Capt Dante Langkit: his Future in Politics and his Continuing Dilemma

by Marciano A. Paroy Jr.
Affirming the Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago’s call for genuine reforms in the government – which were all manifested in a series of foiled attempts to demand for President Arroyo’s stepping down from power – Capt. Dante Langkit sustains and intensifies the drumroll for attention to the cause and, more specifically, to his now-widely publicized intent to represent the Kalinga people in Congress.

Not an easy feat to accomplish, considering that he is still being detained at Camp Crame, along with fellow officers implicated in the alleged February 2006 coup plot against the country’s Chief Executive. This constraint had already prevented him from seeking the congressional seat of Kalinga way back in 2007 – as he refused to turn state witness in exchange for his freedom, which would have enabled him to campaign for the post he was eyeing then.

His refusal to seize the above-mentioned offer cost him the opportunity to launch his candidacy in Kalinga. As it can now be recalled, it was his brother Engr. Danzel Langkit, Pinukpuk’s Municipal Administrator, who soldiered on with the aspiration, in effect reflecting a similar vision of “helping our provincemates” – as he told Victor Reyes of Malaya in February 2007, when names of probable Kalinga congressional aspirants were already doing the rounds back here.

In retrospect, the candidacy secured for Engr. Danzel Langkit around 13% of the total votes cast in Kalinga in May 2007, which positioned him in 4th place, after – in descending order – winning Congressman Manuel Agyao (cornering 29% of the votes), close rival James Bejarin (27%), Atty. Macario Duguiang (23%), while former Vice-Governor Joseph Delson landed in 5th place (8%).

“Not bad for a political novice,” Dr. Edgar Naganag, an analyst from the Political Science and Public Administration departments of the Kalinga-Apayao State College, noted. “It caused a considerable dent, thus reducing votes that would have been amassed by the other candidates. Had Engr. Langkit’s candidacy been non-existent, there could have possibly been a different turn of events.”

It is that performance of the Langkit name at the polls in 2007 which seems to serve as the present springboard from which the Langkit brothers and their supporters hope to pick up. This time however, it is Captain Langkit who considers throwing his hat into the political ring, as originally intended.

Same Face, Same Post

“This early, I am re-establishing my wish to be of service to the Kalinga people,” Captain Langkit said in a phone interview with Guru Press. “It is my belief that I can do much more for the lives of my provincemates through a leadership role that could equip me with influence to advance for meaningful change in Kalinga.”

To clearly signify his intent, the army officer sought and obtained permission to come home to Kalinga last May and ascertain his name in the roster of voting residents of Taga, Pinukpuk. Then before being escorted back to the big city, he had a brief talk with members of the local media on the last day of his three-day leave.
It was then that he announced to members of the local media his goal of winning a seat in the Congress – either as the elected representative of the lone district of this province, or as an occupant of a congressional seat by way of the party list system, if Samahang Magdalo merits accreditation as a genuine party list organization.

This poses quite a problem. First, assuming that Samahang Magdalo will finally be accredited as a party list organization, it still has to win the prescribed percentage of the electorate in order for it to win a seat (or even seats) in the Congress. Second, Captain Langkit has to really triumph over other nominees within SM who are being considered to stand and speak for the group. And yet still, before both of these can be achieved, Samahang Magdalo has to be firmly lodged in the consciousness of the voting public.

Here enters the rigorous awareness-creation activities of the group, currently scattered in the different regions. To clearly draw the lines, Samahang Magdalo is a distinct organization under the controlling sphere of the more popularly known, though ill-famed, Magdalo.

Samahang Magdalo as an offshoot of Magdalo

It is now common knowledge that the original Magdalo has been conceived by a group of officers and men of the AFP as a movement calling for sweeping reforms in government. However, that description delimits their membership only to AFP people who may think alike.

Perhaps recognizing that an expanded membership base which embraces civilians would create a higher degree of sympathy towards their cause, Magdalo came up with Samahang Magdalo, welcoming interested members from all walks of life. With former Marine Captain Gary Alejano as its national president, SM has been unrelenting in recruiting members. In the Cordillera, for instance, Coordinator-at-Large Robert Ocampo has been conducting membership expansion activities round-the-clock – as brandished in the official SM website. Also, in addition to this traditional hard-sell which is carried out via face-to-face enticement of would-be members, SM has been recruiting members online.

Much like an exclusive family corporation which has gone public, SM is capturing the attention of the people. Part of its appeal seems to stem from the fact that never before has there been a similar organization in which civilians can rub elbows with members of the armed forces with a deviating stand on government issues. The actual membership tally, however, remains undisclosed, and it is inaccurate to use as a gauge the steady number of visitors to the official SM website, which is interestingly matched up by a number of un-official sites and blogs – no doubt created and maintained by friends and sympathizers, all designed to recruit members.
These developments point to the apparent direction which the group seems to be taking: crafting the organization as a political arm.

To this, Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado told Malaya (in its April 27, 2009 issue) that the formation of a political party by the Magdalo leaders is a welcome idea. “This is a democratic country. Everybody can exercise his political rights.”

Samahang Magdalo in Kalinga

Asked how the recruitment is doing in Kalinga, Engr. Danzel Langkit says “We are still at the stage of creating awareness about the group and part of our plan is to step up the campaign so that we can attract people from as many diverse backgrounds as possible.”

Obviously, this poses financial difficulty for the existing members of the group in Kalinga, if they are to launch and sustain a province-wide recruitment scheme. But Engr. Langkit is quick to interject that “We may have limited resources at present but we do what we can. Our sincerity in reaching out to the people and infusing into them the pro-God, pro-country and pro-people Magdalo principle will eventually win them over to our side.”

Captain Langkit further admits that “Changing the mindset of people does not take place overnight, that’s why we aim to start building people’s confidence about our principles – from below. As an illustration, in Kalinga, people have this notion that one cannot run for a political office without tons of money. We need to correct that. Aiming for a public office needs only to be backed, first and foremost, by a genuine yearning to serve the common good.”

Capt. Dante Langkit: his Turn

The 2007 election year brought Engr. Danzel Langkit to the awareness of the Kalinga voting public – more importantly the residents of Tabuk who were intrigued by the sudden entry of this young Municipal Administrator from Pinukpuk, thus adding another notch to their uncertainty. Voters responded fairly well, although – whether or not the Langkit camp would admit it – their campaign efforts paled in comparison to the highly organized and efficiently managed efforts of the opponents, especially those of the Agyao and Bejarin camps.

Nelda Bulawit, a volunteer for Engr. Danzel in 2007, recollects “I think we did well, given the limited resources that we had then. I especially like the thought that we were volunteers rallying behind a person that we believed in.”
It is this support that Captain Dante hopes to build up on, sort of picking up where his twin brother left off. But what does he have to offer?

“I have always believed in people’s capacity to see through the façade of so-called leaders,” Capatain Langkit emphasizes. “I know that, at the end of the day, our commitment to the general welfare will outweigh the posturing of some politicians. It is this commitment of mine which I wish the people of Kalinga to see – and I hope they would give me the opportunity to put it into action. That is why I am looking at the 2010 elections.”

All things considered, the major drawback, naturally, is his current status as a detained prisoner – a situation which must be resolved the soonest time possible if he is indeed bent on fielding his name into the congressional race.


