Charter change backers deserved it

Elmer S. Casillan
Published on Page A16 of the November 11, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

BELINDA Olivares-Cunanan in a series of columns sounded aghast at the Supreme Court decision junking the petition of Sigaw ng Bayan and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (Ulap). She said it was “vicious,” “scathing” and “extremely strong and condemnatory language.”But, of course, it was. And rightly so. We who have seen through the “gigantic fraud” are exhilarated and feel vindicated by the words used by the Court. The words and the language reflected the feelings of one whose sensibilities have been sourly offended. In this case, the offense struck the learned and legal sensibilities of the high magistrates (well, at least eight of them). Thus the initiative proponents richly deserved what was coming to them.
Law practitioners (like Raul Lambino) are duty-bound to respect the Constitution. But, as a noted constitutionalist saw it, Sigaw was apparently aware of the constitutional deception it was foisting. Its petition hinged not on facts and law but on the politics of power, pressure and patronage. And meaningless motherhood statements.

It is seldom in this benighted nation that we ordinary citizens could lay claim to a triumph of justice. The eloquently reasoned verdict was certainly a rare and exulting triumph. Not to mention a triumph of logic and common sense. Not to mention a triumph over brazen manipulation, unbridled lust for power and the shameless prostitution of the sovereign will. Now, that’s condemnatory language. But it is also called righteous indignation. And righteous indignation is a right reserved for those who have been unjustly offended; not for those who try to hoodwink somebody and get indignant after they are exposed and condemned for their ruse.
Cunanan said the local officials were terribly hurt for being branded as deceivers. Would Cunanan rather call them the paragons of virtue and honesty? No wholesale offense meant to local officials. But even the most well-meaning among them have come to accept cheating, manipulation and deception as part of the game (a.k.a. political exercises) whether it is called elections, impeachment, or people’s initiative. We have seen the manifest despoliation of these democratic enterprises since 2004, the clearest manifestation of which is the continued stay of “the President” in Malacañang.

Cunanan’s fellow Inquirer columnist, Randy David, has noted that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has “violated all civilized norms of politics.” My previously politically indifferent friends have a more graphic description of the political goings-on under Arroyo; “bastusan” and “garapalan” are words that aptly capture their disgust. They are words that are as strong and condemnatory as the Supreme Court’s verdict.

Friday Activities; Batch '74 Video

Yesterday, two batchmates hosted separate family affairs and invited batchmates as guests. Ted Santy treated us to lunch and early afternoon drinks in their family compound in front of Villa Caceres. Early evening, we moved over to Dante Indaya's residence in Peñafrancia Ave. to celebrate his birthday. Thank you, Ted! Happy birthday, Dante!

Attendance aside from yours truly and the celebrants: Igme Blacer, Edgar Dy, Benjie Cariño, Binong Martires, Tony Añonuevo, Andrew Morano.

During the day, we previewed in Ted's laptop computer a 30-minute video presentation of batch activities. We also played a separate version of the same video in CD-DVD player and it worked just as fine.

The said video cd will soon be distributed to batchmates here and overseas. Ted Santy voluntered to CD-burn the video and Tony Añonuevo will provide the blank cd's out of batch fund and take care of distribution. Binong Martires offered to talk to Nimrod Licup to put the .wmv video file, 143 MB in size, in the web server of the alumni web site and made available for download through the Web.

The said video presentation is still evolving and open to comments and suggestions, deletions, additions and includes highlights from the alumni mass, Joel Cadiz's birthday, and post-Yami funeral gathering at Moraville. Unfortunately, footages taken during Jesse Robredo's birthday got accidentally overwritten in the camera before I could transfer them to hard disk. I am sorry for that; we can only wait for the next opportunity to include Mayor Jesse in our video presentation. Take hold of your copy now and post what you think in our group site or this blog. You are most welcome to contribute materials, video clips or still photographs, with accompanying write up.

