Author Topic: Travels Across Southern Leyte  (Read 6751 times)

Lorenzo

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Travels Across Southern Leyte
« on: November 02, 2010, 05:24:13 AM »

The Abuyog-Silago road of Hinunangan, Southern Leyte.


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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2010, 05:25:40 AM »
The fertile valleys of Southern Leyte, my Paternal Home Island.





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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2010, 05:29:18 AM »
The Breadth of Southern Leyte..



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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2010, 05:32:00 AM »
Panaon Island hidden by the mystic fogs. Beautiful.



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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2010, 05:51:34 AM »
The Leyteno jumps. Taken in Panaon Island, by the Surigao Straits..



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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2010, 05:53:58 AM »
Tangka-an Beach, Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte.



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luckybelle

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2010, 10:02:21 AM »
Hala oi, ka nice sa mga photos...
hmm... makavisit nga  ::)

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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2010, 10:53:26 AM »
Southern Leyte is just like Bohol, albeit less developed. This past July 2010 was the first time I visited the province (the home province of my paternal grandparents: my paternal grandfather was from Pintuyan and my paternal grandmother was from Padre Burgos) and my first impression of the province was awe. Maasin was developed, similar to Tagbilaran some 15 years ago. The houses are closer to each other in Southern Leyte, as compared to Bohol (which are more spaced out). The people in Southern Leyte are as friendly and hospitable as in Bohol; and are quick to mass in numbers to see who the 'new guy' is in town. lol.

I loved it there.

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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #8 on: November 02, 2010, 10:56:49 AM »
When I visited Pintuyan, Southern Leyte, I was rather amazed at how many relatives I have there. There is a barrio there that are filled with Lucinos (my family surname). Then as I visited the municipal hall in Pintuyan I was able to talk to the elected officials, police forces. My grand-uncle (Hon. Cipriano Lucino) was mayor of Pintuyan for 3 terms, and his son also sat as mayor for 1 term. So when I visited the place, it was a nice turn out of relatives, friends, and town officials.

Its good to see my father's side. My Leyteno side. I am 1/2 boholano and 1/2 Leyteno. :)

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luckybelle

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #9 on: November 02, 2010, 10:57:49 AM »
Southern Leyte is just like Bohol, albeit less developed. This past July 2010 was the first time I visited the province (the home province of my paternal grandparents: my paternal grandfather was from Pintuyan and my paternal grandmother was from Padre Burgos) and my first impression of the province was awe. Maasin was developed, similar to Tagbilaran some 15 years ago. The houses are closer to each other in Southern Leyte, as compared to Bohol (which are more spaced out). The people in Southern Leyte are as friendly and hospitable as in Bohol; and are quick to mass in numbers to see who the 'new guy' is in town. lol.

I loved it there.

Hmmm... interesting  ;)

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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #10 on: November 02, 2010, 12:33:11 PM »
Taken from the pension house by the pantalan of Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte.
Panaon Island in the background..the ancestral homeland of my paternal Lolo.













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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #11 on: November 02, 2010, 12:34:25 PM »
A view of Tangka-an Beach, taken during my visit to the shrine of Saint James, the Patron of Padre Burgos.






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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #12 on: November 02, 2010, 12:41:49 PM »
Hapit unja mo sa amoa ug mangadto mo. Mag inom inom ug tuba. Adto ta sa Patag Daku. Sayang kay gikawat amoang birhen nga Immaculada Concepcion, made of ivory ug very antique na ra ba to. Wa pa intawon hikaplagi.

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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #13 on: November 02, 2010, 12:43:08 PM »
It is amazing how I truly connected to Leyte when I arrived. The winds that brushed my bearded face, the sun that darted on my brown skin, the sounds of the people, the faces of family whom I've never seen or met before (yet they knew of me!).

I saw and met my Lolo Nono (my paternal grand-uncle; the younger brother of my paternal grandmother).
The first time I saw him, he came to me and with his two hands, brushed my beard and laughed and exclaimed, "Rico kaayo, Dong, pariho ka sa imong papa! Rico kaayo!" (Rico is my father's nick name. lol)

We had dinner in lolo Nono's house; and sat with my grand-auntie, my uncles, aunts, cousins, and extended relatives in Padre Burgos.
It was so merry, so jolly-filled, so many stories being told, so many memories of old times, stories of my grandfather, my grandmother, my great-grandfather and great-grandmother, etc.