The Captain Speaks…

The interview with Capt. Dante Langkit produced a wealth of material that gave background and substance to the article written above – which became even thicker with the extensive bulk of available data from various sources. There are a number of responses made by Capt. Langkit that were not spliced into the feature – and we print them below word-for-word:

Marciano Paroy Jr: Your participation in the 2010 elections as a candidate have started doing the rounds here in Kalinga, fueled by your supporters – led by your brother. So… is it final?

Dante Dasayon Langkit: Yes, my mind’s seriously made up about my plan to run. Kalinga has lagged behind other provinces, yet we keep making the same decisions over and over. We need to introduce a fresh alternative for the people of the province. I sincerely and humbly believe that I can be that alternative.

MPJ: Considering your age, and coming from a province where major decisions made by the younger ones are brought to community leaders for what we may call in the Cordillera as a blessing… have you or your group made such a move?

DDL: This is a serious endeavor. As such, we did take the consensus of the elders. Also, this early, we are conducting sectoral consultations prior to the filing of my candidacy this November. I recognize the importance of obtaining the nod from a considerable fraction of the voting populace, as well as other people of authority and influence. Fortunately, the responses we have been receiving are favorable. The only issue being raised which causes a little setback is the availability of ample financial backing to sustain all the campaign and election needs. I do not have millions – but that matter is already being worked out by some benefactors and donors already.

MPJ: But these supporters, benefactors and donors can not also carry out all the actual campaign activities. So this time, what are the chances that u will be able to come home and do the campaign yourself?

DDL: Justice is still elusive – hence the difficulty in assuming that we shall be free by the campaign period, though we continue to hope for the best. Nonetheless, many volunteers are increasingly coming in – with Danzel seeking them out. Much as I want to be physically around during that period and meet our dear kakailian, volunteerism will offset my absence.

MPJ: That goes without saying that you shall still be in detention during that time…

DDL: There is a possibility that we may still be in detention during the campaign, and we are preparing for that. The volunteers have contingency plans to address that situation. As I always say, we are hoping for the best. But as to being in detention after election? No, our case is political, so after the Arroyo administration, we shall be out of jail. Definitely.

Did you Know that two of the Nursing board exam passers from Saint Tonis are…

…my friends? Now, I call them my fellow artifacts from the 1980’s. Melanie Balbino and Lea Ganongan, the two passers I’m referring to, can again content themselves with the thought that they have added yet another feather in their caps which, figuratively may be sagging already on the sides since there are too many feathers that they have amassed year-in, year-out in whatever areas they have chosen to be expert at.
Along with Flerida Almora and Roger Abbacan, they have just made history for Saint Tonis, our province’s pioneering school of nursing, by passing the PRC licensure exams. Needles to say, their feat will most likely break the adamant attitude of parents with regards to choosing Saint Tonis as the nursing school of their choice.
This impressive performance gives Saint Tonis a 100% passing rate – which can be determined by setting the number of passers as numerator above the number of examinees.
We now see a dramatic rise in enrollment next year – or even this second sem. Enough reason for Mrs. Presentacion Bartolo to be in good mood these days.
*****
I have always thought Melanie and Lea would pass the exams though. I should know, we were classmates and friends from elementary up to 4th year high school – and still remain to be friends, of course.
I have always asked them their true intent in pursuing BSNursing, but I never got their real answers. Maybe it is their need for self-actualization; maybe it is their sincere search for more knowledge (ouch, I don’t buy that since both of them are voracious readers); maybe they want to go abroad (hmmm… medyo nasirig kun sa); maybe they want to become Barangay Health Workers and feel the real spirit of public service; maybe they had become tired of staring at their old college diplomas, and felt that it’s time to add another.
Yes. Melanie Balbino is a licensed chemical engineer, a title which – with due respect to the nursing profession – far outweighs her latest label. She earned the degree from St. Louis University in Baguio City, the same school where Lea Ganongan completed her bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Lea’s degree understandably pulled her to the academe where she tried her hands on teaching amid her dalliance with the further study of law.
While Lea was teaching in the academe, Engr. Balbino entertained the idea that she is a businesswoman – and so she put up her own shop which drew people with all sorts of need for computer-related matters. Voila, she prospered! The Chemical Engineer, it turned out, has a silent degree in Commerce – much like Letty June Lugtu-Bides who, after earning her degree in Medical Technology, decided that lab gown is not her thing. Bridal and evening gown gayam ti paglaingan na.
And so Melanie and Lea spent most of their after-college years here in good old Tabuk when they could have been earning millions elsewhere. Maybe this can be explained by our being members of the generation which has been full of existential angst in the 1990s – thus freezing our go-getting tendency.
Then Saint Tonis opened its school of nursing, and my friends woke up one day with that burning desire which must be satisfied at all costs. There must have been a lull, until one of them tried the waters and said “Agenroll tayo?”
And the rest, as the cliché goes, is history. In the pages of Saint Tonis College, that is.
Congratulations again to our four passers! As for the other graduates who opted not to take the June exams, you have our best wishes!
*****
The following article is supposed to fill this column this week, as my closing salvo for the Guru month-long anniversary this July, but I had to quickly relegate it under the foregoing piece, before I lose such thoughts…. Here goes:
It was in the 6th grade when I entertained the thought of becoming a writer in the future. As I sat dreamy-eyed and listened to Ms. Gertrude Lastimoza transport us from that Section Eagle classroom to faraway lands through stories that she spiritedly read aloud, I started to believe that I, too, would one day write stories that would have as great an impact on young minds as Ms. Lastimoza’s selections had on me. I entertained the idea that writers are of a different breed, and that I had what it takes to join their club.
I thought I would be weaving tales of heroism, stories of friendship, of love, of people accomplishing wonderful things, and depiction of good that triumphs over evil. Stories that reflect the world as I knew it then – bright, colorful, breezy, with clouds fleeting across grassy hills where children run after rabbits.
Time flew and those stories were never written. I got older, went to college, landed a job at the government sector, got strapped to it for life, and I lost the dream. But that’s how it is during childhood. We weave dreams. We stuff our heads with out-of-this world fantasies. We cast a future that does not have a single element of pain, suffering, heartache.
When young, we have the tendency to bloat our egos, to entertain the thought that we are the best among our peers and that such excellence would bring us someday to that exact spot which we have set our eyes on.
Then as we grow older, chunks and chunks of reality creep in. We gradually realize that we really know nothing… that, individually, we are nothing. An inconsequential dot in this immeasurable universe. A small block, which when discarded, won’t affect the whole structure, since there are millions who can always take any vacated space. And who might even do a better job in filling that space previously occupied.
Now these are negatively tinged thoughts. Black and dreary, when I should be painting this column with bright and vivid thoughts, in honor of this paper’s 5th year anniversary.
Where was I?
Ah… I was saying that I got older. Oh yes, there are moments when The Muse remembers to amble by and attempt to awaken that dormant desire to write “that story”. Words rush out of the lexical factory somewhere in the mind, and an effort to put them down on paper is made – but after awhile, this gushing-out of words breaks off. And I find myself marooned at the 2nd sentence of the 3rd paragraph.
Perhaps I was never really cut out to be a story teller. I filled my head with too many ideas – and I blindly believed them. Now it’s time to drop the thought, to discard the fantasy.
*****
So I became a reader instead. I realized that if I cannot join the world of such illustrious literary names, at least I can loiter into their territories by consuming the contents of their heads which have miraculously spilled onto the pages of books. From time to time, I find myself thinking “Damn, why haven’t I thought of this plot?” or “I was formulating exactly the same premise last month! This Carl Sagan stole my ideas!”
Of course, when such thought occurs, an imaginary cane bashes me in the head, and I suddenly drop the book so that I may regain my bearing, and set my feet back on the ground.
Daydreaming never hurt anyone, though. Besides, I am sort of a writer – uray kaskasanu met ah. I laboriously gather my thoughts together every week, face my laptop, position my fingers on the keyboard, stare at the screen as the fingers seem to have a mind of their own and start accomplishing a piece which soon finds itself plastered in a box named Perspectives on page 4 of a community newspaper known as Guru. An output that remains un-read when the paper finally hits the stands and got delivered to subscribers. I have this gnawing feeling that all other sections are digested by readers – but page 4… well, readers leaf through it, look at that smirking face in the column head, read the title, roll their eyes and move to page 5. But before reading the contents of page 5, a reader may glance at my title again and whisper “Adu la amin.”
A-hah, agurayka… One day, I believe, I would run into someone and as she recognizes me, she (let’s stick with “she” this time okay? Makabannug ti “he or she” nga ikabkabil just so we could cover both genders) – yes, she would say “Hey, you’re Mr. Paroy right? You’re the college instructor who also writes for Guru. I also read your column, you know.”
With a lingering doubt in me, I question her “You actually read it? Which topic have you liked so far?”
“Ha…? Well, that one about…about… Diay kua ngay…” Perhaps she would look for a way out around her. “Anya ngamin didiayen…mmmm, kua…”
I shall not torture her, of course. I may have walked away by the time she opens her eyes and stopped conjuring fabrications that would never turn up.
Then I may hear her shouting behind me “Diay panggep ti biag!”
Yeah, yeah…Life.

