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Metro CDOTIMES (March 22-28, 2021)

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CAGAYANLifestyle TIMES Weekly DE ORO

Volume 8 | No. 33 | Cagayan de Oro City | March 22-28, 2021

In celebration of 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines

Filipino Christian World Community gifts Pope Francis with Oro Artist’s Painting

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By MIKE BAÑOS

OPE Francis received an unexpected gift from the Filipino Christian World Community when he celebrated mass on 14 March 2021 at 10:00 AM (Rome time) (5:00 PM Manila time), at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter at St. Peter’s Basilica, to commemorate the 500th Year of the coming of Christianity to the Philippines.

Among the 10 concelebrants was His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle (Prefect, Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples). The Philippines is the world’s third largest Catholic country (after Brazil and Mexico) and has the largest number of Englishspeaking Catholics. Some

The painting by Oro Artist Ryan Aristotle Carreon gifted to Pope Francis by the Filipino World Christian Community.

60% of Asian Catholics are Filipinos. In his Homily during the mass, the Holy Father celebrated the joy the Filipinos have brought and continue to bring to the world. “Dear brothers and sisters, five hundred years have passed since the Christian message first arrived in the Philippines. You received the joy of the Gospel: the good news that God so loved us that he gave his Son for us. And this joy is evident in your people. We see it in your eyes, on your faces, in your songs and in your prayers. In the joy with which you bring your faith to other lands.” “I have often said that here in Rome Filipino women are smugglers of faith! Because wherever they go to work, they sow the faith. It is part of your genes, a blessed infectiousness that I urge you to preserve. Keeping bringing the faith, the good news you received 500 years ago, to others.” “I want to thank you, then, for the joy you bring to the whole world and to our Christian communities. I think, as I mentioned, of the many beautiful experiences in families here in Rome – but also throughout the world – where your discreet and hardworking presence became a testimony of faith. In the footsteps of Mary and Joseph, for God loves to bring the joy of faith through humble, hidden, courageous and persevering service.” In response, Cardinal Tagle attributed the joy the Filipinos bring to the world through their Christian faith which majority of Filipinos have embraced and imbued with a Filipino character, as a gift from God.

Ryan Aragon framed by Mary’s Windows

“The coming of the Christian faith to our land is God’s gift. That the Christian faith was received by majority of our people and given by them a Filipino character is God’s gift,” Cardinal Tagle said in his message to Pope Francis during the mass. “Now the Philippines has the third largest number of Catholics in the world. This is truly God’s gift. We

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attribute the enduring faith of the Filipino people only to God’s love, mercy, and fidelity, not to any merit of our own.” In a photo feature from Hugot Seminarista, Fr. Ricky Gente, Chaplain of the Sentro Filippino Roma, disclosed that a family gifted Pope Francis with a painting celebrating 500 years of Christianity in the PAINTING/PAGE 10


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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

March 22-28, 2021

Sports Tourism

By CHARLES LIM

From PSC to Department of Sports? “Sports have the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks of youth in a language they understand.”

Nelson Mandela

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HERE must be more learned and politically savvy noblemen and noblewomen in this country who can answer this question - why don’t we have a Department of Sports today? We have experienced, in a far and in between pattern, the immense pride and patriotism which can be credited to our great athletes whenever they excel in their respective sports. With some of the elite names and the popular era they belong to, it is easy to theorize that someone must have been doing something right to record such a testament of crowning glory - Asia’s and world’s best - in yesteryears. Acknowledging this, we did have a Ministry of Youth and Sports Development created by the

late President Ferdinand E Marcos in 1974 under Presidential Decree 604. Within this Ministry was Project - Gintong Alay, a remarkable well rounded training program that produced top class athletes like track stars Lydia de Vega, Isidro del Prado, Elma Muros, swimmers like Akiko Thomson and Eric Buhain, and bowlers like Bong Coo and Paeng Nepomuceno, among others. Guess who was the Minister of Sports then? You guess right - His Honor, Ferdinand E Marcos himself! He was determined to see the development of sports in the Philippines and ensured that the Ministry is well respected and supported. Commanding Project Gintong Alay was his favorite nephew Michael Keon who knew the ropes in sports

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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

CAGAYAN TIMES/Sudaria Group of Companies Publisher MIKE BAÑOS Editor-in-Chief SUSAN P. DENNIS GEAN T. CESAR RANDY FAMACION MAI MAI SISON KLAUS DORING ANNIE GORRA RAGO WENDY RAMOS-GARCIA Contributing Editors CLIFFORD SANTILLAN Layout Artist PINKY DOMINGO Marketing KHRISTHA RIVA FELICILDA Advertising ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI Legal Counsel The Metro CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES newspaper is published weekly at Tanleh Bldg., Abellanosa Street, Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 with Certificate No. 01801884, and with Business Registration Plane No. 17211 with Business License Certificate 2014-00691. TIN No. 311-982-549-000 Tele/Fax #: (088) 856-3344 Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CagayandeOroTIMES email us at thecagayandeorotimes@gmail.com Member: Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber)

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development with prior training with his stint in sports loving Australia. Mike Keon is current Mayor of Laoag City and previous Governor too of Ilocos Norte. The point I am trying to prove is we need to elevate our present sports agency, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to a full-fledged Department. The present hardworking men and women under Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, in the current PSC, can only do so much. It needs its own mandate and powers to perform in the farcical layers of bureaucracy and red tape in government. The proposed Department of Sports,

which may include Youth, has to work with various national sports associations (NSA) through the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). Recognizing the fact that politicians and corporate heavyweights are in these sports organizations, we need to buttress our national sports development to the cabinet level - to level the playing field, so to speak.. Countries enjoying sporting glory with an efficient Ministry of Sports are Australia, Japan, Korea and nearer home Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam - all Southeast Asia’s power houses. Many are not stand alone sports ministries. Some are pooled with

