113. 7 ANCESTRAL HOUSES OF GUAGUA: A LIST BY JERRY PUNZALAN SAGMIT

Guagua—or uaua--meaning “mouth of a river”, has been called as such since 1590 owing to its location along the river which played a role in turning it early into one of Pampangan’s most prosperous towns. The affluence of the twon led to the erection of some of the most stunning ancestral residences in the province.

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1. ARRASTIA-GONZALES HOUSE 1929, San Roque, Guagua

2. DE MESA HOUSE 1935, San Isidro, Guagua

3. DR. GALICANO CORONEL HOUSE 1925, San Nicolas II, Betis

Former vice mayor of Guagua in 1928. The symmetrical looking Victorian house or "gingerbread", is notable for its lace-like fretwork carvings, and its graceful steps that lead to a gated open porch. The house sits on a well-kept, manicured garden.

4. GONZALES-ARAULLO HOUSE 1928, Sto. Nino

 5. OCAMPO HOUSE 1928

Former residence of Mayor Isidro Ocampo.

6. SANTOS-OCAMPO HOUSE 1920

Now occupied by the Jiao Family

7. LOPEZ MANSION 1929, San Nicolas 1^st

One of Guagua’s most spectacular landmarks is the Lopez Mansion, an imposing concrete residence built by the sugar magnate, Don Alejandro Lopez (b. 16 May 1883). Done in the  Greek revival style, the façade is dominated by Grecian columns accented with reliefs of foliate swags. Sandwiched in between are glass-paneled openings that lead to individual room balconies. During the war, Japanese Col. Gempachi Sato, commander of the 61st infantry took over the house in 1942. The Alejandros reclaimed the house in 1945. Severely damaged by the Pinatubo eruption in 1991, it was restored in 2016 by an heir, Jose Ronrico “Rico” Vitug Gueco. The house is open for social events and for various functions.

ABOUT OUR CONTRIBUTOR.  JERRY PUNZALAN SAGMIT originally hails from Guagua, but now resides in Porac. He operates Funeraria Punzalan, a memorial service company founded by his ancestor Pedro Manalili Punzalan in Arayat in 1930. He is also interested in heritage and local culture and history.

112. 5 REPUTATIONS THAT KAPAMPANGANS WERE WELL KNOWN FOR IN THE 1700s.

By Robby P. Tantingco

Kapampangans today are known for their pride, vanity, culinary skills, loud voice, love for the good life and entrepreneurial skills. But what was their reputation back in the early days? Bergano's Kapampangan dictionary (1729) provides us with clues:

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KAPAMPANGAN VANITY

Our female ancestors were magale ("wearing formal dresses outside proper occasion") while our male ancestors were maticas ("good looks, good form in size, waist, figure, shape of legs and calves"), masanting ("handsome"), maticmus ("good figure"), matingquis ("well-dressed"). You can differentiate between a Tagalog and a Kapampangan by putting them on a slippery road: the Tagalog falls while the Kapampangan "very, very rarely falls," according to Bergano.

KAPAMPANGAN PERFECTIONISM

 Our ancestors always insisted on accuracy and excellence, were never satisfied, for example, with grazing a moving target, unlike most Filipinos. "The Pampango," Bergano said, "would say, E me tiran, atambisan mea mu ("You did not hit it, you only grazed it"). Our ancestors had many synonyms for perfection and excellence: sampat ("beauty at its peak;" "the greater perfection"), pauit ("excellence"), liclic ("excellence in writing, debate, running")

KAPAMPANGAN BRAVERY

Bergano wrote, Sagan ya, pablasang indio ya ("He is weak, because he is an indio"), paqui Tagalog ya, nun e talaralit, talaterac ya ("Being a Tagalog, if he is not fond of singing, he is fond of dancing"), paqui Capampangan ya, magmatapang ya ("Being a Kapampangan, he is brave").

KAPAMPANGAN PARIOTISM

Ancient Kapampangans felt a strong attachment to their land and fellow Kapampangans. Bergano observed that our ancestors were proud pablasang daya lang Capampangan ("for they belong to the Pampango nation"). Kapampangans, he wrote, were misangdaya ("you are my countryman," "we have the same blood," "we are all Pampangos") and cadaya ("We are of the same blood even if we are not relatives... we are of one nation").

KAPAMPANGAN ACCENT

Kapampangans were maitad ("They speak with a lilt, with their peculiar accent").

SOURCE:
Reposted from Robby Tantingco's FB Page

111. 6 ANCESTRAL HOUSES OF MAGALANG: A LIST BY LOUIE ALDRIN L. BARTOLO

KAPLISTORIAN EXCLUSIVE! Magalang is one of Pampanga’s most historic towns, and its old houses—if they could only speak—could tell endless tales of,  not only strifes and struggles, but also of progress and plenty. These 5 ancestral houses, selected by historian and teacher LOUIE ALDRIN LACSON BARTOLO, reflect the spirit of those times, when Magaleños, like all Kapampangans, built their residences as big and as grand as their dreams.