Mr. & Ms. STEP (of TNHS): A Critique

by Marciano A. Paroy Jr.

I watched the Search for Mr. and Ms. STEP last week at the Tabuk gymanisum – which was one of the activities held by the Tabuk National High School as part of its observance of the Nutrition month. I was there primarily because my nephew was a contestant.
First things first. The pageant was, so far, the best choreographed show ever staged by TNHS since that contest years back when Mrs. Elizabeth Alipda chaired the STEP affair – and this column commends the organizers (led by Mrs. Elizabeth Gueverra, Mrs. Josephina Ba-i, and Mrs. Evelyn Ganotice) and the choreographer (Marlon Carbonel) for such a delightful show last week. Also, it gave me a chance to listen to Mrs. Pacita Litorco speak again.
The composition of candidates was obviously selected well by the different year-levels. Everything could have gone on smoothly – but then there were glaring drawbacks that are not at all acceptable in a beauty pageant.

ONE: The absence of a tabulator. In any pageant, the judging is acceptably subjective – and no attempt on objectivity is ever attained. It is subjective because the judges would always be influenced by their taste, preferences and past experiences. Take the attires, for instance. A beauty pageant is always a fashion show in itself. So, once a candidate parades down the ramp clothed in an outfit that somewhat mirrors the taste of a particular judge, then the outfit scores high in the rating sheet of that judge. Which is why we have statements like “Ah, sabali gamin ti taste jay judge” when a certain winning outfit fails to win an award. This again points to the importance of picking judges that have a background on beauty and fashion. That goes without saying that a person who dresses himself or herself sloppily should not even be considered to be a member of the judging panel. I am speaking here in general terms since the judges last week, in fairness, are known to dress neatly and appropriately.
Back to the absence of a tabulator. The presence of a tabulator would ensure that the scoring sheets would be passed on straight from the judges’ table. The tabulator would then just show the final tally to the panel after the computation. For the panel to know the result. Now, if judges themselves would sit as tabulators, the subjectivity mentioned above would further be played out. Each judge in any contest has a favorite. That’s a fact – and they are entitled to that. No one can take that away from them. But when judges sit as tabulators at the same time, this presents the problem of knowing right away that a favorite candidate did not win for, let’s say, a certain minor award. This would then give an opportunity for a judge to key-in some last minute changes in the scoring sheets. And then re-tabulate, until the desired outcome is attained.
Of course, I am not alleging that such a thing happened at the TNHS affair last week, since I believe in the uprightness of the judges. I am just pointing out this lapse of not naming a tabulator – considering that it only involves simple mathematics. This will thwart the tendency of the audience to speculate. It was a glaring irregularity which the organizers should avoid next time.

TWO: Since TNHS activities easily become crowd-drawers eagerly watched by the general public, the beauty pageant could have benefitted from the expertise of people in the community who, I am sure, would have responded positively to a request for judging duties.
No need to elucidate on the fact that the presence of outsiders will assure neutrality. This is what we always do in my school, the Kalinga-Apayao State College. We always tap the expertise of people from other agencies and from the beauty and fashion industry. In fact, we always borrow teachers from TNHS to compose the jury. Yearly favorites include Vivian Domingo, Maribel Bravo, Feliciano Felix and Ruby Belgica for the performing arts; Lorraine Tubban and Giovanni Asbucan for speech and writing competitions. And, true enough, they would always pick out the best.
The idea here is that we cannot be experts in all fields. The lazy practice of “Sika lattan ti agjudge” should be scoffed at. Tabuk is a goldmine of experts who would oblige to a simple request. No need for tokens. Provincial Tourism Officer Grace Kidang, for example, would not say no since she is always on the lookout for upcoming Miss Kalinga potentials anyway – and this is TNHS, long-acknowledged as the alma mater of most beauty queens: Sandra Rebancos, Kyna Bayangan, Maritess Annogui, Claire Amano, Pinky Baccud, Kimberly Doclan, Loraville Diocares, Shiela Dalsen, Shiela Romero, Liezel Sakai, Rina Quinsaat, Yoshi Sakai, Melissa Barcellano, Donna Peralta, Charisma Compas, Jocelyn Moldero, Catherine Delgado, Melanie Bautista, Ernalyn Carbonel, Lala Balais (I hope I haven’t missed a name or two, lest I would be reminded again by Marlon, who has a mental record of these matters).
Again, any school that holds a competition cannot completely assure that in-house judges can totally detach themselves from the proceedings and become impartial. So to avoid the possibility of doubts being raised, a teacher who was told “Sika lattan ti agjudge” should not answer “Sure. Wen ah.” It’s a deviation from appropriateness.

