Revisiting memories of my hometown of Tagoloan

Photo by Nelly Montayre

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

I was added to this Facebook group called ” Lumad Tagoloan” (Tagoloan natives) where I saw people that I knew in the past who lived in my hometown of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental in northern Mindanao, Philippines.

Aside from “Lumad”, Facebook itself gave us the opportunity of reconnecting to the folks we met early in life.  I met many of them at Tagoloan Central School either as classmates, batch mates or schoolmates.  

I am teary eyed thinking about Tagoloan Central School. I couldn’t think of a reason why except that I am getting older. Facebooking indeed reconnects.

This story is all about special moments I remembered there but allow me first to mention the names of classmates or batchmates I haven't seen in 50 years. 

Nonalyn Eduave or Mrs.Dayen Zamudio as she's now known. We were close that I can remember it well, I don’t know if she remembers it. The closeness has something to do with ranking I guess but never mind that.  We were in the same row always in row 1.  

Class picture

After graduation from Grade 6 she went to Lourdes College and I lost track of her although every now and then I would know what became of her.

The next person I got reconnected to is a neighbor, Nelcita Lao who's one year ahead of me. She is the daughter of Iyo Teting Lao and Iya Meling. I had the gall to tell her you are “Inday.” 

But she asked that she be called Nelly. She is here in the US and she goes by the name of Nelly Lao Montayre.

It took me sometime to get her name but Lynn Wolfe is a classmate of Nelly. I remembered her commenting on a class picture and little did I know that she was Jocelyn Lim. 

Next up is Gerva Celeridad. I requested to make friends with her because I know she is Gerva Tagapulot.  Gerva, Nelly and Lynn are classmates. 

Their stories

There are still many names of people here at Facebook that we met in life that I would deal with sometime soon. I asked the people I mentioned and others on what they remembered about Tagoloan Elementary School and some responded. This isn't just my story but their stories as well. 

But let me kick off this trip down memory lane. I was schooled for the first six years of my life at the Tagoloan Central School and it was the best years of my life because the things I learned there is still with me. 

Then the school became known as Tagoloan Pilot School. I thought then that the name change was because all of the students were smart then I learned that the school would become a lab for teachers to learn the different methodologies of teaching and connecting to their pupils. 

I asked many of my former classmates and batchmates about their memories of Tagoloan Central School and here are some of them. 

Nelly Montayre of San Diego, California, formerly known as Nelcita Lao said she was proud of being chosen to raise the flag during the flag ceremonies in the morning or afternoon.

Whipping

Nonalyn  Eduave or Dayen Zamudio recounted the time when a group of girls went to Baluarte to Rosemary Acac's place for a swim. She remembered Milan Dagus, Gracia Nabong and many more in the group. I was with a group but had a hard time recalling the others. 

“I can't forget this experience,” she said, explaining that she got a whipping from her mother, the late Mrs. Godilla M. Eduave, a teacher at Tagoloan Central School. 

I couldn't blame her mom since Baluarte, a barrio of Tagoloan town, is quite far from the school and it was so hot going there. There were no tricycles then. 

She continued recalling the science and spelling bee contests under Mr. Butler and Bernson who were members of the Peace Corps. “We have fun trying to sound like them,” Dayen said. 

She also recalled about the “ macopa fruits” of our neighbor Iya Tering Lee which we stole whenever we can. I remembered that the macopa tree is at the back of the building where we have our Home Economics class. 

Strong personality

Gerva Tagapolot-Celeridad remembered Mrs. Josepita” Pita” Mijares and Mrs. Abejo, the home economics teacher. She said she learned much about home skills and etiquette from them. 

Photo by Urcel C. Mulvey 

Gerva said Mrs. Abejo would order girls who got naughty in class to walk around the oval outside class with a book on their head. 

Back then, Gerva was boyish and already sported a strong personality.

“She remembers her buddies Villarita 'Rita' Paguidopon, sister of my classmate Rico and Cecilia “Tata” Valdehuesa. I understand they are close because they all lived near the public market or at Kibulda and they went home together,” Gerva said.

From our class class valedictorian Gracia Nabong-Salac, she shared this bit of nostalgia: “We enjoyed picking sampalok (tamarind) at Clea Alaud's place, picking up  guavas in Natumulan Hills at Procesa Barros' place.”

Gracia or Ace, who graduated class valedictorian in elementary and high school, also remembered taking a dip at Tagoloan River and jumping off the high Tagoloan Bridge and going home soaked to her skin. 