I felt so at home. I had to take a break from the merry time to think and take everything in. It was this time that I had to glorify God for the bounty of this feast, the magnitude of his Providence and of his Graces...for uniting me with my family, extended family.

All that I had asked for, prior to leaving for the Philippines, was given and granted by His Grace. I could not ask for anything more, as it was given.

Returning back to the house, I felt such a joyous feeling within me. A feeling of contentedness, completeness.

I realized that at that moment in time that I belonged there, that this happened for a reason. And opened a new chapter in my life, the realization of
My Leyteno blood and roots. My people. My island....

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luckybelle

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #14 on: November 02, 2010, 01:08:41 PM »
It is amazing how I truly connected to Leyte when I arrived. The winds that brushed my bearded face, the sun that darted on my brown skin, the sounds of the people, the faces of family whom I've never seen or met before (yet they knew of me!).

I saw and met my Lolo Nono (my paternal grand-uncle; the younger brother of my paternal grandmother).
The first time I saw him, he came to me and with his two hands, brushed my beard and laughed and exclaimed, "Rico kaayo, Dong, pariho ka sa imong papa! Rico kaayo!" (Rico is my father's nick name. lol)

We had dinner in lolo Nono's house; and sat with my grand-auntie, my uncles, aunts, cousins, and extended relatives in Padre Burgos.
It was so merry, so jolly-filled, so many stories being told, so many memories of old times, stories of my grandfather, my grandmother, my great-grandfather and great-grandmother, etc.

I felt so at home. I had to take a break from the merry time to think and take everything in. It was this time that I had to glorify God for the bounty of this feast, the magnitude of his Providence and of his Graces...for uniting me with my family, extended family.

All that I had asked for, prior to leaving for the Philippines, was given and granted by His Grace. I could not ask for anything more, as it was given.

Returning back to the house, I felt such a joyous feeling within me. A feeling of contentedness, completeness.

I realized that at that moment in time that I belonged there, that this happened for a reason. And opened a new chapter in my life, the realization of
My Leyteno blood and roots. My people. My island....

Atta sweet treasure to behold :)

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rogamz

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #15 on: November 20, 2010, 08:41:43 AM »
No other time than now..

Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #16 on: December 02, 2010, 12:40:30 PM »
One thing that I appreciate about Leyte are its almost virgin-like landscape. The provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte are rich in natural resources, much like Bohol in many ways, and developing rapidly.

The people of Leyte are very kind, hospitable, and industrious sea-folk. It was beautiful to wake up in the morning to the sound of roosters' call, and then walking to the banks of the sea to see the fishermen coming back from their night trips on their fishing boats and bankas. Most notable in Leyte's waters are its squid / giant squid catches. Most excellent when eaten in 'Leyteno-style kinilaw'.

Leytenos have a different way of preparing kinilaw to that seen in Bohol. My father's family (who are originally based in Padre Burgos, Leyte; and i still do have relatives that are in padre burgos, panaon, tacloban, samar) prepared nokos and tuna rather uniquely. Instead of using suka/vinegar, they used green mangoes diced and mingled it with coconut juice. The acidity and low pH of the green mangoes substituted as vinegar , however, added a very different taste to the meat, which, when mingled with coconut juice (fresh as can be!) was an effervescent taste that coalesced in one's mouth. It was wonderful, indeed. The kinilaw in Leyte is rather different to the ones I tried in Bohol and Cebu. It is more similar to the ones prepared in Iloilo.

The humay in Leyte are also wonderful. The island's rich green rice land dotted the entire landscape, in fact, seeing rural Leyte (main and southern) allowed me to appreciate the true beauty of Eastern Visayas.

'twas an experience of a lifetime, and the beginning of future visitations and expeditions to Leyte and its many towns and cities. Next time, I plan on crossing onto Samar and visit some of my relatives there. I do have relatives that are Waray-Waray.

Pohon. Maluuy ang Ginoo..pohon.

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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #17 on: December 02, 2010, 12:55:42 PM »
Buwad, Ginamos, and more. A view of the local fish market in Bato, Southern Leyte.
The entire time i was being followed by women who were convinced that I would buy everything they had, lol.






Ginamos!  ;D



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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #18 on: December 02, 2010, 01:23:47 PM »
Being the explorer that I am, I requested to my Uncle Ray to make stops along the road on our drive around Leyte. The reasons for this was so that I could take pictures of the towns in Leyte. The town names in Leyte have unique and distinct names, per se: Sugod, Bato, Maasin, Palompon etc.

