People
create their own history just as they create their own destiny. However,
people can't change the history they have made - only repeat it or
chart a new destiny. People try not to repeat history for a change
but some events need to be replayed or repeated for greater impact.
The background
of holding an international convention in Romblon was posted by Nic
Musico on June 17, 2001, which partly reads:
"The idea
was first suggested to Delia Famatigan and Uncle Moigs Benedicto to
compliment their promotion for the Romblon fiesta in January 2002.
"Through
Delia's insistence and to start the ball rolling, I drafted a discussion
about the proposal, purpose, who should attend, agenda, action plan
development, developing timelines, forming action plan task forces,
formalizing commitments from volunteers, creating a secretariat, etc.
"I also emailed
to VG Fonte to request him and the new leaders (not new but reshuffled)
to consider this idea and perhaps assign someone to help explore the
possibility and maybe later help in the planning, coordination, and
execution. It was suggested that instead of RDL taking the lead, the
Romblon government should present the initial challenge to various
sectors not only to RDL but to private, business, NGO, concerned citizen
groups, and of course to the local government officials. Unfortunately,
I could not find my copy of the mail sent to VG Fonte but perhaps
I can request a copy from Uncle Sam or
Auntie Lily if they have not deleted theirs yet."
There were mixed
reactions to the proposal as follows:
DocSimp wrote:
"Besides, we don't know yet if that group or any professional
group for that matter will go along with the plan."
Moigs Benedicto
responded: "We will never know unless we 'test the waters'. How
about let's just allow the idea to peculate for a little time in the
list? I don't think there will be any harm done."
Delia Famatigan
expressed her full support: "I am supporting the 1st International
Convention for the Betterment of Romblon sometime in April or May
2002. I hope Romblomanons will support
this proposal.
Darlene Downer wrote:" Thank you very much for all your constructive
and intelligent ideas. I
opened my email yesterday and all I saw was ideas for Romblon. It
makes me very homesick. I always wondered why I am smart, and all
your emails validated it all, that not only did I come from a very
well-educated surrounding, but also very smart families. I'm sure
all of you are blood-related to me somehow."
DocSimp proposed
what he called "octopus framework" for the 2002 Romblon
Convention by posting the following message on July 15, 2002:
"Fellow listers,
we have now a framework of the sanrokan 2002. we hope that everyone
will be able to input their ideas, suggestions and recommendations
to its fruition. how did we come up with this? You will recall that
Nic suggested in RDL a convention in Romblon that will be particpated
by expats abroad and NGO's, community leaders, local and provincial
in Romblon Province. We believe it is doable and feasible despite
the enormous planning, commitment and responsibility that it requires.
We have felt that the theme of the international convention is "sanrokan"
which is loosely translated, "sharing" a romblomanon virtue
that transcends the province' tribal loyalties. this convention/conference
then becomes a "meeting of the minds"
between the expats and the shakers and movers of romblon province.
"Moigs Benedicto,
Nic Musico and I had exchanged ideas on how it will proceed. We also
copied our exchanges the RDL-CLEAR presidents of the U.S. and Philippine
chapters- Bal Ferrera and Doc Nems Fajutagana. From our exchanges
we nominated Mrs. Clotilde Fabella-Cortez as over-all "Sanrokan
2002" chairperson with Minnie Festin-Navato as vice- chair. Manang
Tilding and
Minnie were very hesitant at first because they recognized the responsibilities
that their positions would require. We are fortunate, however, that
these two outstanding ladies said yes.
The venue of "Sanrokan
2002" appears headed to Romblon or Odiongan in May, 2002. Vice-Governor
Peping Fonte will spearhead the province's participation and synchronization
with RDL-CLEAR. Of course he'll probably delegate someone to communicate
with us and our convention leadership.