education, culture, youth or tourism. The Philippine Department of Sports of the Marcos era went out with him and for decades thereafter, it was surmised that the politician laden POC became the main decision maker of all sports matters with the PSC sadly functioning as a clearing house of their programs, mostly unsuccessful. In recent years, we saw a drastic change in the POC leadership and most satisfying is the revamp of the PSC under its present chairmanship of Butch Ramirez who is the living breath of sports upliftment in the Philippines today. The POC, with Abraham Tolentino at its helm, is also on the right path in managing the NSAs and promoting what is mandated in their bylaws. In 2016 former Congressman Karlo Nograles now Cabinet Secretary, filed House Bill 6440 or the Department of Sports Act in Congress. I understand another member of the current House of Representatives, Chiqui Roa Puno from Antipolo, Rizal has again filed another bill (No. 3633) in the present session to create the Department of Sports. Congresswoman Roa Puno is also currently

the vice chair on the Committee on Youth and Sports. In submitting the bill, she said, “Sports is not just an instrument to hone champion athletes, it also has the power to teach the youth the values of selfdiscipline, fair play and team work.” We need Secretary Nograles to rekindle his passion to support this bill. In the Senate, we look at sporting Senator Christopher “Bong” Go as head of the committee on sports and the iconic Senator Manny Pacquiao to prop up the bill and may I call on all sports loving Filipino to rally behind it. The time is now. Without doubt we have the most qualified Secretary of Sports to-be in the honorable Butch Ramirez. He has the experience and has proven his capability and worth to fulfill our aspirations for Philippines sports. Charles Lim is the founder and chairman of the Philippine Sports Tourism Awards. He has been an advocate of sports tourism since 2004 with the inception of the Sports Tourism Forum - a popular seminar workshop for those in the sports and the hospitality industry - which is presently still ongoing. He can be reached at charles. selrahco@gmail.com.


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CAGAYANTIMES Feature DE ORO

March 22-28, 2021 Page 3

A German Expat in the Philippines

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS

By Klaus Döring

Chapter IX:

A Roller Coaster Life “What would you like to drink?” “Excuse me Sir, what would you like to drink?” The voice of the friendly smiling stewardess pulled me out of my dreams. “Rum Coke please,” I mumbled. I couldn’t believe I was engaged to Rossana. It was really a great coincidence that I met her. Rossana’s Uncle, Nicolas Balcom, International Harvardian University Principal) and I met weeks earlier at the beach. “I have to go now, Klaus. My niece is leaving for Switzerland. We’ll take her to the airport. Do you still have some time this afternoon?” Of course I had time. At the Davao International Airport, I met Rossana for the first time. “Nice meeting you Miss. Uhm, again what’s your name?” I must have been very excited. I asked her name several times. Uncle

Nick invited me for coffee in his house. A week later, I spent the remainder of my six-week vacation in his house. Whenever I came back to Germany from a trip abroad, Frankfurt was the first destination. I always called at home to let my parents know that I would be back home safe and sound. The phone rang a lot. A strange woman’s voice was at the end of the line. My father stayed already together with another woman. My mother’s cancer had progressed dramatically. There was a lot of work waiting for me in Berlin. My publisher gave me all the work as Managing Editor for 4 law magazines. “Well, how was it in the Philippines?” he asked me with a bright smile on his face. He had long since discovered my engagement ring. Since he was also a

lawyer, he immediately started preparing the marriage documents. Yes, I wanted to fly back to the Philippines as soon as possible and get married. One week before my flight, my mother got operated again. Cancer stage 3! “Just go, you can’t help me anyway, it’s just a shame that I can’t be there at your wedding,” she said. Rossana and I got married in 1983. The year before, I had already got to know what it means to live in a Filipino family. But even now, I already thought of wanting to stay in the Philippines forever.

Of course, the newlyweds should start their mutual life first in Germany. And Rossana’s culture shock was just around the corner. (To be continued) ‘Klaus Doring was born in Spenge, a little village near Bielefeld in North Rhine-Westphalia, former West Germany. A publishing house manager and journalist by profession, i.e. managing editor for law magazines in Berlin, New York and Amsterdam, radio and TV host.’

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CAGAYANTIMES Arts&Culture DE ORO

March 22-28, 2021

Page 4

Prof. Thomas Schüle

German Master helms Professional Music Management at Liceo Conservatory

Prof. Thomas Schüle managed the organizaiton of the 2002 CHOIR OLYMPICS in Busan, South Korea (Interkultur.com)

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HE Liceo Conservatory of Music, Theatre and Dance has began offering a Music Management Course, the only institution in the Philippines currently offering such a course. The only similarly named course offered in Southeast Asia can be availed of in Singapore. According to Prof. Horst-Hans Bäcker, associate dean at the Liceo Conservatory, the new course will be headed by Prof. Thomas Schüle, an internationally renowned music manager. “He was already on tour in the Philippines with a piano virtuoso in 2010, and at the invitation of Liceo Conservatory Dean Prof. Rudolf Golez, also performed at the Liceo Rodelsa Hall for a concert.” Ten years later, Prof. Schüle has been accepted into the Liceo Conservatory faculty as a professor.

the senses for quality in music, it is necessary to know the history of music and understand the basics of ear training and musical composition,” notes Prof. Schüle. Liceo Conservatory Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Management acquire all the qualifications necessary to manage projects, productions, concerts, artists, and bands professionally and A qualified Master of Musicology, Prof. Schüle has worked as a music manager around the world for 35 years. He was mentored by Fritz Rau, the renowned Godfather of Music Management (as Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones once called him.) He has toured with orchestras and choirs, organized music festivals, TV and CD productions, and arranged concerts with world stars from pop and classical music. As the head of organization of the 2nd CHOIR OLYMPICS held October 19-27, 2002 in Busan, South Korea, and a large open-air concert with Sir Elton John at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor in Darmstadt, Germany in 2003, he may be considered a veteran in the Champions League of international music management. Career paths in Music Management The globalization and digitization of the media have brought a

exploitation rights. Whether as label, artist agency, concert organizer or venue manager: the Bachelor’s Degree in Music Management at the Liceo Conservatory of Music, Theatre and Dance in Cagayan de Oro lays the foundation for a career in the colorful world of the music industry. Because behind every successful concert festival or artist there is always an intelligent management!” Prof. Schüle stresses. Liceo Conservatory Faculty The Conservatory of

Music, Theatre and Dance of the Liceo de Cagayan University in Cagayan de Oro City has been distinguishing itself both in the Philippine and international arenas. Through his international connections, Dean and Professor Rudolf Golez has succeeded time and again by integrating internationally renowned experts in creating and expanding the profile and attractiveness of the conservatory. A few years ago, HorstHans Bäcker, a wellMASTER/PAGE 11