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LUCIANO HOUSE (Marbea Subdivision, San Nicolas I)

This Spanish style mansion is located behind the Magalang Municipal Hall. It was

constructed in 1925 by Dr. Andres J. Luciano. This house is marked with woodcarved designs  derived from the Spanish style and motifs. During the American period, the house, with its spacious surroundings, was a favorite venue of lavish parties sponsored by social clubs like Mountain Side Club and El Circulo Magaleño. During the Commonwealth period, President Manuel L. Quezon, a friend of Don Andres, also visited this house during his trips to Magalang. In World War II, this house was occupied and looted by the guerillas. When Don Andres died in 1959, the house was passed on to his daughter, Maria Elvira L. Luciano. In later years, it continued to be a shooting site for such films as Lino Brocka’s masterpiece, Ina, Kapatid, Anak (1979), starring Rio Locsin, Lolita Rodriguez and Charito Solis. In 2004, the horror movie, Pa-siyam, directed by Erik Matti, was also filmed in the Luciano house.

FELICIANO HOUSE (San Pedro I)

A few steps from Magalang Public Market is the beautiful Feliciano house, constructed in 1935 by the couple Don Andres Feliciano and Doña Maria Paras. The house features a  mix of Spanish and American architectural styles. During the liberation of Magalang in 1945, the house was made into a rest house of US Army Officers. When Don Andres passed away in 1947, the house was inherited by  his son, Jose P. Feliciano. This house was later used as a meeting place of elite and youth groups, like  the U-N-I Club,  composed of young Magalang professionals. When Jose passed away in 1962, the house was inherited by his American-educated son, Engr. Rodolfo L. Feliciano. The huse was restored and brought back to its former glory.

ORDOÑEZ-CALMA HOUSE (Luciano St., Sta. Cruz)

This multi-story house was built in 1929 by carpenters and artisans from Betis, commissioned by Hilariona Ordonez Calma. The house was commandeered by the Japanese military  during the war. A post-war bakery was put below and its cooking facilities are still operational to this day.  The house retains its original decorative grills and capiz windows. The historic house in a busy commercial of Magalang is now under the care of Juliet Calma Dizon.

RIVERA HOUSE (Ayuyao St. San Nicolas I)

This house with distinctive Spanish influences was built around 1893, by the couple Don Cayetano Rivera and Doña Julia Rita Dizon. The house has rich woodcarvings that feature a signature star motif, that is revealing of  Don Cayetano’s affiliation with masonry and later, with the  Katipunan. Don Cayetano’s played a key role in the early formation of the First Republic of the Philippines, being one of the signatories of Pact of Biak –na-Bato. After the Revolution, he returned to farming, and acquired vast tracts of land in Concepcion, Tarlac. He also founded one of the first sugar mills in Tarlac—the Azucarera de Rivera. In the Commonwealth years, Don Cayetano’s friend, President Manuel L. Quezon was a regular visitor to this Magalang home. During World War II, the house was made into Japanese Military Headquarters, along with the neighboring Magalang Elementary School, which was converted into a Japanese military garrison and later,  execution grounds. When the Japanese occupied the house, they looted and destroyed much of the valuables. After Don’s death, he passed on the house to his nephew, Eliseo Rivera. At present, the house is under the care of  Eliseo’s daughter-in-law, Nimfa Rivera.

LACSON HOUSE (Lacson St., San Nicolas I)

Behind the majestic San Bartolome Church, stands an ancestral house with an architectural style reminiscent of old Spanish homes. This is the Lacson House, constructed in 1923 by the couple, Don Daniel O. Lacson and Doña Lucia David. The craftsmanship of the house reflects the high level of artistry of Kapampangan artisans who worked on this fine structure. During World War II, this house served as one of the Japanese military garrisons. When Don Daniel passed away in 1948, the house was inherited by his  two daughters, Lucila and Rosario Lacson, both spinsters. When Rosario passed away in 1991, she bequeathed the house to her sister-in-law, Evangelina Hilario Lacson, the  well-known Kapampangan academician and writer. In 1995, National Historical Institute (now National Historical Commission of the Philippines), placed a historical marker in front of the house for its cultural and historical significance. After Evangelina’s death in  2008, his son, Ariel H. Lacson became the new owner, but in 2014, he, too, passed away, leaving the house to nephew, Eduard V. Lacson. The house was acquired by Mayor Maria Lourdes P. Lacson, now the present owner.

AYUYAO HOUSE (San Nicolas I)

This house that is just a next-door neighbor of the  Magalang Municipal Hall, was built in 1915 by the couple, Isidoro Ayuyao, Sr., Municipal Secretary during the American regime  and his wife, Ana David, one of the pioneers of Magalang’s sweets industry. Its  flooring or “lande” was originally made of bamboo slats, and the house topped with a roof of nipa.  In later years, it was reconstructed and made entirely of wood with ornamental carvings, galvanized roofing and concrete foundations. When Ana passed away, her son, Dr. Claro Ayuyao inherited the house, which he later expanded to include his dental clinic. During 1950s, this house was visited by prominent personalities who were invited as guest speakers during the closing exercises of Magalang Institute, founded by Atty. Isidoro Ayuyao. Among these  are future Philippine president Diosdado P. Macapagal, and brother-in-law, movie actor Rogelio de la Rosa. In 1965, the house underwent minor repairs. At present, this house is owned and maintained by the children of Dr. Claro Ayuyao.