ADNAA NORTHEAST CHAPTER PICNIC AT LIBERTY STATE PARK, NJ

July 15, 2006, New Jersey - The ADNAA Northeast Chapter held its annual Picnic at the Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ. Headed by its President Boogie Amador, the affair was a success. Among those present were Smokey Carino (HS 62) (remember him? The Air Force pilot who let his jet hover over the Ateneo campus almost kissing the towers of Burns and Santos Hall), and of course the brother of Benjie; Jojo Borja (HS 77), Jojo Amador (HS 77), Ray Altarejos (HS 69) the CEO/owner of the Call Center in Naga located at Paseo de Caceres. Allen Nidea (HS 69), Boy De Leon (HS 69), atbp.
Look for yourselves and try to distinguish the faces of attendees (kun bisto man nindo!)

All-Ateneo Convention - San Diego, CA (more Pics)

All-Ateneo Convention - San Diego, CA

It was a privilege to have been able to attend the convention and represented the HS Pillars of 74 and be able to be part of our batchmate Ed Del Rosario's very own "Ed Del Rosario Group of Companies" which was the primary (Platinum) sponsor of the affair. EDR, as he is known here, has successfully built solid holdings here and in Manila having been in the real estate business for almost 19 years. In 1990, he started a parnership that acquired them a franchise with Caldwell Banker. besides the real estate, EDR has ivestments in the structural steel industry in the US but being outsourced to Manila. He is truly the pride of HS Pillars of 74.

I felt so proud having been with him. He is a changed man now (sabi niya), very different from the Ed Del Rosario whom Pokoy F knew in college and law school days.

If you have the chance to go to the USofA just look for him and he will not hesitate to make your visit a very memorable and fruitful one.

Detailed Statement of Accounts Released by Tony A

Statement of Accounts

12^th Alumni Mass Sponsorship

April 30, 2006

A. Alumni Members Contribution:

Alumni Contributor	Amount
(1) Atty. Joel Cadiz (2) Engr. Edgar Dy (3) Atty. Igmedio Blacer (4) Engr. Hector Sales (5) Efren Sales (6) Vic Rubio (7) Dr. Andy Gimpaya (8) Mayor Jesse Robredo (9) Arthur Estrella (10) Nick Clasio (11) Dr. Boying Llorin (12) Elmer Casillan (13) Eduardo Valisto (14) Teddy Santy (15) Dr. Andrew Espiritu (16) Tony Blando (17) Jack Ayo (18) Victor (Sonny) Delos Santos (19) Sonny Imperial (20) Arnel Rodriguez (21) Virgel Yorake (22) Ed Bisana (23) Atty. Pokoy Felizmenio (24) Butch Macandog (25) Ramon Wong (26) Francis Dy (27) Andrew Morano (28) Ed Del Rosario ($100) (29) Obet Obrero ($50)	P 1,000.00 350.00 350.00 1,000.00 350.00 350.00 350.00 400.00 350.00 350.00 400.00 350.00 350.00 500.00 350.00 1,000.00 350.00 500.00 350.00 200.00 350.00 1,000.00 400.00 400.00 200.00 350.00 500.00 5,000.00 2,500.00
Total Contributions	P12,400.00

B. Expenses:

(1) 40 pcs. T-shirts @ P220.00 (2) Drinks (3) Food (cater) (4) Pulutan (5) Mass offering (6) Wreath and Mass card for Wilson Yamson (7) Miscellaneous expenses	P 8,800.00 2,731.00 2,400.00 1,500.00 500.00 1,700.00 1,000.00
Total Expenses	P 18,631.00

C. Cash on hand P 1,269.00

To mention:

· Mon Wong gave a bilao of lumpiang shanghai

· A bucket of fried chicken from Bading Señar

· Puto and dinuguan from Wawa Verdadero

· Tony A – messenger, collector, mass and fellowship coordinator

Statement of Accounts by Tony A.

