The Guinayangan Republic

Simula ng kwaresma, sabi ng Lola ko , “Tayo na magpakrus ng abo”. Sumama ako at ganon na nga ang nangyari. Hindi raw dapat tanggalin ang krus na abo.
Narinig ko ang mga awit ng Pasyon ni Hesukristo sa bawa’t tahanan. Nagbasa ng pasyon ang mga kasambahay ko. Kinatulungan ko ang iba’t ibang himig na umaalingawngaw sa katahimikan ng gabi. Walang naghaharana, walang tugtugan, walang sayawan. Bawal magsaya.
Mahal na araw na, kayraming umuuwi, dala’y palaspas na may iba’t ibang palamuti. Linggo de Ramos pala o Linggo ng Palaspas, bineditahan ang mga palaspas, may “Hosannahan” sa apat na sulok ng patyo. Kasama ako sa kabataang may koronang bulaklak na nagsasabog ng bulaklak habang umaawit ng “Hosanna Fili David”. Sinasahod ng mga nasa sa ibaba ang mga bulaklak at inuwi kasama ng mga palaspas.
Kinahapunan sumama ako kay Lola sa Estasyon Heneral, palibot ng bayan. Labing apat na kubol, ang bawat estasyonm na tinitigilan ng propesyon habang pinagpaninilayan ang paghihirap ng Panginoong Hesukristo. Marami ang sumasama sa prosesyon at inaawit ang “Patawad po o Diyos ko”.


Lunes Santo

Ano kaya ang naririnig kong “tak, tak, tak”, kasabay ang kalansing na animo’y munting batingaw? Takbo ako sa lansangan, anong laking pagkamangha ko, dumaraan ang pulutong ng mga lalaking nararamtan ang kawal Romano noong unang panahon. “Centurion sila”, ang sabi ng Lola ko. Umaga’t hapon lumilibot sila sa bayan, “kleng, kleng, kleng!” lakad patakbo, kasunod ang mga batang humahanga sa animo’y tunay na kawal, dala’y sandatang sibat.


Myerkules Santo

Nakagigimbal na hugong buhat sa saya ng Lola ko, na natatawang nagpapaliwanag, “Tinieblas lamang iyon! Kunwaring nahuli si Kristo”, paliwanag ng Lola ko. At pinanood na lang namin ang prosesyon. Ang mga “Centurion: sila’y pauli-uli sa gitna ng dalawang hanay sa lakad-patakbo nilang kilos, tuwid na tuwid ang hanay. Ang mga batang tulad ko’y takot na lubas sa hanay, baka hulihin ng Centurion. Mahaba ang prosesyon, lahat ay may ilaw na kandila, lalo na sa mga bintana ng bawat bahay na nagbibigay liwanag kahit walang ilaw dagitab sa lansangan.


Biyernes Santo

Pinakamahaba ang prosesyon ng Biyernes Santo, tulad sa lumipas na araw, maraming Santo may mga centurion at may 12 Apostoles, kasunod ng “Santo Entierro” o “Burol”. Lahat ay uliilaw at maayos ang hanay ng prosesyon dahil sa Centurion. Inaawit ng mga tao ang “Stabat Mater” kasunod ng Dolorosang Ina. Marami rin ang nag-aanting-anting. May pumupitas ng bulaklak na palamuti sa “Burol”. Ako ay humalik sa “Burol”, ganon din ang iba. Nagpasyon ang matatanda sa loob ng simbahan.