Prof. Thomas Schüle (left) with Fritz Rau, the Godfather of Music Management.

breath of fresh air to the music market in recent years, causing radical change. There is no question that the demand for professional music managers is booming. The Liceo Conservatory Music Management curriculum stresses great emphasis on basic classical music training. “In order to sharpen

successfully. They learn to think conceptually and act operationally in order to make the right decisions at the right moment. “As a qualified Music Manager, you promote talented talents and established bands, orchestras and choirs, plan concerts, festivals and tours, negotiate record contracts and manage

Prof. Thomas Schüle also managed the open-air concert of Sir Elton John at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor in Darmstadt, Germany on July 12, 2003

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Feature

Metro

CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

March 22-28, 2021

This Week in Local History (22 March 1945)

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Guerrilla Raid on Talisayan

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ARCH 22, 2021 marks the 76th Anniversary of one of the most unusual guerrilla operations in the Philippines during World War II which was conducted with the assistance of the US Navy to eliminate and wipe out the Japanese garrisoned at Talisayan, Misamis Oriental. Amphibious in nature, the operation involved guerrilla units of the 110th Infantry Regiment, 110th Division, 10th Military District (Mindanao), United States Forces in the Philippines (USFIP) with an original strength of 200 men but which rose to 350 when a call for volunteers was issued. The US Navy Task Group 70.4 coordinated the operation. Task Group 70.4 was created to aid Filipino Guerillas in the southern areas of the Philippines. As originally constituted, the Task Group consisted of Landing Craft, Support (Large) LCS (L) 9 and 10, and Landing Craft Infantry (Large) LCI (L) s 361 and 363, under the command of Lieutenant Albert C. Eldridge. Organized on 24 January 1945, the Task Group was charged with the supply and support of Filipino guerrillas in Mindanao. Guerrillas had been previously supplied by submarines through the Spyron operation, but this limited the amount of material they could receive. With the increasing American air and naval presence in the Philippines, it was now possible to use surface craft for supply. The Spyron submarine missions ceased on December 1944, when surface deliveries began. It was this role that the two LCS (L) s and two LCI (L) s were assigned. From February 1945 to May 1945, Task Group 70.4 completed 13 missions. It was during one of these missions that the genesis for the Talisayan Operation was subtly intimated by Commander Charles “Chick” Parsons, whose work in organizing the submarine supply of the guerrillas had given him a great deal of expertise in the matters facing Task Group 70.4. The way the suave Parsons proposed the raid to the new commander of the Task Group as described later by Eldridge in the ship’s history is a rather amusing read in hindsight. “While we were waiting for darkness and the return run to Leyte, the skipper and Cmdr. Charles (Chick, Chico) Parsons talked of this and that. Parsons had been the mentor of the previous work by sub and was starting us off in the right foot by giving advice now and then as to what had been done previously and how we might best work with the guerrillas. He had a background as large as all outdoors in Filipino affairs before the war and exploits as long as your arm in spying activities against the Japs in Manila.” It was during this trip that Eldridge conferred with Parsons, leading to the first raid against Japanese installations. Their conversation went as follows: “I imagine there’re quite a few Nips ‘round here, Commander.” “Helluva lot of ‘em right close.” “Right over there-across the RAID/PAGE 9

(top

photo )

Pvt. Alfonso Sumastre, 110th Infantry Regiment

(right photo) LCI(L)-363 being unlioaded at Gingoog, Misamis Oriental most probably by guerrillas of the 110th Regiment. us navy photo

79th Anniversary of Quezon & MacArthur’s Breakout to Australia on March 26 & 17, 1942

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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

March 22-28, 2021

Kagay-anon History 101:

General Douglas MacArthur’s Philippine Field Marshal’s Cap

The MacArthur Memorial Marker in Barangay Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines is unique among monuments dedicated to the general in that it is the only one of its kind which was patterned after MacArthur’s Philippine Field Marshal’s Cap. (RMB)

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HILIPPINE Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon officially conferred the title of Field Marshal on General Douglas MacArthur in a ceremony at Malacañan Palace on August 24, 1936. He was presented at that time with a gold baton and a unique uniform. Although unofficially

considered as the five-star rank in the Philippine Commonwealth Army, MacArthur wore no special insignia as Field Marshal of the Philippines, except for a modification to his army officer’s cap. To the standard goldtrimmed visor of a United States general’s cap, MacArthur added gilt trim to the front body of the cap, above the visor.

MacArthur referred to this modified headdress as his Philippine Field Marshal’s cap and wore it for the duration of World War II and into the Korean War. However, the modified army headdress was against regulations, and MacArthur never officially obtained permission to wear this as a part of his uniform. Unique among the many monuments around the world dedicated to General Douglas MacArthur , the MacArthur Memorial Marker at Barangay Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City, is the only one patterned after the general’s Philippine Field Marshal’s Cap, a homage to his great love for the Filipinos and his adopted country of the Philippines. MacArthur’s iconic cap has also been referred to as a scrambled egg cap but further research shows this is a generic term

which did not specifically refer to MacArthur’s iconic headgear which is more properly called his Philippine Field Marshal’s cap, a one-of-a-kind cap given to him by Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon, according to former MacArthur Memorial Director Chris Kolakowski. Scrambled eggs is CAP/PAGE 11

General Douglas MacArthur, wearing his trademark Philippine Army Field Marshal’s cap, as he appeared on the cover of TIME Magazine in Apr 1951, the month he was relieved of commanded of all UN forces in Korea. (Peter Graham through Pinterest)

President Manuel L. Quezon appoints Douglas MacArthur Field Marshall of the Philippines (MacArthur Memorial)

79th Anniversary of Quezon & MacArthur’s Breakout to Australia on March 26 & 17, 1942

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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

March 22-28, 2021

Braving, Thriving and Advancing amidst the pandemic

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Manolo Fortich celebrates th 104 Founding Anniversary

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HE Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich is celebrating its 104th founding anniversary with the theme “Manolo Fortich: Braving, Thriving and Advancing amidst the pandemic”. A series of events and activities have been

lined up for April 4-19, 2021. Due to the present constraints required due to the global pandemic, most of the activities will be done online while non-online events will be subject to the Minimum Public Health Standards pursuant to Local Government Unit (LGU)

