Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Four Poems by Simon Anton Nino Diego Baena

Boracay Blues and Other Poems

Four Poems by Simon Anton Nino Diego Baena

Boracay Blues

In the gathering fog,
the miniature sun explodes
among the shards of broken bottles of gin
afloat on the shimmering sea.
At dawn, all the lost kisses
and those firm breasts heaving
in the sparkling sand,
become dry and lifeless
shells, trampled upon by the multitude.
Every day, the shrill of human noises
and the hissing waves
are ever so distant,
like a headland
of silence,
in my muted memory.

Simply Boracay

5:25 pm at Dos Mestizos
I drank three glasses of Sangria,
and slowly descended the golden orb gleaming
in her pristine waters. Scattered fragments
of dead corals strewn
as necklaces on her now spoiled beach.
There are screeching passenger planes but gulls are nowhere
to be seen. In station one, every evening,
when alcohol inhabits the brain,
the sea itself becomes
the indigo firmament poets dream
with their eyes wide open. Boracay’s parade
of lights akin to tiny fireflies
in the distance. In this glittering island,
time and space is a portrait
of tattoo needles and braids. Everyday
mundane scene of banana boats and sandcastles washed away
by the endless coming of tourists,
and the smell of those stained sheets haunted my nostrils.
At daybreak, the cascading beats of techno music
and voices of a monotone summer
lingered in my ears–
near Epic and Bombom bar,
in the aftertaste of saliva and tequila,
I saw the aeta child with copper hair, strode
like a starving war prisoner,
as she asked for coke in can,
while selling trinkets and wood carvings
with the image of the messiah and the virgin.

Cityscape

There is no need to mention
the rain and the cadaver of trees
lying helplessly in mount Kalatungan.
We are not descending
on hillsides and green plateaus,
where the maya and the hummingbird
own the serene ether and air
within the feathers of their wings
and music of their whistles.
We are like mannequins
in this overlapping skyways,
overlooking the stress and grime
of the metro under the comfort of seat belts.
The acrid smell of oil covers
her dying skyline. Burning
in this heat of summer
are cyclones of bellowing cars
and buses that strangle our nostrils
even in the dark of midnight.
There are no shrieking crows
in the streets of Manila,
only loitering prostitutes
worth three hundred pesos.


Boracay Blues and Other Poems by Simon Anton Nino Diego Baena


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Bais City Negros Oriental

Bais, officially the City of Bais, is a 3rd class city in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 76,291 people.[3]

Geography[edit]

Located 45 kilometres (28 mi) from the provincial capital Dumaguete, it has a land area of 31,964 hectares (78,980 acres). There are two bays in the area, hence the name "Bais." The shore line is mostly mangroves, which are in danger of destruction due to the increasing population. The richness of marine life in the bays is because of these mangroves.
Bais City is located on the east coast of Negros island, about 45 kilometers north of Dumaguete City, the capital city of Negros Oriental. Its name is derived from the Visayan word "ba-is" for brackish-water eel – a fish species native to the city and one which has become the city's delicacy. A former barrio and later a municipality, Bais, officially became a city on September 9, 1968 (R.A. No. 5444).
The territorial jurisdiction of Bais includes two islets (Olympia and Dewey) and the Bais Bay. The Bais Bay area holds a diversity of animal life and is a rich breeding and fishing ground for demersal and other fish species, and also invertebrates. South Bais Bay is also famous for dolphin watching.
Bais City's bays are widely known to have one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the area.
The Pelarta River runs beside the city center. There is, however, a dispute that the name Bais was taken after the eels locally called "bais" that used to thrive in this river. The river has been the source of irrigation water for the nearby sugar farms. This has been vital in the success of sugar plantations in this area. This river also has a big influence on the city's geography, as it deposits sediments in the former mangrove areas during the (formerly annual) flood season. These former mangrove swamps have now dried out and become populated with residents. In the late 1970s, under the Genaro Goñi administration, a river control system stretching from the city center toward the low-lying areas was established in order to lessen flooding during the rainy season.

