REMINISCING THE PAST ………
My Dad started with the Andres Soriano Y Cia after the war in 1945 and that was in Sta. Mesa Yard (PIECO) in Manila. He was then assigned to Taysan Gold Mining Company in Taysan , Batangas for few years followed by Macalibre Lumber Company in Misamis Oriental. He had been in the Warehouse Department all along even from his former job before the war. He probably mastered the art of warehousing that he became the Warehouse Superintendent when he was transferred again to Bislig Bay Lumber Company in the late 1940s. We never followed him to the different places he worked with Andres Soriano except in Mangagoy.We arrived Bislig from Manila by boat in January 1951 with my mom, Mrs. Castroverde, my sister Evelyn "Inday" and my younger brother Dominador,Jr. "Toto "and younger sister Cynthia "Neneng" ( I am the 2nd). As Mrs. Rosa Gaspar said in the interview, the sea was so rough. We were together in the boat with Mrs Reysoma, the wife of Mr.Carlos Reysoma, the radio communication expert - {there was no telephone then so he was using this machine using Morse Codeto radio Manila} she was with her 2 children, Bayani and Ligaya and 3 relatives who eventually worked in BBLCI. Mrs,Gaspar was with her 2 children Ed and Lynn along with Aling Tinay. We did not know each other then, until we were at the end of our journey. There was no pier for the boat to dock, so they loaded us into a small life boat, "bote" to the shore. The sea was so rough that it was difficult to hand the children to an adult already in the "bote" that Ligaya Reysoma was almost dropped in the water. To make the story short, we were all housed in a long building called bunkhouse. I think Mr. and Mrs. Gaspar were in one end, The Reysomas and the Castroverdes were in the middle and I think the other end was occupied by the Cawalings. I think they came from Macalibre also. I do not remember who occupied the other rooms. I think there were 7 compartments in a bunkhouse and I do not know how many bunkhouses were there. One is occupied by the company hospital. I know the Sarmientos are in another, the Dumas, the Panganibans...It was fun going to school , there was only the Mangagoy Elementary School in the barrio. Since it rained almost everyday in January, the road was so muddy that when we arrived in the school, the school children greeted me giggling and in a teasing way pointing at me. I was dressed in white, with white shoes and white socks all wet and muddy. That was my first day. The following days I was just one of them, "nakabakya". There was a can collecting rain water at the foot of the stairs, we could use to wash off the mud from our feet. Mrs.Gaspar was one of our teachers. Knowing her personally is a "plus". We had to walk to school, we had to cross the wooden bridge used to be in the site where the post #1 was. When there was flooding the bridge will be washed away, there were bancas waiting to help us across with a nominal fee. If we want to save our money we will just cross on foot raising up our skirts and if the water was still too high we do it on our tippy toes trying not to wet our "clothings." O, that was fun. On weekends the river was full of bathers, others washed clothes and down the bend were the "outhouses". I think there was one for each bunkhouse. Few months later we moved to the Staff Houses down the Hill. Our house was a Duplex shared with the Garduques. By the way the 5th child was born in this house (MaryGrace "Nenette".) Everything was free, refrigerators, furnitures, we had plumbing,and my mother loved to tend her flower garden, I think we had the most flowerful yard. Eventually when the Senior Houses were done up the hill we were then moved to a single house. Neighbors I could remember besides the Garduques are the Bacosas, Manoling Gonzales, (the company pilot) the Villas, the Gaspars, the Castillos, Balucanags, Marcaidas, Reysomas, Napigkits, Sarmientos, Oligarios, Lapata, Dr. Cruz and few others. The Olbeses, Virtucios, Chintes, Mollats, Misas moved up the hill. I have few contacts after I started schooling and finished High School in Manila. I started High School at the Andres Soriano Institute just across the river in KM 1 there used to be another bridge there. The Wilwaycos were in that area. (Edna W. was my classmate. The Garcias , their relative were just past post #1 I think near the Buenaventuras, Nove Garcia was my classmate. His sister Ruth Garcia and cousin Edna Wilwayco are here in New York and we see each other once in a while. I hope I have pictures to attach right now, I will be looking for then and now pictures. Summer Vacation time was the most awaited time of the "bakasyonistas". The daily outings in the day and jam sessions in the evening, that my father used to say "you were with each other already all day long and now you will go out again?" Really we were really like brothers and sisters, probably just like your generation. It was probably the magic in Bislig that made us all enjoyed our childhood and will never forget our experiences. To name a few, the swimming up stream past Bogak, the "pamumutong at the Sayawan's property, (Gloria Sayawan was also my classmate) and Caramcam (Socorro Picasales was also my classmate), the picnic at Danipas, the falls in KM 3 I think, and many other memorable places. The street plays you mentioned, the tumba lata, the Shatuuuumm and etc.were also part of our childhood "sports", I will never forget how Dr. Limlingan asked me to assist him in his surgeries at the company hospital, I was just a second year medical student. Dr. Lucido was the Anesthesiologist. All operations were successful though. Dr. Limlingan was a very brilliant and skilled surgeon. As I said before I do not know what is it with Bislig, that it just like a magical place for all of us. I haven't been back since I left in 1967. We still have relatives there, Ric and Neneg Omas-as so we are still in touch with Bislig. I know like any other place where we could not stop progress, Bislig has many changes and waiting for all of us to come and have a reunion.As my sister, Cynthia said she can't help but be sentimental.