Statement of Accounts
12th Alumni Mass Sponsorship

April 30, 2006

A. TOTAL CASH COLLECTED

Classmate Contribution.................PhP 12,400.00

Ed del Rosario{$100}..................... 5,000.00

Obet Obrero [$50] .................................2,500.00 PhP19,900.00

B. EXPENSES

40 pcs. T-Shirt @P220.00each .............. 8,800.00

Drinks ................................................. 2,731.00

Food/Catering ...................................... 2,400.00

Polotan ............................................... 1,500.00

Mass Offering ...................................... 500.00

Wreath/Mass Card (Wilson Yamson)..... 1,700.00

Miscellaneous Expenses ..................... 1,000.00

Total .............................................. PhP18,631.00

C. CASH ON HAND ................................................... PhP 1,269.00

(Signed) TONY A,

Batch 74 Weekend Part 2: Mayor Jessie Robredo's Sunday Birthday Bash

Jessie's late afternoon birthday bash at Aling Conching's Restaurant was an excluvive batch gathering. The event was special because it was the first time ever that Mayor Jess gave a birthday blowout to his batchmates. In attendance were Joel Cadiz, Vic Pardalis, Jack Ayo, Andy Gimpaya, Hector Sales, Bobie Moreno, Bong Bulao, Andrew Morano, Nanding Gomez, Francis Dy, Benjie Cariño, Mon Wong, Binong Martirez, Tony Añonuevo, and Wawa Verdadero, the host.

For the benefit of the curious, the menu consists of pancit bijon, pancit canton, dinuguan, fried spare ribs, puto, cakes, and coke, all in volume quantity, complemented by a small bottle of Emperador brandy, and a small bottle of Torres brandy.

Tony Añonuevo. who arrived late, took the occasion to read a text message from Elmer Casillan: Mag blow out daw si yorme? Kung mag blowout, magbayad daw? This sent everyone delirious with laughter, including the celebrant. Other batchmates who could not attend but only sent text greetings were Andrew Espiritu, Boying Llorin, and Roy Bautista.

Of course, ma blowout saka mabayad pa. In fact, Naga City First Lady, Leny, later joined the group for a few minutes to pay the bill.

Thank you and happy birthday, Mayor Jessie!

Batch 74 Weekend: Saturday Funeral of Wilson "Yammy" Yamson

Last Saturday was black day for Batch 74: May 27 2006 was the day we sent off Yammy to life eternal. In attendance during the mass and funeral ceremonies were Mayor Jessie Robredo, Joel Cadiz, Tony Añonuevo,Edgar Dy, Bobie Moreno, Dante Indaya, Jun de Guzman, Butch Macandog, Egmie Blacer, Andrew Morano, Benjie Cariño, Hector Sales. Andy Gimpaya joined the batch later at the early evening batch gathering sponsored by Andrew Morano at Moraville at Dinaga St.

The post funeral event turned out to be a drinking and sing-along spree, a happy occasion, which Yammy would have wanted it to be.

That same Saturday, Mayor Jessie Robredo was also celebrating his birthday, so he invited the batch members to his birthday blowout at Aling Conching's, which, in deference to the sad occasion, was to be held the following day.

Tony Blando Shares His Thoughts of Yammy

With the info of Yammy's passing away I tried to contain my emotions but I just couldn't control the tears from welling out. I Have fond memories of Yammy not much during HS but more during the 4 years we were together in AdeN ROTC. I remember him drilling alone under the heat of the sun in June 1974. He was the first one to sign up as OCS. Later, Bobi Moreno, Binong Martirez and myself joined him to complete a squad training to become ROTC officers. I couldn't imagine his determination because he was lanky and even frail for the training. He was so determined he wanted to become an Army officer someday, nothing in mind but to avenge the death of his father in the hands of the "rebels". He would always endure because of his determination and resourcefulness. I remember while we were in Tanay, Rizal during the Summer Camp Training in 1976. Because life in a camp was real hard, gabos naka pila, sa pagkakan, sa pag gamit kan CR. Nakapila pa kami si Yammy yaon na, tapos na and fresh and bubbly. He was so resourceful na nakakarigos na palan sa ibang area of the camp. It was time of our E & E (Escape and Evasion) - a supposed gruelling experince where trainees were to evade encountering "enemy". While we traversed hills and and streams to get to the "safehouse", si Yammy puerte na an turog ta kaya palan, he just walked through the road with his squad. He was funny, real funnny because out of nowhere you'd know Yammy was coming because his coming was always announced by his loud voice whatever manner he'd do it... loud singing, command, etc. We always looked forward to "magpataba". He'd say "Doblanz kakan kitang maluto sa harong". And that was merindalan lang. Yamy was a real buddy. While we were in 3rd year, both Yammy and I were already receiving salary from the AFP as civilian employees, me as Graduate Assistant and Yammy as Armorer replacing Tiong Joe Sanchez (remember him?). As my Ex-O (S3), I acknowledge and credit him for the honor the AdeN ROTC Golden Knight Ballation earned as "The Best Marching Unit" during Penafrancia Parade in 1977 besting Caloy Cortes' UNCRU and making it after 14 years!