Game of the year

Grace recalled looking for materials for Home Economics class projects in Casinglot by crossing a river and climbing the mansanitas fruit tree of Evangeline “Tata” Gamber-Mabagos. 

Just like Nelly Lao Montayre Urcel Casino-Mulvey who is four years younger than my class 67 she remembered the flag ceremony in the morning coz that’s” when you get to see all the students especially your groupie bisan di mo pareha ug section.” Urcel added.

“The recess in the mid morning and mid afternoon where we would then play with whatever is the "in" game of the year be it biko biko, bato lata, kundesi,” she recalled.

Urcel who became Miss Tagoloan in the years ahead and a campus figure at Xavier University already foresee what she would be by saying this during elementary she love closing program because she would always be on it.

“Also at the end of each school year the presentations in which always gyud ko starring (I never starred in),” she said.

Special moments

Gregorio “Gerry” Paduganan who later entered the Philippine Military Academy and retired as Air Force General already knew about his future career then in elementary school when he was made fun of by fellow Boy Scouts.

“Papa Dodoy was one of my scout masters and at one time Mr. Balasi, yes Mr Gapi too. Knot tying always fascinated me so every time there's a contest on knot tying, I always represented my school,” Gerry said.

Lastly for me, I remembered  a classmate who didn't study for tests and I told her she can copy from me in exchange for some favors. She was a good copier that she even copied my name. Oh, Trinidad Rollenas where are you now?

I think that one episode just defined my life in the days ahead. There are still so many moments to tell the next time.  These stories are quite random because I asked from many and got a few replies. 

Next time, I'll talk about the teachers. For now, there are so many memories to remember that it crowds my mind and good. Gerry took quite sometime to recall the memories of times spent in Tagoloan Central School. 

I close my recollections using Gracia Salac's words “We experienced true happiness in timeless moments We shared our dreams, laughter and joy amidst struggles and challenges.”

Special moments constitute memories so precious that no one could erase them. Meaningful and beautiful beyond words. It stays and live in our hearts forever.”

I recalled these words as I was invited to become a commencement speaker in Tagoloan school and believe me, I almost couldn't utter a word as there were so many special moments. Yes, they stay with you even if you're in another country.

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who works as a nanny in North Carolina. This page will serve as a venue for news and discussion on Filipino communities in the Carolinas.

Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.

You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)

Selfies as a 'born again' passion

Me at right with Terry Laabid, Fil-American Community of the Carolinas officer

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

I COULD unequivocally say that we have become witnesses to the growth of the online, wired “selfie” generation in the past few years.

Unless you've either been living under a rock or off the grid, you know what a selfie is. Nearly anyone young and old alike with a smartphone or social media accounts had at one time or the other took a photo of oneself and posted it online.

It is known in olden times as self-portraiture and thanks to technological advances, one need not be proficient with paintbrushes, ink pens or pencils since all it takes is one click from a smartphone to take a portrait of oneself.

This self-portraiture is born “again” and later you would understand why I described it so. Oxford Dictionary defines selfie as “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website.”

Take note of the following elements: oneself, smartphone and upload to a social media website.

Self-publication
“Selfies” have upended somewhat the features and rules of social communication by injecting some self-awareness and humor and showing how we behave in public. 

Ghing Vhoght 

At least for many, selfies show their best side to the world though it had also scraped that thinning line between the online and personal lives of social media users. 

While we still have some control over what we post and say, it still reflects a good part of our real lives.

Since I am a child of the past, selfies were something I took with a grain of salt. At times I smiled to myself at the idea of so many people taking selfies everywhere they are at the time and with everyone they happen to be with.

It wasn't until I was in a car and I forgot to take a book that I took out my smartphone and took a selfie. It is fun and sort of a self-publication of my own special moments. 

Joining the crowd
I thus joined the crowd so to speak. It was hard at first capturing myself especially with Ronnie who likes to join in on my selfies. I had to make a lot of adjustments whenever we pose together for selfies using my smartphone.

I have to look down or up, or just show one half of my face to get a better shot.
I don’t usually do the duck face, it's hard to do and I still have to study it. 

Maria Corazon Ducusin

In the words of my friend Ghing Vhoght who I think mastered the art of taking selfies, “it is only studying the best angle so we can take a good picture of ourselves.”

It is quite bizarre for me to learn that from self-portraits or selfies, it has evolved into a group or what Mary Grace Gaither calls multi-selfie. I find it more amazing to see how one can take photos of oneself and several other people using a smartphone camera. 