Linggo ng Pagkabuhay

Madaling araw pa’y ginising na ako ng Lola, “Tayo na!, Panoorin natin ang salubong at pagdagit!”. “Ano kaya yoon?’…ang tanong ko sa sarili. Kahit inaantok , sumama ako sa gitnang kantohan ng bayan. “Aba! Maliwang na maliwanag, may mataas na balwarte, napapalamutian ng mga punong saging, anahaw at pako”. Sa itaas, may nakabiting hugis pusong bulaklak. Dumating ang salubong ng Mag-ina, sa kaliwa nagmula ang kaalakihan, kasunod ang imahen ng “Ressureccion” (Kristong Nabuhay), sa kanan, mga babae sa pangunguna ng Birhen na may lambong na itim. Pagtapat ng Birhen sa hugis pusong bulaklak, umalingawngaw ang matinis na awit ng isang batang nakadamit anghel, nakaluhod sa loob ng bumukang bulaklak, dahandahang bumababa habang inaawit ang “Regina Coeli Laetare” at dinagit nito ang lambong ng Birhen, tumiklop ang bulaklak at hilang pataas muli habang umaawit ng “Alelluya”. Pag-katapos ng seremonyas, sam-samang lumakad muli ang prosesyon patungong simbahan upang idaos ang misa na Pasko ng Pagkabuhay.



Inuulat ng isang batang namulat sa sinaunang kaugalian at nagbuhat sa labi ni Lola Ota na apo ni Francisco Tupas (isa sa nakatuklas sa Viejo Guinayangan)


















-from the book "Guinayangan Noon At Ngayon" by Alodia F. Molines

Spider Fighting, was one of those enjoyable games we played during our childhood years. I remember after school before the darkness sets in, we look for this tiny arthropods. We know this is the time they're making their web houses, visible and easy to catch. But sometimes it’s best also to catch them after dawn when they are in the middle of their web waiting to catch something for supper. Usually their spinneret is full and best for fighting during the 9 o’clock brake in our school.

During Saturdays and Sundays when we have all the time to play, we look for them in nearby woods and farms surrounding our town. In old stock house, old house and places where there is no or minimal human activities. We put it in an empty matchbox, a coconut leaf divider is use to prevent them to have contact from other spider. We knew that spiders are loner and very territorial, that’s why they fight with each other till death just only to defend their space.

We use any kind of spiders, as long as they are on their own weight (as if we’re using a weighing scale) division. Like the true cockfighting, we use the ulutan system, set the price for the winner usually another fighting spider.

We know loser have no chance to live for another day, they will turn into lunch for the winner.

But in intense fight there is a big chance that the winner get wounded, the only medication we knew is just giving them a tiny bit of pieces of young guava leaf, and allow them to heal themselves inside their matchbox barracks .



Photos Courtesy of Google

On the record, Spreuerhofstraße is the world's narrowest street, found in the city of Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It ranges from 31 centimetres (12.2 in) at its narrowest to 50 centimetres (19.7 in) at its widest. The lane was built in 1727 during the reconstruction efforts after the area was completely destroyed in the massive city-wide fire of 1726 and is officially listed in the Land-Registry Office as City Street Number 77.

But here in our town, but much wider than the world record, L. Eleazar Street in Brgy. Mangagawa is holding a record of being the narrowest street in Guinayangan. Although we can safely claim as one of the narrowest street in the world.  Measuring less than 72cm (28″) at its narrowest point, and the widest is 95cm (37"). The street is less than 200 meters long, but it is the longest among the other narrow street of Barangay Manggagawa. Starting at Tupas Matta Molines St. Ext. Crossing C.M. Recto St. up to the shore of Ragay Gulf.

In reality, it’s just a passageway or an “eskenita”, a right of way for the people living inside the compound. But it was officially declared as a street with its own street sign, and maintenance are in the helm of the baranggay government of Mangagawa.



The narrowest point of the street, measuring 28 inches in width.



Its own street sign and post.



The entrance from Claro M. Recto St.



At the end of the street, crossing Tupas-Matta-Molines Ext., you will find the Barangay Hall of Mangagawa.


source: Wikipedia

Ang yema ng taon, Yema Cubes. Lahat yata na ng bayan sa buong Pilipinas mayroong gumagawa nito. Bakit naman hindi, ito na yata ang pumalit sa lahat ng imported at local na kendi na gustong-gusto ng bawat Pilipino sa loob o sa labas ng Pilipinas.