Si yammy talaga an taong dai mo magulangan. We were also buddy when it comes to drinking. Our ROTC Officers batch had a lot of drinking "always". Yammy discovered that before having a large amount of beer-drinking (chakalak), drinking a bottle of Coke before endulging would help. He shared this secret to me. Kata tumba na sinda kami ni Yammy dai pa lamang magsusuka.

Yammy wherever you are, me, Bobi, Binong, Megs, and Benjie, will always remember these fond memories of you while we were in our prime years! For that we salute you Yammy! Send our regards to our batchmates there - Edgar Esplana, Valenciano, Boy Trespeces, Ambo Ferrer, Casin, Chris Morano and the rest na dai ko na ma guiromduman. Wait for us there because someday we can regroup and come up with a platoon! Any volunteer?? (hehehe!)

Note: Sent by e-mail from Philadelphia, USA

Batch '74 Mourns: Yammy passes away this morning

Ateneo de Naga High School Batch 74 mourns the loss of batchmate, Wilson Yammy Yamson, who dies this morning of liver malignancy. We all remember Yammy as a person full of life and happiness, the life of the party. Batchmates are encouraged to keep posted to this blog to know the plan of the batch to honor Yammy, including schedule of vigils and funeral. For now, we all offer to Yammy the following verse written by Elmer Casillan, our batch poet:

KI YAMMY, PASOLNOPAN
Dos Mil Sais, Mayo Beinte Dos
Todos Los Muertos

Pinapandok mo
An huring sabwag nin kolor
asin laad
na pigmamaanan
Dara kan sirang
nin saldang.
Nagrumirom, nagdolom na
sa solnopan
An padagos na paglaom
siring man
Panginoron, naghuring hangos
antes pinatos
kadikloman

Mantang igwa pang tadang
gayon asin tingraw
Na pigdudusay sa mata
Hihimateon sa
mga huring momento
kan sakong pagmaan
Na kasumpay ka pa
kaining kinaban
Ta'nawon nindo an solnopan
Kun saen pasiring
an daing kasagkoran
Susugon, lamagon nindo
Duman maulanto
an saiyang espiritu
Duman marukyaw
kita nin husto,
nin bwelo

Dawa an aratubangan
duman
Daing irinuman,
daing ngarakngakan

Kadi passes away at 86

We, the members of AdeN HS Batch 74, extend our heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family of Salvador Kadi Calandria, Sr. We fondly remember Kadi as the Pilipino teacher with Chavacano accent and concurrent property custodian of Ateneo de Naga when we were there.

His body now lies in state at the Imperial Memorial Chapel in Igualdad St. and shall be transferred to Ateneo de Naga Chapel one day before his burial at Sto. Niño Memorial Park on Monday, May 22, 2006, at 2 P.M.

Kadi died in retirement at the age of 86.

Atty. Frank Pokoy Felizmenio, at the helm of the ADNAA Metro Manila Chapter

Batchmate Frank Pokoy Ferlizmenio, connected with the Office of the Ombudsman, is now the President of the Ateneo de Naga Alumni Association (ADNAA), Metro Manila Chapter. Officers of ADNAA who will serve for this year were elected last Dec 11, 2005 during the yearly three-day Orogmahan Celebration held at the PVAO Covered Court, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Manila-based batchmates who supported Frank's candidacy were Atty Jose Anselmo Cadiz, IBP National President; Judge Ramon Cruz, QC RTC Br.223; Victor "Sonny" delos Santos, businessman; Atty Luis Jose Ferrer, partner SGV, and Jil Yorobe.