THREE: Judges should be all eyes and ears to everything that transpires on the ramp. Not a single detail must escape their attention: the mismatching colors, the ill-fitting heels, the heavy makeup, the awkward projection, etc. This should be sustained up to the Question and Answer Portion which is the most crucial part of the pageant, as it would make or unmake a candidate. Each word uttered, the enunciation, and the confidence in the delivery of the answers are key points that must be used as the yardstick by the judges. Bottom line: the judges must listen.
However, during the TNHS pageant, as the first two contestants (male and female) were being casually interviewed by the hosts, up to the delivery of their answers to the actual questions, the judges were still frantically conferring among themselves (about what, I have no idea, since they were supposed to have ready copies of the judging sheets).
From our side of the gym, we were staring at the judges as they moved this way and that way, talking spiritedly. Not one of them looked up at the stage and listened to the first two candidates as they were answering. Yet you could later see them putting in their ratings. The numerical ratings they put into the scoring sheets, of course, are their sole prerogative – and we do not question that. However, what numerical value would judges give a candidate during the Question and Answer Portion when they never listened in the first place? We all saw how busy they still were. They were trying to resolve something (maybe the scoring sheets were missing, maybe they were revising the criteria. Whatever) – hence their inattention to the first two candidates. It was during the third candidate’s turn and onwards that the judges finally settled themselves and listened attentively to the rest of the candidates.
The hosts, who can delay every proceeding during a show, could have helped out by stalling the casual and actual interview until they could see that the judges were ready. But then the hosts were also totally dependent on the program – the rule of the day is just to proceed and proceed (and, in fairness, Mrs. Sirikit B. Odan and Mrs. Eva L. Tubiera did a fine hosting job). This brings us back to the judges. A little signal from them could have given out the message that they were not yet ready to rate the final interview.
But no such move was made, and so the delivery of answers by the first two candidates just drifted by. And so Mrs. Rachel Sarol, mother of the first candidate, was visibly bewildered in her corner.
Let me stress one thing (in my capacity as a humble connoisseur in the beauty and fashion industry of this town): the giving of answer is a very personal attempt on the part of a candidate to establish a connection with the judges. It is the candidate’s last bid to convince the judges that he or she has what it takes to win. That is why, in all pageants, the candidates would shun out everything else during Q and A. The crowd seemingly disappears, and the candidate just focuses on the judges as he or she gives the answer. It’s like saying “This is me. This is what I have to say, so listen to me, and as you listen, I hope I impress you enough.”
All pageant judges recognize this – thus, they also sit still, maintain eye contact with the candidates, even smiling at them, nodding now and then, prodding them. It’s their way of saying “Go on, you’re on the right track. I’m listening.” This move relaxes the candidates and gives further confidence – knowing that the people at the judging tables are paying attention to their thoughts, however shallow the thoughts may be.
Unfortunately, this was not at all observed during the turn of the first two candidates at the search in TNHS.
Maka concentrate ka pay ngarud nga mangdingngeg ti kunkuna diay adda diay stage nu dika met agtatalna? Funny, datayo pay met nga teachers ti agkara baga iti “You there! Sit still! Face front and listen attentively!”
*****
Now, here’s something that throws it all out of balance. A colleague in the local media, wanting to know the results even before the actual announcement, casually approached one of the judges and asked “Sino ngay ti Mr. STEP?” The judge answered “As usual, obvious ba?”
That would be hard to answer, since you would have to assume that you know whom the judge is referring to. Now that’s a real hitch. First, the statement presupposes that there is already a winner even before the contest began. How can there be an obvious winner when the the audience is even divided into four factions? Second, it bares the partiality of the judge towards the candidate that the judge was referring to. Third, it further cements my foregoing argument that in-house personnel should not be given judging tasks.
*****
My nephew, Kurdell, garnered 1st runner-up. And up to this day, I am impressed by his display of competitive spirit, yet not forgetting that it’s also for fun, an experience that he would one day look back to with a smile. Initially, he did not want to participate, and I did not even insist that he should when he gave his first refusal. But later, he finally gave in – so I don’t know what convincing powers were applied by his adviser, Mam Betty Olatic.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not insisting that my nephew should have won. That’s water under the bridge already. In fact, my first advice for him after the pageant was “Move on from here. It was a nice experience on conquering stage fright and developing sportsmanship.”
I have nothing against Shaquille Diasen, who was crowned as Mr. STEP. In fact, I also singled him out from the set of contestants. I recognized that he was a very strong contender and as soon as the show began, I knew it would be a fight between my nephew and Mr. Diasen – and it would be fine with me if Mr. Diasen would win. I even noted that he’s a talented rocker, complete with a live band – one thing that never fails to impresse. Being a 4th year student, he is already ripening into a young man, whereas my 2nd year nephew is still a “totoy” so-to-speak. He even exhibited good manners when he took time to approach my nephew later and shook hands. I do wish him well for the regional level of the Search for Mr. and Ms. STEP. I just hope his aunts Anne and Geraldine would hire a designer this time for his outfits.
Ms STEP Eileen Pelicer was a delight to behold as well. She exudes the persona of being delicate, fresh and sweet – winning elements in pageants. The Pelicer family must be beaming with pride now (Eileen is the sister of a very special “friend” Eleuterio Jr.) Along with Khastria Sarol (with her sophisticated and classy deportment), they would one day walk down the ramp for either Ms Tabuk or Ms Kalinga, and end up as beauty queens. If they want to.
So there. I am not critical of the winners. As a teacher, I always push students to go ahead and seize each moment to shine. What riled me were the things I enumerated and discussed earlier – and I pointed them out with the hope that such lapses would be avoided in the future - not only by T NHS but by other schools as well, since mahilig tayo met ti contests. That is my intent.
I know that I might stir some emotions with this outpour. I had second thoughts about going ahead with this article, considering that I am a TNHS product (and I say that with pride), and I still regard my former teachers highly. Mrs. Editha Baddongon, to cite an example, was my 3rd year adviser who made chemistry fun to learn, and whose teachings became very useful when I mistakenly pursued (and later discontinued) BS Medical Technology.
But then I have always believed in asserting ourselves, especially if I also know what I am blabbering about. Joon Ascaño, Marlon Carbonel, Jerry Ladrido and I are yearly involved in Ms Tabuk and Ms Kalinga (as designers, choreographers and committee members). That, therefore, equips us with the right to say nga ammu mi met ah ti kunkuna mi when it comes to beauty pageant matters. We can say that without batting an eyelash.
Lastly, as both an educator and a community watchdog – being a member of the Kalinga Media Organization and as the editor-in-chief of this paper since March 2008 – there are events in the educational world that must also be highlighted and harmlessly discussed in the open (like this contest), especially if they would contribute to the multi-aspect development of our learners. Some may appraise my topic this week as trivial, but no. There are no trivial issues where young learners are concerned. An elementary teacher, for instance, who would just glare at a Grade 1 pupil and say “Nagkuneng ka metten! Awan inammum!” may scar that pupil for life. Or a teacher who has an ax to grind against the family of a certain student and decides to be vindictive by way of poor grades and scare tactics may push the student further into his or her cocoon. These are but some of the things that must be closely watched by the community – which any school is accountable to. But that is not our subject this week, so we’ll tackle it later.
Which reminds me: students (I would like to single out Ms Claribel Dupali) from both the secondary and tertiary levels have been sending me emails and text messages, asking for their little space in this paper since we do have the Teachers’ Views corner. I promised them that I shall find space for it one of these days. Actually, I already have a name for it: e3 (read as “e to the third power”). It would be an opportunity for our young thinkers to Express, Expose and Evaluate anything that affects them (whether positively or negatively) while in the process of knowledge acquisition – including issues they may not have the courage to tell their parents. There are already enough materials in my possession and it is both enlightening and surprising to have a peek into the minds of our young learners.
Enough. More of these next time.

Guru Press: 5 Years and Counting…

by Marciano A. Paroy Jr.