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ABOUT OUR CONTRIBUTOR: LOUIE ALDRIN LACSON BARTOLO. Teacher, Writer, Historian and a Magaleño, Bartolo is the author of “The Magalang Book: The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town 1605-2015”, published in 2015 by Center for Tarlaqueño Studies of Tarlac State University, made possible through an NCCA grant. He also keeps a blog,”Amlat Magaleño”, that aims to promote the local history of Magalang. Bartolo finished his Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Social Studies at Holy Angel University (HAU)

SOURCES:

INTERVIEWS:

Luciano House; interview with Mrs. Teresita Suba, one of the former caretakers of Luciano house, June 25, 2019.

Rivera House: interview with Mr. Sean Rivera, a descendant of Don Cayetano Rivera, June 26, 2019.

Ayuyao House: interview with Dr. Nunilon G. Ayuyao and Mr. Amante M. Ayuyao; both grandchildren of Isidoro Ayuyao, Sr. and Ana David, June 26, 2019.

Lacson House: interview with the late Mr. Ariel H. Lacson (way back August 4, 2012); grandson of spouses, Don Daniel O. Lacson and Doña Lucia David.

BOOK SOURCES:

Bartolo, Louie Aldrin L. and Dizon, Lino L. (2016), The Magalang Book: The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town (1605-2015), National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

PHOTOS: All photos from wikimedia commons, unless otherwise noted. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Old_houses_in_Magalang,_Pampanga

107. 16 OLD NAMES OF PAMPANGA TOWNS

The early Kapampangan settlements as found by Spaniards, and the early pueblos that they organized were known by ancient, local names---far different from the names of today’s modern municipalities and cities. Either derived from plants and trees, or from their distinctive natural features and location, many of these names are hardly remembered by young Kapampangans today.

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1. CANDAUE (Candaba)

Candaba originally had an older variant name—Candaue, Candawe—which refers to a place where the municipal cemetery is now located. In old maps, the ancient settlement was marked as “Candave”, “Candava”, and eventually localized to “Candaba”. Already a rich settlement in 1571, it also has one of the oldest barrios in the province—Mandasig—founded by Mandic, the wife and first cousin of Malangsic, one of the children of Prince Balagtas, as related in the 1539 will of Pansomun.

2. PÚRAC (Porac)

“Púrac”or “Pórag” was how the name of Porac was pronounced in the 1850s. “Púrac” was a flowering rattan plant (Calamus curag) which must have grown and proliferated in the area, now known as Porac.

3. BACULUD (Bacolor)

The town known for its people of arts, literature and culture was called “Baculud”, from the word “macabaculud”, an upland surrounded by low-lying lands—which refers to Lubao.  Its name has the same etymological origin as the city of Bacolod.  Founded in 1571, “Bacolor” is the Hispanic name of this former capital of Pampanga.

4. BALAYAN NING PAMBUÍT (Arayat)

Before the coming of the Spaniards, the town was called by its ancient name “Balayan ning Pambuit”, then located at barrio Palinlang (or Paglinglang), as the  poblacion was still forested. In vernacular, the place was originally called “dayat”, which means ‘an irrigated riceland or seedbed. Its most visible landmark is Bunduk Alaya (from ‘paralaya”, thus,  eastern mountain).

5. MASICÚ (Mexico)

Before it was christened as Mexico in 1577, the place was called “Masicu”—and pronounced that way-- which may been derived from the “síko fruits” (chicos) that supposedly grew in the area, hence, “ma-sicu”. Another version had it that the town was “elbowing other towns”—hence, “macasicu”. In any case, the name was Romanized to “Mexico”, before the replacement of ‘X” with “J”, after the 19^th century.

6. WAWÂ (Guagua)

The ancient prosperous town was originally called in “Wawâ”, which means “the mouth of a river”, based on its location. The spelling was Hispanized into “Guagua”in 1590, in much the same way that the “wa” of Palawan was written in old Spanish maps as “Paragua”.

7. PINPÍN (Santa Ana)

The ancient name of Santa Ana is “Pinpin” (variations: Pimping, Pingping, Pimpin) after an important person who may have lived during the time of Malangsíc. It was then placed under the advocation of Santa Ana when the Spaniards came, a name the town adopted.

8. BABÂ (Lubao)

“Babâ” is Kapampangan for “low”, in contrast to “baculud”. “Lubao” or “tubao”, is an extinct word meaning “to arise, or emerge, or float from water” (its modern form is the dipthong “gatao” or “gato”, to float) . “Babâ Lubao” thus means “to rise from the low depths of the water”. Old residents still refer to themselves as “tau cu Babâ”.

9. SANTA RITA DE LELE (Santa Rita)

As a neighbor of the major town of Bacolor to where residents would go for their daily marketing and commercial transactions, the town was known as “Sta. Rita de Lele”.  It was also called “Sta. Rita Baculud”.

10. SASMOAN (Sexmoan)

Sasmuan was written on maps for over a century as “Sexmoan”, the Spanish transcription of the old town’s name, until 1991, when it reverted back to its vernacular version—Sasmuan. “Sasmoan” means “a place of convergence”, a meeting place where Kapampangans met when they were waging war with the Chinese. The sexual connotation of Sexmoan in English prompted the municipal government to return to the old name.

11. CABAGSÁC (San Luis)

“Cabagsác” was the former name of the town of San Luis, a contraction of “cabág bagsac” , or “bagsácan cabag”, which means “ a drop-off place of  fruit bats”. The name was extended to “San Nicolas Cabagsác”, to honor its Spanish Augustinian priest, Fray Nicolas de Orduño.

