MY ALUMNI HOMECOMING SPEECH

I was browsing my personal computer just the other day preparing my draft for a Petition for Review on Certiorari with the Supreme Court when I came upon my Alumni Homecoming speech which I delivered way back on December 10, 2011. I always wanted to feature the said occasion in my blog but some circumstances prevented me to do so. 

However, after I inadvertently seen my speech, I decided to make an effort to finally post it in my blog for posterity sake. It was quite memorable to me as it was my first time to be invited as an Alumni speaker although last year I also delivered an impronto testimonial during the Davao Central College Alumni Homecoming but in that case there were three of us who delivered short speeches.            

( Me signing the book of attendance during the said affair.)

I had the opportunity to be invited as the Guest Speaker of the Don Juan dela Cruz Central Elementary School Alumni Homecoming held on December 10, 2011 at the DJDCCES Cover Court and hosted by Batch 86. Written below is my homecoming speech..   

( Me delivering my homecoming speech.)


The president of our Alumni Association Congresswoman Luz Ilagan, Principal of Don Juan dela Cruz Central Elem. School Mrs. Evelyn Lawog-lawog, other officers of the Alumni, guests, present and former teachers of DJDCCES, members of batch 86, fellow alumni of Don Juan dela Cruz Central Elem. School, Maayong Gabii sa Inyong Tanan....

( Kudos to girl power. Members of the core group of Batch 86 who made the affair possible. )


When I was informed by Anne Fe Fontanilla Appellado that I would be the guest speaker in today's alumni homecoming, I was quite surprised and humbled. Although I am now a lawyer, I don't belong to the big league the likes of Atty. Estellito Mendoza who by a mere letter would moved the Supreme Court to reconsider a decision which was supposed to be final and executory or Atty. Topacio who would go to the extent of allowing one of his balls to be castrated just to guarantee that his client would come back if allowed to travel abroad. However, I said to myself that maybe Batch 86 had seen something in me that can inspire the Alumni who are gathered here this evening. With that I am very honored and grateful and would like to thank Batch 86 especially the ladies namely Ethel Campo Laure, Mympha Orosio, Rodriguez Leah Jana Sarona Panto, Queenie Marie Astillo-Gayanillo and Anne Fe Fontanilla Appellado 
for this honor.

Speaking of lawyers, I would like to tell you a story which was told to us by   Justice Francisco during our oath taking as new lawyers at the PICC Hall. By the way, Justice Francisco was our chief examiner when I 
took the Bar exams in 1996. I was expecting a long 
speech from him, but instead he told us this story.

( The president of DJDCCES Alumni Association Cong. Luz C. Ilagan delivering her
closing remarks. His late husband Atty. Larry Ilagan was my former professor in 
Criminal Law at the University of Mindanao )

Noong unang panahon daw, heaven and earth was just divided by a fence. St. Peter was the caretaker of heaven while Satan was the ruler of Hell. They were good friends then. After a while the fence got broken thus St. Peter fixed the fence. He then told Satan," The next time around, it will be your turn to fix the fence". Satan replied," Of course. We are friends, remember?". As time goes by, the fence again got broken so St. Peter went to Satan and told him," Satan, it's now your turn to fix the fence. Satan replied," I can't do that. I'm very busy fending off the fire in hell". Every time they met, St. Peter would demand from Satan to fix the fence until he got tired of Satan's alibis. " Enough is enough!", St. Peter angrily told Satan. " If you will not fix the fence, then I will sue you for breach of contract". Satan replied," Go ahead. But the question is, where will you get your lawyer!". 

As Justice Francisco ended his story, an eerie silence followed as we new lawyers initially did not get the joke. As the story sink in, a thunderous applause and laughter followed. Of course, St. Peter would have no lawyer as all lawyers are in hell. 

( Members of Batch 86 receiving their plaque of appreciation from the Alumni officers for
a job well done.. ) 


Of course, the story was meant to be a joke. I still believe that many lawyers are in heaven and one of whom would be the late husband of Congresswoman Luz Ilagan, Atty. Larry Ilagan who was my professor in Criminal law at UM college of law.

It was in 1979 when I graduated from Daliaon Central Elementary School now Don Juan dela Cruz Central Elem. School and left the portals of this institution to seek higher education and the proverbial greener pasture. The mere mention of Daliaon (now Don Juan) brings back fond memories of yesterdays. I remember Daliaon  then with its vast playground. Medyo maliit pa ang enrollment in those days kaya wala pa masyadong silid-aralan  sa likod kaya malaki pa ang school playground. PE time and even the time after the flag retreat would be spend playing various indigenous games with friends and classmates the likes of siatong, tumba-lata, tubig-tubig, beros, and luksong tinik. Usahay maabtan mi og gabii then mangita mi og damang kay uso man sa una ang paaway sa damang...

