A Visit to Sibil Cemetery in Bulan , Sorsogon : Reconnecting My Family Roots

Bulan , Sorsogon province -Philippines

MRRL Trading and General Merchandise

It is my first time to visit and stayed in the town of Bulan , Sorsogon , We stayed with my second cousin’s home and hardware store at C. Gotladera street . It used to be known as Manuel Trading and was recently renamed to MRRL Trading and General Merchandise   .

 

C. Gotladera street corner Z.  Asuncion street 

Maternal Great Grandparents

Our maternal family genealogy  can be traced over a century ago, as recounted by my maternal aunts and cousins .  The story started when my maternal great grandfather ( Lolo sa Tuhod ) – Patricio Villanueva Lim from Zamboanga province and maternal great grandmother ( Lola sa Tuhod)  Cristina Tankiko / Tangkeko ( or Tangueco )  who hails from Malabon , Rizal married resulting in the birth of 7  female and 1 male with total of 8 children . The names of the children were  Victorina T. Lim,  Dionisio T. Lim ,  Agueda T. Lim , Otilla T. Lim, Maria T. Lim ,  Rosario T. Lim , Lola Torribia T. Lim and  Asuncion T. Lim. Lola Asuncion or known as Yaya Susoy.  My great grandmother died shortly after she was born .  My maternal grandmother is Lola Torribia T. Lim was born on May 17, 1910.

They settled and stayed in the town of Bulan and their old house is one of the first that got galvanized roof. ( de- galvanizado ) . They also acquired some lands within Bulan and nearby towns . They are considered as one of the prominent families of the place.

marble stoup donated by Mr and Mrs. Juan  R. Grillego and lower marker indicates the name Mrs. Torribia Lim viyuda De Vera 1966 at the Bulan Church

The Bulan church foundation ( one of the pillar ) have the name of my maternal grandmother ( the name of the people who donated to the construction of the church had their name etched in a marker – reconstruction started from 1965 to 1967 ) Unfortunately, the marble marker had been repainted and the donors name cannot be visibly seen .

My maternal grandmother , Lola Torribia Lim- De Vera is one of the siblings of the union. ( Please visit related link : Manila Chinese Cemetery  )

Lola sa Tuhod Cristina Tankiko / Tangkeko  ( or Tangueco ) -Lim is a well -bred mestiza woman , ( Tagala – Chinese lineage ) from Malabon , Rizal – Ms. Myna Uy ( my second cousin ) recounted that she had the privilege to visit the place several decades ago and there were some long lost relatives which visited her few years back from Malabon . She somehow have forgotten the exact barangay and could not recollect . According to her , the family is landed and fairly educated . She probably died around 1912  due to miscarriage, She was between 30 to 35 years-old .She was buried somewhere in Malabon .

According to the stories of my aunts and second cousins, Some of the relatives and nephews of my maternal grandmother would visit them in the mid -1950’s ( around 1954 or 1955 ) in their upholstery store in Gandara aka Sabino Padilla street. They could only remember Mr. Moises Tankiko /Tangkeko ( Tangueco) was around late 40’s  and Mr. Rene Tangkiko/ Tangkeko ( Tangueco) in his late teens.

Lolo sa Tuhod Patricio Villanueva -Lim my maternal great grand father is a mix of Chavacano , Spanish and Chinese who hails somewhere from Zamboanga province. He was probably born around 1860 , since some of my aunts had met him . They told me that he was about 86 years-old in 1946 when they met him. He died a year later in 1947.

My maternal great grandmother died young and my maternal great grand father remarried twice the second wife died shortly . My maternal aunts could not recount her name . I think they have 1 to 2 children .

Lola Tomasa Giro-Lim ( Lola Masa ) from Bulan – They have 2 siblings – Mr. Maximiano Lim and Ms. Salud Lim .

According to the stories of my second cousins: Ms. Myrna Uy and his brothers , My maternal great grandfather  and maternal step great grandmother might have been buried somewhere within this cemetery or was it at the other Catholic cemetery.

l-r Mr.Raymond L. De Vera , Mrs. Nenita L. De Vera and Vice Mayor Tessie Lim-Guran

I think they belonged to the LIM and De Vera family clan . We also paid a visit to the current vice mayor of the town of Bulan and have a courtesy call to Honorable Tessie G. Lim- Guran and her sister whom our maternal lineage are related ( great grandfather is also the same with her ) She is known as ” Para-Bulong ”  sort of faith healer , practicing it for over 30 years ! She lived in Luyo / Loyo or Zone 8  and we saw dozens of people would lined-up and wait for her .