12. VIRGEN DEL PILAR (San Simon)

Tradition has it that the former name of an Simon town was “Virgen del Pilar”, its titular patroness whose fiesta is celebrated every October 12. It is also to honor the memory of its founder, Mariano del Pilar.

13. BALIWAG (Santo Tomas)

The traditional name of Santo Tomas is “Baliwag”, a new town in 1773. It is derived from the term “maliwag”,someone prone to habitual tardiness. It was rechristend Santo Tomas in 1792.

14. CULIÁT (Angeles)

The town was inaugurated in 1829, and was given two names by its founder, Don Angel Pantaleon de Miranda: ‘Culiat’, a woody vine (Gnetum indicum Lour.) that grew in abundance in the area cleared by his tenants and future residents of the place. Another name given was “Angeles” in honor of the ‘Los Santos Angeles Custodios” (Holy Guardian Angels), titular patrons of the town, and of the founder himself. Only oldtimers use Culiat nowadays; to modern-day residents, Angeles is preferred, as it has a more cosmopolitan ring for a city.

15. SAN MIGUEL (Masantol)

Masantol used to be a barrio of Macabebe, as recorded in the 1853 census. It was known as San Miguel, formed from the Macabebe barrios of Bebe, Bulacus, Caingin and Nigui sometime in 1877 or 1878. It was renamed Masantol, meaning  “a place full of santol (Sandoricum koetjape Merr.) fruit trees” after 1903.

16. CAUMPAUI (Floridablanca)

Before the town was named either after the count of Floridablanca, Jose Moniño (1728-1803) or the white pandacaqui flower, there was a certain place called “Caumpaui” existing in the area in 1847, that was established earlier by Spanish missionaries as a “hacienda” and administered from Lubao. It was transferred to the new town in 1867. Floridablanca is considered as Pampanga’s youngest town,

SOURCE:

Henson, Mariano. The Province of Pampanga and its Towns(A.D.1300-1962)

105. 11 DISTINGUISHED, TOP-RANKED MILITARY MEN OF PAMPANGA, part II

Col. PATRICIO C. BUYSON

Bacolor’s distinguished colonel,  Patricio Buyson,  was trained at Fort Sill where he finished a 6-month course at  the U.S. Armv Artillery and Missile School.  He had his baptism of fire in the Korean war where the then-major served as a battery commander in the Battalion Combat Team of the Philippine Army, which was attached the Third Infantry Division Artillery, then commanded by Gen. Verdi B. Barnes. He and the good general would meet again when, in August 1959, Maj. Buyson returned to Fort Sill to take up a 9-month course in advanced officer artillery training, which included the study of missiles. This was in preparation for a new artillery school that was then being planned by the Philippine Army, and which he was tapped to join as an instructor. Post-war, Maj. Buyson was assistant superintendent of ROTC units in .Manila.

Lt. Gen. GREGORIO M. CAMILING JR.

Named as the Commanding General of the Philippine Army in 2002, Lt. Col. Gregorio M. Camiling Jr. (b. 15 Nov. 1947)  has parents whose are both Kapampangans: Gregorio Camiling Sr. (Bacolor) and Apolonia M. Miclat (San Fernando). Two of his brothers were officers of the AFP. After graduating as salutatorian of Cubao High School, he gained admission at the Philippine Military Academy from where he graduated in 1969. He rose quickly up the ranks; from a 2^nd lieutenant of the Philippine Army assigned Mindanao in 1969, he was made the commanding officer of Alpha Company of the 26th Infantry Battalion from 1971-74 that saw action against Muslim rebels in the deep south. He was promoted to Captain in 1975, and a Major of the AFP in 1977. Because of his military experience, the Philippine Army named him as instructor and department head of the School for Combat Arms (1977-1980). In the 90s, as a personal choice of Pres. Cory Aquino, he served his 4th Mindanao tour as Chief of Staff of the 4th Infantry Division, and stayed on in the region, providing support to the government panel during the MNLF negotiations. In 1999, he was nominated as commanding general of the UN Peace Keeping Forces in East Timor. Later that year, he was promoted to Major General in October 16. From 2000-01, Maj. Gen. Camiling served as chief of the Southern Command of the AFP, which led to the neutralization of the Abu Sayyaf. He was eventually promoted to Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the 2nd highest-ranking military officer in the Philippines. He has been awarded 9 Distinguished Service Star Awards Gold Cross Medal, 4 Military Merit Medals with 4th Bronze Spearhead Device (Combat), 19 Military Merit Medals, Silver Wing Medal, and 6 Military Commendation Medals, to name a few. He is now retired.

Gen. RICARDO A. DAVID JR.

Born in San Fernando, Gen. Ricardo David Jr. finished his early education at Dolores Elementary School, as class valedictorian in 1967. He moved to Victoria, Tarlac to continue his high school, graduating  as salutatorian at Victoria High School. He took up Engineering at St. Louis University, Baguio on a scholarship, which he finished at the Philippine Military Academy, in 1973. He was the Commanding Officer of the 50th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army (1996-98) and the Commanding General of the 402nd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army ( 2005- 2006). The general then became the Northern Luzon AFP Command Chief. In 30 June 2010, he was named by Pres. Benigno Aquino III as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, a post he assumed in July. His decorations included: Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal, Distinguished Aviation Cross, Distinguished Service Star and Combat Commander's (Kagitingan) Badge, among others. In 2011, Gen. David was appointed by Pres. Benigno Aquino III as the chief of Bureau of Immigration

