Filamer Christian College, a Baptist College in Roxas City, Capiz. He took Liberal Arts and finished two years. But he decided to quit due to the very difficult financial situation as a working student and pastor of Puti-an Baptist Church at the same time.

During this time, in Capiz, martial law made life very misserable for many Filipinos in the countryside. After another year in Puti-an Baptist Church, he went back to his home town in Upper South Negros. There he worked coordinating minister for some 20 small local Baptist congregations in 4 munipalities in Upper South Negros.

It was while working in this small village congregations in upland towns, that Pastor Samuel Antonio saw and witnessed the hardship and sufferings of ordinary farmers and farm workers living under the martial law regime. They were constantly harassed by the military and para-military units operating in the area. There were many times, when farmers and farm workers were shot wihtoug provocations.

When a person was suspected as a rebel or an NPA, they were just shut. Their was no justice. Their was tyranny. And people continue to live in difficult situations, most often suspected by the military. living under a difficult situation, most often suspected by the military.

About 1979, the situations in the upland villages of Upper South Negros became more harder, unbearable and intolerable. During this time and onward, he was questioned several times on his connections with the NPA. He told the military that he was not an NPA. He is a pastor working with poor farmers and farm workers, teaching his members in the churches of the teachings of Jesus in the gospel. But the military suspicion persisted and continued.

Pastor Samuel Antonio kept on his work. The members of the churches he served as Coordinating Minister needs his spiritual guidance and his counsel. They need the spiritual strength in this very delicate and dangerous time of martial rule.

He faced the military and explained to them the situations. He told the military of the sufferings of the poor people under pressures from both sides of the warring group, the military on one hand and the NPA on the other hand. But military’s orientations were different. They want to sow fear in the mind and hearts of the people. They want the people of the upland and mountain villages to cower in fear, and just kept silent. Perhaps, they want the people to kneel before them. The people have began to be wary and afraid of the military.

The people of the hinterlands began to respect the NPA and those working in the revolutionary movement.

Sometimes in 1982 Pastor Samuel Antonio’s house was raided the military several times. He began to worry for his life and the life of his wife. With raids, he believed the military was now after his life. It was now dangerous for him to continue serving as Coordinating Pastor of the 22 churches in Upper South Negros.

He said, after praying for his situations, he made a very, very hard decision. He will join the New People’s Army. Under the situations, their was no other recourse for him to take. He cannot continue to live in the mountain villages of Upper South Negros anymore. He must stand and fight for his life and the life of his wife. He said, it was the hardest decision he made in his life.

Through a friend, he sent me a message. He wants to see me. I was in Aklan, when his message reached me. I went home to Iloilo City. I passed by my house and have a talk with Hesther. my wife. I told her, I will have to go to Bacolod. It was an urgent matter to do.

I met Sam in Bacolod City. Allan Sy joined me. Allan was a respected Baptist leader. He was the former President of the Baptist church leader. Allan Sy was former president of Central Negros Baptist Conference. I talked to Pastor Sam Antonio. He told me: "Pastor Rud, I have no other choice. My life is in danger. Under this situations, working as Coordinating Pastor of churches in Upper South Negros is now nest to impossible. I am deeply suspected as an enemy by the military."

I asked Pastor Sam to go and join me in Iloilo. This keep the political heat colder for some months. I asked him to Iloilo until the hit of political situation lessens. I told him we can find some work for him Iloilo, so he need not join the NPA.

But he told me military raids were going on in different places also in Iloilo. And all over Panay Island. It will be more dangerous for him to live and work in a place where he is quiet alien. He will be working in Iloilo alone, with new friends. It will be more dangerous for him. I thought, Pastor Sam Antonio was right. We also experienced raids by the military. And in every military raids, were on the balance, between life and death.

I told Pastor Sam Antonio, in situations like this, his own decision is right and respected. Every one of us, one time will make a life and death decision. He will make a very important decision for his life. Perhaps, it is a decision that is not between life and death but, a really hard decision. I told him, I respect his decision.

We hold hands together. We bowed our heads to seek God’s will and guidance. And to seek his blessing for the decision that will be made. I prayed for God’s strength and wisdom. I told the Lord that Pastor Sam was making a hard decision for his life and future. He have decided to join the New People’s Army, as a way to protect his life and his wife. I prayed God to guide Pastor Sam in his decision. I prayed for God’s protection for his wife. I asked God to guide them, wherever they are and what ever work they will br doing. I asked it in Jesus name. I asked Brother Allan Sy to pray for Sam. He prayed for him and entrusted him, his wife and children to God's care. It was a hard and solemn moment for us three.

Then I talked to Pastor Sam. I told him, with his decisions, the situations has now changed. Perhaps, I will not have the chance to meet and communicate with him again. But we will reached each other thru prayer.

I assured Pastor Sam that we will be with him. If in the future, he decides to go back to the folds of the law, and fight his cause thru legal means and processes, we will be there to be with him and work with him.

As I reflected on this decision, I thought perhaps. joining the NPA was a new ministry God opened for Pastor Sam Antonio. In my prayer, I have entrusted him to our Saviour’s hands. And I said, a similar decision as Pastor Sam, I could have also made. Except, that I have asked the Lord, if possible I will not fight with guns and bullets. I have asked the Lord, that I will fight our cause with the legal and at most para legal means. I have closed avenues for armed struggle in my work and ministry with God.

Before we parted, Pastor Sam gave a piece of paper. It was a name. I was his alyas in the in the underground. But Pastor Sam said, he always listen to mo on Hour of Discovery. Often, when I gave a Bible reflection and a prayer, I know Pastor Sam was listening somewhere in the hills of Central Negros Island. He said, he always listened to me on the radio.