Barangays[edit]

Bais City is politically subdivided into 35 barangays.
  • Barangay I (Poblacion)
  • Barangay II (Poblacion)
  • Basak
  • Biñohon
  • Cabanlutan
  • Calasga-an
  • Cambagahan
  • Cambaguio
  • Cambanjao
  • Cambuilao
  • Canlargo
  • Capiñahan
  • Consolacion
  • Dansulan
  • Hangyad
  • La Paz
  • Lo-oc
  • Lonoy
  • Mabunao
  • Manlipac
  • Mansangaban
  • Okiot
  • Olympia
  • Panala-an
  • Panam-angan
  • Rosario
  • Sab-ahan
  • San Isidro
  • Katacgahan (Tacgahan)
  • Tagpo
  • Talungon
  • Tamisu
  • Tamogong
  • Tangculogan
  • Valencia

History[edit]

In the early days of Spanish exploration, some Spaniards came upon a swampy land and docked their boats at the vicinity of the two small islets that guarded the village. While exploring the place, they saw natives fishing along the coast. The Spaniards approached the natives and asked for the name of the place. The natives could not understand Spanish,and believing that the Spaniards were asking for the name of their catch, the natives answered saying "Ba-is"; from that day on, this swampy valley of the Old Panlabangan and Talamban Hills became known as Bais.[4]

Etymology[edit]

Pioneer in the Sugar Industry[edit]

Loading sugar cane onto a truck parked on the National Highway that runs through Bais City
Negros Oriental's economy was far from progressive, and its rich soil was not utilized to its full capacity. That was in the 1850s. During those years, people in Negros depict a life of content for they tend to produce goods enough only to meet their daily needs. Even before the sugar boom of the 1850s, Negros Oriental was already producing sugar. The transport of most of its product was mainly done in the ports of Iloilo, which explains the fast moving pace of development of the sugar industry in Negros Occidental, primarily due to its proximity to Iloilo. This situation was a disadvantage on the movement of sugar from the Oriental plantations.
A wide array of difficulties barred the development of the sugar industry in the Oriental part of the island. The pioneer sugar traders and adventurers include José Rodrigo Camilo Rubio, Diego García-Baena and Agustín de Sandes (from Mexico), Aniceto Villanueva (from Spain), and Vicente-Anunciación Te (later on adapted the surname Teves, from Amoy Province, China). After hearing about the fertility of the flatland of Bais, these individuals carved the virgin forests of the eastern side of the island. Many came and settled in the area and planted sugarcane, thus producing muscovado sugar (invented by Vicente-Anunciación Teves) from their mills which was then exported to Spain via Iloilo, the principal shipping point in the Visayas. This was loaded in large sailboats called lurchas or Batel built by Aniceto Villanueva and Joaquín Montenegro (Bais Historian Penn T. Villanueva Larena CPS, MPA).
Bais City credits much of its progress to the Central Azucarera de Bais, the largest producer of raw sugar in Negros Oriental. Established by the Real Compañía-General de Tabacos de Filipinas, S.A. of Spain in the early 1900s, it is also the pioneer in the sugar industry in the Philippines. This industry reached its peak in the 1930s bringing affluence to the Negrenses and enabling them to build stately homes and to acquire properties all over the province.
Driving through the city's main national highway, sugar plantations can immediately be seen on both sides of the road. These areas are characterized by expansive lowlands that stretch as far as the eyes can see and are ideal for sugar planting because of the city's naturally fertile soil. It is no wonder why 73% of the city's total land area is devoted primarily to agriculture.
The Central Azucarera de Bais itself is an old foreboding structure of metal and hard wood. The offices may have seen better days, the dank smell of nostalgia hang heavy in the air, but are still functional. Nearby is the Casa Grande, an equally old residential compound surrounded by tall acacia trees, which was built for the use of the employees of the Azucarera. The two-storey wooden houses are greatly influenced by old Spanish design and architecture. Much of the houses have undergone restoration and continue to be used as homes of the representatives of the executives of the new management.
Further south are the stately plantation houses owned by sugar planters, mostly standing on one of the lots in the family hacienda. Inside the haciendas are chapels whose altar and icons date back to 1917. Educational visits to these places may be arranged at the Bais City Tourism Office. What is most interesting is you get to tour via the old railroad trams used by the milling companies to hasten sugarcane transport (Bais Historian Mr. Penn T. Villanueva Larena, CPS, MPA).