I knew that she would inherit some qualities , since some people would tell us that the family is quite mystical and my maternal grandmother would also conduct some faith-healing session with the locals.

entrance to the civil or sibil cemetery

We have visited the Civil or Sibil cemetery to pay our respects to our Tsinoy fore bearers and to the UY family clan members that were interred at the cemetery . However due to time constrains , We were not able to locate the exact burial location.

 Chinese Martyrs Monument of June 13, 1942 erected on June 13, 1946 during the incumbency of Salvador Escudero – provincial governor 

So Tian Syo Leocadio Corro- Merchant

So Hong Su – Principal

Yap Tiong Kiat – School Teacher

Tan Ka Leong – Merchant

Te Yan Koy – Merchant

Lim Koy Han – Merchant

So Kun Siok – Student

Lee Kim Tian – Student

Tan Lin Siu- Student

Tan Liong Siu – Student

Chinese grave with inscription

Chinese businessmen and students who were shot by the Japanese at the  gate on suspicion of being guerillas or collaborators. Here also lies as the resting place of  many underground guerillas , patriots, fighters and others , both identified and not were interred.

chinese style pagoda entrance

Those who were killed during the many military encounters in Bulan between 1972-76, and hastily buried within the cemetery grounds. .

Mr. Tony Ariado and Mr. Fenito Guan are also buried within the cemetery and  countless of teachers and brave soldiers.

One can easily identify the prominent clans of Bulan, to the west the Geronas, the Galiases, and the De Castro to the eastern portion, the Gillegos and the Gotladeras.

The Sibil / Civil is the resting place of all others, especially of the Tsinoys. In the mid 19th and early 20th century ,  it was only in the  Romano or Campo Santo de Bulan  referring to the old Roman Catholic Cemetery where masses and blessings of the dead were held, but no longer this time. They now say mass in the Sibil.

A visit to the town surely gave a some time to trace my ancestral roots and i think more will surely unravel if i can trace my lost relatives in Malabon , Zamboanga and Sorsogon. Who knows there are more relatives out there .

 

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Fun and Interaction at the Quezon City Experience

Quezon City Memorial Circle facing Commonwealth Avenue- Quezon City , Philippines

Vice Mayor Maria Josefina ” Joy” Belmonte- Alimurung together with QC Experience officers

Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Maria Josefina “Joy” G. Belmonte  lead the opening of QCX (Quezon City Experience), the first interactive socio-cultural, event place,  green building and LEED compliant museum in the country.

function area had a capacity of between 120 to 150 people

The museum occupies around 2 hectares of the  Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC).  Ground breaking started late 2008 and construction slowly progresses until late last year . It took around 7 years to finish the entire complex which can rival some of the most modern museums , socio-cultural , event venue of the city and even in country.

L-R Mr. Dhoic dela Cruz ( Head -Quezon City tour guide ) Mr. Roel Reulla , Ms. Gina Cristobal , Ms. Elena Estabillo , Mr. Benedick M. Lapuz Mr. Franco Macaraeg , Mr. Dionito Rubio , Mr. Alemar Andrade

The museum had capable and very knowledgeable tour guides which were from different social studies and history teachers of public high school within the city.

audio visual room

audio-visual room had a capacity of between 70 to 80 people which can host film showing, audio visual presentation , company seminar , product launching among others. It had modern theater seats which are colored red.

lecture/ seminar room

Seminar or lecture room had a sitting capacity of between 60 to 70 people . It is ideal for small company talk, lecture or business meeting.  These areas can be rented out at a determine rates still to be set by the Quezon City government .

modern paintings hang near the entrance of the gallery

The museum had a soft opening last May 2015 and there are some groups which were given a sneak preview of the place like Museum Foundation of the Philippines  which conducted their tour  last November 7 .

It had 15 galleries which are divided into thematic exhibits that features the socio-economic , historical , business, interactive area.

Gallery 1- Pylon

Gallery 1-showed a 3-D almost life-like statutes of the 3 mourning angels – Luzon , Visayas and Mindanao .