Our house helper who accompanied me during my tours around the different markets in Leyte, would tell me later that alot of people asked her if I was 'Arabo' lol. The reason for this, apparently, was because I was speaking in English and because of the beard that I had. Hilarious.

Can not a fellow Leyteno-Bolanon have a beard? lol. I found it funny and shared it with my extended family in Padre Burgos. My lolo nono's response was, "dong, bungoton man ka , pariho sa imohang papa rico!" palamuut kaayo si lolo nono. At his age, to see him active , laughing so hard at our jokes and exchanges of stories, i could not help but cry from time to time. But these were not tears of sadness, but rather, extreme joy.

Lolo nono's accent (which carried the sorsogon accent; my father's maternal grandfather was originally from Sorsogon and settled in Leyte; my great grandfather in my paternal side) was a cross between leyteno and sorsogonon. He inherited the sorsogonon accent from his father (my great-grandfather) as he spoke to his children in both sorsogonon and bisaya).

Lolo nono would later share with me some memorable stories involving my paternal grandparents: the anhing Mama Luz and anhing Papa Titing. I was reduced to tears at the stories. All joyous and involving their many adventures together with their children.

It was at that moment that I realized that I was not only Bolanon, no, as being Bolanon only constituted 50% of my identity. But, there was another side of me that was undiscovered, uncharted, so to say, which was my Leyteno side. It was only after visiting my lolo nono that I even found out that my great-grandfather, the late Mr. Teodolo Ebuenga, who was the school master (principal) of Padre Burgos High School, was originally from Sorsogon, Luzon. He was transferred to Leyte for a teaching job and there met my great-grandmother, the late Mrs. Hermogena Torrero Ebuenga (who was also a school-teacher). So i find out that besides having roots to Valencia, Bohol ( my mother's home town), I also have roots to Leyte and Sorsogon.

Isn't it amazing how much you discover when you visit family, and new lands?

  :)

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luckybelle

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #19 on: December 02, 2010, 02:18:56 PM »


Oist, buwad-potpot  ba ning naa tsa upper left corner?... laway ko dah... nice appetizer... kamatisan unja sawsaw sa lemonsito nga gipus-an ug sili, unja ang main course tinola unja a cup of rice... kalamiiii...... namit gid!

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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #20 on: December 02, 2010, 02:52:33 PM »
Hehehe nami gid, belle. manamit  samuon sa suka di balah?



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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #21 on: December 02, 2010, 03:03:55 PM »


Oist, buwad-potpot  ba ning naa tsa upper left corner?... laway ko dah... nice appetizer... kamatisan unja sawsaw sa lemonsito nga gipus-an ug sili, unja ang main course tinola unja a cup of rice... kalamiiii...... namit gid!

Hehehe arang lami'a jud ning buwad potpot. ituslok nato ug suka or lemonsito iparis nato ug day-old rice. ug naa pood fried egg, lami pood iparison.

simple yet perfect.

lami pood ning ilang buwad nga nokos.



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luckybelle

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #22 on: December 02, 2010, 04:16:36 PM »
Hehehe arang lami'a jud ning buwad potpot. ituslok nato ug suka or lemonsito iparis nato ug day-old rice. ug naa pood fried egg, lami pood iparison.

simple yet perfect.

lami pood ning ilang buwad nga nokos.



Lagi, wala lang tsa picture ang buwad nukos bah..

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #23 on: December 02, 2010, 10:33:00 PM »
It is amazing how I truly connected to Leyte when I arrived. The winds that brushed my bearded face, the sun that darted on my brown skin, the sounds of the people, the faces of family whom I've never seen or met before (yet they knew of me!).

I saw and met my Lolo Nono (my paternal grand-uncle; the younger brother of my paternal grandmother).
The first time I saw him, he came to me and with his two hands, brushed my beard and laughed and exclaimed, "Rico kaayo, Dong, pariho ka sa imong papa! Rico kaayo!" (Rico is my father's nick name. lol)

We had dinner in lolo Nono's house; and sat with my grand-auntie, my uncles, aunts, cousins, and extended relatives in Padre Burgos.
It was so merry, so jolly-filled, so many stories being told, so many memories of old times, stories of my grandfather, my grandmother, my great-grandfather and great-grandmother, etc.

I felt so at home. I had to take a break from the merry time to think and take everything in. It was this time that I had to glorify God for the bounty of this feast, the magnitude of his Providence and of his Graces...for uniting me with my family, extended family.