The reading public of Tabuk that is covered by the circulation scope of Guru Press is well aware of the fact that this paper started to see print in July 2004. As a media-inclined person – though more of a theorist (inside the Kalinga-Apayao State College where I handle journalism subjects) than as a practitioner that time when this paper made its maiden foray into the community – I was impressed by the initial output of this paper. As I leafed through the editorial box, I saw household names in Kalinga, where press work is concerned: Jun Albano, Peter Balocnit, Larry Lopez, Gigi Dumallig, Naty Genzola, and Daniel Cagan (who was more known then in the airwaves as “Cool J” via Radyo Natin).
Alongside the outputs of these seasoned press people were the written works of a bunch of different personalities from diverse areas: Ghumie Pinkihan (from the Girl Scouts of the Philippines), Christine Wangdali (from the world of business), Leno Gamonnac (a retired military man whose writings always focused on culture), Dr. Nelly Alejandrino (a busy Doctor of Medicine), Ghytie Wangdali (speaking up for the youth), and of course, Dr. Estefania W. Kollin (a highly placed professor at the Central Luzon State University – also the editor-in-chief of this paper). Also briefly joining the assortment of writers was the ill-fated Stephen Omais (whose sad fate was the subject of my Guru’s 4th year anniversary article last year).
Other names later cropped up into the pages of Guru – most notably the fiery Giovanni Asbucan and the equally fierce Regie Wacas. From time to time, readers had the opportunity to peek into the minds of Dr. Faustino Maslan, Florence Vizcayno, Jemimah Molina, Dolly Orprecio, and others who may have escaped my discerning eye for fellow writers.
All of their outputs would all end up in the mercy of Rod Libiran who was then the layout artist.
These names have left their imprint on the Guru Press – and the brains behind such names produced articles that helped set the tone of this paper, defining and pushing it to become what it has humbly become today.
Guru Press, needless to say, has a long, long way to cover if it is to attain the loftier heights of journalism – and, considering that most of the above-mentioned names have moved on to other fields or simply stopped writing, other people may probably come in later to attain this end, perhaps taking over the presently active Elizabeth Busacay, Gary Damian (who sometimes exhibits the now-we-read-him, now-we-don’t syndrome), and yours truly.
That is not impossible. People come and people go. And as they leave, a distinct mark is stamped into the five-year history of this paper. Like, until recently, a fellow instructor at KASC who splashed his thoughts across the opinion pages, Dr. Edgar Naganag, but who also hibernated as the temperature rose this summer. I have yet to re-convince him to unload himself of his thoughts – lest his head becomes too burdened with his heavy mental load.
One good thing about the writings of Sir Edgar is that once he sets his heart on something and becomes overly enthusiastic about it, there would be no stopping him. He attacks an issue, in every sense of the word attack – no elusive words, no beating around the bush. If he thinks a person is incompetent, he would write “He is incompetent.” There are only two side to every issue, for him. He was, for instance, against the cityhood of Tabuk – and proclaimed his arguments, never caring that others saw it as a losing fight. But the assault he makes is also always calculated. He may stray into enemies’ territory but he would not antagonize them to the point where a clash is born. But of course not everyone has the same level of mental prowess – and, as a result, people who have not been gifted with as much insight would end up abhorring him.
Conversely, however, when Sir Edgar stops, he really stops. So we never read him in this paper again after March 2009.
I hope to get him to refuel his reserves of noble thoughts so that readers may get to see his column “Futures and Options” again.
Especially so that it is that column which brought this paper to the attention of Councilor Reginald Tamayo of Aparri, Cagayan – who wrote in to express his being impressed by Sir Edgar’s train of thoughts, and who later ended up filling the space that was left bare as a result of Sir Edgar’s extended summer hibernation.
So, as you can see, there are now only two columnists (Mr. Tamayo and I). Gary Damian has not really left, so with Sir Edgar – and Mr. Santos Acoba, who used to be un-failing in his weekly submission of entries into his space which he named “What’s Your Side,” a space devoted to matters going on inside the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Still, even with this come-and-go string of writers – with the exception of the PIA triumvirate of Peter, Larry and Gigi – Guru Press has carved its niche in the information-delivery industry in this province. Being circulated for five years – moving from its monthly frequency to its present weekly release – is not an easy feat, considering that this is the print medium, traditionally consumed only by those better-equipped in the head. Targeted at people who yearn for more details, Guru Press sort of fills in the blank patches that cannot be satisfied by a 5-sentence report on the air.
It is difficult to predict what lies ahead for Guru Press. As the only locally printed and circulated paper in town, it serves its purpose of quenching the community’s need to know. As plain as that. And it is from this knowing that the community gets to form its opinions about issues and concerns that directly or indirectly affect it. So, predicting what lies in store for this paper would have to depend on the people’s continuing desire to know – for it is when our reading public loses the desire to be well-informed will we also start to put a period to publication.
An unlikely thing to happen.

A Weird artist Named Michael

by Marciano A. Paroy Jr.

Writing about Michael Jackson would immediately reveal that one grew up in the 1980’s – and thus reveal one’s age. That pegs die-hard MJ fans to be at their 30’s now. But then, he started out in the show business as a young kid, so his multitude of fans include my generation’s parents – those who knew the songs “I’ll Be There,” “Ben,” “Music and Me,” in their original Jackson 5 versions.
To set the parameters clearly, my generation would be described thus: die hard MJ fans who grew up in the 1980’s, loving and memorizing each single song from his two definitive 80’s albums “Thriller” and “Bad.” This generation went with him as he donned his hat, moonwalked, hiccupped his way into his songs (much like another 80’s icon, Cyndi Lauper), and became lighter and lighter in complexion – add to that the fact that the nose became thinner and thinner.
The two aforementioned albums contributed a lot in shaping how my generation perceived the world then. I would not dwell on a review of said albums, though, as I lack the experience in attempting to evaluate them. I would just like to especially single out “Man in the Mirror” from the album “Bad” – which influenced a lot of people from my age group. The song speaks about changing the world in very sense of the word “change.” Michael throws the challenge “If you want to make the world a better place, start looking at your self, and then make a change.”
A simple sermon really. And an easy one to accomplish at that. The moment I consumed the theme of the song, I cemented Michael Jackson’s ability to influence other people.
With his penchant of using a choir for backup vocals, Michael established himself as one of the few composers who wrote advice-giving songs that became hits. Of course, first on the list is another song which he co-wrote: “We are the World,” also from the 1980’s.
It would be several years before he released his next album – “Dangerous” in 1991. By then, my generation were first year college students and were caught up with the many influences that college life brings. Given the many options that were sort of presented on a tray before us city freshmen, I still maintained my admiration and high regard for Michael Jackson. By then, “Heal the World” was being played non-stop in radio stations all over the world – further adding to his repertoire of songs that speak about the imperative need for us to change the world.
Alternative music was the “in” thing in the early 1990’s – with bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, U2, REM, and their contemporaries, plus hard-rocking bands like Bon Jovi , Guns N’ Roses and Aerosmith. Oh yes, I went along with the crowd and digested songs from these bands – but I never once forgot that Michael Jackson was still around, and that no matter what type of music may be “in” at any particular time, his brand of music remains high above the rest – a genre of its own kind, so to speak.
“Dangerous” topped the charts, of course – and the series of hit singles came one after another. There was the pulsating “Black or White” on which he asked the “in” guitarist of the time to play: Slash of the band Guns N’ Roses. Slash lent his chords in another song from that album: “Give in to Me,” which remains to be one of my favorites up to this day.
But one particular song stood out from his “Dangerous,” at least for me. I would like to mention “Will You Be There?” The song simply presents the situation where a person is in need of support – with failure knocking at the door. MJ then inserts the query “will you be there?” When the song was used as the theme song for the movie “Free Willy,” which was about a young boy’s determination to grant a dolphin’s wish for freedom by being sent back into the open ocean, I tagged the song for life.
By then, Michael Jackson was busy with his Heal the World Foundation. The charity organization brought underprivileged children to Jackson's ranch, to go on theme park rides that Jackson had built on the property after he purchased it. The foundation also sent millions of dollars around the globe to help children threatened by war and disease. All profits from the “Dangerous World Tour” went to the "Heal the World Foundation," raising millions of dollars in relief.
This pre-occupation with children then started the rumors that eventually turned into scandals – causing wide dents into his well-managed empire. From then on, the world started to look at MJ as a freak. Those in my generation were starting our careers already, and we lost interest – or we were simply busy finding employments that a simple cursory glance on a Michael Jackson article would suffice.
Other artists rose and fell in the mid 1990’s, and in recent years. Musical taste changed, and there was a shift towards R & B. Alternative music still held sway among its followers. New names dominated the charts. Not one single name held on for a long time, as he or she would soon be toppled by another talented artist.
Then Michael Jackson died.
And the music world stood still. For it lost not only an icon, but a true shaper of pop music as we know it today. Never mind the weirdness attached to all famous people anyway. Never mind the allegations of sexual abuse. The artist must be isolated from the man – in order to truly appreciate his contribution to the arts.
Quite easy to do. Anyone reading a newspaper with a negatively toned article about Michael Jackson, but who would listen to his songs afterwards, would find himself creating a line between what he has read – and what he has heard from the CD player speakers.
Forever a Michael Jackson fan. That’s me… and I know that, here in Tabuk – as one Michael Jackson hit declares – other creatures stuck in the 1980’s and 1990’s would tell me “You Are Not Alone.”