I know Ambing Castillo, our ex Governor has been longing for our class reunion. Elisa Lopez-Zamora is still there, Adelfa Villaluz still there, ( I recently met her brother, Dr, Dodoy Villaluz, in one of our UST Medical Alumni Association Reunion here in New York)
I will look for pictures and I will keep in touch, probably I could remember more anecdotes for the younger generation to read of what was Bislig then.
Good luck.
Cecile "Bebeng" Castroverde-Malanum
from Mart Santos    My Dad Nor Santos arrived Mangagoy in 1954, first by himself, but a few months later, my Mom Angeling and I followed. It was my Dads first employment after passing the M.E. board exams. I think we stayed for a while in Trajanos basement home where my brother Rey was born. Until we transferred to the bunkhouse…I think there are 4 bunkhouses at that time, parallel to each other and there are 6 to 7 families per house. I think it is just a one big room only provided with a divider to separate the kitchen/dining sa Sala and beds parang studio type. The toilet is on the far end approx. 50 feet away on a narrow bridge without railings. I don't recall using that outhouse...so scared with that big Hole....katulad ng sabi ni Mrs. Gaspar, panay arinola lang. Doon na sa bunkhouse yata napanganak si Edgie and Venie. We have our house built in Km. 1 after 4 years yata where Jun and Gil was born.
The Kilometro Uno days are our golden days….lots of adventures in the neighborhood and the river, streams and hills around it. Just in our street alone are the Malinaos, Serranos, Morelos, Francias, Monteagudos, Mortals, Solitanas, Lacias, Dela Rosas, Maghinays, Pechos and at the far end are the Plazas and Ilardes. Most of them are heavy equipment operators like the logging trucks which are the prime movers in the operation. Our house is between Vicky Morelos' and Manding Monteagudo's and across Arging dela Rosa's.
Once in awhile, my Dad would request a carrier load of wood trim blocks from the company we called “Dumping” use for firewood or anything. A Ross Carrier would leave the whole box load sa main road, about 300 feet sa bahay and almost the whole neighborhood kids and adults will help hauling it to our silong. They would get a small share of those wood later on or pineapple juice…Sometimes, it is those veneer rejects that they deliver that me and my brothers would use in building bahay-bahayan. My mom I think has the most beautiful vegetable garden in the area….i truly enjoyed gardening and especially the harvesting…kulang na lang ay bahay kubo ! Imagine, the toilet in those days go straight to a covered ground hole, but our 10 feet shallow well is only about 20’ away from it, tapos may pigpen pa nearby, he-he masarap pa rin ang tubig na inumin after putting it inside the “Banga” to make it cooler.
I also remember that Rey and I use to go to the hills and get ferns "Pako" tops and blanch it and mix with "Ginamus". "Nilupak" na saging na saba is very common in those days and boiled "Kamote", etc. Favorite hang-out for aratiles "masanitas" is in Mr. Urot's place, our backyard neighbor at the foot of the hill yata na may kuweba rin. Sa tindahan ni Chua noon is where we buy the white rabbit and "Balikutsa" and of course we get the free popsicle from "Maeng's" sa Cagui-on. My mom in those days tailored most of our house clothes. She has also made school costumes for several years to help my Dad in earning extra income. She opened her sari-sari store and its fun selling retail…Being the eldest, I use to go to Castillos Bakery nga ba iyon, I just give the tindera the list and the money later on….they fetch a tricycle for me kaya...ako lang ang sakay with all the goodies and when I get home all the cookie jars are full for selling again. Yummy, anything sweet in those days…or actually almost any food available is good to eat….because growing like a lakwatsero is palaging gutom. I use to get our santol fruits when my parents are having siesta and go around the neighborhood to sell it. Or will go for Dalag fishing sa tabi-tabi….let it stay in a drum of water for several days to cleanse themselves before getting sold to some neighbors, he-he-he ! Sometimes, you will find a good bunch of them on the lowest spot of a dried swamp.