( A dance number from other participating batch.. )


During agriculture, we were taught to clean the rice field and plant palay kay naa pa man basakan ang school at that time. Sometimes we go catching frogs. During summer, we  would go to the schools playground magpalupad og tabanog. That is why I sometimes pity the new generation of elementary students now who had became coach potatoes having been trapped and enslave in the  cyber world. They could withstand hours and hours of sitting playing video games in the internet and chatting in facebook. That is why pabata ng pabata ang nagiging diabetic ngayon because kulang na sa exercise...

( Part of the crowd that attended the affair and enjoying the festivities.)


Way back then and up to this time astig ang Don Juan. Our little league baseball team then was unbeatable in the entire Davao City. I was the Senior Patrol Leader when our boy scout team won the fancy drill competition in Toril District. I was also a member of the choral group who won 2nd place in the Citywide Christmas carol competition with the eminent conductor Mr. Tambagan at our side. The said event became controversial as most people in the audience believed that we should have won 1st place. I also represented Daliaon in the chess competition but got beaten in the DCAA. But now Don Juan had produced age group champions in chess not only in the Philippines but as well as the ASEAN level the likes of John Ray Batucan who won 2 gold medals in the ASEAN Age Group Competitions held in Vietnam and even the Yngayo sisters. In the field of academics, we are holding our own even against the best elementary schools in the City thus our products are among the best and brightest in this side of Mindanao.

(Tsibugan time!! )


Don Juan has taught me the virtue of hard work and it is one of the reason for what I am now today. As we have entered the new millineum we should reflect on this virtue as we face our individual battle in life. MABUHAY ANG  ALUMNI SA DON JUAN...

(P.S. I failed to mention the big and tasty nutri- bun which made Daliaon Central Elementary School famous and unique in the entire Toril District during our time..) 

A TRIBUTE TO JOSE " ATONG " ONG

( PYG during happier times- get together at Peto Diongson's apartment)


I became a member of the Performance Youth Group (PYG) more than two decades ago. Prior to my membership, I was the president of the youth organization in our Purok ( Bohol Ave. Youth Organization ) and was among the first batch of elected members of the Barangay Youth Council (BYC) which replaced the Kabataang Barangay (KB) in the aftermath of the EDSA revolution which toppled the Marcos regime.



( The new breed of PYG kids )


Then came the PYG. I together with Rexel Evangelio who was then our BYC Chairman joined the group. Although some quarters questioned the motivation to create an umbrella group for all the youth organizations in Toril, it became a reality. After its creation, the various youth groups died a natural death as most of its leaders started enlisting with PYG. During our peak period in the late 80's up to the early 90's we had more than 200 members and it could have been much more if not for the strict screening that we instituted for would be members. Most of the members were beneficiaries of livelihood programs and some were lucky enough to be among the PYG scholars. I did not avail of the group's scholarship as I was already enjoying athletic scholarship at that time, being the board 1 player of the University of Mindanao ( UM) chess varsity team.

( The video was taken during Nong Atong's birthday last June 6, 2009 )


The man chiefly responsible for the group's survival and existence was JOSE " ATONG " ONG. He was our group's main supporter and motivator. Thus it was with great pain that we received the news that he passed away on December 17, 2011. I was requested to say a Eulogy to Nong Atong in behalf of our group but I have no guts to say it in public. I might as well publish it in my blog.


First and foremost, NONG ATONG was a mentor and father to all of us.

No words can express what we are feeling right now because he was dear to us, just like a father to a child and I’m sure only time can help us forget the pain of losing him.

NONG ATONG was a guiding spirit during those times when most of us were still young and aimless. His words resonates with force and authority but deep inside he had a soft spot for all of us. We used to fear him but as we grew older, we slowly understood why he treated us like that. He was merely showing concern for our future and all that was said and done was meant as a challenge, a call for excellence to help us achieved our full potential.

We also discovered that he was a compassionate and kind person. He showered us with love and affection as if we are members of his family. Though he may never have said it out loud we know that he was really proud of what we have become. He is one of the reasons for what we are now today. To borrow a quote from one of his favourite songs, he was “ The wind beneath our wings “

Let us all remember everything that NONG ATONG shared with us aptly enshrined in the lyrics of his favourite song “ TATANDA AT LILIPAS DIN AKO NGUNIT MAYROONG AWITING IIWANAN SA INYO, DAHIL MINSAN TAYO’Y NAGKASAMA……….. “.

Let us not be sad but instead be happy, as NONG ATONG has finally gone home to our creator.

To NONG ATONG, PAALAM AT MARAMING SALAMAT…….