Dropping by the Sangguniang Panlungsod…

by Marciano A. Paroy, Jr.

As Marlon Carbonel and I were waiting for Councilor Alma Sandra U. Mejia at the frontage of the SP wing of the city hall for our brief meeting regarding Miss Matagoan 2009, our attention was fully clutched by the on-going construction of the new city hall. We expressed how big it is, and that when it would soon house all the offices within the sphere of authority of the city government, there would be no more running around from one building to another.
To drive the fact home: it is big, and one can’t help but be proud that Tabuk would one day boast of a city hall which is one of the biggest – at least among the new cities, known as the League of 16 in their open letter to the Supreme Court (which emotionally calls for reconsideration).
Of course, big cities have far bigger city halls. Like the tall Makati City Hall, or Quezon City with an imposing 14-storey city hall which, aside from being the center of the city government, also houses other national government agencies.
When one looks at the artistic rendering of the Tabuk City Hall being constructed (which is plastered as the banner of the official website of Tabuk, courtesy of the website designer and administrator Nathaniel Dalanao), one gets the feeling of wanting to go in, and roam through the halls.
We just hope that when it shall have been finished, we no longer would see some employees who have this current annoying habit of standing by the back entry, giving cursory glances to people who come and go with their transactions. As a fellow government worker, I sometimes get the feeling that things are not fair. We get to work our ass off from 8 AM to 5 PM, while others have a lot of free time spent on staring into space – oh well, staring at the iron gates near the post office.
*****
Back to the scene began above.
While waiting for Madam Councilor Sandra, another Councilor joined us at our tambayan corner – Councilor Glen Wansi. I seized that moment to grill him with questions regarding his already anticipated filing for a position that is going to be vacated by someone who would be vying for that level directly above this someone’s present post (There, I hope I muddled you enough to be lost in your deduction).
But Hon. Wansi played the dodging game by refusing to be definite. He said, “Those rumors that you hear remain to be rumors. There are clamors from some quarters that I should consider what you are insinuating, but until we reach that final moment of having to submit what needs to be submitted… well, then things remain to be studied.”
“Well said, Konsehal,” I quipped, as though it were a beauty pageant.
Whatever Councilor Wansi may finally set his eyes on, this column wishes him well.
*****
It was then that Madam Councilor Sandra arrived – breathtaking in her mono-chromatic lilac blouse and skirt coordinates. Monday, first working day of the week – one should really start the week right by dressing-up appropriately. With a hint of power, if one needs to – at least for those with managerial, administrative and leadership functions (for those who are confined to the Monday uniform, a well-groomed face should complete the effect – not necessarily with full makeup. As a slogan in Laoag City screams “Napintas a buya, naragsak a rupa”).
Madam Sandra, Marlon and I then had our swift meeting to finalize our schedule in meeting the candidates for Miss Matagoan 2009 and their handlers, before she went into the SB Hall to preside over the meeting – she is the Matagoan Festival Director for this year.
Well, the Mayor has just returned from Canada, and she might be reporting the details of what has been decided upon (with Vice Mayor Rainier Sarol as acting mayor) while the Mayor was away.
We then parted ways with the stunning councilor. As we again looked at the construction site of the new city hall, we noted that it will be a two-storey building with a total floor area of 4,100 square meters. It is rectangular in shape with a length of 108 meters.
But that is not the figure that we would be interested in, this beauty pageant season.
Instead, we’re looking for 36-24-36 vital statistics.

Options for those who did not go to College, the Unemployed, and the Tambay sa Kanto

by Marciano A. Paroy, Jr.

A young man considering his options for the future may find himself beset with queries that revolve around the issue: what is the fastest way by which he could bridge the gap between being un-trained on one hand and, on the other hand, being fully prepared to tackle in-demand jobs that could equip him with expertise which he could use for gainful employment, not only in the locality of Tabuk, but anywhere else in the globe?
Normally, college would have been the preferred direction – but considering the current trends in the global economy which is described by, among others, the need for highly skilled workers. Obviously, the best alternative is to be trained as efficiently as possible. And to get that training fast.
The question is where?
In here comes the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – under Provincial Director Julie Banganan – with its wide array of training programs and packages that are designed to cater to the training needs of those who have the vision to gain additional competence in an area other than what they have been naturally blessed with.
TESDA’s work is made even easier by the commitment given by its partner agencies and organizations. By setting-up close ties with TESDA, a partner agency can send trainees to the Provincial Training Center, or other TESDA-administered schools, or come up with its own training activities and workshops – which the agency may schedule for various clients: women groups, entrepreneurs, the youth, farmers and other interested trainees.
Because of such partnership, the mandates of TESDA are realized and, as a result, a forward-looking batch of trainees are developed regularly – ready to face the global challenge, ready to be productive members of the society, ready to make a change in their lives and in the lives of others.
Because of such collaboration, the vision and mission of the partner agency find meaning, and the local leaders – from both the executive and the legislative arms of the LGU – live up to their commitment to bring about tangible change in the community.
This is what LGU-Tabuk does.
Inspired by the concept that the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment of all the blessings of democracy by all people, Mayor Camilo T. Lammawin Jr. initiated a program that would address issues and concerns that would normally lead people to get out of bounds from the law.
Thus the Matagoan: A Unique Solution to a Unique Situation was born.
Matagoan, a Kalinga term which means “Zone of Life” rests on the premise that Tabuk should be a community that embraces diverse cultures – and provide its citizens with opportunities of improving their lives. It is envisioned that if people perceive the impact of the program, and participate in its activities, then the temptation to be led astray and become a community burden is minimized and eventually eradicated.
How does the LGU hope to attain this?
“A productive individual who maintains a steady source of livelihood or business would normally set his eyes on increasing the sustainability of his venture,” Mayor Camilo T. Lammawin Jr. stressed. “When this happens, we develop a class of citizens whose attention is focused on their gainful contribution not only to their family’s income but to the community as well.”
Indeed, sociology teaches us that a well-fed population whose members are scaling the heights of profitability is a community of people who are contented, happy and whole-heartedly willing to take part in other development projects – especially so that most of these people came from poverty-ridden subsistence early on in their lives.
These are the people that LGU-Tabuk is endeavoring to upgrade.
*****
If you know people in your neighborhood that you wish to take out from your daily sight as you pass by them in your street, send them over to TESDA, instead of frowning and giving them the judgment “Awan serserbi yo ketdi.”

