Roque Hofilena
Local News: Mr. Roque: ‘No Certification That Bacolod Charter Day Should be Celebrated on June 18’
In a sudden twist of events, Deputy Secretary General Ramon Ricardo Roque denied having issued a certification stating that the Bacolod City Charter Day should be celebrated on June 18. Congressman Anthony Rolando "Doc Tony" T. Golez, Jr., Representative for the Lone District of Bacolod City gave a privilege speech last May 8, 2012 in the House of Representatives where he pointed out that local city officials are conditioning the minds of Bacolodnons that a charter day celebration on June 18 has legal basis. Cong. Doc Tony cited the fact that some local city officials headed by lawyer, Mayor Evelio "Bing" Leonardia are claiming that the House of Repre-sentatives, thru Mr. Roque, has already said that it is legal to have a charter day celebration on June 18 despite the existence of Republic Act No. 7724. Republic Act No. 7724 clearly states that the charter day of Bacolod City should be held every October 19. Cong. Doc Tony mentioned in his speech that it is implied in the law that all or any funds that will be used for a charter day celebration in Bacolod City should be spent for festivities held in October and not in June.
Sports: Remembering Labor Day
Our column today joins the rest of the country and the world in remembering
Labor Day on the first day of May.
Originally a celebration of spring and the rebirth taking place in nature,
Labor Day or May Day dates back historically to pagan cults that worshipped
trees and other symbols of nature. Traditionally, May Day is characterized by
the gathering of flowers and the fertility rites of dancing around the maypole.
In recent years, May Day has become a labor festival honoring workers of various
countries including the Philippines. It has also culturally become associated in
our country with our May Flower Festivals dating back to the Spanish colonial
period.
May Day ceremonies that stemmed from the traditional centuries-old May Day
traditions are celebrated across the world. In the United Kingdom, May Day is
still celebrated in many towns with the crowning of the May Queen. Maypoles can
still be found in some towns and May Day traditions may include hobby horses and
local people dressed in costumes.
Opinion: ‘Celebration of World Heritage Day’
In today’s column, we interrupt our ongoing series on the American Colonial
period in the history of Negros with this historic celebration of World Heritage
Day (WHD). As mainly sourced from the Manila Bulletin of April 18, 2012, the
observance of World Heritage Day is briefly explained as a worldwide event
which, though not remembered as much as other occasions, is nevertheless as
important as many other universal commemorations useful to the life of
humankind.
Opinion: ‘Selected Notable Events To Remember on March 2012’
For this issue, our column offers brief memories of selected notable events which transpired in the month of March with Philippine and worldwide historic significance. 1. Landing of US Liberation Forces in Negros on March 29, 1945. As an event which happened in Negros during the last few months of World War 11, the US forces landing at Green Beach in Pulupandan signaled the last gasps of the Japanese occupation in the province. Following this, the Japanese forces quickly retreated to the hills of Patag in Silay where they put up several months of intense resistance to the US and Negrense forces until they finally surrendered at Bo. Sta. Rosa in Murcia on Aug. 30, 1945.
Opinion: Historical Insights on EDSA 2012
Today’s column briefly interrupts our ongoing series on the notable historical events in Negros after the Cinco de Noviembre 1898 revolution.
Last Feb. 25, 2012 the nation observed again the historic EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986 which brought about needed sweeping change to oust a stifling dictatorship and initiated a new regime conducive to democratic political and social order. In the wake of the past 26 years after the inspiring 1986 people power event, the nation needs to take stock and determine how far EDSA has gone in not only dismantling the apparatus of dictatorship, but also the reconstruction of the massive destruction of our democratic heritage and historic values earned by the blood and sacrifices of our heroes and forbears. Has EDSA 1986 propelled the people to rebuild our sacred legacies of a just and humane social order?
Opinion: Who Were the ‘Babaylanes’ in Negros Occidental?
The origins of the Babaylanes in Negros, and its best-known leader, Papa Isio (Dionisio Siguela Papa to some writers) are obscure, but some say that the movement came from Panay and was so closely related to the “Pulahan” movement that the words “Babaylanes” and “Pulahanes” were often used interchangeably. Negros Occidental Governor Leandro Locsin described the movement in 1901 as a “confused admixture of socialistic principles, anarchistic instincts and a strange aberration of religious and fanatical notions,” the view shared by most ilustrados and Americans. A close look at Babaylanism would show, however, that it had other dimensions. Though originally a religious-fanatic-superstition cult, it acquired anarchistic, nationalistic, pro-labor and socialistic tendencies during the later Spanish and early American periods.
Opinion: Early Crisis in US Occupation in Negros
On July 25, 1900, one year after the enforcement of Gen. Orders No. 30, Gen. James Smith reported the accomplishment of the new Negros government. The authorities in Manila, basing their judgment on the success of their programs as reported by Gen. Smith, but disregarding the fact that there were still some cases of anti-Americanism in Negros, reported the new regime as successful to Washington. Thus did US Pres. William McKinley refer to it in his message of Dec.
Memories of Family History
As we enter the New Year 2012, this writer wishes to share family memories consistent with the on-going program of the Neg. Occ. Historical Council to promote local history and in the spirit of “Chiaroscuro” (blending of light and shadows).
Opinion: How Has Corruption Affected Families?
In our column last week, we briefly delved into the effects of corruption and the excruciatingly difficult efforts to build peace among nations over the past centuries.