Ano bang laman nito at nagustuhan ito ng mga dila ng tao. Hindi nga naman nakakasawang ngatain. Anopa’t talaga namang likas sa mga Pilipino ang hilig sa pagkaing matatamis, kahit sa mga lutuing hindi likas na nilalagyan ng asukal, kapag ginawang “sweet version” hit na agad ito. Sino ba namang Pilipino ang hindi makakatanggi sa matamis na spaghetti, sa matamis na adobo, sa matatamis na kakanin na pinaglalawayan ng mga kababayan natin na nagtratrabaho sa ibang bansa. Kaya hindi natin maitatanggi na may likas na pang-akit ang yemang ito sa atin.

Ika nga ng mga naadik sa kending ito..

* ”Kesehodang matanggal na ang braces ko, magdikitan man sa mga gilagid ko, kahit matanggal pa ang lahat ng ngipin ko, hindi ko magawang tigilan ang pag-ngata ng yemang yan!”.-isang kolehiyalang naka-brace.

* ” This is my cheap thrill! yema cubes na matigas. it's a bit different from the usual yema, matigas nga kasi sya tapos chewy. tipong caramel ba? ayun! super love ko na. Tinitinda sa tapat ng school naming, dito nauubos ang baon ko!” –high school student na sampung piso lang ang baon.

Dito sa Guinayangan, may isang sikat na gumagawa ng yemang ito. Ang Jumong's Special Yema Cube na matatagpuan sa Brgy.Dancalan Caimawan, mga tatlong kilometro ang layo mula sa poblacion. Ika nga ng may-ari na si Gng. Tetay Dante, “Malaki ang naging tulong ng yemang ito hindi lamang sa aking pamilya kundi sa mga kabaranggay ko”. Dati kase inaangkat lang niya ang kanyang produkto sa Batanggas kung saan ang kanyang kamag-anak ay may malaking pagawaan ng yema. Ang unang plano niya ay maging isa lamang supplier sa maliliit na mga tindahan ng Guinayangan, makadagdag lamang ng kita kasama nang kaniyang asawa na isang kagawad sa kanilang baranggay.

Kwento pa niya..”Buti na lamang at nagtiwala agad sa akin si Tita Gina Beco (isa sa may-ari ng malaking grocery sa bayan) na kahit bago lamang ang inaalok kong paninda dito sa Guinayangan, hindi sya nagdalawang isip na ialok ito sa kanyang mga parokyano”. Ang hindi niya inaasahan kagaya sa ibang lugar ng Pilipinas, naging hit ang yema niya. “Dumating ang time na hindi na kaya akong suplayan ng Tiyo ko sa laki ng naging demand, at itinulak na niya ako na magtayo na ng sariling pagawaan ng yema”…dugtong paniya.

Patuloy pa niya..”Sa totoo lang maliit lang naman ang puhunan sa ganitong negosyo. Handa ka nga lang tumutok sa mga trabahador mo para maalagaan ang "quality" ng produkto.” “Madali lang naman gawin ang mismong yema, pero nangailangan pa rin akong kumuha ng dalawang trabahador galing sa Batanggas para turuan ako at ang mga magiging tauhan ko nang tamang proseso”….dugtong pa niya.

Maganda ang naging “impact” ng “backyard industry” na ito sa maliit na baryo ng Dangkalan Caimawan. Nangailangan kase si Gng.Tetay ng mahigit 30 mangagawa. Nadagdagan tuloy ang kita ng kanyang mga kabaranggay dahil sila na mismo ang kinuha bilang taga-luto at taga balot ng yema. Noong kaseng nakaraang taon ng pumasok ang undas at pasko, ito halos ang nginunguya at sinipsip ng bibig ng mga Guinayanganin araw-araw. Kwento pa nga ni Gng. Raisa Macalintal ng Babilonia Pharmacy…. ”Sampung libong pisong halaga ng yema ang naibebenta ko sa loob lamang ng isang lingo!." Ang iba kase nating mga kababayan na may mga kamag-anak sa ibang bansa ay nagpapadala rin ng yema. Maipagmamalaki pa rin kase ng mga taga-Guinayangan ang napakasarap na yema dahil sa gawa ito mismo sa bayan natin.