The complete list of elected officers of ADNAA:

• Atty Pokoy Felizmenio- President
• Dato M. Arroyo Coll'97- VP
• Myrna Paguia-Treasuere
• Lee Clemente-Coll'03-Secretary
• Atty Louie Ferrer, CPA- Auditor

Board Members:

• Vic Verdadero- HS'68
• Romy Sarte-HS'58
• James Jacob-HS'72
• All lawyers
• Col.Jack Jacaban-HS'79
• Jimboy Ordoñez
• Mar Varona-HS'75
• Sena Secretario-Coll'03
• Tatat Beldua-HS'67
• Ariel Gumabon (son of Tangtang Verdadero)

HS Batch 74 Now: Wiser and Feeling Younger (Updated)

Naga City Vice Mayor, Gabby Bordado, and Batchmates Among Our Guests

Golden Jubilarians This Year Among Our Guests

Olive Felizmenio

Good day to batch 74 members!

Note: Olive is the wife of Pokoy.

Theo Santy

Kumusta sa gabos na mga cyber barkada nasabi na ninda (Andrew, Arthur, Hector) itong mga monetary requirements. Ngunyan sabihon ko na lang na siguro mas magayon mag irigdi kamo. Tanganing mag iriba kita ta dakula ining grupong ini, mahiling man an presensya nindo. Iyo lang yan.

Wawa Verdadero

Hi! Mabuhay!

Tony Añonuevo

Para sa gabos,saro lang an masasabi ko. If you need me, just whistle.

Mon Wong

Hi! Kumusta? Maray an kamugtakan mi digdi. Sana yaon kamo digdi.

Ramoning Cruz

Cheers! Sayang dapat yaon kamo digdi. Ining guwapong ini (Benjie) dapat nahiling nindo. maski mayo kamo digdi, basta kami yaon sa puso nindo,ok na yan samuya.

Joel Cadiz

Thank you, thank you! Caloy, si Ed del Rosario baga yaon na sa CAL. Si Obrero nasa... Florida. Good day to all of you. Mag uruli na kamo ta maorogmahon kami digdiyo. Mayo kayan sa California...mayo sa Florida.

Igme Blacer

Yam(my) para saimo, we pray very hard para maski puropapano matwan ka pa nin chance. Just pray and have faith in Him.

To other members of the batch of 74 who are not present, hopefully magka igwa man kamo nin time, next time, na maka attend man kamo so we will also enjoy your company. Thank you.

Hector Sales

Good morning!Mga batchmates sa US saka sa abroad. Siguro nakadakol na kamo dyan, ah...Pero talagang kadakol dapat tabangan digdi sa Pilipinas,lalo na digdi sa satuyang eskwelahan. Although may mga ginigibo na, kaipuhan pa nin mas dakulang tabang. Hale sa mga nakakaangat sa buhay. Siguro ano man kayan an 50 thousand dollars? Chicken na yan saindo, gasino na yan, di ba? Siguro para magkaigwa kita nin high impact project na maitao ta especially digdi sa satuyang eskwelahan, saka of course itong mga nangangaipong mga Pilipino. Iyo lang at God Bless!

Jack Ayo

Maray na aga. May Ateneo Alumni baga sa katapusan kan June sa US. An message ko para sa mga makahiling kaini,an class 74 ika dose nang pag sponsor kan alumni mass. Gustong sabihon 12 years na an involvement ta sa actibidad na ini. Para saindo dyan sa hararayo,kung gusto nindong mag sponsor nin sarong misa,paki laog na lang kan saindong message sa Web Site kan batch 74. Salamat saindo.