I admitted lately that I've taken pictures of myself when nobody is watching-- inside the car, waiting for an appointment and in other places where there's a nice background. 

Expression
I nearly broke my neck either looking up or down just to take these selfies. If it wasn't for my wry sense of humor, I'd be quitting it cold turkey. 

Parties are a certified hotspot for selfies, since anyone with a smartphone can take photos of themselves and upload it on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest accounts.

Or they can wait for the proper time to post their selfies especially if they want to share it with the important people in their lives. I asked people why they take selfies, starting with my husband Ronnie.

Ronnie said he takes selfies because it's the in-thing to do these days. “And I am good looking man that's why,” he winked. No argument from me there.

Maria Corazon Ducusin also echoes Ronnie's sentiment, saying a selfie “is an expression of my everyday emotions.” “Like today I feel funny. Click. I feel good click!!. I feel beautiful..click!,” she said.

Self-art 
“And I always tell myself I’d better enjoy me and my selfies now because someday when I get old and wrinkly I'll sit down on my rocking chair and say., ...she is one good looking girl,” Maria said.

Maria usually posts selfies accompanied by positive thoughts so anyone who reads it would also feel good. She was the first among my circle here in Charlotte, North Carolina who punctuated her posts with “woohoo!” Who wouldn't find that contagious?

My daughter Honey and granddaughter Arianne Jaden Baisas

Another friend, Ghing Voght, started taking selfie pictures since last year when the “selfie movement just started.” Ghing said she always watches The Filipino Channel program “Showtime” and since then, she takes selfies for fun.

“I just followed them and it is nice since I can take the best selfie of myself.”

For Mary Grace Gaither, a mother of two, her selfies are a good outlet for self-expression and appreciation. Her favorite selfie is one with her hubby Steve and son Josh including  baby Stephanie that was taken last Easter. Stephanie was also looking at the camera, she said.

There are others who said that taking selfies are either narcissistic, attention seekers who crave public attention to maintain their self-esteem. Ronnie disagrees, saying that selfies is a form of self-art.

Self confidence issues
Then there are others who said taking selfies does help boost self-esteem and self-confidence and I agree with them. 

Even if you’re not willing to admit it, we all (to some degree) have self-confidence issues and, for some people, posting a selfie is a great way of getting over that low esteem and that's normal. 

The need to feel good is a valid issue and what better way to boost it than  through a selfie.

I also agree that to some extent, taking selfies isn't the healthiest thing to do and one should be careful not to overdo do it to make himself/herself feel better. Sometimes we need others to validate our actions.

Somebody said we need selfies as food for our self-esteem. But I say we just live in a different time when technology is impacting our lives in so many ways. 

Lynn Lorenzo Polk has this to say: ”We didn't have the technology then that we have now.” To each his own, but one shouldn't overdo selfies because it becomes an obsession which is unhealthy. 

Improved version
Polk said she doesn't take selfies but she isn't opposed to it. But taking selfies goes back to the time of artist Vincent Van Gogh, who painted more than 30 self-portraits some of which are said to be his most important works of art.

So you see the selfies of today are just an improved version of the original selfie portraits of Van Gogh except that we do it with our smartphones and monopods in hand instead of paint brushes.

Thus selfies are a “born again passion” enhanced only by technology. For me, I think selfies should be treated like other photos one takes which is intended to capture special moments that anyone would like to share with the world.

Other do it because they want to feel good about themselves while others are bored. Whatever their reason, I think the season for selfies is here to stay. I quote Lynn Lorenzo-Polk who said that “sometimes it's a once in a lifetime moment and one can't help but take a selfie.”

So what can you say about the selfie? Post your thoughts.  For more links read this and this. In the meantime, excuse me, I'm going to take a selfie.

Mary Grace Gaither and her husband with their family

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who works as a nanny in North Carolina. This page will serve as a venue for news and discussion on Filipino communities in the Carolinas.

Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.

You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)

Fond memories of the feast of St. Augustine

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

EVERY town and city in the Philippines has a fiesta of its own in whatever time of the year and in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental in northern Mindanao, it falls on Aug. 28.

On that date, Cagayan de Oro marks the feast day of St. Augustine after the Recoletos made it the city’s patron saint in 1674. Fiestas always bring out the best in us and depending on the local government unit, the celebration always improves every year.

As I was writing this piece, it dawned on me that I’m not the only one who’s grown nostalgic about the Cagayan de Oro fiesta. From all across the world, there are Kagay-anons who also reminisce about the city’s fiesta celebration.

