ROK Fetes Warriors with Grand Concert

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

It was heart warming to see recently my 91 years old father and some Korean War’s veterans hugged and saluted by coat and tied South Korean executives at the lobby of the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo at Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in Pasay City.

“Thanks for your heroism and service in saving our country,” a Korean who just darted off from his family embraced my pa’ and other octogenarian and nonagenarian former warriors for their gallantry and intrepidity in the first cold war between the United States and Soviet Union that ensued 70 years ago.

The formal attired event attended by the diplomatic corps lead by U.S Ambassador to the Philippines' Sung Kim, government luminaries, cadet corps of the Philippines National Police, and surviving spouses of the veterans and their descendants, was sponsored by the burgeoning South Korean government dubbed as The Korean War Memorial Peace Concert that celebrated 70 years of the Korean War and mutual exchanges between our country and the Republic of Korea (RoK).

SENTIMENTAL - Some members of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) pose for posterity with the South Korean soldiers during their sentimental journey in June 27 to July 2, 2019 at the peninsula. The journey was bankrolled by the grateful South Korean government. Unlike the Philippine Civic Action Group (PhilCag) who did construction and medical works in the Vietnam War, these PEFTOK guys sacrificed their lives and limbs shooting out with the Chinese and North Koreans in the early 1950s war.
Fourth from left is Army Major Maximo Young, the second awardee of the South Korea's Taegeuk (Medal of Valor) after Army Captain Conrado Yap. Young award was given by the Seoul government during the June 27 to July 2 visit there.

It was showcased by the world class RoK’s Seocho Philharmoniker throught the baton of conductor Jong-hoon Bae, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, soprano Rachelle Gerodias, baritone Byeong-in Park, Canadian famous trumpeter Jens Lindeman, and other popular talents. 

Oldies Want to Preserve, Popularize Spanish-Era Warehouse

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

DAGUPAN CITY – Old- timers called Jayceeken and a solon seek the government guidance how to conserve, develop, and popularize the abandoned concrete walls of the Philippines National Railway Incorporated (PNRI) warehouse  here.

These storied historic walls played a proud role in the halcyon days when steamed power locomotive trains snaked from Tutuban Station in Manila to Dagupan City and vice versa in November 24, 1892 up to its last day of service in 1988, according to Councilor Jigs Seen, the chairman of the Committee on Cultural Heritage and Arts of this city’s legislature.

 He explained that when the Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan (FDMD) constructed a 195 – kilometer railway from its main terminal at Tutuban in Manila to here, this immovable property became an architectural heritage under then railway’s construction supervisor British Engineer Henry Kipping.

Passengers posing in front of the "Ferrocarril de Manila y Dagupan" (c. 1885). Photo Credit:Wikipidea

 “ He later married one of  history characters and resident of Dagupan the beauteous Leonor Rivera – a former girlfriend of national hero Jose Rizal who visited her by traveling to Dagupan from Calamba, Laguna,’ Seen cited.

Bobotantes hit after nixing ex-judges, docs, lawyers

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

DAGUPAN CITY – Political spectators bemoaned the loss of former judges, lawyers, and doctors in the last May 13, 2019 election.

One of them was former regional director of the Department of Interior & Local Government Romeo Prangan.

The former executive deplored the myopia of many voters who elected candidates in exchanged of twenty to one hundred pesos per voter despite their being intellectually inferior.

BEMOAN - A former regional director of the Department of Interior & Local Government bemoans how voters squandered the opportunity to elect and exploit the experiences, intellects, and talents of former Municipal Trial Court judges Florante Gabat (left) and Santiago Marcella, Jr. who failed to win their aspired
]seats in the Sangguniang Bayan (legislature) of Calasiao and San Fabian towns.

Instead of voting those respected members of the bar and medical profession to contribute their intellects to hammer laws at the Sangguniang Bayan these voters preferred those intellectually inferiors’ candidates,” Prangan bewailed to this writer about the pathetic preferences of voters to those candidates aspiring for the legislature.

He added that voters’ choice went to the gutter in last poll after they exchanged the future of themselves and their children to those financial paltry given by moneyed candidates. 

It’s Nice to Die in this City

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

When I was buying a hand of lakatan bananas in a talipapa (makeshift store), I asked the spouses who manned it if the place I was standing was part of the city of Taguig where the former lady mayor is the wife of my friend then senator and now  House Speakership’s wannabe Alan Peter Cayetano.

“Barangay Southside po ito sir. Pinagaagawan ito ng Makati City and Taguig,” the husband, a septuagenarian, told me while he wrapped the almost P100 bananas' hand (P70 a kilo) I bought.

“Nasa Supreme Court na iyang away diyan sa BGC (sprawling world class commercial hub's Bonifacio Global City) at mga barangays. Kung kayo ang tatanungin sino mas gusto ninyo?” I asked.

 Both blurted out: Makati!

Free coffin, anyone?

I told them that in my province Pangasinan many mayors there give P3000 to P5000 to the bereaved family of the deceased.

“Magkano ang bigayan sa patay dito sa Makati at Taguig?” I confidently asked them since I knew the nuances of how local chief executives forked out sums to lighten up the grief of their helpless constituents.