IATF Executive Order No. 2020-31. Among the major events to commemorate the town’s founding are a quest for the exceptional citizen, organization, and corporation that has significantly contributed to the welfare, development, growth and prestige of

Barug Manolo Fortich-Mayor Clive D. Quiño

Manolo Fortich and its constituents through various capacities amidst the pandemic. Winners will be announced on the culmination of the anniversary rites on April 19. Given the constraints requiring the observance of Minimum Public Health Standards, there will still be entertaining events but online such as the Mobile Legends Bang Bang Tournament exclusively for Manolo Fortich netizens offering a top prize of P10,000.00; and Hip-Hop Dance Video Competition with a top prize of P5,000.00; Binibining Manolo Fortich 2021, and the unique Stay at Home Larong Pampamilya Chalenge with a top prize of P5,500.00 for a video performance by immediate members of a family conveying a message

MacArthur Monument in Bukidnon

protecting the family from the threat of COVID-19, safeguarding the mental health of children and interpretation of the theme “A Family that Plays Together, COVID-Free Forever.” Sporting tournaments for Tennis, Darts, Shooting, Cross-Country, and Enduro/Downhill, will also be held and a Fireworks Display will culminate the fortnights’s festivities.

History of Manolo Fortich Manolo Fortich is named after Don Manolo Fortich, a provincial resident of Barrio Damilag who became the first Governor (1902-1914) of the District of Bukidnon. The original name of the Municipality is Maluko, and it was governed by Santiago Mambinonsad who was appointed as Alcalde de CELEBRATES/PAGE 10

79th Anniversary of Quezon & MacArthur’s Breakout to Australia on March 26 & 17, 1942

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CAGAYANTIMES Feature DE ORO

March 22-28, 2021 Page 8

Real Estate Insights for First Time Buyers I

TALPINAS Development Corporation (IDC) Chairman and CEO, Architect Romolo V. Nati, has been invited to participate as the keynote speaker at the TGFI Real Estate Online Conference, with the title “Building and Investing in your First Home'' that will be held on March 20-21, 2021. Arch. Romolo V. Nati is among specially selected experts who will share ideas and perspectives on real estate and urbanization specifically in the Philippines, where Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC), a publicly listed ItalianFilipino company, has developed eco-friendly mixed-use projects in Northern Mindanao, such as its flagship development, Primavera Residences, followed by Primavera City, both awarded by The International Property AwardsAsia Pacific as Best Mixed-use Developments in the Philippines. The event

program has also some other very prominent speakers lined up such as former NREA President and Chairman Alejandro Manalac, now Chairman of Havitas Development Corporation; together with Mr. JJ Atencio the Chairman and CEO of Januarius Holdings, Inc., Pete Felix, President of Phinma Properties; Anthony Leuterio, the Founder of Filipino Homes and Gino Olivares, the President of OSHDP just to name a few. This two-day event will try to address many first buyers’ concerns, offer solutions and give precious insights directly through the testimony of important real estate thought leaders, experienced industry experts and licensed professionals. With today’s demand for sustainability and health, IDC has always been a company that stood by its design philosophy in committing to build sustainable

real estate projects in harmony with the environment to bring value to investors, endusers, and the

community. Arch. Nati was also featured in National Geographic Magazine ASIA

as “One of the Philippines’ new business leaders “ and in Bloomberg Philippines as a “Thought Leader”.

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Interested attendees can register for free on the following website: www. tgfiph.com/reoc


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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

March 22-28, 2021

79th Anniversary of Quezon & MacArthur’s Breakout to Australia on March 26 & 17, 1942

Raid... from page 5

strait.” “Mmmm. Doesn’t appear more than twenty miles. Wonder why how much hot water we’d get into, going over to say hello.” “Can’t say. They have quite a few men, and are building barges in Talisayan.” “No, that’s not the kind of hot water I mean. I mean we have no orders to go running over here and there shooting people up. And someone back in Tolosa might not like my straying from the path on the first run.” “You’re right. Some few can cause a lot of trouble. But there’s a mighty nice concentration of them there.” “Think we could get at them?” “They’re right on the coast.” “Mmmm. Like to take a trip! Let’s go look at a chart and see what kind of water there is down there.” Plans of operation were laid out in a conference between Major Paul H. Marshall, commanding officer, 110 th Div (Guerrilla), and Major Harvey Harcourt, Infantry, Capt.

T.R. Daniel, Infantry, Capt. William V. Pritz, Infantry, Lt. William Griffin (USNR), and Lt. Albert E. Eldridge (USNR), of Task Group 70.4. The Talisayan garrison was selected as the target because of its value as a barge staging base midway between Cagayan de Misamis and the Mindanao Sea, as Parsons aptly stated in his conversation with Eldridge. Reports indicated that the garrison had an approximate strength of 250 Japanese in the town center, with another 70 in an outpost at a barrio two kilometers south. Guerrillas coached in Amphibious Landings Marshall, following instructions, proceeded to Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, and undertook the training of the guerrillas to be utilized as a landing force. Rigid training lasted ten days. The 110 th Infantry Regiment headed by Maj. Rosauro P. Dongallo, Sr. covered the area from Tagoloan River to Lenugos (present day Magsaysay), Misamis Oriental, with headquarters at Balingasag, Misamis Oriental. The regimental

staff under Dongallo included Capt. Clyde Abbot (Executive Officer); Capt. Benjamin Pacana (Adjutant, S1); Lt. Fabian Villaroya (Intelligence, S2); Lt. Ireneo Villano (Plans & Training, S3); Lt. Papias Tiro (Finance Officer); Dr. Julian Tolentino (Regimental Surgeon); and Alfredo Hojas (Food Procurement Officer). The company commanders included Capt. Benjamin Hernandez, Capt. Fernandez, Lt. Emeterio Moreno, Lt. Nilo Moreno, Lt. Jose Docdocil, and Lt. Atilano Labuntog. Dr. Gerardo Sabal was the 3 rd Battalion medical officer stationed in Sta. Ana, Tagoloan. During a later reorganization, Dongallo handpicked the following officers, assigned them to responsible positions and assigned to strategic areas of the 110 th Regiment: Lt. Eustaquio Carpio, Eustaquio Embate, Felino Pangilinan, George Ramos, Realino Edquila, Benjamin Valmores, Natividad del Pilar, and Bonifacio Pailagao. On 19 March 1945, the two LCIs supported by two LCS’s of Task Group 70.4 arrived at the

