As early as 2002, cellular phones already allowed users to create messaging groups. The feature was not really popular because text messaging cost was at P1 per 160 characters sent.

But in 2005, Smart Communications introduced unlimited texting. A user paid for P50 to enjoy 10 days of unlimited texting.

This paved the way for the birth of the clans.

For a cause

According to a clan organizer who refused to be identified, clans are normally exclusive.

“We have a cause, like protecting the environment but membership is not open to all,” the organizer said.

So the individuals interested to become part of the clan have to submit an application form. For most clans, the membership is limited to those aged between 17 and 30.

“Then we interview them, ask them what they can contribute as an individual and as part of the group,” the organizer explained.

But the new member has to commit to send 15 GMs or group messages in a day. Otherwise, the newbie will be dropped.

Virtual friendship

“I meet new friends,” Martin (not his real name), a 17 year old male, says when asked why he enjoys being part of the clans.

Membership to the clan is done virtually because a member uses a code name and identifies himself or herself only through NSAL—this acronym stands for name, sex, age and location. A new member, when welcomed by other members of the clan is free to take on any personality.

Martin is a member of three clans and he admits sending out GMs takes up much of his time. Part of Martin’s routine is sending a GM in the morning when he wakes up to greet his clan, asking them what they had for lunch during noontime, and bidding them good night before he sleeps.

“Some of our leaders organize EBs, too.”

EBs or eyeballs are meet-ups done occasionally by clan members.

Under the influence?

The breakwater along Baybay Boulevard, referred to as “seawall,” in Borongan is a witness to the burgeoning population of the clans. Martin explains that being part of a clan also requires you to be part of a family—a smaller unit inside the clan. The family can also go out on excursions, and at times, drinking sprees.

What happens after the EBs “depends on you,” Martin says. He is quick to say that he does not want to step on dangerous territory.

Martin also refuses to describe what happens when the clan members prowl the streets at night under the influence of alcohol.

But Martin and his cousin think it is easier to meet girls though the clans. Martin has had three girlfriends from his clan and he is looking forward to meeting more.

Isaiah (not his real name), a clan organizer, says they normally get five to ten new members a day. Isaiah’s clan currently has more than 100 members and the number goes up by the hour.

Limitations in the offing

Globe Telecom has recently implemented a one gigabyte cap on the “downloading and streaming of media intensive” content for prepaid users of Globe Tattoo.

With the recent PLDT (who owns Smart) acquisition of Sun Cellular—the network that capitalizes on unlimited texting and calling, consumers fear they might have to say goodbye to “unli.”

“I think consumers will fight against that if it happens,” Isaiah said.

Consumer group TxtPower has warned against a potential monopoly because of the business deal.

But Isaiah says he is positive that even if a limit to unlimited texting looms the bridges they have built between clan members will not be that easy to burn. ###

The island, composed of eight barangays is not only popular for expert sea-farers and dried fish; it is also where the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, with his Spanish crew first landed on March 16, 1521. Magellan and his men were commissioned by the Spanish monarchs to find a route to the Spice Islands or Mollucas. After sailing through the largest ocean in the world, the Pacific, they landed on the island of Homonhon.

Magellan and his men knew Homonhon was not the Spice Islands so they thought of replenishing their supplies instead.

What happened after, as told in history books and how elders in Homonhon recount, is the beginning of a long history of hospitality.

According to local historians, Magellan and his crew received chickens, and other animals from the leaders of the different parts of the island. The explorer was also treated to feasts and drinking of coconut wine, locally called tuba. This showing of warmth and generosity some 490 years ago still happens in Homonhon island, not only during the commemoration of Magellan’s landing but every time tourists come to visit.

Feel at home

Because there are no hotels in Homonhon, residents open their homes to visitors.

Dadoy Orocay, a septuagenarian, shares that it is always his pleasure to take in guests.

Orocay hosted members of the Local Government Unit’s Tourism Office for over two weeks, providing not only roof over their heads but some food to warm their stomachs as well. At one point, when eight visitors asked if they could stay in Orocay’s house, his grandchildren had to sleep in another relative’s house. Before the visitors left, Orocay told them that they were welcome to stay in his house should they decide to come back.