Maj. PEDRO DEANG

The first Kapampángan valedictorian of the Philippine Constabulary Academy hails from Minalin, and eventually moved to Angeles. Pedro Deang (b. 16 January 1906)  finished at the top of his class in 1932, just the fourth batch of cadets to be graduated from the country’s premiere military school. He joined the Philippine Constabulary as a lieutenant and was assigned to Sulu. There he met his future wife, Emiliana Rodriguez. When WWII broke out, Pedro was deployed to Bataan but not after sending his wife and uncles to Guinobatan, Albay, where they waited for his return. As a Major in Bataan, he was the operations officer of the 31st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, under Brig Gen Clifford Bluemel. He served alongside the future president, Capt. Ramon Magsaysay, who was the motor transport officer of the 32st Infantry. When Bataan fell, Maj. Deang, along with thousands of American and Filipino surrenderees, joined the infamous Death March. Along the way, he was rescued by civilians, but he opted to remain with his men and rejoined the march to Capas, where he died at Camp O’Donnell on 23 April 1943.

Col. RAFAEL R. ESTRADA

The distinguished Col. Rafael Reynaldo Estrada was born in Concepcion, Tarlac,  (b. October 1918) the son of Dr. Salvador Q. Estrada and Demetria Reynaldo. Highlights of his military service include his membership in the 2nd Regular Division USAFFE, and was also involved in the defense of Luzon and the Battle of Bataan (1941-42). With rations lacking and ammunitions almost gone, their commanding officer, Gen. Edward King surrendered to the Japanese on 9 April 1942. Estrada became a POW (prisoner of war) and joined the notorious 100 km. Death March to Camp O’Donnel in Tarlac. Luckily for him, he survived the march and imprisonment. After the war he was appointed Director of the Philippine Veterans Board by President Magsaysay and became Commissioner of the Veterans Claims Commission. He also became the Founder and National Commander Emeritus of Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, Inc. (DBC). To show his commitment to help war vets, Col. Estrada developed the Blue Ridge Subdivision in Quezon City exclusively for WWII veterans. Col. Estrada counts poet Nina Estrada-Puyat and  former Sen. Eva Estrada-Kalaw as half-sisters. The respected WWII veteran died at age 98 on Oct. 2016.

 Brig. Gen. RAFAEL D. GOSECO

The late Brig. Gen Rafael D. Goseco (ret.), was a homegrown boy  from Sto. Niño,  Guagua, a graduate of the esteemed Guagua National College, founded in 1918. He would later serve the same school as its President. His wife, Dr. Petronila S. Goseco, was also a dean at the college. In May 1999, the generous general gave a deed of donation to the Court, giving some 5,000 sq. m. of land, that were part of the family’s 20-hectare property in Brgy. San Matias, Guagua,. The land was offered as site for the proposed Hall of Justice and other buildings that the Court may be minded to construct. According to General Goseco, his family will find fulfillment in knowing that it had done something for the government. Gen. Goseco passed away in February 2015. His son Ronald, a graduate of UP and the PMA, assumedthe presidency of Guagua National College.

Cmdre. JOSE G. LANSANGAN JR.

Commodore Jose G.Lansangan, from Sta. Ana, was a multi-facteted military man who was also a businessman, a college head, and author. He finished a degree in Marine Transportation, a Master in Business and Government Administration and in National Security Administration at the Royal Naval Staff College in Greenwich, London. His military career included being serving as Chief of Naval Staff of the Philippine navy (1876-78) and Commander of the Cavite Naval Base (1978-1982). Eventually, he would assume the presidency of the National Defense College of the Philippines (1982 -88). Together with his partners, he put up a government, business and industry consultancy firm (Martillano, Lansangan, Domingo & Associates, Inc.), headed the FRIENDS Foundation, and served as president of the Makati Mabuhay Lions Club as president. In March 2017, Cmdre. Lansangan wrote his memoirs,  “The 21st Century Legacy Letters Volume 1: 17 Legacy Lessons”.

Rear Adm. ARMANDO Q. MADAMBA

From San Juan, San Fernando, Armando Quizon Madamba (b. 3 Nov. 1938) was a product of Pampanga High School, class 1954. From there, he went to the state university (U.P.) to study engineering, but moved to the PMA after qualifying for the exams. At the academy, he gain renown for his brilliance in military planning and strategy. The 1962 graduate joined the Philippine Navy as ensign. He performed so well that his studies were sponsored at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts. There, he earned his M.A. in International Affairs (1970) and M.A. in Law and Diplomacy  (1971).  He was assigned to Iran as Attache at the Philippine embassy for 5 years (1975-80). Towards the decade’s end, he attended the Naval Command College course for Senior International Officers at the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. As Deputy Chief of Staff, he pushed for the complete  modernization of AFP. He retired as a Vice Admiral, but Pres. Fidel V. Ramos named him Ambassador to the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation  in 1996. He engaged in consultancy work after his diplomatic stint. His impressive career has earned him the Distinguished Conduct Star, the Distinguished Service Star, the Philippine Legion of Honor,  Navy Distinguished Cross, the 1991 Cavalier Award of the Philippine Military Academy and Outstanding Kapampangan Award for Military Service in 1993.