Patuloy pa rin naman ang pag-gawa ng yema sa munting baranggay. Ngunit gaya ng ibang mga produktong kinabaliwan ng mga tao sa maigsing panahon, unti-unti ng nabawasan ang pagkahilig nila dito. Pahabol pa ni Gng. Tetay,.”Swerte ko nga kase nauna ako at nakaranas ako ng “boom” sa negosyo ko, bago pa bumalik uli sa normal at mas “moderate” na bentahan”. Mayroon na kaseng ibang mga taga-Guinayangan na gumagawa nito, at inamin niya sa amin, hindi niya kayang makipagsabayan sa mas mababang presyo na inaalok ng kalaban. Pagtatanggol pa niya..”Hindi ko kase kayang ibaba ang kalidad ng produkto ko para lang ibaba ang presyo, sila kase mas mababang kalidad ng gatas ang ginagamit bilang pangunahing sangkap sa pagluluto ng yema, at yun ang hindi ko kayang ikunsidera”. “Kahit paano marami pa ring tumataguyod sa yema ko, sila yung mga unang nasiyahan sa aking produkto at nagtitiwala sa kalidad nito.” Pahabol pa niya.


Si Jumong (anak ng may-ari), habang natutulog.

A Guardian Named Guerra

Son of Paquito Guerra and Norma Zagala was born on January 6,1954 in Guinayangan Quezon. He completed his early education from the Guinayangan Elementary and Guinayangan Academy, 1966 and 1970 respectively. He is a graduate of BS Economics in the Luzonian University in 1975 and completed Advance ROTC in the same year. He joined the Philippine army on May 16. 1976, commissioned 2Lt. 09 Aug, 1976, promoted 1Lt. 06 Nov.1979, CPT 06 1983, Maj. 01 July 1991 and Lt.Col. 01 April 2000. He is with the Army Special Forces Regiment. Now a full Colonel, Col. Darwin Z. Guerra is PA for more than 30 years.

Considered as one of the Army Officer who is a multi-combat military awardee, a recipient of “Gold Cross Medal” in 1994, and seven “Bronze Cross Medal” in succeeding years plus other distinguished military medals for leadership, gallantry in action, courage and bravery.

Adding to his credit are the awards and decorations, he is also a recipient of more than 50 commendations and honors (1978-1998) awarded by GO and NGO authorities.
For his Military Schooling, he has completed numerous courses that has given him knowledge and skills as an officer.

He was also featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer: Balance News Fearless Views (68 pages 4 section Vol.10 No.266 p7)

“A Guardian Name Guerra”
Zamboanga City-If ever residents of Western Mindanao, particularly Zamboanga City, are having a good night sleep these days, credit goes to the presence here of the Army’s 9th Special Forces under the command of Maj.Darwin Gurra. Guerra's men, who are among the most highly trained combatants in the Philippine Army's Elite Special Forces Corps, are manning critical areas surrounding Zamboanga City to keep criminal elements out of the city.
A veteran field officer who has promoted who has mastered the art of public relations to hilt, Guerra is friend and companion to most city officials and members of the local media.
Joining the Army’s Special Forces in November 2, 1977, Guerra who was promoted to the rank of Major on May 1991, was an instructor in the Special Forces School in Ft. Magsaysay for three years after taking up schooling operations at the Land Warfare Center in Queensland, Australia in 1990.
A graduate to Special Command Course at Ft. Magsaysay where he topped the class with Sen. Gringo Honasan as one of his instructors, Guerra has been practically assigned in almost all places in the country.
A recipient of the Outstanding Soldier Award in Negros in 1986, Darwin, who is married to a Zamboanguena, has Brig.Gen Victor Mayo as his regimental commander.
To most Zamboanguenos, security is a guardian named Guerra.