From Gwendolyn”Wendy” Ramos-Garcia, the daughter of lawyer Pureza Ramos, the Cagayan de Oro fiesta reminded her of the time when she would always get a new dress for the occasion.

Wendy, who’s based in Union City, California and very much active at the Kagay-anon International also said  she “looks forward to the procession in honor of St. Augustine.”

Heavenly

“And best of all, the delicious fiesta fare at the house of Tito Angel and Tita Dory Chaves,” she said. A former president of the Cagayanons of Northern California, her husband Peter is now on his third term as its president.

Florida-based Susan Cepeda-Burkhard (who of course would forget the Cepeda Studio?) said she always remembers the “abundance of delicious native food such as lechon and many more” as something she always looks forward to.

Burkhard said she misses the colorful parade and the family gatherings and hanging out with friends. The last Cagayan de Oro City fiesta she attended was 23 years ago.

Marilyn Rago-Mabillin, now based in Pinole, California, recounts the time she was a choir member of the St. Augustine Cathedral since 11 years old.

“The appearance of Archbishop Hayes in public by celebrating the high Mass was so heavenly and the presence of most  (if not all) priests from all parts of the archdiocese coming to say Mass with him was so hair raising and this does not count the seminarians sitting in the front rows. And some of them joined us in the choir. Young as I was I already had crushes and one of them was a seminarian,” she said.

Blessings

Sandra Badon-Alms, formerly of the Cagayan de Oro City Information Office has this to say: “I missed my involvement in city fiesta activities, merry-making and praising God for all the blessings He gave the city for the entire year.”

Sandra, (Sandy to friends) now resides with husband Jack and her family in Long Island,  New York.

Miguela Saldua-Grant who worked at the Musni and Arcol Law Office before coming here in Charlotte, North Carolina, also shared that she looked forward to the parades, beauty pageants and other activities.

“Medyo taud-taud na pong wala nako kauli ug wala nako ka witness sa latest (It’s been sometime since I went home and I haven’t witnessed the latest) events,” she said.

Miguela, who’s  very active in church activities here at St. Matthews is also reminded of the high Mass. She said even if the St. Augustine Cathedral is full, she manages to always get inside.

Sunday best

Senny Macas-Trippe of Washington State, who used to work at the St. Augustine Cathedral also said she always remembers the Cagayan de Oro City fiesta as the time for honoring the city’s patron saint.

“The story I was told as a kid was how St. Augustine guarded the city along Cagayan de Oro river from its enemies. It is a time where all people (in different religion) unite for a day,” she said.

For me, I always look forward to the Cagayan de Oro City fiesta back when I was a little girl of the neighboring Tagoloan town in Misamis Oriental, northern Mindanao.

I used to count the days leading to the fiesta because it would mean I can ride on the jeepney with my father as driver. My father was the driver of Iyo Tilo Emano and I would be on the front seat in my Sunday’s best with my Nanay (mother).

Then Nanay would go to Cogon market and purchase some clothes at Ludenas while I watch the parade with lollipop in hand. I can remember watching movies either at Lyric theater afterwards or at Nations theater in another year.

Spiritual

Cagayan de Oro City changed overnight when I began work in the local media and I remembered reporting all the month-long city fiesta activities in my radio and TV program.

Most of the fiesta activities back then would be held at the Amphitheater or would start there like the civic-military parade, drum and bugle corps which added color to the celebration.

It is nice to see the students clad in their uniforms joining the parade but I think some of them don’t’ like it because it’s usually warm even if they don’t openly complain about it.

The passage of time changed the way I look at fiesta celebrations now and it made me realize that it is the spiritual aspect that’s more important though you can always balance both the spiritual and secular celebrations.

I’ve been attending the nine days novena Mass no matter busy I got and I also attend the Holy Mass during the fiesta when all bishops and priests in the diocese act as the main celebrant.

Marilyn Mabillin says even the priests outside Cagayan de Oro take time to join with the faithful in celebrating the feast of St. Augustine because on that day, there is plenty of food for people to partake at in the convent.

I really miss the feast of St. Augustine and so on behalf of Kagay-anons who now live abroad, I greet the residents of Cagayan de Oro a Happy Fiesta. Viva San Agustin!

(All Cagayan de Oro City fiesta photos are by Gardee Pacalioga. Check out his  Facebook page here.)

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who works as a nanny in North Carolina. This page will serve as a venue for news and discussion on Filipino communities in the Carolinas.
Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.