Formation of various
working committees of the convention and counting of prospective participants
followed. Everything went well except the 9/11 tragedy except for
some changes of mind. Dr. Lily Fonte Silverio, wrote on November 3:
"I did tell
Minnie, who called me long before Sept. 11, that I will be part of
the Medical mission for the following 5 reasons: 1) I want to contribute
my medical services; 2) I want to see my kababayan, especially Romblon
High School classmates of Class '59; 3) I want to swim in the warm
water and lounge in the white beaches of Romblon; 4) I want to feel
the smoothness of
Romblon marble and Banton yagting stones; 5) I want to hear and sing
nostalgic funny songs such as "lumalabay na dao aso, aso palabay
ang mga kayoyong ahay - - " and get introduced once again as
"kali ay si Lily nak apo ni nang Rosing, ag anak ni Tang Oso
ag Nang Pacing" and so on, and so forth, recital of genealogy.
Which by the way, blood -related connects me to Moigs,
Minnie and Tang Ponso through the Perez clan and further recitation
would
connect me to Ish by marriage affiliation through my cousin Manong
Tolin and
Perla, Ish's sister.
"I guess
Sept. 11 changed all of us. During our family council last night regarding
my planned visit to the Philippines my children's reactions were;
How are you going there?; What if you sat next to Osama bin Laden
in drag or in burqua in the plane?; What if Abu Sayaf or bin Laden's
wife is on the same ferry boat as you?; What do you think commander
Robot's terms will be if you're taken hostage?; Will it fit our allowance
budget of $40.00 per month (this from my 15 year old twins); Do
you think those terrorists would give us a blue light Kmart special
discount and will they accept installment plan of payment in case
you are taken hostage?; Will captain Robot accept credit card? Bottom
line, my family will allow me to go only if they can see bin Laden's,
abu Sayaf's, and captain Robot's heads on a platter either for Thanksgiving
or Christmas. If not, they want the terms, conditions, and method
of payment in case of kidnapping by captain Robot and abu Sayaf in
a handwritten note preferably untainted with anthrax. Seriously I
cannot make any commitment as yet."
Dr. Silverio did
change her mind but she did not change her heart because she made
it to the convention.
DocSimp informed
RDL of the plan to invite Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to keynote
the convention: "I had already requested our overall chairman
Manang Tilding to send the official letter (rdl-clear) to Pres. Arroyo
to keynote the Sanrokan 2002. (The President did not make it to the
convention).
Romblomanons in
Canada were excited when Tilding Cortez talked about Sanrokan 2002
in a Christmas party. Tilding wrote on Nov. 25:
"The Romblomanon
Canada Christmas gathering last night was a success. This was headed
by Dong Menique, Linda Peralta Medina, Deding Benedicto de Sousa &
others. It was an opportunity for me to talk to the group about Sanrokan
2002. I also distributed to them print-outs from our website of all
information about RDL and Sanrokan. It was an awakening of our kasimanwas
here who are supportive of our mission and from there hopefully we
will be able to go further.
For your infomation Evencio Bancoro from Looc who is one of the active
leaders of Romblomanon Canada has accepted the job of Area Coordinator
for Canada to relieve Richard who cannot do the functions as coordinator."
Rinzi Fadrilan
responded on Nov. 26 and suggested 10 ways to participate in Sanrokan
2002:
"Mabuhay!
"If the successful
rally for Sanrokan 2002 of Romblomanons in Canada during the
weekend is any indication, it seems that the event promo campaign
has started to
pick up. The Canada rally fuels optimism for an all-out support from
overseas
'kasimanwas' for this great Romblon event.
"May I request
you to pass on the sanrokan spirit to all Romblomanons.
"Sanrokan
2002 is not only for financial donors or those who will join as
convention delegates. The convention is for all Romblonians!
"Here are
ten (10) ways how you can be part of Sanrokan 2002:
1. SAY a good
word about Sanrokan 2002 to kasimanwas and friends
2. INVITE kasimanwas
and friends to participate in the convention
3. DONATE any
amount to the convention fund.
4. PLACE an ad/greetings
for a fee in the Sanrokan program book
5. PRESENT a paper/project
proposal during the convention
6. REGISTER as
a delegate/participant to the convention
7. SERVE as member
of any of the convention working committees.
8. VOLUNTEER as
a "sanrokan advocate" in your area/locality
9. SPONSOR the
participation of a delegate from your hometown
10. PRAY for the
success of the convention.