barrio of Lagonglong, seven miles north of Balingasag for its Mission No. 7, where the LCIs picked up 380 guerrillas. This task force proceeded immediately to Talisayan arriving there at dawn the following day. The Mighty Midgets cometh On the following afternoon, 20 March, the entire group bombarded Talisayan Poblacion, Lipata, Sipalong and Bugdan, Misamis Oriental, all barrios within five miles of each other, for about an hour, destroying houses, ammunition dumps, straddling the Jap headquarters in the area, and flushing 8 Japs who left their rifles, packs, bayonets, ammunition, etc., behind. According to Pvt. Alfonso Sumastre, a Filipino guerrilla who served as a guide in one of the LCS gunboats, Parsons accompanied them on the mission. “We boarded at Camiguin (island). I was assigned to one of the gunboats that attacked the garrison at Talisayan. Each of the boats had two scouts with them. Parsons directed us to Calamcam, (a coastal barrio in Talisayan)

where pointed out the location of the Japanese and their fuel storage tanks. There were big explosions on the shore and the smoke rose up very high. The raid was very successful. The Japanese did not return there.” In retrospect, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise why the garrison troops turned tail when the naval bombardment started. The LCS (L) (3) ships provided more firepower per ton than any ship ever built for the US Navy. Descriptions of the ships during battles include one comparing them to a lethal 4th of July fireworks show. As Eldridge wrote later in the ship’s history: “That was the start of our favorite pastime. On the first bombardment by the Nine and Ten (i.e., LCS (L) 9 & 10) we knocked out barrels and barrels of fuel oil and gasoline burned up the huts the Nips lived in. We won our spurs by crippling barge traffic in the area when the fuel was destroyed. We were credited enthusiastically but slightly optimistically by Filipino reports with killing 600.” A ‘Milk Run’ By 0600 Hrs, the

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9

attacking force occupied Sipaca and the barrios of Sipalong and Bugdang. The ammunition dump at Sipaca was blown up by supporting shell fire. The group remained in the area to discourage any counter attacks by the Japanese and when the guerrillas had the situation well in hand, the group returned to its home port, towing one captured Jap steel barge to Mambajao for repairs on the way. During the operation, a total of 145 Japs were killed and 6 captured, with 6 guerrilla casualties and none on the 70.4 Task Force. In fact, the landing and occupation of the mission area was such a “milk run” that the Air Force was requested to cancel all bombing and strafing missions in the Talisayan area. It should be mentioned here that this Talisayan operation was the first amphibious guerrilla offensive against the Japanese- the first of several successful operations in conjunction with Task Group. 70.4. (compiled by Mike Baños, in memoriam Charles Weslie “Charlie” Bee, who served on an LCS (L) during the Talisayan Raid)


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The

CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO

March 22-28, 2021

Filipino Christian World Community gifts Pope Francis with Oro Artist’s Painting Painting... from page 1

Philippines, in behalf of all Christian Filipinos the world over. Originally an entry to the recently concluded Quincentennial Painting Competition, the painting by Cagayan de Oro-based artist Ryan Aristotle A. Carreon shows Ferdinand Magellan presenting an image of Sto. Niño to Hara Humanay (Doña Juana) after the latter was baptized. “My entry aims to give fresh/new visual representations to key events in the Philippines on 1521 using existing narratives and recent findings by modern scholars/historians,” Carreon said in a post describing his paining on his social media account. Then, unknowingly gazing into the future, he continued: “It would mean the world to me if the Holy Father in Rome gets to see/ hold a picture of this work one day, and see how the love affair of the Cebuanos to the icon of the Infant Jesus began 500 years ago.” Though his entry didn’t win the competition, by a fortunate stroke of

serendipity, Carreon got to see his wish come true when his painting was presented to the pope following the March 14 Holy Mass celebrating the 500 years of the coming of Christianity to the Philippines. “This is a gift to the Pope made possible by some generous donors who acquired the work in behalf of the Filipino Catholic Christians across the globe --in celebration of 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines,” Carreon said. “I thank the Lord for blessing me with a generous group of friends who made this childhood dream come into reality. From the donors who prefer to remain anonymous, and friends who helped me do all the necessary preparations for the turnover. and to Msgr. Limchua and Fr. Gente for this wonderful opportunity, maraming salamat po.” Remarked Carreon’s friend Lionel Dosdos, “Truly, this is the meaning of God working in mysterious ways, the painting wasn't meant to win the art competition because it was meant for a greater purpose.

Celebrates... from page 7

Barrio from 1922 to 1924. During Ciriaco Asilan’s tenure as Presidente del Barrio from 1926 to 1928, the seat of government was transferred to Tankulan, which became the permanent seat of the Municipal Government. Mateo Gumaling was the first appointed mayor, and Margarito Cabang became the first elected Mayor in 1940. World War II Manolo Fortich fell to the Kawamura Detachment of the Imperial Japanese Army on 9 May 1942 and Major General William F. Sharp’s USAFFE Mindanao Force surrendered in Malaybalay on 10 May 1942. However, Manolo Fortich is significant in Philippine and World History during World War II because of two landmark events which happened at the Del Monte Airfield No. 1 in Barangay Dicklum. On March 17, 1942, USAFFE Supreme Commander General Douglas MacArthur, his family, and general staff flew from Del Monte Airfield aboard two B-17E bombers in the last leg of his successful Breakout from Corregidor. Upon his arrival in Australia, he made his famous promise “I Shall Return,” probably the best known words to come