Gen. RAFAEL M. MANIAGO

The future general, Rafael Manarang Maniago (b. 7 Nov. 1936)  comes from Parian, Mexico. He is said to be a descendant of the brave 17^th century hero, Francisco Maniago, who led a revolt against Spain. He graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1962 and joined the Philippine Army. He served as regional military commander in different military zones and installations in the Philippines. As a colonel, Maniago was named Commanding Officer of the  403rd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army from 1988-89. It is known officially as the Peacemaker Brigade which specializes in anti-guerrilla warfare. From 1990-91, the colonel served as the Commander of the 502nd Infantry (Liberator) Brigade. Gen. Maniago passed away on 1 January 2004.

Col. SAMUEL S. QUIWA

Before his death from pneumonia on 12  February 2011, Col. Samuel Quiwa (b. 3 Feb. 1917) was considered as the last surviving World War II hero of San Fernando, having outlived 16 other comrades. Quiwa , a USAFFE (U.S. Armed Forces in the Far East) soldier, was a participant in the battles of Bataan and Corregidor in 1942.  He was able to escape the 3-day Death March that started in Mariveles, Bataan, but slipped back to war-ravaged Corregidor, only to surrender to the Japanese. For 20 days, he became a POW, along with other American military men, until they were transferred to Manila. After his release, he went underground in Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan as a guerrilla fighter. When the country was liberated, he returned to active service and was assigned to the 103rd Military Police Command, now the Northern Luzon Command of the AFP. He retired in 1969. For his gallantry, he was awarded the Philippine Defense Ribbon, American Defense Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal and Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Medal, among others. Before his death, he managed to receive financial reward from the U.S. government.

1st Lt. RUBEN P. SONGCO

Capt. Ruben Paras Songco (b. 5 Sep. 1921/ d. 5 Dec. 1944), was a native son of Guagua. A graduate of the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis,Maryland, in 1943, he excelled in football, tennis, lacrosse and boxing. He was graduated a year early due to the War. During the War, he was a member of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion missions that left for Australia in Oct. 1943, with Gen. MacArthur attending their send-off. He was with Maj. Lawrence Phillips, Capt.  Galang, 4 radio operators and 2 reconnaisance men when they landed in Mindoro, only to be tracked and captured by the Japanese with the help of a Filipino informer. 1st Lt. Ruben Songco was one of those killed; only 3 survived. The other sad thing about his shortlived military career  was that, because of his Filipino nationality, he was  denied a commission in the U.S. Navy.

SOURCES:

Patricio Buyson: Pampanga High School, Golden 50^th Anniversary Yearbook,

Gregorio Camiling Jr.: http://www-bcf.usc.edu/~camiling/bio/gcamiling.htm

Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army Official Website

Ricardo David Jr.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_David

Pedro Deang: Picture and information courtesy of First Consul Elmer Cato.

Rafael Estrada: https://www.dbc.org.ph/in-memoriam.html

Rafael Goseco: GNC Batch of 2005 FB page

Jose G. Lansangan: http://mldamanila.tripod.com/id63.htm

Armando Q. Madamba: http://www.andropampanga.com/bio/madamba.htm

Rafael Maniago: Avianquests.com: https://www.avianquests.com/2017/03/myths-uncovered-about-photographing.html

 https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:zTO-imjFVdEJ:https://www.5id.ph/502nd-infantry-brigade/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ph

Samuel Quiwa: “ LAST WW II WAR HERO IN SAN FERNANDO DIES”by Charlene Quiwa.

Ruben Songco: https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/RUBEN_P._SONGCO,_1LT,_USA

104. 13 DISTINGUISHED, TOP-RANKED MILITARY MEN OF PAMPANGA, part I

Brave warriors, fearless soldiers, and dauntless freedom fighters—all figured prominently in our early provincial history. Here is a more contemporary list of our finest Kapampangans in uniform who have managed to ascend up our country’s military hierarchy—top-ranked and acclaimed for their boldness achievements.

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PNP Chief OSCAR D. ALBAYALDE

The current Philippine National Police director who replaced Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa was born in San Fernando (b. 8 Nov. 1963). Oscar David Albayalde went to local city schools : San Fernando Elementary School, Pampanga High School, University of Assumption. He graduated with cum laude honors from the Philippine Military Academy Sinagtala Class of 1986, and also finished his Masters in Public Adminsitration at  MLQ University. He started his service with the Police Constabulary Special Action Force (SAF) from 1986-91. Among his  significant positions in the Police Regional Office-3 were: Acting Provincial Director of Pampanga Police; Chief, Regional Intelligence Division; Chief,Regional Police Coommunity Relations, and Chief, Regional Investigations Division. Albayalde was named Outstanding Kapampangan in Law Enforcement in 2016.

Col. JUAN E. ARROYO

The Philippine National Police - Communications and Electronics Service (PNP-CES) traces its beginnings at the turn of the 20th century, originally known as the “SIGNAL CORPS” which contributed to the development of the communications systems and facilities of the police force. In the critical war years,  beginning in 1941, Col. Juan E. Arroyo  was designated Chief Signal officer of the Philippine Constabulary (PC)  until 1942, when the Japanese took over the islands. In the period leading  to our  liberation, Col. Arroyo resumed his post as PC Signal Officer. After the war, he became the manager of the National Steel Corp., The Arroyos are from Candaba.