All that I had asked for, prior to leaving for the Philippines, was given and granted by His Grace. I could not ask for anything more, as it was given.

Returning back to the house, I felt such a joyous feeling within me. A feeling of contentedness, completeness.

I realized that at that moment in time that I belonged there, that this happened for a reason. And opened a new chapter in my life, the realization of
My Leyteno blood and roots. My people. My island....


Congrats Lorenzo for rediscovering your people, by it, we truly appreciate our identity.. a homing instinct fulfilled..

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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #24 on: December 02, 2010, 11:24:01 PM »
Julius, there is no describing the feeling of finding one's identity. The history of it all concerning.

Here I was traveling back to Bohol , Philippines for the first time in 12 years. And this trip was a much-needed one after taking my United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE). The goal of the trip to the Philippines was to visit my family in Bohol (my mother's side and also my father's immediate family). Traveling around Bohol by myself and driving from my beloved Valencia to Jagna, Garcia Hernandez, Guindulman, Ubay, Loon etc, I was able to witness the landscape of the island and meet the people. Why i even experienced my first 'Sabong Derby' in Maribojoc (which i stayed for 12 hours. My uncle, Dr. Renee Lucino, was the guest of honor and brought with him 3 of our family's fighting cocks--which we won 2 out of 3 fights; not bad). :)

Traveling around Cebu and Bohol opened an idea within me. 'Why not visit Leyte?'

So at this thought, I followed through, which I usually do (considering my personality of planning things out and regimentally following through.  with the plan). While I was in Bohol, I contacted my father and mother (both in the 'states) as well as my aunt and uncle (both of in the united states) and told them of my recent epiphane. TO VISIT LEYTE. They were all escstatic at it, my father and aunt especially considering they grew up with relatives from Leyte. In fact, my late grandfather, anhing Mr. Rustico Aray Lucino, who was from Panaon Island, Southern Leyte, would do business all over Leyte, Samar, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Mindanao. And he used to bring my father with him along (many of the stories were relayed to me when i was in Leyte by way of my grand-uncle, my aunts, extended cousins and distant relatives (yet all who knew of me). lol.
The plan was organized and the trip consisted of myself, my auntie wella, uncle ray, uncle roger, cousin jing, and our house helper, aurora. We took with us our Isuzu Crosswind.

Our journey to Leyte started in the wee mornings and drove from Tagbilaran to Ubay. From Ubay we borded a barge (which also brought my Isuzu Crosswind)  that took us to Maasin, Southern Leyte. When we arrived in Maasin, Southern Leyte we had to take a little detour. It was noticed that our left rear tire needed changing, so we made the necessity plans to replace all the tires there.

I remember the man who was some sort of manager of the enterprise. We both talked and he asked about where we were from. Bohol. I told him. However I told him that i was here to visit my Leyte as well. Its always interesting to see the reaction of people when I switch from speaking in Americanized-style English to fluent Binisaya. His facial reaction was priceless. "Kahibalo diay ka binisaya?", and I responded with the assertive, "Kai bao gud!". We laughed and exchanged familiar stories. I shared with him the story of how my grandfather, Papa Titing, left Pintuyan on a banka (he was a stow-away, luoy kaay..) when he was only 8 years old. He survived and worked as an aide in Cebu, then started a business (due to his strong business practices and efficiency in networking) which blossomed. I told him how he then moved to Bohol with my Mama Luz (my grandmother, who was also from Padre Burgos, Leyte).

This man, whom I've never met before responded in such a way that made me want to cry. I had to hold back my tears for I was laughing with him (i was so happy just to be in Leyte. This was my first time in my island. and he was the first Leyteno in Leyte that i had talked to face to face in my life). He said to me, "Na pasalamat gyud ka naka balik ka dinhi sa Leyte. Leyteno man diay pood ka dong! Ahong ngalan ay...." He extended his hand for a handshake. I gave mine back. Firm. Memorable. His eyes were light brown, his shirt covered in mechanical grease, and his smile was resilient and beautiful. His face is forever imprinted in my mind. A hospitable man, religious man, and a welcoming one. A True Leyteno, indeed.

We then drove from Maasin and passed Bato, Sugod, and a plethora of other barangays and towns. Until we made it way to my grandmother's hometown of Padre Burgos. A quiet yet productive town.

