Taga-Ubos

Sa akong nahinumduman kaniadtong bata pa ko, the Philippine peso was P25.75 to the $dollar. The president was Corazon Aquino. Life was simple. Life was easy. My father was a farmer and he used to be a barrio captain at one time.  My mother kept a small sari-sari store and carenderia where her suki bought dyes tabos nga asin, dyes tabos nga ginamos, dyes tabos nga suka, giring-giring nga sinko’s tabos patis ug may hangyo pang pakapin nga usa ka lusok ahos.  Usahay modalikyat pa ug pangayo ug sabaw sa manok sa tinda’s akong nanay nga sud-an.

There was also one time, my father caught an exotic animal called “haw” kinda looks like a big lizard which he will made into batute (stuffed lizard) nga gikan pa gyud sa uma, or just plain fried. During the night, he caught potpot and dangit from his fish nets or sudsud when he decided to go fishing at the back of the merkado, which he would usually prepare it into tinola. During dry season, we relied on the vegetables, buwad, and ginamos. Every now and then, there was pork and beef from the town market.

Life in Borbon was so peaceful, so quiet, no water supply from Borbon Water District kaniadto kay adto man lang magsag-ub sa Tangke unya mohapit ug pangaligo sa daganasan dayon maapasan na lang hinuon ug bunal.  And no TV kay ila ra man ni Nang Bebang ug Noy Polok mi matan-awan (black and white pa gyud to!).  Just the radio for Teban, Goliat, mga drama sa DYHP and Bombo Radyo. And who can forget the music played on radio program “Berbotin” at DYKC? On weekends, I played with my neighbours (who were all my friends). Bato-lata, tagu-tagu, jolen, patintero, ug uban pa. I don’t know about you, but I miss those days.

These days, we face the TV, DVD, Laptop, Telephone, Internet and not to mention the latest craze of Taga-Borbon, “Friendster”, On-line chatting, SMS, email, newspaper, magazine, catalog, or drive around. The peso is a staggering and incredible P47 to the $dollar. Most Borbonanon or even Pinoys in general can’t have fun anymore. Life has become a battle nowadays.
I tried to google how our Philippine peso performs in the global trend and how it suddenly declines against the dollar: (Ref:  The Archipelago at www.freewebs.com) para naa sad ta’y info sa dagan sa atong kwarta ba.  What is! High-tech na gud ta, pwede na mag-research sa internet without hassle, di ba?

PERIOD – ADMINISTRATION - RATE / US$

1935  -  1943 Manuel L. Quezon  P   2.00

1943  -  1945 Jose P. Laurel  P  2.00

1945  -  1946 Sergio Osmena Sr  P   2.00

1946  -  1948  Manuel Roxas P   2.00

1948  -  1953  Elpidio Quirino P   2.00

1953  -  1957 Ramon Magsaysay  P   2.00

1957  -  1961 Carlos P. Garcia  P   2.00

1961  -  1965 Diosdado Macapagal  P   3.95

1965  -  1969 Ferdinand E. Marcos  P   3.95

1969  -  1983 Ferdinand E. Marcos  P 11.00

1983  -  1986 Ferdinand E. Marcos  P 14.00

1986  -  1992 Corazon C. Aquino P 25.75

1992  -  1998 Fidel V. Ramos  P 28.00

1998  -  2000 Joseph E. Estrada  P 50.00

2000  -  2004  Gloria M. Arroyo  P 56.65

2004  -  2006 Gloria M. Arroyo  P 51.65

2006 - present   Gloria M. Arroyo P 47.00

Given the information above, I then asked, “Is that a wonder or a worry?”

WHO CARES, basta most of us Borbonanons, mag-usab man ang dagan sa ekonomiya sa  kalibutan… padayon gihapon ta ug kayod for survival.  I’m sure ninggamot sa atong mga alimpatakan kadtong kabilin sa atong mga katiguwangan nga bisa’g magkina-unsa, kita ra gihapon ang magkasinabtanay—mga Lumad nga Borbonanon.  Mao nga maghoy-hoy na lang ta ani para lingaw gihapon taliwala sa kalisod sa panahon karon.  Hinaot unta makapamaylo pa gihapon ta ug asin sa atong mga kasilinganan.

Even at the moment of writing this, I couldn’t help myself taking pleasure in a way my brother wrote pieces of articles on his blogsite (http//www.lofilljay.blogspot.com).  Not by any comportment of demonstrating my brotherly accolade or rave review to his write-ups but it’s more beyond that.

I turn my nose up and marvel at how my brother audaciously discovers his unfeigned talent in writing.  He has definitely grew “obviously”, not by physical facet but by supple progression of his inimitable flair.

His achievement being an editor-in-chief of one university journal in Cebu, SWU’s “The Quill” already speaks out of the struggle he has gone through.  And I admire his indomitable spirit for bringing up his achievements in school, all by himself.  I personally observed how he strive hard and single-handedly carry the responsibilities entailed upon his dreams. 

To my brother, I would always be your number 1 fan.  Continue to share your talent in writing coz I am not just learning from it but honestly loving it.  