I missed chopping firewood by using double axe blade "hatsa" tapos you have to stack it in square manner for drying. We make our own wooden toys and the most delicate-should be perfectly balanced “Trumpo”….the trips deeper to the forest just to get the straight and long barreled “Kawayan” for “Sulpot” and “Kanyon” na ang bala ay empty cans…..the almost perfect “Y’ –shape of the “Tirador or Pintik” or the very durable “Bahe” and another one…can’t remember the name for making “Espada or Pinsing”. Our elders and leaders in those days like Ermes and Elmer Mortal, Winniefredo and Carding Solitana, Mars Ilarde….ha-ha-ha, our life is so full…kulang ang isang araw that nights are still spent for “tagu-ay, center-centeran and listening to the old tales in Malinao’s or somebody's house. But I tried not to miss listening to that radio drama “duwelo sa sapang bato” during supper time.
Going to school in Bislig Bay Elementary School is fun especially in going home where you passed by your favorite spots like looking for riped “Barombot” parang cherry tomatoes….and the sweet small and round black berries malapit sa gym, the kasoys in Bernie Bacosa's yard and few more Guava trees here, there and everywhere. Let me take this opportunity to find out…almost everyday, an elder Wilwayco kid use to wait for me in his front yard and we go together to school when i was in grade 1….i don’t recall knowing his name at all….yes, their house I believed is in that corner of the main bridge across the Imperials. Whoever he is, thanks for giving me the company ! Also, once in a while, we pass that hillside where you find that cave na maraming brilyante, kuno. Ha-ha, we attempted to go in that cave pero hanggang bukana lang.
Going to the movies in the gym is another treat…..i really get so scared in going home to Km. 1 especially after watching horror movies….for I believed there are still no street lights at that time….pitch black with only one flashlight for a big group…no one wants to stay behind or be on the sides, he-he-he, baka madampot ng "Kagi" ! When you get home, it’s about time to turn off that petromax or gas lights....masarap matulog noon....
I took my Grade 3 schooling in Manila together with Rey. Same thing happened when i was in 2nd year highschool. ....let me add the following while all the memory lanes in my brain are still open...01 April 2006 I also remember that when we were in the first 2 years in Bislig Bay School, the boys used to play hand fencing just like Karate chops but we have to be divided into groups based on the trademark of our t-shirts like the "Violin or Guitar or Marca Pina nga ba iyon and Crocodile ?! ", Normally the small guys like me will ride at the back of a human horse and they are the big kids like Carlo Abano., Amado Fernandez, et al. We have our library period everyday and i have fun of always borrowing that book "Prince Valiant" and "Galahad". The school is quite secluded, situated behind the company chapel. In front of the chapel is the airstrip which you see in the photos, but you will never see the school from the road. I think that main road is the one that leads you now to the admin building. The school and chapel location is very private...so serene if there are no classes, maybe....and lots of birds and nests. If you go at the back of the school and maybe another hundreds of meters ay where the hospital is now. I recall that chapel solidly made of wood....i could even get in myself when it's locked because my head fits in in it's grills (all grills and no solid walls), he-he and once your head is in....the whole thing gets in...i truly missed that very quiet setting. Ah, one more...one afternoon ....i went to the toilet room and accidentally slammed the door hard, but i can't pull it open towards me while inside....after a few minutes, i burst into tears and fear and cried as loud as i can....and finally i heard so many footsteps coming towards me ....and the door finally opened with all eyes on me.....i think the 4 grade classes students were all out of their classrooms.....ha-ha-ha ! One more....that might be the time, too, that the company has started building that road leading to the hospital, danipas and bayview, eventually. The reason i said that is because some of my older schoolmates go far deep into the trails and when they get back, they bring with them Bamboo shoots "Ubod" and they said that some people are bulldozing the trees and bush. I was also picked to represent my class in a painting contest which was won by David Buenaventura (Father Dave now). There are only grades 1 to 4 at that time. The very first human loss that i could remember is the plane crash death of Mr. and Mrs. Olbes....even at that very young age, i have heartfully felt a tremendous loss for the company and to my classmate, Rene. I hope you don't mind me mentioning it here. We were having classes at that time when the news broke. The staff children living inside the compound has to ride their bus home " a volks van" and the classes were suspended. In my later years in Km. 1, i still remember that with a few friends who has bicycles, we always go to the quarry area in Km. 3 (i think) during weekends. I was already in 1st. year highschool that a classmate, Barlo Mangubat, got his first "Raleigh" motorized bicycle and he often gives me a ride to and from school. Mart
……to be continued for Part 2 “Life and work inside the Compound”.