Frank Pokoy Felizmenio

Pakatapos nin halawig na panahon. 1970 an iba 1963, makairibahan na kita. 2006 na iribahan pa man giraray kita. Pighahagad ko na ipadagos ta iniyo... hanggang sa kahurihurihan kan buhay ta.Aram mo kadakol na nagbabago. Igwa na kitang mga kaklaseng nag kaerenot.Yaon na sa maray na kamugtakan. Ipadagos ta ining pagiribahan ta... saka siguro sa ngunyan na panahon, tawan ta nin dikit an importansya an satuyang salud. Pakarayon ta, ta dain naman kita nagjojoven. Para sa gabos na ka batch, Dios maray na aldaw saindo gabos. Hirilingan giraray kita.

Francis Dy

O, kumusta mga ka batch?

Elmer Casillan

Sa gabos na Atenista,kung hain man kamo sain I ask you all to pray for Yammy, si Wilson Yamson na malaen na an kamugtakan.

Edgar Dy

Sa gabos na kaklase ko sa Manila asin sa Amerika, yaon man kamo sain, sana sa 50th year anniversary, yaon kita gabos. magiribahan kita. Salamat.

Ed Bisana

Maogmahon ako na kaibahan ko an mga kabatch. Pirang years na kita? 23 years ago today,we were carefree high school students and yet we had in us the heart to remember friends, true friends that only batch 74 can give us. Hi! Mainom na ako!

Blue-blooded batch 74, loyal sa batch 74, mayong iba...(yours truly). I love you all!!!

Dante Indaya

Maray na aga. Sa mga ka batch ko sa Ateneo batch 74, sana sa 50th anniversary, yaon kita gabos. Mag aratender kita.

Butch Macandog

Maray na aga! o maray na banggi, depende kung hain kamo. Butch Macandog po ini, kung nalingaw na kamo sakuya. Magbisita kamo sa Naga. Iyo lang.

Rufo Boying Llorin

Batchmates, I greet you all!

Bong Bulao

Ed, kumusta! Baradilan daa kamo ni Hubilla.Good luck.

Benjie Cariño

Ako si Benjie. Saro-saro an agom. Kumusta na lang kamo dyan padi. Siisay an makaka ano...(makakahiling) kaini? Si Tony Blando? Saka si Mayong na Borja? Saka si Emeteryong Perez? Kumusta na lang kamo dyan! Si Virgil Yorobe na makulit? Makuliton yan padi! Kumusta ka na lang padi. Kumusta na lang saindo gabos padi!

Arthur Estrella

Maray na aldaw saindo gabos, lalo na itong mga nasa abroad. Tama itong sinasabi kaini ni Andrew na 2 milyon an pangangaipo. Magtao na po kamo. May Web Site kita, ano? Ideposito na lang sa account ni Andrew. Kung pwede man magbisita tabi kamo digdi samuya ta...

Arnel Rodriguez

Maray na aldaw saindo mga ka batch!

Andy Gimpaya

My greetings to all batchmates! Dakol an nag respond sa pangapudan ta through the Web and other ways. Salamat sa gabos! Padaba ta talaga an satuyang batch siguro dahil dai talaga mawawara sa mga puso ta an apat na taon sa high school digdi sa Ateneo de Naga.
For my part, I will continue to help keep our group, the Ateneo High School Pillars of 1974, vibrant. We are all a part of it forever.

Andrew Morano

Hello mga pre' lalong lalo na saimo Andy. Maray ngani igwa kita digdi ning cameraman na yaon digdi ngunyan.Libre. Mayong bayad.
Si mga nasa States, an message ta: magtao kamo nin donasyon sa aki ni Nonito Ayo, ta iyo an head coach kan basketball sa Ateneo. Kaipuhan padi daa 1 milyon pesos. An matatada dyan, sa batch 74.

Mr. Greg Abonal

Our favorite master English teacher, currently the Ateneo de Naga High School Principal, Mr. Greg Abonal joined us at the head table. Seated beside him was former Congressman James Jacob (Batch 73).

Yammy's Well-Wishers

Last Sunday was also an occasion when we as a batch expressed our collective hopes for Yammy's recovery.