Col. EMIGDIO C. CRUZ

Col. Emigdio "Meding" C. Cruz of Arayat went to U.P., finishing a Liberal Arts course in 1923 and Medicine in 1929, at a rather late age of 31. He was Pres. Manuel L. Quezon’s chief physician and trusted aide during the War years. He was the recipient of the Philippine Congressional Medal of Valor and Distinguished Service Cross in 1948, the highest award that the Philippine government can give to its citizens,  for his “daring resourcefulness and long sustained courage” he displayed at the height of the second World War. After Quezon’s death in 1944, Meding lingered in the U.S., doing stints at Walter Reed Hospital, Brunns General Hospital, Ann Arbor University Hospital and the Barnes General Hospital in Missouri. He returned to the Philippines in Feb. 1946. Today, a government hospital stands in Arayat—the Dr. Emigdio C. Cruz Medical Center--named after the decorated physician-patriot who passed away in 1978.

Brig. Gen. RENE R. CRUZ

Arayat son Gen. Rene R. Cruz had an illustrious military career. As a colonel, he was connected with the Philippine National Police Academy. He was also the former RaCom Commander and PC-INP Commander and, like all high-ranking officers, was drawn into the People Power revolution in 1986. After the police general retired, he became a director of the Bataan Shipyard and Engineering Co. Inc. (Baseco). Gen, Cruz also headed the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) from 1993-96. It was during his term that boxer Manuel Velasco won an Olympic silver in the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. He was honored by his alma mater, University of the East, a Distinguished Alumnus in Military Science award, where he finished in 1957. He passed away of heat attack, 30 Sept. 2015.

Brig. Gen. ROMEO S. DAVID

The unico hijo of a former San Fernando vice mayor and a public school teacher, Romeo Soliman David attended local schools, graduating in 1951 at the Pampanga High School. He pursued an engineering course in Manila but opted for Philippine Military Academy when he passed the admission.  At PMA, he shone in sports and in academics, and graduated among the top of his class in 1956. He became a pilot for the Philippine Air Force and was sent off by the Philippine government for pilot training in the U.S. he also underwent advanced studies at the United States Air War College in Air University, Alabama USA in 1983. David served as military air base commander and commanding general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Regional Unified Command III. After his retirement, then Pres. Cory Aquino appointed him as president  of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation in 1987-1989. Pres. Fidel Ramos named him as president and CEO of Clark Development Corporation and Clark International Airport in 1995-1998. The retired general heads the Rainbow Rising High Co., Inc., a natural gas producer based in Palawan.

Brig. Gen. VIRGILIO M. DAVID

The general from Bacolor, Virgilio Mañago David, was a PMA graduate, and an alumnus of Pampanga High School,  Class of 1954. He was a former National Police Commissioner, and served as the Anti-Drug Chief of during the term of president Cory Aquino. As head of the Narcotics Command (NARCOM), he had to revamp the agency of over 1,000 men which had been plagued with corruption charges under 2 previous heads.  Upon retirement,  he was appointed administrator of the Philippine Coconut Authority from 1992-98. He then became its director, but his term was marred by an incident when, in late May 2005, during an altercation with a person who parked his car in front of his house, the general fired his gun, injuring a construction worker nearby.

Col. MIGUEL NICDAO

Guagua-born Col. Miguel Nicdao (b. 8 May 1888/d. 1938), was but 15 when he became a pensionado (government scholar)  to the U.S., a batchmate of Jose Abad Santos. With six other Filipinos, Nicdao began his studies at Illinois State Normal University,  became a champion orator, and  graduated with an Education degree—the youngest of the 1907 batch. Once home, he started work as Principal of the San Luis Intermediate School. He was also assigned in Mabalacat, Apalit and in San Fernando where he was with Pampanga High School  for 3 years. The young teacher found it frustrating to advance in his career, so in 1911, Nicdao enrolled in the newly-opened Camp Henry T. Allen (the pre-cursor of the Philippine Military Academy). After undergoing an intensive 3-month boot camp training, he graduated as 3rd Lieutenant.  The 23 year-old embarked on his  new military career, and led campaigns in Lanao and Cotabato, during the Moro War years (1909-1923).  He would eventually become the District Commander for Muslim Mindanao. By 1917, he had attained the rank of a First Lieutenant of the PC, with missions in Cagayan and Misamis.  In the 1930s, he was instrumental in crushing a Sakdalista revolt in Laguna. The bemedalled colonel  passed away at age 50 of peritonitis, during a military exercise in Leyte, and was given full military honors during his burial.

Brig. Gen. RAMSEY L. OCAMPO

Brig. Gen. Ramsey Lapuz Ocampo is a native of Candaba, and a 1963 alumnus of Pampanga High School. As a police superintendent, he was the provincial police director of Pampanga from 1990-1992, and rose to become the Regional Director of police command VII.  Ramsey was responsible for the very good peace and order situation in Cebu City. The general also became Chief of the Central Intelligence Service (CIS) and NARCOM. He later pursued a law course and a doctorate degree and now the multi-facetted general has his own law firm and is the Vice President for Security Services of Clark.

Lt. Col. LEON F. PUNSALAN

The  West Pointer and M.I.T. graduate who saw action with the Philippine Army was born in San Simon, Pampanga on 3 July 1910. Leon Flores Punsalan is a 1928 Pampanga High School alumnus . In 1936, he graduated as a Mechanical Engineer at West Point in the top ten of his class, and he was assigned to serve  in the Philippine Army in 1938. In 1940 he was assigned in an Army base in Boston, Massachusetts and attended nigh class for his his Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. He invented a durable rifle cartridge ejector and obtained a patent for it. After serving for 31 years in the U.S. Army, he retired in Hampton, Virginia, where he taught mathematics and physics at local high school. He was the founder of the Pampanga Language Club of Virginia. Lt. Col. Punsalan was also a writer and a poet. Died 3 October 2001 at the age of 91.