When we moved to Mr. & Mrs. Vic Castillo's lower camp's house, it was indeed truly a blessing, i admit, for we are so close now to the Gym and everything....he-he, alam mo na at malapit sa sinehan and by golly, we will be riding that "yellow bus"to school ! Across us are the Villas and later on was took over by the Montaners. In our right are the Castroverdes and in the left are the Olegarios and later on by the Sibals. Sa likod are the Marcaidas. I think that it is in the middle part of the 60's up to early 70's that the last few batches of new families were hired by Picop because that is the time i can remember that suddenly i met new friends and mostly are from the luzon area...and especially true when the summer and christmas vacation comes. I was then a 2nd year in JBS that i have enjoyed the company of friends who lived outside the compound, of course other than my Km. 1 friends....that is why i hang a lot in those days in the barrio. Other than Doug Dumadag and Warren Rebosura who were my classmates since Grade 1, there were the Layno brothers who always treated me well at their basement, he-he heto na ang malaking "bariles at ajaw nijo ejabo"...., Talatagods, Caynas, Acabas et al. At uso pa noon ang "Karate" which we always do in Velio Cordova's house and others with Bebeng Sanchez as our good mentor. Of course, Berting Talatagod teaches the company security either in the gym or Picop warehouse. And the "mamutong" picnic in Lou Polina's "kalubi-an" near the airport.......to be continued... from Vincent "Boyet" Castillo  
Just came from my mom (Letty Castillo) who told me that it was during the year 1954 our family rode a barko going to Mangagoy .. (ako at si Ate pa lang Batchmates during that year were Honorio and Angeling Santos, Bill and Gloria Misa, the Chintes, the Micus .. already there were the Virtucios and the Gaspars... If we go back 1947 we talk with Mrs. Rosa Gaspar. She is right now in Philam (tel 02-928-6214) and will not go back to Bislig as of yet (due very depressed condition). The early period in Bislig was what they call the “Makalibre days”. We can ask Mrs. Gaspar if Makalibre was the name of a company or a place … The person in charge then was a certain Jacobson .. but the person who decides the fate of the place was Col Smith, a “right hand man” of Andres Soriano Sr., It was Col Smith who brought Captain Olbes (they were military) to Bislig .. About the Zola,
We are all lucky that we all met in Bislig. I never thought that the childhood I had in Bislig as I said before could not be compared to my children's. I think they are both over protected because of the situations now. Mine I was so adventurous and as Mart said "lagalag" daw ang dapat itawag sa akin. Gloria and Socorro Picasales were so generous. We frequently pick the young coconuts (butong) whenever we like eating some. We always go out in groups (barkada) The Sayawan property was the one at the foot of the mountain just behind of the present hospital site. There was also a rice field and we were wading the irrigation system with the kangkongan before we could reach the place. (seguro may mga dalag din doon). Ambing Castillo also was very generous. She will bring stuff from the bakery and share them with us. It was funny that in Home Economics class, the stuff she brought was so much that the teacher had asked her what her mother said about the things she took out, she said nothing because she did not know anyway. Bisliganons are very hospitable.
Napaka pilya din namin. There was a time that in the afternoon, our schedule at ASI was such that the first period was vacant after lunch, followed by English then vacant again. Our teacher in English, Mr. Tabanao was out for an extended period of time , probably 1 or 2 months. So we were free for 3 periods that we had a great time swimming in the river. Would you believe I almost drown? Of course our parents did not know , neither the school teachers. I do not know who reported us that we were not allowed to take the final exams without a note from our parents. To make the story short we submitted notes from our parents "somehow" Ha, ha, nakaraos din nang High School. Your Auntie Gloria could tell you more.
So long, Ate Bebeng.
Hi Ate Bebeng, don't worry....i am truly enjoying all of these. Rgds, Mart Hi Mart,
Are you fed up already with the bulk of pictures I found? Here are the ones who visited us.
I sent you already your parents visit. I do not think that, that was in 1969 because I was already married at that time. Probably that was in the late 70s or early 80s.
The Chintes came to visit from their son Nemy from New Jersey. Nemy and wife attended my parents 50th Wedding in 1988, but his wife was not in the picture. the Gamanas with their daughter, (Cynthia who is a lawyer) are also in the same picture along with my 2 cousins. Another picture from the 50th wedding are the Bisliganons also. Standing are Ellen Lopez, Henrietta Basanez, Ellen's son, Bob Kaimo, from Surigao who is a master Chess player, Nonilon Villa and Ellen's husband, Dick. Sitting are Ellen's daughter, Edna Wilwayco, Bob Kaimo's son and wife, Ronnie who happened to be Neneng's classmate in college The next picture is of Mr Reyes with his eldest daughter Lucy from Toronto, Canada sitting with my parents. The next picture is with Ruben Sarmiento and wife from New Jersey with me, my parents, sisters Cynthia , Nenette and eldest sister Evelyn Recent visitor is the late Norma Villa's daughter from California. I hope Ramon Villa will appreciate seeing his niece in this picture.
I will be looking for more pictures as we go along. Ate Bebeng
P.S. I am adding a picture when Elisa Lopez- Zamora came to the US to attend the wedding of the daughter of her sister Ellen in Maryland. She came home with us here in New York before going home to Bislig. and Vicky and Pete Gamana when it was their turn to visit us.