Congratulations again Ryan Carreón Aragón!!!” Eyewitnesses said the Pope was delighted with the painting and remarked, “Bello e impressionante!” (Beautiful and impressive!). The nun who handed the painting to Pope Francis explained to him the context of the illustration as well as its description inscribed in the back personally by Carreon. According to Carreon’s social media post describing the painting, some historians have inferred that the presentation of the icon of the Infant Jesus to Hara Humanay (Doña Juana) was more a private event than the festive ceremony that some attribute to the origin of Cebu’s famous Sinulog Festival. This is explicitly described in the account of Magellan’s Italian chronicler Antonio Pigafetta who wrote that there were eyewitnesses to this event since it happened during one of the morning masses that were held in Cebu on 1521 which the queen attended. Carreon further said it is a common misconception that the queen was given the image of Sto. Niño on the day of her baptism. “Yes, she was shown 3 religious images but that's actually part of her introduction to Christianity (Catechism), and if these are all meant to be given as gifts, the Captain General would have given them to her right there and then, but he did not. In fact, the queen had to beg for the beautifully dressed image of the Sto Nino on top the altar, together with the other icons believed to be the busto of the Ecce Homo and the Virgen de la Cotta.” Religious icons like these are visual representations of some biblical texts and were

used as visual aids by the early missionaries to indoctrinate those who can’t read, write, and understand Latin. “I thought it's about time ( since we're celebrating the Quincentennial of Christianity in the Philippines) that the two other icons are given recognition after being hidden for many years. That's our work and contribution as artists, to fill in the gaps with visual narratives in areas of our history that are vague or needs update,” the artist added. Carreon is best known in Cagayan de Oro as the artist who did the drawings for the now Church of the Inmaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary at Xavier UniversityAteneo de Cagayan (Xavier Ateneo) while still a third year undergraduate student in Development Communication at the XU College of Agriculture. Known as “Mary’s Windows” the stained glass windows project was jointly undertaken by then Xavier Ateneo President Fr. Antonio Samson, S.J. and Roland Peter Kraut of Kraut Art Glass. Fr. Samson was greatly impressed with a water color painting of a Filipina Madonna and Child done by Carreon exhibited at a Circulo de Arte affair at Xavier University in 2002. The Artist Ryan Aristotle A. Carreon The artist traces his penchant for religious paintings and iconography to his early childhood in Malabon where a cousin would bring him to the Sacred Heart Church in Tugatog, where he recalls drawing a figure of the Virgin Mary with a black pencil when he was two or three years old. Although he often doodled through the years, it was not until 1994 when

our of World War II. MacArthur’s flight from Del Monte is likewise significant in local history since it was the last time MacArthur was ever in Mindanao. Nine days later on March 26, 1942 President Manuel L. Quezon and his family boarded three B-17s sent by General MacArthur to bring them to Australia at midnight and nine hours later were having breakfast in Northern Australia. Prior to their departure, the President and his family had a three-day rest at the home of Mr. James MacNeil Crawford, the president of Del Monte (then known as Philippine Packing Corporation). Tankulan thus became historically significant because it was the last piece of Philippine soil that Quezon ever stepped on, since he died of tuberculosis at Saranac Lake, New York on August 1, 1944 during his exile in the U.S. He was buried in the Arlington National Cemetery until the end of World War II, when his remains were moved to Manila. His final resting place is the Quezon Memorial Circle. On the terminus of Del Monte No. 1, the heavy bomber field in Tankulan (present day Bgy. Dicklum, Manolo Fortich) is a small memorial marking Quezon and MacArthur’s departure to Australia on March 26 and March 17, 1942, respectively, built by the Rotary Club of Northern Bukidnon and inaugurated on March 13, 2008 during the

Carreon joined a Munting Daliri workshop where he began to learn how to handle water color, pastel and even oil. Before the family moved to Cagayan de Oro City in 1994, he visited Sto. Domingo Church (the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Naval) in Quezon City where he enjoyed the huge stained glass windows by National Artist, modernist Galo Ocampo. “I was twelve at that time, just sitting there, and dreaming, ‘One day, gagawa ako ng ganyan!” After Carreon was chosen to paint the drawings for the stained glass windows at the XU Chapel, Fr. Samson brought him to Manila to look at stained glass windows and visit art museums in Manila. He also introduced him to Kraut Art Glass. “We visited Kraut Art Glass’ workshops in Pasay City, various Manila museums; we went to Angono, Rizal to visit the workshops of the late National Artist Botong Francisco, and the galleries of Nemiranda and the Blancos to help me see their works and hopefully inspire me in mine.” “I really wanted to visit the works of Botong Francisco: he has been my inspiration for these stained glass windows.” Carreon’s religious themed paintings have also been exhibited in

prestigious events such as the annual Kristo Manila art exhibit inspired by the Passion of the Christ, which aims to raise awareness about cultural heritage, particularly the role played by Christian iconography in Philippine culture and the arts. “This is art and culture that truly evolves and endures. Ecclesiastical art and Christian iconography have a rich history. When we visit our churches, many of them centuries old, we sometimes forget that the images, from the retablos to the frescos on the ceilings and walls, are contributions to the history of local ecclesiastical art, and they must be included in conservation efforts being made for the church structures,” said Fr. Harold Rentoria, head of the NCCA-SCH, who graced the 2014 exhibit launch joined by Carreon. “It is heartwarming that artists continue to embrace this genre using their own contemporary styles.” Gifted To Give that's the message of this year's celebration. Men and Women for others,” Carreon said following the avalanche of greetings and praise from well-wishers all over the world exalting the essence and timeliness of the message shown in his painting as the Philippines celebrates 500 years of Christianity in the country.

66th anniversary of both events. Cityhood On August 16, 2018, Representative Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba of Bukidnon’s First District filed House Bill 8115, which aims for the cityhood of Manolo Fortich as a component city. Geography The municipality of Manolo Fortich has a total area of 506.64 square kilometers (195.61 sq mi), accounting for 6.1% of the total land area of the province of Bukidnon. Manolo Fortich is situated in the northern part of Bukidnon and lies about 40 minutes away from the bustling commercial center of Cagayan de Oro City. It is bounded in the north by Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, and the Municipality of Malitbog. In the east by the Municipality of Sumilao, in the west by the Municipality of Libona and Baungon and in the south by the rugged ranges of Mount Kitanglad. Hashtags: #eCelebrate #Inspire #Betterdays #ManoloFortich104thCharterCelebration

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Escape...