Most of us might agree that getting what we want would satisfy the cravings of our soul.   

UPROARIOUS on the other hand if we fail to obtain the very end of each desires especially when we feel like we’re already on top of it and perhaps too close of bringing it to fruition.

It happened on several occasions, when I’m very close to fulfilling my wants but suddenly halted by some unavoidable circumstances, both by internal and external impulses of nature.  A number of times as well that my temper goes astray, putting my disposition to test.  But my calm spirit always put an oar to the situation amid my vehemence.    

Might draw a parallel stripe on individual differences, I supposed and in the end will tend to let the situation passed-by without stirring my doldrums over it.  It’s true that we can never please someone who doesn’t share the same reverence as ours.  Sa atong pinulungan pa, pasagdai na lang gud, ingon ana man gyud na ang uban… dili baya na sila pareha nato.

This brings to my understanding on certain dynamics that somehow helps pacify similar heart moving situation.  That mere fact is… “Not all you’ve expected will become certain.  And not all, who have shown interest at the beginning, will travel with you ‘til the END”.

Here in the UAE, if some Filipinos or “even foreign-jers” asked me where I come from, my answer unswervingly points to my beautiful town of Borbon.   As I also knew that if I introduced my adored hometown’s name to them…it ensued that I have to describe in details the geographical locations and neighboring familiar landmarks of our town for them to better comprehend as well.  And in manner of illumination and still hearing the murmuring reactions from these people like “mmmmm” or “ohhhmmm”, then I doubt it nga wala gyud diay sila kahibalo kong asa gyud ning bukira sa Cebu mapalgan ang Borbon ba!

I’ve been happily married for almost 8 years now, been settled and find my simple abode in the exact opposite pole of Borbon, from the South of Cebu… the municipality called San Fernando.   What’s peculiar was that, when I start telling people about the two places they’ll always find it easy to locate my second town “San Fernando” rather than Borbon.  Perhaps because in the South where San Fernando was situated, it has a highway that public transport (like big buses) normally passed by and people always noticed the long-stretched of the town on their way to the far south.  Unlike Borbon that you have to make a special route to a provincial road connecting Sogod and Borbon just to reach the coastal areas where the heart of Borbon (Poblacion) is located… unya ang imong sakyan mga gagmay nga jeep (as I remember before) kong modiretso ka sa lungsod.  You can also chose a bus ride en route to Bogo or far North and take a stop at ESD “Eskina Sa Damolog” and enjoy your way with the tricycle rides going to the coastal places of Bingay, Campusong, Poblacion, Cadaruhan or Tagnucan. 

Or maybe this time, transportations in Borbon are different as I observed a fast-moving development of our tourism sectors. En route to Bogo also, you can pay attention to the beautiful mountain barangays of Borbon however casual observers might not catch sight of familiar landmarks and signs (like municipal hall, church & parks) especially that the town’s Local Government Unit (LGU) main operation is in the heart of Poblacion…maong dili gyud siguro kaayo mailhan ang atong lungsod.

Being a passionate Borbonanon, I see the challenge therein.  The challenge to make my hometown be recognized and known to other FIlipinos or even foreigners alike in my simple little way.  As I know that word of the mouth is very effective marketing strategy, then I tried to describe my hometown in such a way that other people asking me will view BORBON as beautiful as it is in reality para sad ganahan silang motan-aw o mobisita ba kaha sa atong lungsod puhon.  I remember my friend “Mich” telling me that good reputation is a good attraction.  I have to borrow her phrase and slightly modify it with “GOOD EXPLANATION IS A GOOD ATTRACTION”.

Here’s my explanation about Borbon and I want to share some lines in Borbonanon’s tongue para nindot paminawon ba, hehehe. 

“Ang Borbon naa na nahimutang dapit sa Norte kon naggikan ka sa dakbayan sa Sugbo.  Ang iyang katahum mapasigarbuhon kaayo tungod sa kamingaw ug kahapsay sa maong lugar ug sa mga lumulupyo niini.  Ang pagkahinamigo ug pagka-matinagdanon sa mga Borbonanon maoy modasig sa mga bisita ug mga turista nga mobalik pa gihapon aning lugara.  Dinhi usab nimo makita ang mga maanindot nga talan-awon sa kinaiyahan sama sa  mga matahom nga lugar like: “Silveria Beach Resort, Ma. Benita Beach Resort, Tuburan Springwater, Two Marine Sanctuary, San Sebastian Bellfry (dates back to Spanish time), Salmugi River, Ylaya Spring Valley ug ang Nonoc Cave. 

I always include to them my invitation like, “Kong nagplano mo ug nice escapades away from the hustles and bustles of the city, then take your priceless experience and tour to the beautiful places of Borbon, Cebu, Philippines because it is truly, “ The Town With A Heart”.

Or if they still don’t find it interesting & understand my explanations, I will advise them to log on to the amazing website www.borboncebu.com and learn the facts and figures of our town.  Aron dili na ko kapuyon ug explain ba, hehehehe. 

NOTE:  Thanks Alma/PinkRanger for the nice picture of our municipal seal.  More colorful pictures of Borbon can be viewed at PinkRanger’s Photo Album.