Demographics[edit]

Population census of Bais
YearPop.±% p.a.
19038,016—    
191813,952+3.76%
193922,471+2.30%
194817,869−2.51%
196033,653+5.42%
197040,095+1.76%
197545,672+2.65%
198049,301+1.54%
199059,591+1.91%
199563,355+1.15%
200068,115+1.57%
200774,702+1.28%
201074,722+0.01%
201576,291+0.40%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[3][5][6][7]

Economy[edit]

Bais City is the largest producer of raw sugar in Negros Oriental. There are two sugar mills in the city. The Central Azucarera de Bais was established by Tabacalera of Spain in the early 1918 and is the oldest in the country. The other mill is URSUMCO (Universal Robina Sugar Milling Corporation) which was formerly known as UPSUMCO (United Planters Milling Corporation) and constructed in the mid-1970s by Marubeni Corporation of Japan as a project of Ignacio Montenegro (also of Spanish roots). An ethanol plant of the Universal Robina Corporation (URC) that produces bioethanol for the local market has recently been inaugurated.[8]

Education[edit]

Bais City has separated its DepEd Division (Department of Education) from the provincial division. Most of its 35 barangays have their respective public elementary schools, and only a few have public secondary schools. In the city proper, elementary and secondary public schools, a college, and a state university are situated.

Colleges & Universities[edit]

  • Negros Oriental State University Campus 1 – Sitio San Jose, Barangay II, Bais City
  • Negros Oriental State University Campus 2 – Quezon Avenue, National Highway, Bais City
  • La Consolacion College (Formerly Sacred Heart Academy) – E.C. Villanueva St., Barangay II, Bais City

Elementary & Secondary Schools[edit]

Culture[edit]

An annual fiesta is held each year on September 10 in honor of the city's patron saint San Nicolás de Tolentino, a celebration inherited from the Spanish era. On this occasion, most of the residents prepare food for anyone who visits - a tradition practiced not only in Bais but also in most towns and cities in the Philippines. Lately, the celebration has included mardigras and parades.
Seventy-three percent of the city's total land area is devoted to agriculture and the local economy is dominated by agricultural activities and output. The existing urban area in the city covers only 109.12 hectares. Sugar is the major commercial crop in the city. About 36% of the city's agricultural land is planted in sugarcane, yielding 1.16 million gross kilograms annually for the domestic and foreign markets. Bais City is also home to two sugar mills or centrals: Central Azucarera de Bais and URSUMCO.
Fish production is the city's second income earner, with about 428 hectares of the land area devoted to fishpond development and operation and fish culture. Bangus (milkfish) culture is the dominant activity. In 2000, the bangus yield in the city was at 722 tons.
The government of Bais City operates ecotourism activities in the city, highlighted by whale and dolphin watching and nature treks. Two annual Bais City festivals have also become tourism events: the Hudyaka sa Bais Mardigras (which was changed to Sipong Festival and later on changed back to Hudyaka) and the Christmas Festival (which showcases the city's, perhaps the province's only, giant rotating Christmas tree and colorful decors) since 1950.
A concern of the city is its liquid and solid waste management. At present, liquid wastes are emptied directly without treatment into the Bais basin. The current dump site for solid waste is due for closure, and site development for a new 12.5-hectare sanitary landfill is being finalized.
Bais is reported to be the last stronghold of the Spanish language in the Philippines, since some of the Spaniards are in the first settlement area of Negros, (and southeast of Bais) Tanjay.