The LGU-Tabuk and TESDA-Kalinga Partnership: Anya ti Nadanun na, so Far?

by Marciano A. Paroy, Jr.

I recently got involved in a DevCom task for Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA)-Kalinga, as requested by its Provincial Director Julie Banganan. The job: to collate the data that pertain to the partnership between TESDA-Kalinga and the local government unit of Tabuk – and come up with one info-material that highlights and boasts of the outputs of said partnership.
Normally, working alone is the more ideal option, as this would push us to attack a task the way we would want it done. The danger of having too many heads is that there is a tendency of being out-of-focus and unfortunately come up with a poorly done product (Don’t get me wrong. I am specifically talking about info-materials – not programs and projects in general, which, of course, necessitates participatory decision-making by as many sectors as possible).
That is why advertisements are, for the most part, created by a single designer – and just later on presented for approval or, hmmm, rejection.
The production of the TESDA promotional/info-material, however, entailed close working ties with the two agencies concerned: TESDA and LGU-Tabuk. I had no prior knowledge about the working attitude or the speed and vigor of the people I would be dealing with, so I was quite adamant about our ability to meet our target.
Surprise: the target was hit, bulls eye.
My salute to Judilyn “Judith” Langgaman of TESDA-Kalinga and Loyda Saboy, the Public Employment Services Officer of Tabuk. Collaborating with them gave me a peek into the working environment of their respective offices. Oh well, there were moments when impatience would ceep in but these were always doused off by the completion of a desired element. Taking the holistic view, hassles and minor irritants were treated as inconsequential details – they did not matter as long as we come up with the intended goal.
I realized that the two key person I mentioned above were always worried about our ability to deliver. There seemed to be this unspoken notion that it’s their necks on the line, not mine. Ms. Langgaman has TESDA PD Banganan to worry about, while Ms. Saboy has The Mayor.
I was, sort of, the outsider – from the academe at that, where working attitudes are somewhat different . For one, we (instructors) have this conscious self-evaluation and the constant desire to please.
In my book, Judith and Loyda are competent at what they do. Being in offices that directly deal with a specific set of clients – the jobless members of the society – they truly have wealthy reserve of patience and commitment.
I also would like to single out Gailin Soriano, also of PESO, and Nathaniel Dalanao of the City Information Office under Sir Olive Gacuya – for the photos they supplied us.
And so we wish “Goo Luck” to LGU-Tabuk as it vies for the TESDA Kabalikat Award.
*****
The Kabalikat Award goes to outstanding partners of TESDA in the public and the private sectors. They are singled out for their drive in implementing and promoting technical-vocational programs and services. Awardees are chosen on the basis of their con¬tribution in terms of investment and resources poured into technical-vocational programs, plus the employability of trained and certified workers.
*****
So… is LGU-Tabuk worthy of such distinction?
Yes.
As I pored over the materials littered with figures and cold hard facts, I noted that Tabuk should be one of the hands-down winners. No one from LGU-Tabuk brandishes much about the fact that, through the years, Mayor Lammawin and his team of planners have been allotting a considerable slice from Tabuk’s yearly budget – directed to technical/vocational concerns.
But really, the support given by LGU-Tabuk to TESDA programs is one thing that should be lauded about.
I just hope that the evaluators at the regional and national levels will recognize such fact.

FRD’s launching of a KASC Project …and battle of the sexes in KASC

by Marciano A. Paroy, Jr.

At Guru Press where I serve as the Associate Editor, we have taken seriously the observance of Women’s Month this 2009. We featured articles that celebrate the multi-faceted ingenuity and indispensability of women in different fields.
We cap it all this week with the front page photo of Governor Floydelia R. Diasen visiting the Kalinga-Apayao State College to formally launch the latest money-making venture of the Institute of Entrepreneurial Arts, under Dean Edna Yumol: taro-based products, through the use of a machine that was donated by the Provincial Government – a feat that can be credited to the brainchild behind the project, Dr. Virginia Petang and her research partner Zorayda Gavino.
Taro, of course, is that root crop we seldom give attention to – galyang. Reading the rationale in the research work conducted by Ms. Petang and Ms. Gavino, taro (or gabi), as one of the most common root crops in the Philippines, is commonly planted in areas not really suitable for its culture since traditional staples and vegetables are given priority to occupy good production areas. Although gabi has the ability to grow in marginal and sub marginal areas, it normally grows well and produces high yield when cultivated in more suitable areas favored with the right soil and rainfall needed by the crop.
According to Ms. Gavino, “We have observed that galyang or “lucia” (in Kalinga) is locally abundant but underutilized because it is commonly used as an ingredient in cooking “Nilagang Baboy/Baka” and as feeder for pigs in the locality. It is from this realization that we have come up with the thought of putting galyang into good use – considering that it is rich in starch, calcium, phosphorous and potassium.”
KASC has actually sent Ms. Petang and Ms. Gavino – along with Research Director Jovita Saguibo (there, another woman) – to compete in the Regional Symposium for research and extension undertakings in the Cordillera in 2007, with their research on Taro Flour. They won second place. Coincidentally, they were bested by yet another lady researcher from KASC – Dr. Helen Bais, with her winning research work on basidiomycetes (kurat, kudit and laplapayag).
Perhaps inspired by their success in said regional symposium, the researchers decided to go full blast and focus their new-found energies into actual production of foodstuffs made from taro. There was one setback, though: the purchase for the machine needed for the venture.
Of course, when Dean Yumol, Ms. Petang and Ms. Gavino lobbied for the Governor’s support to the project by requesting assistance for the purchase of the machine, the Governor may have stamped her approval over the request not because the request was coming from her KASC family (where she last served as the Dean of the Institute of Health Sciences prior to her joining the world of politics), but because she may have seen the viability and profitability of the undertaking.
KASC – as a state-run institution – is not exempt from on-going measures called for by the government on various agencies to become creative in coming up with ideas that could increase the financial base of the agency concerned. President Eduardo Bagtang (himself an honorary woman as a lecturer on Gender and Development) has been non-sop, in fact, in his quest for tie-ups, collaborations and financial linkages with other institutions and organizations – aside from intensifying the existing production capabilities of the school – some he inherited from past administrations, some devised under his leadership. With this taro production, KASC has further broadened its potentials in thickening its financial resources.
*****
The Governor, aside from her last post in KASC as the Dean of the IHS, also served as the Director for Student Affairs and Services (DSAS). I was still a student then, and as one of the student leaders that time (as the Editor-in-Chief of the student publication – a post given me by both her and her Student Coordinator at that time, Dr. Edgar Naganag, another expert on Gender and Development), I found it rather hassle-free to approach her and have something approved. Whenever she viewed a proposal as really catering to the needs of the students, she would be expected to say “yes.”
I have always noted that it was during her turn as the DSAS that student organizations were asked to undergo accreditation by the administration, before they can be officially recognized. As a result of this call, out came many student organizations that are now enjoying recognized status.
*****
During her last days in KASC as the Dean of the IHS, the Governor shared the distinction as a lady dean along with Dean Yumol (Institute of Entrepreneurial Arts), Dean Joy Grace P. Doctor (Institute of Arts and Sciences), and Dean Elsie Coyoy (Institute of Teacher Education), thereby outnumbering the male deans then – Dean Joseph Aguilar (Institute of Agriculture and Forestry) and Dean Amado Imper (Institute of Mathematics, Engineering and Applied Technology).
IHS is now under Dean Christine Ammakiw, while Dean Aguilar has given way to Dean Aurea Calubaquib. Dean Coyoy, on the other hand, has transferred the reins to Dean Raymond Balbin.
So, the scales are still tipped in favor of the women as far as deanship is concerned in KASC. Move on to the Directorship level and you have the same picture: Ms. Rosalina Gunaban is Director for Administration and Finance, Dr. Adoracion Taguba is Director for Student Services and Admission (the renamed version of DSAS) Dr. Jovita Saguibo is Director for Research – while Dr. Maximo Garming is the sole male director, for Extension. Three is to one – that’s the ratio among the directors.
Well, we also have Mr. Tomas Carabbacan as the chief of Business Affairs. He, originally, was from the high school department – which is now under Principal Corazon Osdeg.
Then we have Vice President for Academic Affairs: Dr. Carmelita T. Ayang-ang. The total number of female key-players in KASC clearly gives the edge to women.
Throw them all in the conference room for a planning session – with President Bagtang at the helm – and it is easy to imagine how the female officials can out-maneuver the men. One can almost imagine the women applying all the tactics they could think of so that, at the end of the day, the men will eventually relent and be pressured into submission.
Fortunately, that is not the case. The men in KASC (well, it’s the academe) regard the women as their counterparts in all aspects. So… minds meet, and the best decisions are hammered out, regardless of the gender of the one pitching-in an idea.
Dijay lang ah ta napigpigsa ti boses dagiti babbai. Ah, women…