Mahinumduman pa gyud nako ang agik-ik ug katawa sa akong mga higala.  Magduwa ug bato-lata usahay patentero sa tunga sa dalan labi na kon takdol ang kahayag sa buwan.  Walay sama nga kahinangop ug kasadya ang mobulig sa among panaghagwa-hagwa nga mora ug walay kabutangan sa among mga kalipay.  Kong asa dad-on sa kalaay adto usab motungkarol aron maghisgot-hisgot ug mga butang nga wala dinhi ug wala didto.

Pagkamingaw gayud nga handumon ang mga lad-ok sa pirik-pirik kay pulong pa sa mga katiguwangan, ilimnon nga makapalagsik ug makapalig-on sa ilang mga tuhod.  Usahay ang hinungaw sa Tanduay inig abli sa botelya maoy modasig sa akong mga higala sa usa ka pulong-pulong bisan ug hangin lang ang sumsuman.

Mga mabulukong eksperyensya sa among kabatan-on nga nihatag ug mga pagtulun-an ug dili mabayarang kalipay.  Mga parte sa among pagpakabuhi sa lumad namong natawhan nga bisan ug asa dad-on sa kahigayonan mapatik ug muomol gihapon sa among mga alimpatakan.

Apan ang payag nga maoy buhing saksi sa mga panaghugpong sa mga kahigalaan nagpabilin sa gihapon.  Nagpaabot nga unta damlag mobalik ang kahigayonan diin ang mga katawa, kasadya ug mga panaghugpong sa mga kabatan-onan, mohatag ug modasig sa payag nga mobarog pa gihapon bisan sa lintunganay sa panahon.

Asa na kaha gipad-pad sa hanging amihan ang akong mga kahigalaan.  Ang payag nga nagmingaw nanghinaot nga ibalik sa hanging habagat ang mga kasikas ug hugyaw niadtong nanglabay na nga panahon.

Hahay…pagkamingaw sa payag.

I view life as something fascinating.  It is remarkable in every way yet inexplicable at some points.  Abysmal in spite of that marvelous and if I press to transcend the ambiguity of life I may end up totting up fleas in my hair while unconsiously spending time in the four walls.  (Kay nabuang dia’y ug sabot sa misteryo sa kinabuhi, hehehe).

The 10,950 days of living life was so far rewarding in every ways.   I learn to lag behind and struggle even at a snail’s pace, I learn to fall down and even learn to stand up after falling, more that I learn to think constructively and most of all I gain knowledge of viewing the every day existence in the most optimistic way.

Ana lang gyud na ang kinabuhi, hinay-hinay lang ug kayod para mo-survive.  Bisa’g unsa pa kalisod ang atong naagian o giagian, kinahanglang mopadayon gihapon ug kayod bahala na’g mangapudpod ang pinakauyokang paglaum sa atong pagkatawo.  Ang importante, dili ta mo give-up.

It is far better to get used to whatever life we have rather than giving up on it.  CELEBRATE LIFE!!!

The passion, the enthusiasm and the hidden rage of common Borbonanon have now been stretching to its threshold. It all started with an ordinary discussion and gathering of thoughts among local Borbonanons and abroad over friendster (thanks to Borbon) and I couldn’t helped but noticed that a coppice having stored in a repository for a long time has now been lit by the sensations of disappointed and dissatisfied folks. The flame is setting ablaze and would continue to raze as the silence had been broken.

Daghan pa gyud kaayo sa atong mga katagilungsod ang naghandum ug bisa’g gamay nga kauswagan. Naglaum nga sa ugma damlag mahatagan ug maayong benepisyo sa atong mga gitu-uhang lider sa katawhan. Atong saw-an ang paglaum sa atong mga katagilungsod pinaagi sa pagdasig niining atong mga lider nga unta motan-aw sa mga gikinahanglang tabang para mapalambo ang panginabuhi sa atong mga lumad nga Borbonanon.

Some of us losses interest and perhaps would just gaze to uncertainties because of false promises.  Siguro panahon na para tabangan nato ug aghat ang atong mga lider nga unta hunungon na nila ang daghang mga saad ug higayon na nga mobuhat na gayud sila sa mga gikinahanglang programa para sa kinatibuk-an.  Now is the time for our leaders to look in-depth to their constituents’ problems and listen to the cry of ordinary citizens. The fire is burning and we’ll keep it burning until we see progress in the eyes of ordinary Borbonanons.

Ato usab pukawon ang ubang Borbonanon nga unta dili na sila magduka ug kinahanglan nga motabang usab sa mga tawo nga adunay maayong laraw sa atong lungsod ug sa katagilungsod… mapolitiko man o ma dili.

Once I heard a challenging quote from a famous sage that says, "WHEN YOUR LIPS ARE SILENT AND YOUR EYES ARE CLOSED AND YOUR EARS ARE DEAF.  IT ONLY MEANS ONE THING.  NAAY KA’Y DISCOUNT SA JEEP KAY DISABLED KA!!!"  Bahala na lang ug wala’y discount kaysa nganlan ta ug DISABLED, di ba?