Me again...ha-ha-ha, first time i had seen "Upo" that long and look at those orchids ! ang dami, ano ? My mom used to grow orchids when we were already in the upper hill and i brought her lots of ground orchids (purple yata ang flowers) that i get in the forest when inspecting tires. You know, i used to chased those log skidders(Priority #1) because they seldom appear in the roads...its always inside the forest. Yep, i've seen that Papaya tree....maliit pa eh hitik na sa bunga. You know what, i wasn't really paying attention to your garden when we were still neighbours....i was afraid to go deeper into your yard at baka hindi na ako makalabas....i remember that there are so many plants in your yard ! The looks at Nenette ay talagang mukhang bagong gising....he-he! And i am very glad to see the Castillos.... Thanks for all of these ! Mart Hi Mart,
More pictures. A picture of me and Nenette in our yard ,see the papaya tree? another picture in front of the house with my parents are Cynthia, Nenette and our neighbor Gloria Garduque. , more pictures in front of the house again with my Dad and his brother and another one with his parents and siblings. You could appreciate my mom's flower garden and the my mom's picture with her orchids. Here is another picture of Mom here in the US in my Dad's vegetable garden, see, the UPO?, longer than my Mom's height. I saw another old picture of the kids taken by a Japanese from the visiting Yoku Maru buying logs from BBLCI. How aboutthe pictures of my parents with Neneng (Cynthia) and Nenette (Mary Grace) on New Years Eve when they attended the party in the GYM ? Cynthia said my parents came home before the midnight strike (ginising daw sila) just to be with them in the GYM.
How about the pictures during our jam sessions? I have found also picture of the Castillo family , Aling Let, sent to my parents.
More next time for pictures of Bisliganons who had visited us here in New York.
Ate Bebeng
04 Apr 2006 Hi Ate Bebeng, I haven't even replied yet to these 2 e-mails of yours with photos e i am currently downloading the 3rd batch na, he-he-he! Lots of very memorable photos you have sent. I think my father has worked in the warehouse in the early days...they used to shift him into a variety of jobs lalo na if you have no work experience at all. I am very glad that you still have those Andres Soriano Academy and ASI photos...it will be a very worthy addition for the write-up by Inocencio Sayawan, Jr. In my spare time, i will comment to some of those photos........i liked that 1954 x-mas party very much(maybe at a very much later time, can you pls identify some of the people). What is "Children of the Fatima"? Usong-uso ang "white outfit" noong araw, ano ? it's nice to look at...at pati na sa mga lalaki. Mart Hi Mart,
Here are the rest of the pictures at the BBLCI 20th Anniversary., Mr. and Mrs Chinte's 34th Wedding Anniversary, The main Bodega personnels( I think your Dad is also in the picture) Did he work in the warehouse too? I remember the movies were just showing in the GYM. Mr.Vecin was the one in-charge of the Mess Hall . We used to have parties in the Mess Hall and also in the Club House. I will send some pictures later.
I don't know exactly where Barite was. Probably the old timers still remember that beautiful place. It was also part of the Andres Soriano y Cia. I do not know how long did the concession last.
Ate Bebeng
Hi Mart,
Here are some more pictures. I am getting to be an expert like Cynthia.
Picture when I was in Grade 4 and grade 5. Mangagoy Elementary School is in the background with NIPA sidings, it had bamboo floors and wall dividers and I think an aluminum sheet roofing. Do you recognize, Mrs Gaspar who is seated in my 4th grade class picture?
The other picture is when I was first year High School at ASI, Andres Soriano Academy then.
ASI opened up in 1952 . My eldest sister, Evelyn (Inday) and classmates were the first 1st year clas (1952-53). There were classes probably also for the upper years but I was'nt sure of this. All I know is that when I was in First year in 1954-55, my uncle, (my mom's youngest brother ) was a 4th year student and was the commander of the ROTC, Carolina Sepe was his lady sponsor. Gloria Sayawan, Norma Villa, Virginia Cawaling, Norma Wilwayco to name a few were lady sponsors too but I do not know who were their partners. They looked so elegant with their uniforms during "PASS- IN- REVIEW". This event was one of those school activities we look forward too see. We had school presentations also at the end of the year and here also are pictures of the "Tarantilla" , the 4 of us, clockwise . Aida Sarmiento, Edna Wilwayco, Elizabeth Ladanan and me with Mr. Tabanao, our teacher- in -charge sitting in the middle and of course the other picture of the three blooming flowers of ASI. Edna Wilwayco Salvacion (Ambing) Castillo and sitting is Elisa Lopez. Another picture is taken at our Home Economics class at ASI. Though we were posing for the picture we really did bake a cake..
