As the coolness of Tagaytay is felt by everyone, the warm welcoming of the Sillimanians in Southern Tagalog (SinTa) never failed to put a smile on every Galak Luzon 2018 participant.
The early morning gathering at the Development Academy of the Philippines, the main venue of this summer fun for Sillimanians, was filled with laughter and joyful embracing of old campus buddies in a reunion here.
The others brought their families including grand children; afterall, the main theme of the annual gathering was: family fun for the extended families of Sillimanians.
Last year, the Sillimanians from all over the world gathered for Sadya Mindanaw’s touring the spots in Butuan, Cabadbaran, and highlighted by conquering the Britannia islands and the enchanted river in Surigao del Sur.
Among the most inspiring wonders here in Southern Tagalog was visiting the world of an Outstanding Sillimanian, Dr. Romeo Ariniego. Our first stop was the Dr. Romeo P. Ariniego Medical Library at the De La Salle Health Sciences Institute, with its elegant interior and services within a modern architecture — making us feel a deep sense of pride.
Then we went to the Museo De La Salle, a lifestyle museum with well-preserved features of the bahay-na-bato. The culture of the ilustrado home is fully captured by the varied collection from prominent families, the old rich. The gallery collection includes art works from the Ariniego collection. (If you must know, Silliman was also a recipient of Ariniego’s various gallery collections, including the newly-opened art gallery beside the Luce Auditorium. Our deep gratitude to Trustee Epifania Anfone, former vice president for Finance & Administrative Services of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, who opened the doors for us to around this premier university in Cavite.
The Museo De La Salle was a perfect prelude to our visit to Villa Escudero in Tiaong, Quezon. SinTa booked a day package loaded with a one-minute challenge for the Outstanding Silimanians present that night.
Everyone had the total freedom to enjoy the features of the Escudero educational experience. Most of us spent some time in the museum. Although there were docents assigned in every collection, the brilliant Sillimanians were louder, animatedly sharing their knowledge from natural history to religion, to trivias of the Marcos regime, making the tour more interesting.
We also did the standard carabao rides that took us to the river for lunch, the serenade of folksongs blending well with the calculated rhythm of the gentle strides of the carabao.
The beauty of the waterfalls around us entertained us over lunch. A fiesta of Filipino cuisine came endlessly, documented with selfies from different angles.
While others were sharing their own Valencia adventures in Casaroro and Pulangbato and the river rafting during Cagayan de Oro’s Sadya Mindanaw, Outstanding Sillimanian in the field of Power/Energy Resources Engineering & Management Engr. Emmanuel Abellanosa explained why he is so amazed at the old hydro power system behind this river wonder of the resort.
That’s the beauty when you are with Sillimanians: being engaged in cerebral conversation with famed people.
There was also Lemuel Raterta who kept the funny bones energized even during the colorful tapestry of Philippine music and dances in the afternoon’s cultural show. Villa Escudero gave us precious gifts of nostalgia as it was an experience of the old Philippines.
The Visual Arts tour was at the workshop of noted potter Ugu Bigyan in Tiaong, Quezon. Elegance of the folk tradition and its modern twists were evident on every showroom but the actual demonstration of the artist and his skilled worker made our visit truly meaningful.
The balikbayans among us were the biggest shoppers in Ugu Bigyan’s expensive collection. But we were all inspired to transform our own home designs with the same intelligent smoothness on twistings.
The long day was capped by another gift of hospitality from the carinderia/turo-turo queen of Southern Luzon: Nardz Silva-Pagtalunan, a graduate from our College of Engineering.
The fellowship at Nardz’ garden was so alive, which elevated from a merienda-cena to a full dinner. Nardz’ entrepreneurial wisdom is behind the wildly-successful TBS Blue Corner Sizzling Express, ATBP located at Country Market in Paseo de Sta. Rosa. Anyone can easily feel at home when one hears the high-pitched accent of the manager, Manang Teresita — Nardz’ mother imported from Tanjay — hollering the popular fiesta welcome.
The secret wonders of Southern Tagalog are many other Sillimanians with their own entrepreneural success stories. One truly inspiring story is that of Rico Omoyon and his Milea Bee Farm in Lipa, Batangas.
Rico, son of DYSR chief technician Alfredo Omoyon, is into organic farming and is generously sharing his discoveries/technology with indigenous communities on how to increase harvest.
The Milea day was a relaxing farm experience as we were surrounded by beautiful flowers and trees whose branches were bowing to a bountiful harvest. Such abundance led us to learn about the bees and our environment. From imported bees and to our own stingless farm angels, Rico’s passion paints so much hope for agricultural Philippines.
We also loved our visit to Taal’s old church, and the home of the national heroine behind the Philippine flag, Marcela Agoncillo. The Taal public market was another delightful stop that gave us good choices from traditional embroidery products, to Barako coffee, espasol special, dried lake catch called tawilis, and many more.
Sunday morning was a day of thanksgiving for the rewards of this summer vacation. Our very own Rev. Dr. Mariano Apilado based in La Union was there to remind us that the galakness within our hearts can only reach its completeness when we have a sense of gratitude expressed through our sense of nationalism.
After the worship was the hearfelt fellowship circle as we sang again the anthem of the spirit we all share, the Silliman Song.
The final evening of the successful Galak Luzon 2018 was in Cowboy Barn. All were in cowboy attires. The honor of being the best in cowboy fashion went to Atty. Nandy & Weng Ebarle — to the delight of their buddies, Atty Leo & Dr. Gigi Cahanap who were with SinTa VP Ben.
The working Manila Sillimanians came down to Tagaytay to be with us on this fun night. It was a cold evening but the warm fellowship kept the fire of love for dear old Silliman so alive.
Till then… in next year’s Hugyaw Visayas in Leyte-Samar which will be hosted by Sillimanians in Tacloban.
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Author’s email: [email protected]
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