Brig. Gen. MARCOS SOLIMAN

The general best remembered as the anonymous whistleblower who exposed the Marcos plan to place the country under Martial Law to oppositionist Benigno Aquino Jr., was born in Candaba (b. 25 April 1910), the son of the town police chief.  He was a classmate of Pres. Diosdado Macapagal at the Pampanga High School, Class 1929. He graduated in 1933 from the Philippine Constabulary Academy, and then served  the PC company in  Iloilo as a lieutenant for 2 years. Soliman was chosen to study in the Air Corps Flight School at Randolph Field, Texas. After his tour of duty, he was appointed commandant of  various ROTC units like the U.P. FEU and U.S.T. During the War, he refused to surrender to the Japanese, and became a guerilla untilhis captured in January 1944. Though released, he continued doing espionage work. In the post-war years, he served as Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy and Commanding General of the Philippine Army. Upon leaving the military, he became chief of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency. Shortly after Martial Law was declared in Sept. 1972, newspaper reported his death due to a heart attack, but his family believed that Marcos was responsible for his death.

Brig. Gen. BASILIO VALDES

Basilio Valdes (b. 10 Jul 1892) with roots in Floridablanca, was a doctor first, but also earned recognition as a military man, and a government executive. He finished medicine at the University of Santo Tomas and graduated with honors in 1916. Driven to serve beyond his country, he joined the French Army as a medical volunteer, then the U.S. Army as a surgeon from 1917-1919. He labored in Europe as part of the American Red Cross mission. Thus began his second career in military service. Returning home, he joined the Philippine Constabulary from 1926-1934 as medical inspector. Pres. Manuel L. Quezon appointed him as Chief of Staff of the Philippine Constabulary and Philippine Army in 1939, elevating his rank to a general (he would rise to become a Brigadier General). Two years later, Basilio was appointed as Secretary of National Defense. To expand his military education, he attended the Command and General Staff School in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, graduating there in 1943. During the Japanese period, he served under Pres. Jose P. Laurel as Secretary of Public Works. He died in 26 January 1970.

Brig, Gen. LUIS A. VILLA-REAL

The venerable general, Luis “Louie Villa-Real, was a graduate of Culver Military School who joined the Philippine Army and headed its 21^st field artillery. He fought in World War II and is acknowledged as one of the valiant Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, having also walked in the Death March. He was to serve many presidents, including Pres. Cory Aquino who appointed him head of National Intelligence Coordinating Authority (NICA) after the fall of Marcos. Known as a Huk fighter in his time, he also headed the Philippine Anti-Communist League. He was never known to be political; in fact, he was critical of the military hierarchy in Pres. Aquino’s time, proof that he was a true servant of the Filipino people. The Villa-Reals trace their roots in Arayat.

Maj. PORFIRIO ZABLAN

The early years of Philippine aviation count only some 400 military men--all chosen between 1907 to 1935, with Pres. Quezon’s approval.  Among the first 10 Filipinos to undergo actual flight training were 10 Philippine Constabulary (PC) officers, led by topnotcher 1st Lt. Porfirio Zablan; and 23 recruits from the National Guard. Zablan, who rose to the rank of a Major,  became the first fighter pilot of the Philippines, but perished while training in the U.S. in 17 June 1935. In his memory, the Zablan Airfield in Quezon City was named after him.

(OTHER RANKING KAPAMPANGANS IN THE MILITARY: Col. (Ret.) Vicente A. Pascual (Arayat), Commodore Lodovigildo L. Gantioqui, Ph. Navy (Arayat), Col. Sergio Sanchez,  Col. Federico Calma, Col. Auelio Miranda, Col. Gregorio Yambao, Col. David Pelayo, Col. Pacifico Marin, Col. Diosdado Garcia,Col. Migule Pingul, L.t Col. Felix Duenas (Phil Coconut Authority director), Maj. Conrad Flores, Lt. Col. Patricio Buyson, Major Rufino Dizon, Capt. Crescencio Pineda)

SOURCES:

Oscar Albayalde: Most Outstanding Kapampangan Award 2016 souvenir program

https://en.everybodywiki.com/Oscar_David_Albayalde

Juan Arroyo:

http://ces.pnp.gov.ph/menu_history_scroll/v_scroll_history.php

Rene R. Cruz, Luis Villareal: The Pampangos, by Rafaelita Hilario Soriano, 1999, 218 pages

Basilio Valdes, Emigdio Cruz. Miguel Nicdao: www.viewsfromthepampang.blogspot

Marcos Soliman: PHS Golden Jubilee 50^th Yearbook, 1962

Romeo David, Virgilio M. David: History of Pampanga Towns, by Andro Camiling, http://www.andropampanga.com/history_phs.htm

Ramsey Ocampo: http://www.pampangapolice.com/pds_now.html

Leon Flores Punsalan: The Untold Battle of Leo Punsalan, https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1995/vp950910/09070045.htm

Porfirio Zablan:PacificWrecks.org https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/philippines/paf-history-1.htm