ME AND FRIENDS DANCING ALA MICHAEL JACKSON

( Me and my friends Mike Lingo, Joel Mamalis,Analyn P. Carmelotes, Daisy A. Buenafe, Wenga S. Donato, Gina S. Lucero and my cousin Eng-eng dancing to the tune of the 80's top dance hits medley during my birthday party last April 19, 2009 held at my resthouse in Eden, Bayabas, Toril, Davao City, Philippines ).







I celebrated my 43rd birthday last april 19, 2009 at my resthouse in Eden, Bayabas, Toril, Davao City. Many of my friends, relatives and other well wishers came to join me in my celebration. Entertainment was provided by an acoustic singer, a female singer with a piano man and a disco party ably hosted by the DJ's of Wild WT F.M. The highlight of the party was the dance number performed by me and my close friends and relatives to the tune of the 80's dance hits medley. Everybody had a lot of fun as our not so young bodies gyrated to the dance steps popular in the 80's, some of which were similar to the signature dance steps of the King of Pop Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson's death was really a great loss. His music would forever be a part of our generation and as the saying goes" His Legacy lives on ".

CEBU INMATES DOING THE "THRILLER"

As a continuation to my tribute to the 80's icon MICHAEL JACKSON, Here's the original four-minute Web-smash video, performed by the Cebu prison inmates to the tune of " THRILLER ".

You may recall that this video presentation stemmed from an experimental program started by local security consultant Byron Garcia, which added synchronized dancing to the prison's exercise programs in the hopes of spurring better attendance and more involved participation. And judging by the results, it was certainly a success, as Garcia's post of the convicts' conga lines cavorting a la Jackson and his legion of undulating undead became an immediate phenomenon, drawing over 24 million hits--a million of them in the 24-hour period following the news of Jackson's death.

Still, it was sort of comforting to see Crisanto Niere, the drug dealer who impersonated Jackson in the first YouTube dance, back in the lead role in the revival, thanks most likely to the fact that he still has a few years on his seven-year sentence and didn't have any conflicting bookings--legal or illegal--to worry about.

And bless their paying-their-debts-to-society heads, the Cebu inmates have once again done their warden, the country, and, yes, the entire planet proud. As Michael Jackson, the fallen idol whose music helped these unlikely people gain international recognition, once noted, it doesn't matter if you're black or white, or living as a free person in society or inside a detention and rehab center in the Philippines. We're all people--and we are the world.

MICHAEL JACKSON, " THE SINGER, NOT THE MAN ' - THE DEATH OF AN 80'S ICON

I considered Michael Jackson, the singer not the man, as one of the greatest icons of my generation. I was in 4th year high school when his album Thriller became the No.1 selling album in the world earning him the title " King of Pop ". The said album also produced a number of top hits such as Thriller, Beat It , Billie Jean, and some others which I could no longer remember. The dance craze at the time was the moonwalk, the zombie and robotic/statue moves which were copied from his music videos.

I still remember the time when during one of the weekly presentation of our youth group, I played the role of Michael Jackson while performing a dance number together with my friends to the tune of " Beat It ", with a gang fight and real knives for effect. Our sponsor and founder was so amused and entertained by our number that he ordered us to perform it during our foundation day in front of more than five hundred guests! It pains my heart to know that he is now dead as he was once a part of my youth. It was just a pity that his life turned upside down after reaching the pinacle of fame and glory, just like another 80's icon Mike Tyson. Just like another idol of mine, the great Bobby Fischer..

Michael Jackson's life was, as the title of the popular song of Crosby, Stills and Nash aptly described, " WASTED ON THE WAY " or maybe, he was just simply misunderstood. Goodbye my idol and may you rest in peace!!!


For those who don't belong to my generation, here is a brief detail of his life as provided for in WIKIPEDIA.


Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)[2][3] was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5 and began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. Referred to as the "King of Pop" in subsequent years, five of his solo studio albums are among the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995).

In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African-American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as "Beat It", "Billie Jean" and Thriller—credited for transforming the music video into an art form and a promotional tool—helped bring the relatively new channel to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made Jackson an enduring staple on MTV in the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists.

One of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records—including one for "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time"—13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles in his solo career—more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era—and the sales of over 750 million albums worldwide. Cited as one of the world's most famous men, Jackson's highly publicized personal life, coupled with his successful career, made him a part of popular culture for almost four decades.

JAMMING WITH THE TWILIGHT DAWN BAND

I just came accross this video taken during the blessing of my rest house located at Eden, Bayabas, Toril, Davao City last November 4, 2006 courtesy of my good friend Peto Diongson.

Singing with me in the video is my good friend Dante dela Cruz and my uncle Nolly Zerna accompanied by the Twilight Dawn Band.