Marilou Loyola and her husband own a two-storey house in barangay Pagbabangnan. According to one visitor who once stayed in the Loyola ancestral house, “The first time we stayed here, we were amazed at how they offered us a room with white linens that did not only smell good but felt starched, too.”

Freddie Gapate’s children are already used to vacating their room to accommodate visitors. Gapate’s wife juggles attending to visitors and managing their sari-sari store but according to one visitor, “she always manages to smile.”

Cruising

Hospitality in the island comes not only in the form of welcoming visitors to their houses; the locals also offer their motorized vehicles to transport visitors from one part of the island to the other.

Because the island is a long boat-ride from Guiuan, cars and other forms of motorized vehicles are scarce. Most vehicles belong to a mining company that mines Chromites.

In some cases, travelling in a boat is more preferred to waiting for the mining trucks to take you from point A to B.

Locals, have a sea ambulance to take sick people from Homonhon to mainland Guiuan. The sea ambulance transports patients in extreme medical conditions that the Homonhon Island Community Hospital can no longer handle.

It could also be necessity that forces even young men, as early as eight years old, to study the moods of the sea. Experienced sailors need only one look at the sea to tell whether it is safe to sail or not.

Manolo Loyola takes charge of the sea ambulance that he navigates through the sea at least once everyday.

Waves, as big as the sea ambulance itself no longer scare Loyola and his crew. Time and the numerous trips they have taken aboard the ship have mapped out the best route for them.

Loyola, and other sea-farers from the island of Homonhon always sport a smile and extend their hands to assist visitors even as they walk from the port to the boats.

Estehanons often think of Homonhon as a little island at the southernmost part of the province but it is far from small. The boat ride from Guiuan to Homonhon is said to be perilous but unknown to them is the expertise Homonhon sea-farers have when it comes to travelling in the deep blue waters.

Homonhon might be best remembered for the landing of Magellan and the beginning of Catholicism in the Philippines but the culture of hospitality and the warmth of the locals are what make it hard to forget.

- Sulat Eastern Samar Fiesta Celebration 2010
- Borongan Eastern Samar Fiesta Celebration 2010

This is a long delayed post but here are the photos and a video of the Sulat fiesta celebration held in Quiapo Manila, last July 31, 2010.

The church of the Holy Face of Jesus was jampacked during that night.

Click on ‘more’ for more photos.

Here’s a Video of the Highlights of the Sulat Fiesta Celebration 2010

If I were to ask you to identify the church in the photo above, would you be able to recognize it? Probably not. That is until you see how it looks like today. Read on for the photo of the current church…

That’s right, it’s the Borongan Cathedral. I read from the forum where I picked up the photos that they were taken sometime around the early 20th century, just about the time when the Americans colonized the Philippines.

From a historical point of view, it’s quite sad to see that little of the old church has been preserved except for some of the belfry.

Here’s one of the lions that used to guard the church’s entrance, which is based on Chinese Fu lions:

And here it is now today in its current location, beside the stage at the town plaza:

Here’s also a photo of Santiago, which still stands today in the town plaza:

More Old Borongan Photos

It’s been more or less a century since the photos have been taken and it’s quite fascinating to see how much Borongan has changed since then. Take for example the old McGuire residence where the Borongan Metrobank now stands:

And another Borongan house during the American period:

How do you think these priests would react to see the new church:

Can anyone identify them?

Would they still recognize the church now that it looks grandiose in comparison to the old one? Take for example these details of the Borongan Cathedral:

Care to share your thoughts on these photos?

Old Borongan Photos Taken from this forum: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=43699158

There’s no better proof to that claim than the summer league that’s held in most of Eastern Samar’s towns. I was able to catch a game at the Borongan plaza one summer afternoon, and I’ve made a quick photo essay of it.

So if you’re a basketball fanatic as many Eastern Samarenos, then please follow the link below:

Eastern Samar Trip – A Basketball Diary

His pieces are lengthy, but very informative. So whether you are an Eastern Samareno wanting learn about your roots, or a history buff wishing to learn more about Eastern Samar’s past, then I invite you to check out Msgr. Lope’s post at http://msgrlope.multiply.com/ You may have to scroll down further to get to the articles I’m talking about.