Ms Elizabeth Hugo is the one standing on the left, Edna Wilwayco was shiffting the flour, next to her is Mrs. Gonzalez', sister, (forgot her name)then Gloria Sayawan. I do not know who were partly hidden, then Emma Marinas, Elizabeth Ladanan, Socorro Picasales, Carolina L..., somebody hidden again then yours truly , the 3 next ones after me around the table are unknown to me, (I can not remember their names.) One of the two sittirig (side view ) on the right side is Flora Enmil. I should have written their names right away because it is so easy to forget them thru the years. I have a more complete picture of the Children of Fatima, the seniors and the juniors together. I do not recognized all of them but I see Emma Marinas, Elisa Lopez, M. Malinao, Ligaya... besides the ones who were mentioned before.
These are for now , next are the pictures of our parents during the 20th anniversary of BBLCI
Ate Bebeng.
02 April 2006
Hello Ate Bebeng,
Thanks so much for these photos ! (Please see the the Social & Rec. album page) I don't think that i have met nor heard about the Gamanas at all, but anyway, thanks to them for hosting my parents visit and so to your family....mukha ngang masarap ang pagkain at ang dami pa. If i recall it right, my parents went for like a 3 week or so trip to Canada and U.S. just for my father to observe plywood/ veneer equipments re pre-requisite for the anticipated plywood plant #2. I knew that they have been here in Vancouver, too and another Canadian company in the east. My father told us that he was offered some job in the U.S. along those trips pero he declined because of his loyalty to BBLCI and maybe for some other reasons....sabi namin noon....sayang, but i guess he was right....malinis ang kunsensiya and we did have a very good life in Picop anyway. I wonder where that Barite mining is....is it inside the concession ? Do they show movies already in the mess hall at that time ? Vicen nga ba ang in-charge doon ? Regards, Mart
Hi Mart,
I will try again to send some more photos. My daughter was the one who guided me until I did it finally.
Pete Gamana is an engineer who worked in BBLCI and followed his wife Vicky who is a nurse and the daughter of the Garduques.So besides, Edna Wilwayco and Henrietta Basanez there was another one who was our kabarkada.He just died about 2 months ago. I do not know if you ever heard of the Barite mining concession further up into the woods and quarry area. They were separate from the BBLCI but the employees had their families also with them. Bert Reburiano was more or less in my age group, he had older and younger siblings but you know we were just like brothers and sisters during vacation time, picnic dito picnic doon; outings and jam sessions were our life.That was what my dad used to say we had been together during the day and then we still together at night. Of course we had the movies at the Gym 2x a week also Yes, with the Olbeses as Mrs Gaspar and Mrs. Letty Castillo said, it was different. I remember the first Christmas gift I received was a manicure set, the individual gift was always age appropriate and everybody enjoyed. I have a picture of Aling Letty Castillo when we visited her in Staten Island. we ate in the mall. before returning her to the house of her relative. My parents were in the picture, my daughter and I was pregnant with my second daughter so it must be the summer of 1979. Parang kahapon lamang. I will probably send you the school pictures from Mangagoy Elementary School and ASI. So long, Ate Bebeng
Hello Ate Bebeng, Ha-ha-ha, i like your cheering slogan...must be nice to hear it in actual ! Yep, in the old days, almost everyone try to shoot what's out there in the bush. I heard s stories that there's a place nearby Bislig which has caves full of bats....am not sure, but i have seen bats everywhere even until i left Bislig. Hmm, i really missed that "tapang usa" and i think that "baboy damo" is good as "adobo". I haven't eaten "bayawak" yet pero i remember now that i have eaten "Sawa" or phyton when manong Felimon Solitana brought home a big one to their "silong" or basement were full of adults butchering it and kids like me are everywhere. It is like a fiesta and after awhile, i had my first taste of "adobong sawa" taste like chicken and really good. I have witnessed several times how monkeys are butchered, but didn't dare eat it. I remember pa that my mother use to dry "bolinao" or anchovies and small "pasayan" or shrimp in the rooftop of our shed....he-he-he, because it is so hot over there, by mid afternoon, we kids would start eating it just like "dilis" and "hibi"(sp?) already....imagine, ang dami pang kaagaw na "blangaw" as usual....goodness, masarap lahat ! Bonga-itan nga is in the north-westernmost part of the barrio. It must be fun then to wait for the fishermen's catch of the day...like on a typical fishing village....everything is fresh although i remember in my childhood days that we don't go much to the market or "tiyange" because there's a lot of seafood and "gulay at prutas" vendors that roams the inner or distant areas of the whole barrio. Every morning, somebody would offer my mom their catch or harvest of the day ! Sometimes, they will bring over several kilos of "karneng baboy or baka" from Mrs. Carpentero nga ba ? Let me add....pati iyong pag madaling-araw