You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)

Farewell Manong Agustin

Manong Agustin with family

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Manong (A term of endearment to relatives and elderly friends equivalent to sir) Agustin Pungtod, whom I considered a “trailblazer” in Melecia Homes, Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental, northern Mindanao Philippines, was laid to rest last Thursday and I regret not saying goodbye personally to my friend. 

I remembered his pot belly, grey hair, receding hairline, old looking teeth and wrinkled smile with lively eyes. Always on top of the situation, Manong Agustin was a successful father if we based it on how his children are today.

My friendship with him was my sheltering tree in that life at Melecia. He should have been 77 years old in Aug. 28. His family originally came from Basilan province and I guess they transferred in Cagayan de Oro City 20 years ago. 

That's why when I talked about the armed conflict in Mindanao back in my broadcaster days he has a lot to share with me, since Basilan is one of the flashpoints of that conflict.

At first I was pleased to see the picture of “Manong” on Facebook on the news page. I told myself “wow he is on Facebook.”  Then the second time I looked at the image posted there were two angels, one atop and the other one below, with the flowers and backdrop white.

What struck me were the words “In loving memory of late Nong Agustin Pungtod.” It was a  moment of realization for me seeing that my friend was dead. It could not be, I told myself, he was strong physically and spiritually.  

I was saddened to know that I won't be able to see him alive again when I come home this year.  He was dear to me, as you know, and I’ll always remember how much fun we had talking when I would consult him on issues I discussed on radio and TV.  

As I mentioned, he's a neighbor and friend back in the days when I was still living in Melecia Homes Subdivision in barangay (village) Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro. 

I called Agustin Pungtod “Manong” while to others he was Tatay or Papang (Father). Whatever names you call him, according to friend Senny Trippe, he was vibrant and full of life. 

We came to Melecia Homes about the same time. We were the original residents in the subdivision when it had no trees at all and there were no neighboring subdivisions at all.

The road so bad that no jeepneys would ply the route.  Melecia Homes is located on top of Macasandig  before Taguanao. 

It is the subdivision where, as Manong would say, you can pass by heaven and one can see barangay Balulang on the other side of the river.

Aside from Manong Agustin, my other neighbors include my good friend Beth Baclig, the Bual family, the Macas and the Mabaos. I also had as my neighbor the parents of singer Mark Bautista. Not to forget of course Oscar Caina and Jay Valleser.

Manong Agustin had seven children with his eldest son passing away ahead of him. All of his children are successful and one of them Bebotte married to Nening   is very active in the Couples for Christ. 

It is his daughter, one of the twins Marivic (Avic) who is based in London that I maintained my correspondence all these years.

In a message, Marivic told me about Manong's death. “Sudden death ma'am he just complained of tummy and back ache...then he died at at the (hospital) ....after a few hours.”

The house of his son is the biggest in Melecia Homes subdivision yet Manong remained humble and became the father to all other kids in the subdivision. The successes of his kids didn't make him arrogant which is rare these days. 

He doesn't live in a big house since they’ve got a property over at barangay Taguanao and he lives alone there, maintaining a piggery located two kilometers from Melecia Homes which kept him healthy. 

Every day he would collect leftovers from houses where he left “a pail or can” so he can bring them as food for his pigs. When he's at Melecia Homes, he and I would talk about the topics I talked about in my radio and TV programs.

He was my reporter pf sorts on events both mundane or otherwise in the community and would tell me about issues and topics discussed on rival radio stations.

There were times I asked him about personal matters and there were times he would just get a hammer and fix some broken fence especially near his “sudlanan sa bahog (piggery).”

I heard that he was asked by his family to stop what he was doing but looking back I think that only made his life worth living especially after he became a widower.

Sometimes our conversations ran too long and I would tell him it's time for me to work and he would oblige by leaving. Little did I know that he was at the waiting shed and we would talk some more. He won't leave me until I rode the passenger jeepney or hitched a ride with my friends.

That was the time also when passenger jeepneys plying the route of Taguanao Melecia were scarce because the roads were so bad. 

Senny Macas-Treppi, who's also based in the US had this to say about Manong. “I would always remember Papang as the most cheerful person in Melecia.....almost every morning when I was off to work I would always pass by him as greets me with a big smile on his face,” Senny said.

Senny told me that Manong was fond of telling stories of his life and his children. “Every Mass, I could still remember his singing voice, full of praise as he joined others in the choir,” Senny added.

To Manong Agustin, may you keep the angels and the Lord happy with your singing and your stories of your life's adventures here on Earth. 

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who works as a nanny in North Carolina. This page will serve as a venue for news and discussion on Filipino communities in the Carolinas.

Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.


You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)