-by Rolly San Juan, PDI Mindanao Bureau



Official Philippine Army Press Release
Press Release Number: 02-025 Date Released: 23 Jan 2008

6 families held as hostages by MILF Lost Command

Six families were held as hostages after being robbed by suspected seven heavily armed Moro Islamic Liberation Front members at Sitio San Isidro, Upper Bunguiao, Zamboanga City at 5:30 a.m. on Jan. 21.

Reports reaching this headquarters disclosed that the armed men were members of the lost command of the MILF under alias Karaw, operating in the Sibuco, Zamboanga Del Norte.

The suspects arrived in the area, assembled the residents in one place, and started divesting them of their valuables. A certain Josebiao Diabordo Yke Ramirez, 42, one of the victims was divested of his cash money worth P30,000 and more or less 50 grams of gold dust.

After taking the valuable properties and items of the families, the suspects left the area, leaving all their hostages unharmed.

The same day, troops from Task Force Zamboanga led by Col. Darwin Z. Guerra, one platoon of 15th Division Reconnaissance Company led by 1Lt. Baduya and the Zamboanga City PNP immediately proceeded in the area to track down the fleeing bandits.


from the book"Guinayangan Noon at Ngayon" by Alodia F. Molines
from the http://www.army.mil.ph

M.D., M.M., F.A.C.C., F.C.C.P.

Born in the forested hills of Guinayangan during Japanese Occupation to Chinese immigrant Chan Fu, merchant and copra dealer who raised his children adapting the Filipino ways and custom. After finishing elementary grades in 1956, Tony left Guinayangan for Mapua High School, and persuaded his college education in UST, where he graduated with honors as Most Outstanding Medical Intern in 1968.

He then left for Baltimore, USA where he was a Rotating Intern of Union Memorial Hospital and John Hopkins University Graduate Program, 1968-1969.

From 1969 to 1971, he was Resident in Internal Medicine, Michael Reese Medical , University of Chicago, Illinois, where he trained under Dr.Alfred Pick & Richard Langendorf in Clinical Electro physiology, becoming a Fellow in Cardiology, Cardiovascular Institute of the same institution. He then stayed in Chicago from 1969 to 1991 as Cardiologist.

In 1992, he moved to San Jose, California after founding Chanwell Clinics and joined Stanford University Hospital as Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine in Cardiology.
As Chairman of Chanwell Clinics, he sees about 15,000 patients a year, many of which are from Northern California, Philippines and Southeast Asia. A substantial number of his patients are from China, Taiwan, and Hongkong, plus high ranking government officials and religious leaders of the Philippines. Dr. Chan and his team has provided much needed healthcare to the elderly minorities and poor immigrants, rendering free healthcare services particularly to Filipinos, where his clinics are open for them six days a week.

From time to time, he travels to Manila to assist the Philippine Heart Center improve its healthcare services through Congressional leadership. To help young Cardiologist in the Philippines upgrade their knowledge and skills, he also established the Chan Visiting Fellow at the Stanford University where he is currently working at the cardiovascular division in health care delivery strategy and teaching of cardiology fellows.

With Dr. John Cooke of same university, they founded the Cooke Pharma that is involved in the research and development of medical foods that prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. He has imitated the Chan Scholar Program which has funded a Diocesan Priest (UST graduate) for a 4 year Doctorate in Theology in Rome. He and his wife Estrelita , a pediatrician finds time to act as leaders and volunteers of San Jose Filipino Cursillo, and is a Eucharistic Minister, Lector of the Catholic Church of San Jose.
In the summer of 1998, Dr. Chan traveled to Washington D.C. to lobby White House and the US Congress regarding the passage of Veterans Equity Bill for Filipino-American soldiers that fought in World War II.