eh maririnig mo na ang sigaw na "Pannnnn-de-salllllll" or "Pannnn-de- tortolllllll" and "Pannnnn-de-monayyyyy, he-he ! By early mid-morning eh "Isdaa" or "Gulayyy" and in the afternoon "Ice-dropppp" and what else.....?? You must be talking about "Liloan" in that part of Surigao islands, but that place has been noted for its whirlpool. Yumm, i missed already those big tuna what they called "bariles" because it's huge that you can make shasimi or "kinilaw" from half of it's body, the other half for "sinugba" and the rest including the head ay for "sinigang" and probably good for a dozen people. I still remember that when i go fishing in that old small wharf sa compound, there's a logpond nearby that during lunchtime, the people that works there, go for a dive just to get clams or "libo-o". Still taste good even mixed with tree barks. So, ang layo pala ng highschool noon....when was ASI constructed ? Si Ms. Amelia Gawat ay di ba sister ni Mr. Ed Gawat who got married to Rading Ladores ? I think she also became one of my gradeshool teacher and the "Ninang" of my brother Edgie. She is a very fine lady, very accomodating lady in those days...One of their daughter and family is staying here now in Vancouver, but i didn't get the chance to contact them, yet, and another son in Calgary. I will also request my sister Venie to dig some photos in Q.C. re photos when my parents were with you noong 1969 nga ba iyon ? I think before that, they went first to see the Barcarses in California (Joey and Minyang Malinao). Good for now ! ....mukhang napahaba na naman....he-he! Mart Hi Mart,
I told Zola that I have pictures from grade school and high school. I will let Cynthia help me send them. I have some more stories to tell you. My Dad told me once before that hiking in the woods while he was hunting, he usually follow the river bank either up stream or down stream that there are times when the end of the river disappear and just be a lake then few distance later will reappear , as if it went underground. I did not have a chance to confirm this. My father was an avid hunter, he had a rifle. he had hunt for "Kalaw" "Monkeys", "Usa" Baboy Damo","Paniki"-(Bats,). I think the group had been to a cave with bats, not in Bislig though but in a neighboring place. I have eaten all these different types of meat as cooked by my mom as Abobo and fried tapa. I have tasted snake, crocodile and also Lizard "Bayawak". Believe kang talaga, very daring. There was a time in the old market, I do not know where the market is now but I think I remember it to be in Bunga-itan, which is at the end of the barrio proper going to the town proper of BISLIG. a whale was washed ashore. It was so big We used to meet the bancas for their catch of the day to buy fresh fish, shrimps, pusit and other seafoods and shellfish. I was the one in the family assigned to run errands or going to market on weekends, carrying a basket, I filled it with fresh vegetables and fresh meat.The pork before was 2.00 pesos per kilo, karneng baka was 3.00 per kilo and I do not remember how much was the poultry per kilo.There was the Cantina inside the camp for the can goods and others until Mr and Mrs Villaluz general store came into town. I am not sure where they came from, from Hinatuan yata or Port Lamon with the Garduques. I hope someone corrects me.The Castillo's Bakery had a small store too before the Villaluz'came over.. When it was Bislig's town proper Fiesta, there used to be intramurals between Bislig Elementary School and Mangagoy Elementary Schools. I was in the cheering squad, singing,,, "Come join our band, we are going to make a fun, our team must be, many people enjoy to see. Play hard our team, Mangagoy is going to win, bat it hard, play it well, give zero to Bislig team". I think we won . We had to stay in the school buildings just with our blankets and pillows (like a pajama party) I do not recall for how long probably for 3 days or a week.. That was fun, I remember attending a party at the house of Mrs. Gawat before she married Mr. Gawat. She made a chicken salad that was out of this world.(probably that was why she hooked Mr. Gawat."Biro lang, he he he" She was a native of Bislig along with the Gos, a relative of the Castillos. I think they were the big shots in the town. Before ASI, the high school students went to Surigao, the capital. The province was not divided then to Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. At the site of the Philippine deep, when we were taking the boat to Manila either aboard the Aboitiz or the Limtian Ting, we had an experienced of passing thru the edge of a whirlpool tilting the boat almost to its side, I thought that was the end of me. Nakakatakot talaga.
Well so long, Ate Bebeng.
Hi again, Ate bebeng !
Ha-ha-ha, talaga nga naman....it's good that you didn't get "pingot sa tenga " or "palo sa .........(i got lots of those before sa tigas ng ulo ko, he-he)" when you are so late in coming home...imagine, in those days, that kind of distance that you have wandered is like going to the next town or city nowadays, it is already a journey. Ako noon ay ipina-pahanap either sa katulong or my siblings or neighbours. I don't recall i have been to Hagonoy...if i did, i must have seen those corals and colorful fishes....sayang! Yummy, nag-laway na tuloy ako sa "Lato" seaweeds....