Notable people[edit]

  • Demetrio Larena Sr. – first Governor of Negros Oriental
  • Chanda Romero -Actress,TV Personality
  • Josefino "Penn" T.Larena Jr.- Civic Leader, Educator,Boy Scout, Consumer Advocate, Tour Guide,Historian, Literature
  • Kenzo Lindy G. Laxina- Artist,Aerial Cinematography,Photographer
  • Nich Port- Artist ,Photographer
  • Meliton Larena- Board Member during the American Period
  • Valeen Montenegro Vicente- Actress TV Personality
  • Yul Gabriel F. Dionson- Visual Artist ,Outstanding Baisanon 2019
  • Josefa Villanueva Perez- Historian, Visual Artist
  • Simon Anton Nino Diego Baena- International Literature
  • Tichie Ann Saycon E. Baena- Research, Education
  • Ana Marie Montenegro Gonzalvez -Social Services,Outstanding Baisanon 2019
  • Francisco G. Villanueva- Visual Artist ,Outstanding Baisanon 2019
  • Ramon Sibala- Public Service and Scouting Movement
  • Eddie Sinco Romero- National Artist in Film and Broadcasting Arts
  • Jose Mari Chan- Singer, Songwriter and Businessman in the sugar industry
  • Jaime Larena Ponce de Leon- Artist, Gallery and Art Auction
  • Jessica Jane "BM IKAY" Villanueva- Board Member
  • Lt. MacGlen Abuyabor- Bayani ng Bayan Outstanding Baisanon 2019
  • Earl Martinez Teves- Photographer

References[edit]

  1. ^ "City". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  2. ^ "Province:". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  3. ^ Jump up to:a b c Census of Population (2015). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  4. ^ Perez Villanueva, Josefa History of Bais 1979 Teves Press
  5. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  6. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. NSO.
  7. ^ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  8. ^ URC starts taking fuel ethanol orders
   9*Larena, Josefino Jr. T. the life of Demetrio Larena and his contribution to Negros Oriental 2000

External links

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Sunday, April 7, 2019

History of Manuel Luis Quezon Park of Dumaguete City



The Public Plaza of Dumaguete City,was constructed in September 16,1916  by American contractor  Clyde V. Powers through a donation  of  the lot by the Patero Family during the time of Mayor Ramon Teves Pastor,Dumaguetiñoes  who wanted  the park named after their  favourite President  Manuel Luis Molina Quezon.In the center of the Park  is the Jose Rizal’s statue is the most prominent fixture in the back to back with the figure Maria Clara .She is the Famous character depicting the typical Filipina in Rizal novels and  said to be the fictionalized Leonor Rivera. Eulogio Garcia Velarde  a famous Filipino  sculptor was commission by the Provincial Governor Enrique Teves Villanueva  designer the monument of Rizal ,Mara Clara, guardian angel top of the monument .A Mi utimo Adios of Rizal  Last Farewell is on side by side in three version of  English, Spanish and Bisaya  given by the Order of the  Knights of Rizal.

The Morita red fire truck on display near a balete tree is an eye catcher .It was used during the World War II AND POST –WAR time by the City’s Fire Department, also inside Quezon Park is the World War II Veterans marker and replica of the map of Negros Oriental and Siquijor Islands.There is also a bust of Don. Deigo de la Viña, unveiled in 1998, marking the 100 years of the Heritage March. De la Viña was  the liberator of the people of Negros Oriental from the Spanish Rule.

A masterpiece in the heart of the park is the colonial fountain made by Italian artist Rafaelo Palucci who design was impression of his visit to Bais in the Hacienda of the Villanueva family where he saw this group of women carrying sugar cane walking in the fields.

  
Event   in   Quezon Park Dumaguete City

The Dumaguete Tourism Office is located on one side of Quezon Park. Local and foreign tourist comes here to ask for assistance when it comes to traveling around the wonderful province. The City Hall is also located just across Quezon Park. This is a great place to see locals. Sometimes, they host a market here. There are also events that would take place here. Other times, they use this place for programs and local events. Feeding programs would also take place here. Other locals would also use this place for their dance practice. Lately, soccer games and practices happen here almost every afternoon. Every Sunday, there is show called Tayada sa Plaza with the performers being local students from different schools here in Dumaguete. They showcase their talents and skills during this event. But nevertheless, this place would always be an interesting place to just walk around and spend a little time. Since this place is just near the Bell Tower and Cathedral Church, a lot of locals would come here in stay for a while with their loved ones.