Here’s an excerpt from the piece on San Julian, Eastern Samar’s history:

The establishment of Libas in 1781 as a village was largely the work of a Franciscan parish priest of Sulat, Fr Melchor Claver.  Through his efforts, a church was constructed, and houses were gathered around it. He directed the construction of a casa tribunal, a cemetery, and a rectory (convento).  On July 4, 1863 , Libas was separated from Sulat politically and ecclesiastically, and as it already had enough population and revenues to support a priest, was erected into a diocesan parish on August 25, 1871.

Again, for more Eastern Samar history, visit http://msgrlope.multiply.com/

dearest 26van,

i don’t go with stationeries to add some juice to this letter. no greetings that would make your heart scream. no formalities to please human expectations and standards. this is just a simple shout out to the world, letting myself express a complex reality in man. a reality that this author wants to carve in your stone and closed heart.

it was during the loneliest era of my existence when you accidentally came. it was the fall of my elation from heaven when you brought forth the light of hope. what are you to me? more than words can muster, more than speech can give meaning ; you are more than anything and anyone that i can compare. you are you! and because you are true to yourself my lowly kind of life was enlightened with just your simple smile. that gesture affected my life so much. absorbed with the concept of death you changed my manner of existence and made it into a life accepting and loving. now it has many reasons to beat because you are in it. i know that a glance could not satisfy one’s critical judgement. but yours, revealed so much to me. so much that i am bursting with joy and inspiration. i found you ; a mythical creature searched and even envied by the gods of ancient times. you gave me a chance; a simple creature to adore your mystical beauty. that for me is a sense of pride to boost my soul and continually say that i indeed would want to “love you”.

words have been scribed and itched into human consciousness. but it would only add the greatness that you already have. thus, making the fact that I am a nobody – a strong founded concept.

For me to be closer
to your silence.

This is my English translation from a Waray poem written by Mary Grace Hidalgo Abogado. It is entitled “Lakat” or “Walk” in English.

Incidentally, Miss Abogado lives (and walks on) Abogado Street of Borongan, Eastern Samar. It is a quiet and lonely street of said fog town. And like the loneliness or emptiness of this street, to write is a lonely thing to do.

Contrary to her name though, Miss Abogado (Lawyer in English) is a licensed elementary teacher who graduated in Leyte Normal University. Here in the province, in fact, she was one among those 20 topnotchers in this year’s ranking for applying teachers.

It seems that this year is Miss Abogado’s. For she is fortunate to be one among those 20 topnotchers in this year’s Lamiraw Regional Creative Writing Workshop. Miss Abogado is named as one of the chosen fellows to the 6th Lamiraw to be held in Calbayog City, slated this early November.

Strictly speaking, the Lamiraw is intended for the teachers and writers only. Perhaps the underlying philosophy here is the production and propagation of the New Critics ideas to the mainstream classroom and printed media. And Miss Abogado qualifies both as a teacher and writer. Technically speaking though, she is not a practicing teacher and writer yet.

Miss Abogado submitted three Siday entries which had passed the aesthetic standard of the Lamiraw Selection Committee. This committee includes the notable Waray poet, Dr. Victor Sugbo. These three poems in Waray of Miss Abogado are “Isip”, “Pagpanit hin Pinya”, and “Lakat”.

Two of these Siday will be critique by distinguished writers like Dr. David Genotiva and Prof. Merlie Alunan to name a few.

Like her poem Lakat, Miss Mary Grace Hidalgo Abogado being a fellow will be walking onto this street for her to be closer to her goals in life.

Paglalakaton ko ini nga dalan
tipahirayo ha imo

basi pumahirani ako
ha imo kamingaw.

The group from the Eastern Samar State University(ESSU)-Maydolong Campus bagged the top prize, followed by the Rayhak Han San Julian Group which won P75,000, with Sta. Fe National High School claiming the 3rd place with P50,000.

ESSU-Maydolong also won the Best in Musicality Category, and the Karasikas Dance Group won the Merrymaking Category.

You can preview some of the photos taken during the competition by clicking on this link.