For his outstanding performance, he has been receiving several Awards and Citations, from different entities such as:

• United States Congressional Award in 1994 for “Outstanding Contribution to Education and Community Medicine”.
• “Physician of the Year Award”, 1994 from the National Filipino Media Association of America
• “Most Outstanding Alumni Award”, 1994-UST Alumna Association of America
• “Dr. Martin Luther King Good Neighbor Award”, 1999-Dr. Martin Luther King Association

and citations as:

• Who’s who in American Medicine
• Who’s who in America
• Who’s Who in Internal Medicine

all from Cambridge, England.

Author and co-author of scientific publications in leading medical journals such as Circulation, American Heart Journal.
He speaks fluent Filipino, Cantonese, Mandarine, Fukienese and English.
He says he never forget his father’s last words to him upon his graduation in the college of Medicine which is “Treat all sick persons regardless of status, race, age and sex, but most particularly the penniless ones” thus for this virtue he always manifest, it is not surprising that he was selected for the “Good Neighbor Award” by the Dr. Martin Luther King Association.

from the book "Guinayangan Noon At Ngayon" by Mrs. Alodia F. Molines

Obstetrician and Gynecologist

Born in Guinayangan, Quezon in 1922, to Dr. Benjamin S. Enverga and Ana Lagdameo. She is a talented grand daughter of Sr. Victoriano Lagdameo, the first Presidente Municipal of Guinayangan. She completed her elementary studies within three and a half years only instead of six years. She graduated as valedictorian in high school at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in 1939 and Preparatory Medicine in 1940. In 1938-1940, she studied for her Associate in Arts and Doctor of Medicine from 1940 to 1945 as a full academic scholar and graduated magna cum laude in 1945. She placed second in the examinations administered by the Philippine Board of Medical Examiners in 1946.

She took a post-graduate study in Gynecology at the Brookline Free Hospital for Women in Brooklilne, Massachusetts after she completed her residency at the Ob-Gyn Department of the UST Hospital. She completed her residency in Obstetrics at St. Anne Hospital in Chicago, under the Loyola Medical School in 1950-1951.

Carmen Enverga Santos is an instructor and professor in medicine and surgery who has history of excellent academic life.

Santos held significant positions in UST- assistant instructor and instructor, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, then full professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In 1973, she was became the chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the first woman to occupy this post after more than one century of its existence.

She is a member of the Philippine Infertility and Sterility Society , and a fellow of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society and the Philippine College of Surgeons. She is a member of both Asian and International Federation of Obstettrics and Gynecology, and a life member of the Philippine Medical Women's Association. She has published many scientific papers on her research interests, namely, ovarian malignancies, vulvo-vaginitis among Filipino women, and hydatidiform mole and prophylactic methotroxate.


For her numerous achievments she won distinctions, honors and awards such as:

• Most Outstanding Alumna in the Field of Medecine (UST High School)
• “Karangalan Award” of Quezon Province in the Field of Medicine and Human Endeavour
• Golden Achievement Award 1981, UST Alumni Association
• UST Medical Alumni Association, Conrado Bauzon Award for Leadership (1980)
• Ramon Lopez Memorial Award, 1982, by the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society
• Congress Executive of the Year for the Philippines, 1982 (for the successful 18th MWIA Congress)


ref. Wikipilipinas
ref. "Guinayangan Noon at Ngayon" by Mrs. Alodia F. Molines

Ang Makata Ng Guinayangan

Matindi ang pag-ibig ni Sixto C. Maghirang sa kanilang musa . Ito marahil ang sanhi kung bakit hindi na niya pinag-ukulan pansin ang iba pang sangay ng panitikan. Siya ngayon ay siyento-porsyentong makata na ang kadakilaan ay inaangkin ng Guinayangan, ang bayan ng kanyang kabiyak at ng Lungsod ng San Pablo na kanyang sinalangan.