AMBOY KUB-AO

The day I met Amboy, I fell into a little argument with him on who was more glamorous between Elizabeth Taylor and Greta Grabo. That was at the Piner’s Beauty Salon at the Diocesan Building which I visited to look for a friend, Marlon Carbonel. That was in the early 1990’s. Since then, I’ve been running into Amboy in different occasions where gays would be gathered.
However, it was in the latter part of the 1990’s when I sort of became one of Amboy’s so-called “children” – a grouping of young individuals who have yet to know what we really wanted in life, a grouping that included Alvin Bacwaden, Kenny Gonayon and Edward Baguilod. We were at that stage where we were drifting, even as we were searching for something meaningful that we may eventually want to focus on. Amboy provided that vehicle for our mindless search. Given his infectious personality which centered on his ability to show that he cared, and that he understood what anyone may be going through, we became hooked, following him day after day (practically residing at his stall at the Bulanao market place). And so we became his disciples – calling him “Mother Amboy”, a distinction in the gay community which we only reserve for those whom we either respect or fear. In his case, I think it was more of the latter.
Intelligent yet silly. Gentle yet fierce. Free-spirited yet conservative. Amboy is a perfect subject on contradictory personality. He would harshly scold a person one minute, and the very next moment he would turn to you and gently say “My dear, iyawat mu man dayta shot glass. Thank you, my dear.”
He would stride into a room and cut through the calm, either though his cacophonous laughter or the orders that he barked: “Mary, mangiruar ka man dita.” (that was Mary Oman, whose place we used to frequent).
There is never a dull moment with Amboy. I may find myself discussing current affairs with him, then before I knew it, we would be running away – from whom, I hardly had the time to find out, though I remember we ran away one time from the tanods who interrupted our grouping at Mary’s, reprimanding us for drinking during a liquor-ban day.
Amboy is – was – one person whose commanding power was indisputable. He would look outside the window, make his weather assessment, and say “Pack your swimming clothes, get the pitcher and two glasses. Intayo idjay Pasunglao, it’s a sunny day!” No questions asked.
But that’s all in the past now, and the Guru pages may not even be enough to contain all the anecdotes that pertain to Amboy. We – his so-called children – have all moved on, and I don’t know whether younger ones have replaced us in his kwadra. I slowly lost contact with him these past years, and I only got to hear news about him now and then – particularly his nursing role for his mother.
Then, like a bolt out of the blue (which he can be likened to, whenever he assaults a gathering), he came to Dagupan last December. He stood by the frontage of Marlon Carbonel’s salon (R and J Beauty and Fashion Empire), told him to close the shop and follow him. Then as soon as they were seated at Violy’s Place, complete with beer bottles on the table, he told Marlon to ask me to join them. “Ma-miss ko man ni Mars,” he told Marlon.
So Marlon sent me a text message. And like a dutiful “anak,” I dropped what I was doing. I shut the computer down and rushed over to them. I realized that it has been years since the last time I spent time with him – with bottles between us. I did miss him too, and part of me wanted to go see him and sort of make a report of what I had become.
We talked. We exchanged stories, and reminisced the past. When I asked what made him occupied aside from being a home-body by then, he added new bits into my dormant Amboy archives in my head. As always, he gave us a cornucopia of stories about himself that always border on the fantastic and unbelievable. But that’s the Amboy trademark – he could make a lot of declarations, and you would not find it in your heart to express disbelief. Part of the Amboy mystique, I guess, is his ability to confound you. Plus his many claims that remain unverified all these years. And, despite all these, we loved him. He remained lodged deep into the recesses of your head – like a presence you may fail to acknowledge sometimes, but you know it’s there.
That afternoon at Violy’sPlace re-established his influence in me, but it would be the last time I would raise a glass with him, and the last time I would hear his gurgling laughter.
We would never know what great things Mother Amboy would have been capable of accomplishing – considering his intellect and strong personality. We cannot judge him, either, for the choices that he had made in his younger days. Coming from a very affluent family – peopled by highly educated siblings, offspring and grandchildren – he never once turned back from the path he chose to tread. As I have learned during my days with him, “if it makes you happy, go for it” has always been his mantra in life. But that did not diminish him to an individual who has no purpose in life at all – in fact, his greatest triumph is in making others happy, while being true to himself.
“No regrets,” I can almost hear him saying, with his signature whistle which he used to accentuate his statements.
Ditto. The days I spent with him were too colorful to be forgotten. He helped in broadening my view of various people coming from diverse backgrounds. He helped me become street-smart all the more, to be tough – inside out, without sporting the leather jackets that were part of his staple wardrobe.
Oh, the places we went to, the dangers we encountered, the adventures we risked our life with. To be young again, and re-trace the same days – what a party it would be with him! From now on, I would not be able to drain a bottle without hearing Amboy’s voice, saying “Here’s to life!” – like he never left at all.
There was one time Amboy, Bryan (also gone, may his soul rest in peace) and I went to Amdalao, Pasil for the town fiesta in 1996. On the day we had to go back to Tabuk, Amboy said we must stop for awhile in Cagaluan. So we did, then he took out all of our fare money and said we had to “drink” while waiting for another ride. And so we raised glasses and time passed us by. I later pointed out that there no longer seemed to be passenger jeepneys passing by. With that, he stood up, went to the road side, and after just a few minutes, he was yelling at us to hurry up.
We hitched a ride. In a big, worn and dilapidated truck. That’s the Amboy way. Most things in life are free.
You’ll be missed… terribly. Mother.

(In behalf of the Gays Union of Tabuk, we express our most sincere condolences to the Kub-ao family)