There I was greeted by my extended paternal side (my father's mother's side). Over 30 of them. Many of the little children when seeing me came to give me the amen-bless. To my surprise! These were my younger cousins, all of whom had the resemblance of my Mama Luz's face. Ebuenga and Torrerro beauty. Leyteno beauty. I then was introduced to my aging Lolo Nono (my late grandmother's younger brother; to whom he shared the same smile as my mama luz). I was reduced to tears in seeing him. I felt that I was seeing the face of my mama luz (who passed away in 1995). He came to me , nay, he ran to me. He took his two hands and brushed my face, my beard multiple times and said, "Rico kaayo!Rico kaayo!" we were both laughing. Apparently , as he would tell me, i reminded him of my father when he was my age. When my father came back from Saudi (he worked there as a civil engineer) when he came to visit them in Leyte he also had a beard just like mine. Katawa jud ko. Being introduced to family, friends, distant relatives at that so short time was very shocking, warming, and heartfelt. I really felt like being in this situation was akin to Jesus CHrist's parable of the Prodigal Son.

I felt that I was the prodigal son, who was lost, but was found again. And the Father in this case was my family from Leyte. There was so much food , so much nokos, fish, kinilaw, lechon, pancit etc.

I don't even know how they knew that I was coming to visit them, since we only gave them a day's notice that we would 'maybe' be visiting. I guess word spread like wildfire. LOL!!

Leyte is so Beautiful. So Beautiful. I cannot believe that I did not visit this wonderful island before. I felt really at home there.

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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #25 on: December 02, 2010, 11:32:19 PM »
I must say, to share, that I left the Philippines when I was 4 turning 5 (just about). I was raised in the United States, assimilated completely, yet, the only string that attached me to the Philippines (Bohol, in particular) were my parents and my aunt and uncle. I was raised to speak Binisaya when I was at home or when amongst Filipinos (not so much Tagalog for I had no purpose of tagalog. I am not a tagalog to begin with, but a Visayan).

But I always, in my heart, even when amongst my American friends and buddies, wanted to share more about my roots. To discover it.

Visiting the Philippines this year in 2010 was life changing. It really did change my outlook on life, on the world. In fact, my joining Tubag Bohol Dot Com in the summer of 2007 was because i was interested about Bohol. This forum allowed me to absorb bisaya-style balaks (which were foreign to me). The poems of Michael Ligalig, for example, were the basis in my amateur attempt in binisaya poems. So it started here. And it progressed, until my eventual visit in 2010.

I think God made it that i was to visit only after my Medical Boards. And in the height of my medical studies. For only in seeing the medical situation in the Philippines and to see with my own eyes the level of destitution in some parts of Bohol, Cebu and parts of Leyte, did I see what being 'poor' really is. Uncompared to the American description of 'poor', this was beyond.

I would like to, someday God-Willing, to open a medical hospital in the Philippines.
This is a long-term enterprise that I realized that was calling within me when i touched down in Leyte.
And further strengthned when I returned to Bohol prior to my departure for the United States in August 2010.


Again, by HIS Grace....for everything accords itself according to HIS time, HIS Will..

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Lorenzo

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #26 on: December 03, 2010, 02:23:13 AM »
Hapit unja mo sa amoa ug mangadto mo. Mag inom inom ug tuba. Adto ta sa Patag Daku. Sayang kay gikawat amoang birhen nga Immaculada Concepcion, made of ivory ug very antique na ra ba to. Wa pa intawon hikaplagi.

hehe, pohon napood, Vince. I do remember driving by your town, Libagon.

:)

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luckybelle

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Re: Travels Across Southern Leyte
« Reply #27 on: December 03, 2010, 10:10:43 AM »
Julius, there is no describing the feeling of finding one's identity. The history of it all concerning.

Here I was traveling back to Bohol , Philippines for the first time in 12 years. And this trip was a much-needed one after taking my United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE). The goal of the trip to the Philippines was to visit my family in Bohol (my mother's side and also my father's immediate family). Traveling around Bohol by myself and driving from my beloved Valencia to Jagna, Garcia Hernandez, Guindulman, Ubay, Loon etc, I was able to witness the landscape of the island and meet the people. Why i even experienced my first 'Sabong Derby' in Maribojoc (which i stayed for 12 hours. My uncle, Dr. Renee Lucino, was the guest of honor and brought with him 3 of our family's fighting cocks--which we won 2 out of 3 fights; not bad). :)

Traveling around Cebu and Bohol opened an idea within me. 'Why not visit Leyte?'