I also reminded him of Hour’s of Discovery program in Station DYRI & GMA Bacolod Ahd GMA Iloilo. He may listen there for some insights, guidance and our prayers. Then, we leave each other back to our works and ministry.

Pastor Antonio joined the NPA together with his wife. He cannot leave his wife back. It will be very dangerous, if he leave him and be away. He will not be able to protect her.

Pastor Sam started his new journey in life. It was also a new directions of his Christian ministry, as member of the New People’s Army.

After his re-orientations, he was assigned in education and training works. Then he was assigned in building the united fronts. Later he was assigned as full time member of the NPA. He was now with the fighting force. He said: Pastor Rudy, mine was a journey that was delicate and dangerous. It was a journey I decided to travel to help in the salvation and deliverance of our poor people from the powers of the elites and Pharaohs of our time.” I sat down and reflected on the life of Moses, many centuries ago.

That was a long and dangerous journey he and his wife made for some 11 years. There 3 sons and a daughter were born while they were in the armed struggle. His decision to serve the people and fought there causes, not only with ideas, but with guns and bullets, and led them in the journey for peace, freedom, justice and liberation.

He said: “I often cry when I saw my four young children away from us and cared by our friends, in the masses. It was painful seeing them, left few days after their birth. It was a sacrifice we have to make for the future – the liberation of our people from deep poverty and hopeless live, in the midst of the vast tracts of lands and resources that were owned by the rich and elites in our land”

He thought, the will be fighting all their lives. But there were life’s circumstances that came along. During President Fidel Ramos time in the 1990’, he called for a National Reconciliations. The President invited those who were fighting the government to in the hills to join him in a reconciliations process for change.

Pastor Sam Antonio and his wife, Leonila studied deeply and reflected on the reconciliation call of the President. He decided to accept the call. He decided to come back to the folds of the law and start a new struggle, the parliamentary, the peaceful struggle with farmers and workers in the in Central Negros Island.

He wrote the President, stating his decision to join him in his call for reconciliation .He told the President why he want to go back to the folds of the law.

He told me:: “I was already getting old. My 4 children were now growing and started going to school. Soon, they will be in high school. We want them to continue their studies in college. We need to be with them and guide them.”

They were not able to guide them in their early years. For they were always away and absent from their children, in their growing days. He need to find work. And he feels ,there was a time for everything.

He said: “There was a time for everything. A time to fight and a time to stop fighting. A time for war and a time for peace. A time to plant and time water the plants”. In his letter, he told the President Ramos, he did not surrender. Yes, he said. He did not surrender. He accepted his call for reconciliations.

He said, he was going old. The struggle will be taken over by the younger generation. He was called by God for another job. A work God prepared him to do. And new fight for equality, freedom and justice.

Pastor Sam talked with his officers in the revolutionary struggle. They understood his decision. They gave him the go-signal to decide the course of his life and action that was good for him and the people.

When he decided to go back to the folds of the law, Convention Baptist leaders in Negros came to assist him. CPBC President Wilson Guanzon Sr., Vice President Thor Famillaran, Pastor Fred Jacildo and other Baptist leaders in Bacolod and Kabankalan were around together with ecumenical church leaders. They fetched Pastor Sam Antonio and his wife Leonila Antonio from the mountains in Kabankalan to Bacolod City.

In Bacolod City, with radio stations interviewing him of his coming back, Pastor Sam Antonio asserted that he did not surrender. He joined the call of President Ramos for a “national reconciliation”. He continued the struggle and his fights….but on a different level and different methods. A legal means of fighting for change..

He told me one day: “To be holy is to be separated for the cause of Christ and protected by His power. Therefore, those who were for the Lord’s purpose will be reformatted and protected by Christ the Lord. “

Today, Pastor Sam Antonio was committed to led in the revival of the churches but also building and transforming communities in the hinterlands of Central Negros Island.

After he left the NPA, and joined the Reconciliation Process of President Fidel Ramos, Pastor Sam Antonio, started a strong legal efforts to bring peoples developments in the mountain villages in Upper South Negros towns and villages thru education, organizing, advocacy works, organizing the masses – farmers, workers, farm labourers and fishermen and organized them into farmers associations and cooperatives.

He reached out to different government agencies and mobilized resources– cash, seeds, seedlings, farm implements for the people of the countryside, who were left behind in development and trained them to be productive and have the strength and courage to stand and assert their rights.

He dreamed and pray that a tractors will be provided by the government to their associations and cooperatives, together with cows and carabaos needed by the people of the hinterlands for their works . Slowly, their dreams began to flower. And one of the strength in their service and ministry is a song, they often sung, to give power their dreams, the Philippine National Anthem –Bayan Magiliw (Dutang Bilidhon) that he translated in Ilonggo, the song of our people. They usually sing this song with the people, before their meetings, and as they start their works:

DUTANG BILIDHON

` 1. Dutang Bilidhon, nga amon natawhan

Sa may kaisog kami naga-ambahan;

Dutang balaan sang mga baganihan

Ang manlulupig, amon pamatukan.

Sa kalangitan mo, sa dagat,

kabukiran, amon ginapaabut

Ang pag-apin Mo sa kahilwayan,

Sa Imo hayahay, makita ang bituon

Gasiga, indi malupig kag

Mapintasan ang kadutaan nya.

Matahum duta, duta ka sang kapawa

Mangin sa imo ang kalipay.

Amon kabuhi, tanan gid ginaunong

Kon luiban ka sang kaaway.

(Translation: Pastor Sam Antonio