March 22-28, 2021

never would have put my life in his hands. Shaved, from page 12 he looked like such a frequent communication youngster.” with General MacArthur At 3:30 a.m. Captain and his staff on Corregidor, D. Bulkeley and two of but was not informed in his PT boats docked. The advance of the General’s First Family and their orders to go to Australia. cabinet boarded rapidly Soriano personally and they were off at 30 delivered MacArthur’s knots to Mindanao. It was letter to Quezon to imperative that they land Bacolod a day after the before sunrise. former left for Australia. “The trip was rough Quezon was averse to but we landed safely, early flying since it made the following morning, at breathing very difficult for Oroquieta, on the north him given his deteriorating shore of the great island health. of Mindanao,” the elder “On March 17, I Quezon recalled. flew from Del Monte, in Had it not been for the southern island of the skill and courage of Mindanao, to Bacolod. Bulkeley and his crew, I had seen the General Quezon told his friends board a Flying Fortress later, the President would the day before, and had probably had been a brought a letter from him,” prisoner of the Japanese, or wrote Andres Soriano, dead in the Mindanao Sea. then Secretary of Finance, For safely bringing out in his story relating the General MacArthur and President’s escape. President Quezon from “With this news came a certain capture by the message from MacArthur Japanese, and his other himself, asking the exploits as the leader Quezon party to come to of Motor Torpedo Boat Melbourne at the earliest Squadron 3 in defense opportunity. Two motor of the Philippines, US torpedo boats, the note President Franklin D. added, would be waiting Roosevelt personally at a certain fishing village awarded Bulkeley the in Dumaguete to transfer Medal of Honor in a everyone across 100 miles ceremony in the Oval of inland sea to the air Office on 4 August 1942 fields of Mindanao on when he was but 32 years March 18,” he added. old. “There was no choice, After landing at so PT boats were sent to Oroquieta in Misamis Zamboanguita, a beach Occidental, the near Dumaguete.” presidential party motored “About midnight, we to the home of Senator Jose drove down to the pier Ozamiz in Jimenez, and for our rendezvous,” after breakfast and a short President Quezon recalled rest, they were once again later. “The PT boats had on their way to Dansalan not arrived yet. Instead, (now Marawi City). I found a telegram from From Dansalan they General Wainwright, traveled at an excruciating advising me to cancel the 15 kilometers an hour trip because a number of over horrific roads, finally Japanese destroyers had arriving at Del Monte, been reported cruising Tankulan (now Manolo in the Mindanao Sea that Fortich) Bukidnon on day. Obediently, we turned March 23 at 3:30 a.m. around and drove back The President and his toward the place where we family stayed at the home were staying. of Mr. James MacNeil “A few minutes later we Crawford, the president of were overtaken by a car Del Monte (then known that was literally flying up as Philippine Packing the road. A tough looking Corporation) . They had a sea wolf, wearing a heavy three-day rest. On March black beard and a fierce 26, after lunch at the expression, jumped out Crawford’s house, they and introduced himself as boarded three B-17’s sent Lieutenant Bulkeley.” by General MacArthur to “I most strongly urge bring them to Australia. you to reconsider,” he “Three Flying told me. “I’ll guarantee to Fortresses dropped down get you through safely to on our field at dusk of Mindanao.” March 26. We boarded “The young pirate them about midnight, and was so self-confident nine hours later we were and seemed so capable breakfasting in Northern that I promptly decided Australia,” Soriano recalls. to disregard General On the terminus of Del Wainwright’s warning. I Monte No. 1, the heavy was ready to let Bulkeley bomber field in Tankulan try to take me past all (present day Bgy. Dicklum, the Japanese destroyers Manolo Fortich) is a small in the world . Of course, memorial marking Quezon if Bulkeley had come to and MacArthur’s departure me in his shore uniform to Australia on March and without his beard, 26 and March 17, 1942, as he did in Australia the respectively, built by the next time I saw him, I Rotary Club of Northern

Bukidnon and inaugurated on March 13, 2008 during the 66th anniversary of both events. The site is historically significant because it was the last piece of Philippine soil that Quezon ever stepped on, since he died of tuberculosis at Saranac Lake, New York on August 1, 1944. He was buried in the Arlington National Cemetery until the end of World War II, when his remains were moved to Manila. His final resting place is the Quezon Memorial Circle. It is likewise significant in local history since it was the last time MacArthur was ever in Mindanao. (compiled by Mike Baños)

Master... from page 4

known German musician who studied with stars like Nikolaus Harnoncourt in Salzburg, was won over as professor for conducting and composition. With Tullio Vidmar he was then joined by a veritable Italian professional violinist who, as a professor, oversees the string department at the conservatory. Most recently, Piano/ Composition Music Faculty Niño Cesar Borromeo Tiro was awarded an Ani ng Dangal (Harvest of Honors) Award during the event’s 13th edition given by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, an agency under the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. It is an annual event in the Philippines celebrated as a highlight and concluding rite of the Philippine Arts Festival. Maestro Tiro is the second Liceo Conservatory faculty to receive the prestigious award following Maestro Cipriano Zip de Guzman in 2018 and 2019. It recognized his international achievement in Music with the 250 piano pieces for Beethoven International Composition Project 2019, which brought pride and honor to the Philippines. Interested parties can contact the Liceo Conservatory for more information through mobile phones 09155675965 / 09393238488, email music@liceo.edu.ph, or their social media page. (with Klaus Doring)

eggs, particularly when the embellishments are gold in color. Today the scrambled eggs emblem, in one form or another, has been adopted by the majority of the world’s navies. Exceptions include the French Navy and Italian armed forces, which use, respectively, embroideries or different varieties of chin straps on the officers’ cap bands to indicate seniority. Although the use of the term is principally military, some civilians (such as airline and merchant ship captains and (primarily in the United States) senior uniformed law enforcement officers) have similar embellishments on the peaks or visors of their hats. In the United States armed forces, scrambled eggs is the nickname for the golden oak leaf and acorn embellishments (known as fretting) on the bills (visors) of framed service and dress uniform caps (called service caps in the Army, combination covers in the Navy and Coast Guard, barracks covers in the Marine Corps) worn by field grade and general officers in the rank and grade of major (O-4) or higher in the Army and Marine Corps, and senior and flag officers in the rank and grade of commander (O-5) or higher in the Navy and Coast Guard. The embellishments are

also on the service caps of (Army) warrant officers serving in the ranks of chief warrant officer 3 with the grade of (W-3) to chief warrant officer 5 with the grade of (W-5). Thus, Army Field Grade Warrant Officers (those in the grade of W-3, W-4, and W-5) officers have the embellished visors while Army Company Grade Officers, those in the ranks and grades of second lieutenant (O-1), first lieutenant (O-2) and captain (O-3), and Company Grade warrant officers, those in the ranks and grades of warrant officer 1 (W-1) and chief warrant officer 2 (W-2), do not. Commissioned Officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wear similar uniforms and wear the same embellishments as the Navy while Commissioned Officers of the Public Health Service wear similar uniforms and wear the same embellishments as the Navy or Coast Guard depending upon the duties they are performing. Majors (O-4) and higher ranks in the Air Force wear silver clouds and lightning bolts in lieu of oak leaves, sometimes referred to as farts and darts. Majors (O-4), Lieutenant Colonels (O-5), and Colonels (O-6) wear silver clouds and lightning bolts where there are two clouds on each side of the