So at this thought, I followed through, which I usually do (considering my personality of planning things out and regimentally following through.  with the plan). While I was in Bohol, I contacted my father and mother (both in the 'states) as well as my aunt and uncle (both of in the united states) and told them of my recent epiphane. TO VISIT LEYTE. They were all escstatic at it, my father and aunt especially considering they grew up with relatives from Leyte. In fact, my late grandfather, anhing Mr. Rustico Aray Lucino, who was from Panaon Island, Southern Leyte, would do business all over Leyte, Samar, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Mindanao. And he used to bring my father with him along (many of the stories were relayed to me when i was in Leyte by way of my grand-uncle, my aunts, extended cousins and distant relatives (yet all who knew of me). lol.
The plan was organized and the trip consisted of myself, my auntie wella, uncle ray, uncle roger, cousin jing, and our house helper, aurora. We took with us our Isuzu Crosswind.

Our journey to Leyte started in the wee mornings and drove from Tagbilaran to Ubay. From Ubay we borded a barge (which also brought my Isuzu Crosswind)  that took us to Maasin, Southern Leyte. When we arrived in Maasin, Southern Leyte we had to take a little detour. It was noticed that our left rear tire needed changing, so we made the necessity plans to replace all the tires there.

I remember the man who was some sort of manager of the enterprise. We both talked and he asked about where we were from. Bohol. I told him. However I told him that i was here to visit my Leyte as well. Its always interesting to see the reaction of people when I switch from speaking in Americanized-style English to fluent Binisaya. His facial reaction was priceless. "Kahibalo diay ka binisaya?", and I responded with the assertive, "Kai bao gud!". We laughed and exchanged familiar stories. I shared with him the story of how my grandfather, Papa Titing, left Pintuyan on a banka (he was a stow-away, luoy kaay..) when he was only 8 years old. He survived and worked as an aide in Cebu, then started a business (due to his strong business practices and efficiency in networking) which blossomed. I told him how he then moved to Bohol with my Mama Luz (my grandmother, who was also from Padre Burgos, Leyte).

This man, whom I've never met before responded in such a way that made me want to cry. I had to hold back my tears for I was laughing with him (i was so happy just to be in Leyte. This was my first time in my island. and he was the first Leyteno in Leyte that i had talked to face to face in my life). He said to me, "Na pasalamat gyud ka naka balik ka dinhi sa Leyte. Leyteno man diay pood ka dong! Ahong ngalan ay...." He extended his hand for a handshake. I gave mine back. Firm. Memorable. His eyes were light brown, his shirt covered in mechanical grease, and his smile was resilient and beautiful. His face is forever imprinted in my mind. A hospitable man, religious man, and a welcoming one. A True Leyteno, indeed.

We then drove from Maasin and passed Bato, Sugod, and a plethora of other barangays and towns. Until we made it way to my grandmother's hometown of Padre Burgos. A quiet yet productive town.

There I was greeted by my extended paternal side (my father's mother's side). Over 30 of them. Many of the little children when seeing me came to give me the amen-bless. To my surprise! These were my younger cousins, all of whom had the resemblance of my Mama Luz's face. Ebuenga and Torrerro beauty. Leyteno beauty. I then was introduced to my aging Lolo Nono (my late grandmother's younger brother; to whom he shared the same smile as my mama luz). I was reduced to tears in seeing him. I felt that I was seeing the face of my mama luz (who passed away in 1995). He came to me , nay, he ran to me. He took his two hands and brushed my face, my beard multiple times and said, "Rico kaayo!Rico kaayo!" we were both laughing. Apparently , as he would tell me, i reminded him of my father when he was my age. When my father came back from Saudi (he worked there as a civil engineer) when he came to visit them in Leyte he also had a beard just like mine. Katawa jud ko. Being introduced to family, friends, distant relatives at that so short time was very shocking, warming, and heartfelt. I really felt like being in this situation was akin to Jesus CHrist's parable of the Prodigal Son.

I felt that I was the prodigal son, who was lost, but was found again. And the Father in this case was my family from Leyte. There was so much food , so much nokos, fish, kinilaw, lechon, pancit etc.

I don't even know how they knew that I was coming to visit them, since we only gave them a day's notice that we would 'maybe' be visiting. I guess word spread like wildfire. LOL!!

Leyte is so Beautiful. So Beautiful. I cannot believe that I did not visit this wonderful island before. I felt really at home there.


Whoa!!! Kamote!!! Nangatagak ako kamote! Hehehehe... treasures.....

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=34044.0
;)

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