Gallery 2- Quezon on a Hill

Gallery 2 -showed President Manuel L. Quezon was walking on top of a hill somewhere in Diliman together with his colleagues. It also shows a different video and photo clips from the different eras and Quezon revolutionary vision will not only prove itself as a landscape of unlimited potential .

Gallery 3- Malacañang Palace

Gallery 3 showed a replica room of Malacañang Palace during the time of President Manuel L. Quezon

Gallery 4-Second World War

Although much of city was spared during the second world war  , Government employees living within the city needed to walk 15 kilometers from their homes in Quezon City to their offices in Manila and back because of shortage in gasoline. There are life-like statues of soldiers and their victims.

Gallery 5- Miniature Scale Models of Popular Landmarks

Welcome or Mabuhay rotunda is one of the landmarks of the city.

Gallery 6- Housing Projects 

Gallery 6 showcase the different housing projects from the commonwealth era to the present administration . The total land area available to the government for these projects according to Architect Juan C. Arellano’s master plan was at 164 hectares.

Gallery 7 -Jeepney Ride and Routes

A big jeepney pay tribute to the present ” King ” of Philippine road .

Gallery 8- Education

Along with the city’s development as a metropolis came its growth as a cradle of learning. The city is home to 98 public schools, 175 private secondary schools, 81 colleges , and 9 universities .

Gallery 9- Street Scenes

Typical street scene in the country .Street foods , local enterprises and ambulant business.

Gallery 10 – Business and Technology

Several big time local enterprises made the city as vibrant and providing income for the locals and as iconic symbol .  Business districts or Technology Centers such as East Wood , Eaton Centris, Ayala Techno Hub are places known for their Business Processing Outsourcing offices . Food Giant –Jollibee had their first branch in Cubao .

Kamuning , Atlas Publishing and Monte de Piedad

Historical Kamuning Bakery – the oldest -still existing bakeshop now bakery and restaurant . This exhibit  area shows old photos of the places and a bread cutting machine that was used by the bakery several decades ago.

Marca Piña had their factory plant located in 23 P. Dela Cruz St., San Bartolome,Novaliches, Quezon City, 1123.

Piñakamasarap Corporation began humbly in the late 1940’s in the Philippines. It started with less than 10 people in a backyard factory, which was then known as National Soy Factory. Today, Marca Piña Soy Sauce, Marca Piña Vinegar and Marca Piña Patis are sold in over 20 countries including the United States, Japan, Germany, Australia and England.

Website: http://www.pinakamasarap.com/

Destileria Limtuaco with old wine barrel

The distillery earned the distinction  “The Oldest Distillery in the Philippines”.

Website: http://www.limtuaco.com/

Gallery 11- Entertainment

Quezon City is known as the “City of Stars ” or ” Entertainment City ” Almost all the major television stations and film outfits are located within her boundaries. A visitor can interact and even watch period classical movies complete with set .

make-up area

A visitor can have this “feeling” on how one can be an instant celebrity . I am sure that young and old would have fun and unlike other museums.  one can interact with the tour guides and exhibits . There is never a dull moment . There are also comfortable chairs and tables to sit and relax whenever one gets tired .

Gallery 12 – Issues

Made by young artists and fine arts students . The gallery shows the artist interpretations of some of the social issues that plague the city . One of them is the poverty, environmental degradation, lack of basic health care and crowded schools .

Gallery 13-Visions

There is another room which lies at the core of the museum, the gallery projects the  sensurround ” Visions of the Quezon City Future ” Merging global cutting edge technology and Filipino creative minds.

Gallery 14- Barangays of Quezon City

These gallery shows almost all the barangays and their brief history . Highlighted in a wall are the trivias express in graphics designs and videos .  There are 6 districts of the city and the walls illustrate the toponym of each of the 142 barangays .

Gallery 15- Outdoor Sculptures

One will be amaze with all the artworks both inside and outside of the building complex . There are also paintings made by young artists .

Vice Mayor Maria Josefina ” Joy” G. Belmonte -Alimurung

There is a section which promote local handicrafts made by the indigent communities of the city .  One can help these communities is by purchasing their products . as the tagline goes . When you buy these products , You help people, learn more , create more and earn more.