Cap...

from page 6

a slang term for the typically leaf-shaped embellishments found on the visors of peaked caps worn by military officers and for the senior officers who wear them. The phrase is derived from the resemblance that the emblems have to scrambled

CT: March 22, 29 & April 5, 2021

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11

visor while all Generals (O-7 to O-10) wear silver clouds and lightning bolts where there are three clouds on each side. Additionally, Generals serving as the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF) or as the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS,VJCS) wears a row of silver clouds and lightning bolts around the cap band of their service caps or dress caps. The difference in grades when an officer assumes the wearing of embellishments is peculiar to the individual customs and traditions of each service, i.e., the Navy and Coast Guard consider the grade of O-4 to be a junior officer rank versus a senior officer, while the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps consider it to be a field grade officer rank. At the flag or general officer level, O-7 and higher, additional embellishments are added to distinguish them from the USN/USCG senior officer and United States/ USAF/USMC field grade officer ranks. (Compiled by Mike Baños) Reference: https://www.metrocdo. com/2020/09/08/generaldouglas-macarthurs-iconicphilippine-field-marshals-ca p/?fbclid=IwAR3AYxjXT NgP5OebBV7oS9g7WlO5 PYCWFmhWz0_eXTHeVoPE2BEAXxZyoM


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CAGAYANTIMES Feature DE ORO

March 22-28, 2021

Page 12

Secrets and Stories of the War

President Manuel L. Quezon’s Escape to Australia

President Manuel L. Quezon (November, 1942)

I

T’S the 79th Anniversary of one of the little known stories of the Second World War, which is sad, since it involves our second president of the Philippines. In December 1941, the Philippine government moved from Manila to Corregidor Island on General Douglas MacArthur's recommendation, with President Manuel L. Quezon himself continuing to lead the government in cooperation with the U.S. commander of the Far East. Quezon was already gravely ill with tuberculosis but Maj. Gen. Basilio J. Valdes remained his personal physician. Valdes was tasked by General MacArthur to be in charge of the safety of the First Family, including moving them if necessary, to Corregidor, if needed. That became a necessity on December 24, 1941. That day, Valdes left his family, and did not see them again until February 6, 1945. By December 28, the First Family was installed in Corregidor. That day, President Quezon appointed Basilio J. Valdes Chief of Staff

of the Philippine Army and Secretary of National Defense. When it became apparent that Quezon’s condition would only worsen if he stayed longer in the dank tunnels of Corregidor, MacArthur decided by the middle of February 1942 that Quezon would be better off if he was moved to the southern islands where he could rest, with clean air,

away from the threat of Japanese capture but close enough to return when help from America came and the Philippines was once again in American hands. Only MacArthur knew that such help was not coming anytime soon. MacArthur's real intention was to make sure that Quezon was not captured, thus preventing the Japanese from using the head of the Philippine government for propaganda purposes glorifying their victory. The President and his family with Vice President Osmeña, Chief Justice Abad Santos, Valdes, Col. Nieto, who was the aidede-camp to the President, Quezon’s personal Secretary, and his priest, Father Ortiz, boarded the submarine Swordfish skippered by Commander Chester C. Smith of the US Navy on February 20, at 10:30 p.m. The president’s son Manuel L. Quezon, Jr., who was with the presidential party, recalls in his unpublished memoirs: “At midnight that night we boarded the submarine Swordfish. During the night we traveled on the surface, where the sub could make

MacArthur Memorial Marker at Bgy. Dicklum. Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

better speed, above 20 knots. Underwater it could make only about 8 knots. After a good night’s sleep, there was an alarming sound of a siren, the signal that we were submerging.” “On the surface the sub had moved with the waves like any other ship. The moment we submerged the sub became almost completely motionless, as there were no waves underwater. We spent the whole day submerged until we landed at San Jose de Antique.” The sub’s air conditioning ceased to function just after they left shore, and Valdes commandeered the refrigerator from the galley and had the President and First Lady sponging themselves with ice water. The sea was rough until they submerged, the whole party feeling desperately sea sick; but they finally made it to Antique just after the sun rose. From Antique, Quezon’s party travelled by land to Iloilo, where they boarded the SS Princess of

Lieutenant Commander John D. Bulkeley receiving his Medal of Honor from President Roosevelt at the Oval Office 04 August 1942 (U.S. Navy photo NH 44324)

Negros. From there they had a four-hour drive to Iloilo. They were the guests there of the Lopez family. In the next days they were moved by the “Don Esteban” from Iloilo to Guimaras. From there they went on the “S.S. Princess of Negros” to Bacolod. The presidential party tarried along the deck until the Banago wharf was cleared of passengers, the proceeded to Governor Lizares’ residence in

General MacArthur visits President Quezon shortly after his wedding anniversary (December 17, 1941)

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Talisay. They stayed first in Hacienda Rosario, the home of Letty and Manuel del Rosario, then on to the house of Enrique Montilla. They moved the following day to the Hacienda Fortuna, home of Juan Ledesma. Valdes felt extremely fortunate that the homes of so many of the wealthy hacienderos were open to the President and his entourage. Members of his government scattered to the nearby islands, where they organized local resistance to the Japanese, and arranged food shipments to the beleaguered American and Filipino troops in Bataan. The President was in ESCAPE/PAGE 11 MacArthur and Quezon were both flown out of Mindanao to Australia by B-17s staging from Del Monte No. 1 Airfield at Tankulan, Bukidnon. (US Army Air Corps Photo)


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