This place is also very festive during the Charter Day of the City. The City parade would start and end here. There would be some local artists who would perform at the stage. Locals would come to here to watch the programs and their favorite artists or bands. The event would continue until Christmas since the Charter day is November 25. During Christmas, this is a lively place to walk, shop for bargains and watch the locals and tourists alike. Bustling with people from all walks of life especially on Sundays and now all dressed up for Christmas. I can assure you that this place is worth a visit. Don’t forget to bring your cameras and monopods for pictorials.

Size :  No information
Location : Barangay 3

North : Gov. Mariano F. Perdices ( Old name Calle Alfonso XIII)
Left Side : Sen. Lorenzo Teves St. ( Old name Calle Colon )
Right Side : Bishop Bishop Epifanio Surban ( Old name Calle Legaspi)

South : Sta .Catalina St. ( Old  name Calle Sta. Catalina )

Parks Facilities :
Rest Room
Waste Water Treatment Facilities
Kiosk
Flag Pole
Play ground
City Tourism Office
Football field
Barangay Hall
Kiwanis Club Stage –TMO

Features of the monument bust
Historical Marker from NHCP
Last Farewell in English, Spanish and Bisaya
Information about Knights of Rizal
Poem of Jose Rizal one the novels

Funding Agency / Maintaining Agency
1.  Provincial Government in 1916 during the time of Gov. Enrique Teves Villanueva
2.   Beautification & stage Rotary Club and Lions Club in 1950 -1960
3.  Kiwanis Club 1970s to 1980s
4.  Play ground in 1999 Philippine Tourism Authority ( PTA)
5.  Beautification –City Tourism Council / City Government of Dumaguete
6.  Present  GSO City Government of Dumaguete 

The NGO /School / Government Agencies helped the beautification 
1.City Government of Dumaguete
2. Department of Tourism
3. St. Paul University Dumaguete
4. Dumaguete Tourism Council
5. Dumaguete City Festival & Arts Society Inc


Park Researcher Committee
Josefino "Penn" T.Larena  Jr.
Jessica D. Layumas
Woodrow Maquiling Jr. 



Historical day Sept 17,2016 Manolo Quezon with Heritage Advocate from Dumaguete City Festival & Arts Society NGO group promoting heritage of the place for the 100 Centennial Celebration of Manuel Quezon Park built in 1916 in Dumaguete City









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The Space Between Us


By. Penn T. Larena 7:25pm Sept. 17,2018

I feel super down my mind is not working

When I saw the place I feel sad.
My body feel savage, the ceiling is so dark,
My heart is like a deep of the ocean turn into dark blue.
The Faith will make me strong if u ask me right now

What would be my religion, I will tell u "I only Believe in one God.

Your love s like a mountain feel like a breeze that touches my soul.
Our love never changes and my pain in the night
But joy comes in the morning.

The wind is strong and the water's deep
I'm not alone in these open seas.

When I am sad and so afraid
Your love is like a firefly that will light my way
When darkness falls and my vision fades
Your love will fire that will light my world.

To know you and love you much more
It never stops or ever fades
Your love is like a firefly that will light my way.



About the Poet :


A Baisanon Poet  some of his works influenced by family ,relatives and friends.Some of his works including Hacienda in 2013, Hometown 2015,Rizal 2016, Katacgahan 2005 , The space between us 2018 ,Spanish Bread of Jose Rafael  2018 and Pretty Girl  2018. He is a nephew of  Literary icons in the Philippines like Fr. Rudy Villanueva aka in literature Renato Madrid, Dr. Elsa Martinez – Coscolluela,Atty .David C. Martinez, Lilius Pinili,Dr. Tichie Saycon E. Baena ,Atty Arturo Valencia Umbac, and Simon Anton Niño Diego Galera Baena . 

Educational Background: Negros Oriental State University ,Silliman University, COSCA, St. Paul University Dumaguete 

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