Sikap Buhay Entrepreneur and Coop Office – 988-4242 local 8731

email: skapuhay@quezoncity.gov.ph

Website: http://quezoncitycouncil.ph/vicemayor.php

Operation:

The Quezon City Experience or simply called QCX is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00am to 4:00pm .

Entrance Fees: TBA- To Be Announce -Soon

 Note : I was invited by Ms. Tetta Arroyo – Tirona a few days ago . The author would like to extend his heart felt ” Thanks” to all the staffs and to the office of Vice-Mayor Maria Josefina ” Joy ” G. Belmonte- Alimurung for the accommodation extended. – Photos are all from the author

METRO Online Influencers Kapihan sa Wheatberry Bakery and Coffee Shop

84 Scout Castor cor. Scout Tuazon, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City-Philippines

L-R Miss Lynda Jumilla -ABS-CBN channel 2 reporter , Ms. Janette Toral ( social media e-commerce practitioner ) Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno ( Manila),Dr. Ana Maria L. Tabunda ( Pulse Asia -Research Director )and Atty. Karen Jimeno ( CNN Philippines anchor , host )

It was a bright and sunny day , We were invited to join a press conference and a coffee snack at the Wheatberry Bakery and Coffee Shop located just a stone throw away from a popular Filipino restaurant where fellow coin, stamp and ephemera collectors would meet once in a while .

Topic: “ Role of online media and influencers in shaping up the business
and political landscape of the country towards 2016″

Engr. Lance Cheng-Marketing Manager of Bewell Nutraceuticals Corporation

Bewell Nutraceuticals Corporation is  one of the sponsors of the kapihan , They gave away some samples of BEWELL-C Plus Calcium , which is a non acidic, vitamin C which strengthens bones and teeth and can be consumed on an empty stomach . Unlike other commercial brands , they are relatively cheaper and available in major drugstores nationwide.

Bewell C Plus Calcium: http://www.bewell.com.ph/

Facebook Page: Bewell C Plus Calcium

It is called Metro Online Influencer Kapihan where online writers, social media writers, bloggers , marketing heads , media and even companies are there to meet.

Grab Taxi

 Facebook Page: Grab Taxi

Grab Taxi is one of the sponsors of the event, They are the one who provided the transportation and having an application in your mobile phone will make commuting easier

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Senator Antonio Trillanes successfully launched a nationwide campaign from his prison cell as he ran and won a seat in the Philippine Senate on a shoestring budge. Social media and netizens greatly help him won a seat in the senate.

He had also an active FB sonny trillanes where followers and admirers can reach him

Senator Antonio Trillanes together with Engr. Lance Cheng and Miss Bewell-C

Vice Mayor – Isko Moreno

Manila’s current vice mayor isko moreno is among the guest panelist , He said that Manila is one of the first cities in the country which introduced FREE WI FI services in waiting shed and some public areas.

Ms. Janette Toral showed the increasing change of some social media medium like Facebook which had  become more accessible to the masses and more and more people are using different kinds of new medium .

A new study of how the campaigns are using digital tools to talk directly with voters-bypassing the filter of traditional media-finds that President Barack Obama campaign posted nearly four times as much content as the Romney campaign and was active on nearly twice as many platforms.

In theory, digital technology allows leaders to engage in a new level of “conversation” with voters, transforming campaigning into something more dynamic, more of a dialogue, than it was in the 20^th century.

Involvement through Empowerment.  This was the mission of the Barack Obama campaign. The first political campaign in history to truly harness the power of social media to spread the word, garner support and get people engaged. The Obama campaign reached 5 million supporters on 15 different social Networks over the course of campaign season; by November 2008, Obama had approximately 2.5 million (some sources say as many as 3.2 million)

In the Philippine setting , Some politicians are also finding ways on how to harness the power of social media. It can work in both ways and there are also bashers , fakes accounts.

People will also become more aware and it can work in both ways with social media trending / viral topics are even pick-up by mainstream media . That is where the public opinion are rated .  With the elections just about less than 1 year from now, politicians are also looking at other options.

The organizers are planning a more regular channel like Metro Online Influencers Kapihan for social media writers and bloggers to meet  and have their voices heard .

Note : I would like to ” Thank” Mr. Paulo Angelo C. Florenda ” for the accommodation extended 

Website: http://wheatberry.com.ph/

Pulse Asia: http://www.pulseasia.ph/