Labing anim na taon pa lamang siya’y sumusulat na ng tula. Bago magkadigma, napabilang na ang mga tulang nilikha sa Liwayway at ibang popular na babasahin. Nang matapos ang digmaan, saka pa lamang nakilala ang kanyang pangalan sa daigdig ng Panulaang Tagalog. Ipanakikilala siya ng kaniyang tulang “O Tuwa” sa noong hari ng balagtasan at pangalawang patnugot ng Bulaklak na si Emilio Mar Antonio.

May mga tula rin siyang napabilang sa Talaang Bughaw ng makata at kritikong Alejandro J. Abadilla . Ang tula niyang “Bubog” ay nanalo sa timpalak ng Surian ng Wikang Pambansa noong 1964 at si SCM (ang kanyang daglat), ay kabilang sa labinlimang manunulat na pinangaralan ng Surian sa bulwagan ng Philippine Normal College noong April 2, 1965.

Marami ng nasulat si Sixto C. Maghirang at maari na siyang makapaglimbag ng “aklat-katipunan” ng mga ito. Samantala’y patuloy pa rin ang pagsusunog niya ng kanyang musa at mababasa pa rin sa dahon ng Liwayway at ibang magasin ang kanyang mga magagandang tulang liriko.


O, Tuwa….!
by Sixto Maghirang

Nakalagak ngayon sa dilim ng hapis ang lasog na puso
na labi na lamang ng unsiyaming nais.
Namamatay-daing sa yutang pasakit at pagkasiphayo
na naging hantungan ng aking pagtangis

Sa pagkagupiling ng sawi kong palad, mandi’y naglalamay
Sa gabi ng lungkot at saganang hirap….
(binathalang tuwa na aking pangarap ay hindi man lamang
magtapon ng kahit malamlam na sinag)

Habang naninikis ang tuwa kong pita, dini sa damdamin
Lalong nagnananaw ang pangungulila…..
(palad ko na yatang sa mundo ng dusa tangisa’t yakapin
sa luksang karimlan ang bigong pag-asa!)

Maanong ikaw nga’y ngumiti sa akin tuwang iniibig.
na hinihinta-hintay sa laot-tiisin,
Pagkat ang sinag mong batis ng tulain sa nagluksang langit
niring kapalara’y ilaw ng paggiliw…….

O, Tuwa…..huwag kang madamot sumilay sa lugaming puso
na sabik sa iyong sinag na makulay
Tanglawan mo sana sa pagkasing tunay, nang hindi maglaho
sa sungit ng dusa ang ningas ng buhay….!



from the book "Guinayangan Noon at Ngayon" by Mrs. Alodia F. Molines

A suspected member of the communist New People?s Army was captured by government forces in a guerilla camp near the boundary of Quezon and Bicol early Tuesday, a military official said.
Army Colonel Narciso Alamag, chief of the Army?s 201st Infantry Brigade-Public Affairs Office, said that soldiers from the Army?s 74th and 76th Infantry Battalion engaged some 15 communist guerillas at the boundary of Guinayangan, Quezon and Sta. Elena, Camarines Sur late Monday afternoon.
The battle lasted for about 10 minutes after which the rebels escaped to different directions, according to an initial report, a copy of which was received by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
In a follow-up operation early Tuesday, government forces captured one Jimmy ?Ka Jimmy? Secretario in the village of San Jose in Guinayangan town, 255 kilometers south of Metro Manila. He surrendered two high-powered rifles, an M14, and M16, Alamag said.
Alamag said the captured rebel confessed that one of his comrades, Ka Carlo, was wounded in the encounter Monday afternoon.
Army Colonel Generoso Bolina, assistant chief of the unified command staff for civil military operations of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), said the place where Secretario was captured was an ?NPA camp."
The Solcom official said the military has been conducting anti-insurgency operations in southern Quezon after a combined team of police officers and Army soldiers intercepted the transport of heavy firearms in Buenavista, Quezon, believed to be owned by the NPA and intended to be used in extorting money from businessmen and election candidates.
?Our men are ready to foil the terrorists? extortion activities disguised as collection of the so-called revolutionary taxation, permit to campaign, and permit to win fees,? Bolina said over the phone
Last February 26, two suspected NPA rebels, Victor Ib-ib and Eduardo Olvinar, were arrested at a mobile checkpoint in Buenavista town while trying to transport an M60 machine-gun with 400 rounds of ammunitions; one M14 rifle; one bandoleer with 10 magazines loaded with M14 ammunitions; and four detonating cords with blasting caps.
The firearms loaded in an Isuzu mini dump truck and covered with sand were noticed by the lawmen when they spotted the muzzle of a gun jutting out.
The military said the seized weapons were intended to be turned over to an NPA unit in the province, tasked to intensify its extortion activities.