I do recall that when i worked as a Tire Inspector sa Picop concessions, my driver always ask me where i would like to have lunch....he knows my weakness and that is anywhere along the shoreline or creeks/ falls or junctions/ campsite na may mga nakasabit na usa or baboy damo...I will tell only one spot right now, i can't remember the name of the place, but it is called an enchanted lake which is probably 300 meters from the sea. The lake is said to be at least 80 feet deep, but is so crystal clear and you can see different kinds of fish, big and small. The folklore says that it is only the needy and the hungry who would be able to catch those fish and no one else....and one more thing that amazed me is that the water taste almost like fresh to me. You can see some astrayed logs underneath pero it is really clear and i don't recall that i haven't seen the bottom yet.
Marami nga akong hindi alam like the Tilapia culture in the early days. It is only your avocado that i have the chance to "steal" because i think some of the branches were already partly in our yard, but i still have to cross the hedgings...ohh, they all look like painted light bulbs, no more leaves na....i didn't even know you have some macopas and kamyas.....hmmm, nanga-ngasim na ako. Suwerte nila !
Zola must have told you already that it is Dodoy Sayawan who is doing the write-up about ASI and i don't know yet when it is going to be ready. O yes, i remember where the Mangagoy Elem. School na nga...right in the heart of the barrio ! It is really good that somehow, we were gradually documenting the existence of places and experiences in Bislig...it must be nice to read this over and over again from time to time. I won't regret at all what i am into....it is my pleasure...! Regards, Mart
Me again too,
Macalibre is in Misamis Oriental. My Dad used to shipped us a lot of fruits from Macalibre. He used to tell us that there are abundance of fruits in Mindanao that when we arrived in Mangagoy, I was imagining already what I have to do, climb up trees and eat on top sitting on its branches. I was disappointed since I saw only Coconuts and Pomelo on our way to school. We used to order fruits from Davao along with meat, butter, bacon, fresh vegetables such as cabbage, pechay, onions and tomatoes.The soil was not probably suitable for farming . The coconut for the copra industry was so abundant though. Of course, we enjoyed as I said before the young coconuts at the Sayawans and Picasales., The settlers eventually have a small vegetable gardens in their backyards. We even have 2 hens ,1 rooster, 1 duck and 1 goose under our house. Anyone of you remembered the days when almost everybody's backyard had a Tilapia pond? I think, Mr. Chinte , the company's forester introduced the fad
Oh, I almost forgot we have also some fruit trees like Avocado that you admitted to steal the fruits,
we have Macopa at Kamyas. In Dr. and Mrs. Virtucio's backyard there was a Durian. I developed a taste for the Durian right away. In the town of Bislig was where we get a lot of Durian. ( Mangagoy was just a barrio of Bislig then but look at it now a city) . You are right calling me "lagalag".. At one point we were so adventurous,( Aida Sarmiento and I ) that we walked from the bunk houses out thru the Post #1 to probably Km 2 or 3, along the road way at first then we slowly went inside the forest, picking wild flowers, and pulled root crops like gabi and kamote probably from somebody's "Kaingin" It was already dark when we got back. Aida's mom, Mrs Sarmiento and my mom were at Post # 1 waiting for us. If you could just see their faces , relieved that we were back. I do not know how long they had been waiting for us.Mrs. Sarmiento was telling my mom that she was not worried because she knew we were together. Would you believe we were just in grade 4. Talaga, I enjoyed my childhood in Bislig. Any of you, been to Hagonoy Island? which is in the middle of Bislig Bay? We used to have an outboard co-owned with the Gaspars, "the Lilly Grace" named after Lilibeth Gaspar and Mary Grace " Nenette" Castroverde. The sand is so white, the water, so clear, the live corals and the colorful fish swimming around the sea weeds were so amazing that when I see the show on TV about the Coral Reef in the Pacific, I usually bragged to my husband that we have that in Bislig. I hope the place has not changed or been exploited because it is the most beautiful place on earth I have ever seen.
When will the write up about the Andres Soriano Institute be on the website? I only spent my First and Second years of , Cecile
Me again.
Ha-ha...ang tawag dapat yata sa iyo eh "Lagalag" dahil ang mga lagalag has unique experiences. Just like me, i have a big mole in my big toe which symbolize daw na "Layas" until i settled here in Vancouver eh kusa na lang nawala....pero napalitan ng "Gout"....no kidding !
Zola has been planning to e-mail you something about her Auntie Gloria and family...na-delay until she went to Calgary for the weekend and i think she's back now to Edmonton. She never has mentioned that her parents has the same birthdates and now so with you ...wow! I believed she will get in touch with you........!
It's nice to know that there is a "Spring" in what we called the Bugak river or commonly known as "Suba". You can actually see the Suba in one of the aerial photos in the website.
By the way....in what town in Misamis did the Macalibre Sawmills came from...... ?Til then and thanks ! Mart
Hi Mart,
I am so glad that you have responded right away. So, Uncle Dodoy is Gloria's brother. I do not remember all of Gloria's siblings but Manang Doring and her husband Celso Licup. I share the same birthday with both of them, "April 22". We always see each other at church on that day, for me thanking God for the shower of blessings I received and of cour
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