By Delfin Mallari Jr.
Inquirer Southern Luzon

Dati rati ang buong kalupaan ng Salacan at kabundukan ng Sta.Cruz ay bahagi ng Brgy.Hinabaan. Ang mga unang tao na humawan sa kagubatan nito ay ang mga angkan nina Mariano Andaluz, Venancio at Apolinario Salumbides, Pablo Rebuelta at Atanacio Cerilla na karamihan ay nangaling sa karatig bayan ng Lopez.

Sa dami ng nagtataasan at naglalakihang puno sa kagubatan, isang lagarian ang napatayo sa lugar na ito. Ito ay pag-aari ng isang banyagang Hapones na si Yamamoto San. Mga primerang kahoy kagaya ng yakal, guijo at palosapis ang inaahon sa kagubatan na ngayoy nasasakupan ng
Brgy.Sta.Cruz. Dahil sa ubod ng tarik ng bundok na pinanggagalingan ng mga troso, nagpagawa si Yamamoto San ng tatlong “salak”(isang maliit na dam sa ilog). Lumalim ang tubig sa ilog ng Salakan at napapalutang nila ang mga troso galing sa kagubatan tungo sa lagarian. Sa kadahilanang ang daang panlalawigan noon ay lubha pang maliit at isa lamang “rough o dirt road”, ibinabalsa lamang nila ang mga kahoy sa look ng Ragay tungo kalunsuran kung saan ito ibinebenta. Nagpatayo rin si Yamamoto San ng isang Cable Bridge upang magamit na pagbaba ng mga kahoy. Gayundin ay ginagamit din ito ng mga tauhan at mga mamumutol ng kahoy sa pag-ahon at pagbaba sa kabundukan. Sa kasalukuyan ay mga bakas ng animo garrison sa dating pinaglalagyan ng makina ng dongke ang makikita sa baranggay na ito (matatagpuan sa tabi ng daan papuntang Brgy.Sta.Cruz).

Ang ilog na bumabaybay sa baryong ito ay binansagan nilang Ilog ng Salakan dahil nga sa tatlong “salak” na nasa kahabaan nito . Sa paglipas ng panahon ay nahawan na ang buong kagubatan at nagkameron na ng pagkakataon ang mga magsasaka na taniman ang kalupaan. Dito na rin nanirahan ang mga dating trabahador ng trosohan ng maubos na ang mga kahoy. Nagsunuran na rin ang iba pang mga tao sa karatig baryo at bayan hanggang sa dumami na sila at nagkameron nang munting kumonidad. Nang humiwalay na ang lugar sa Brgy. Hinabaan bilang isang ganap na baryo, pinangalangan nila itong Salakan alinsunod din sa pangalan ng ilog na nagbigay at patuloy pa rin na nagbibigay buhay sa mga naninirahan dito. Si Julian Amparo ang kauna-unahang naging Tinyente del Baryo.

Sa kasalukuyan, si G. Alberto Disuasido ang namumuno sa barangay na ito bilang Kapitan. Nagdiriwang ng kanilang kapistahan tuwing ika-18 ng Mayo bilang parangal sa kanilang mahal na patron na si San Isidro.

ref. "Guinayangan Noon at Ngayon" by Mrs.Alodia F. Molines
ref. Mr. Aquilino Barrera