One need not do
all of the above action items. Just pick one or two items that
you can do best and you would have contributed to the success of the
event.
Uswag Romblon!
Ngayon na (loosely translated as Go forward Romblon! Right Now)."
Romblomanons in
Singapore who call themselves Gapore 10 also had a meeting as stated
in the message posted by Gerry Falsado on Dec. 4:
"Eight Romblomanons
working here attended this initial meeting (mostly
from Odiongan and Banton). For most of us, it was sort of a reunion
and knowing that there are quite a number of our kasimanwas working
here for many years now. The meeting went well, very informal, sort
of
getting-to-know each other stuffs, few introductions. I had the privilege
to share with the group everything about RDL-CLEAR, its evolution
and history, its shakers and movers, its past
undertakings and its current big project i.e. SANROKAN 2002. As
expected, the response from the group was very enthusiastic. Though
there was no definite commitment from the group (maybe it will take
some time for this new idea/model to settle in), we are looking forward
on the possibility of creating a working RDL-CLEAR group for Singapore
whose main trust is to assist our kasimanwas here, get a census of
all Romblomanons, et al.
"Attendees
:
1) Gerard Falsado (myself) - IT (Lagang/Hambian, Banton)
2) Ruel Fajutagana - Architect (Libertad, Odiongan)
3) Maria Theresa (Bing) Federico - Nurse (Tabindagat, Odiongan)
4) Francis Faminial - Engr (Tungonan, Banton)
5) Mahjo Fetalcorin - Nurse (Poblacion, Banton)
6) Yvette Famatigan - Nurse (Poblacion, Banton)
7) Ronie Fababeir - Engr (Poblacion, Banton)
8) Zelda Fababeir - Nurse (Lagang/Hambian, Banton)
"Ka mga uya
di suypot (kilaya but not informed/not available):
1) Archie Thed Federico - IT (Tabindagat, Odiongan)
2) Rizza Fesalbon - IT (Malilico, Odiongan)
3) Kaye Baculinao - IT (Liwanag, Odiongan)
4) Lyndi Mendoza - IT (Romblon, Romblon)
5) Rizalyn Ylagan Siscar - Nurse (Tabindagat, Odiongan)
6) Francis Prado - Engr (Carmen, San Agustin)
7) Giovanni Prado - Engr (Carmen, San Agustin)
8) Jennelyn Prado - Engr (Carmen, San Agustin)
9) Ninoy Martinez - Architect (San Agustin, Romblon)
10) Antonio 'Jun' Cabrera - Architect (Malilico, Odiongan)
11) Randolph Falsado
- Engr (Lagang/Hambian, Banton)
2001 was a great
year for RDL-CLEAR. 2002 was the Sanrokan Convention year so all roads
in Romblon lead to the Magnificat Center, Romblon, Romblon, the venue
of the convention. The convention date was April 29 to May 1, 2002.
Nic Musico posted
his report on the Convention:
"The convention
started with a parade through Romblon town. A street-wide Sanrokan
2002 banner preceded the 37-member Ati-atihan group. Governor Madrona
declared office work be suspended until 9:30 A.M. so that provincial
officials and office workers can join the parade. The parade was a
proud moment for the participants, a public display, and an announcement
of what soon to begin.
"The morning
program started with an invocation by Bishop Bastes, followed by the
playing of the National Anthem, welcome remarks by the Mayor of Romblon,
opening remarks by RDL Ex Founding Dir Ish Fabicon, remarks by Sanrokan
Chair Clotilde Cortez, Keynote Address by Gov. Madrona, and PPFP status
report by Vice Gov. Fonte. The rest of the morning were Q&A period.
This was a last minute change in the program. It was believed that
since the Gov., Vice Gov, SP members, and Department Heads were there,
it was great opportunity to take advantage of their presence. The
Q&A period could have been longer but had to recess for lunch.
"Nic also
reported the number of expats who attended the convention, as follows:
1. Engr. Morgan
Benedicto - California.
2. Clotilde Cortez - Canada
3. Lito Cortez - Canada
4. Cecille Fabella, M.D. - Nevada
5. Roty Fabella, M.D. - Nevada
6. Ish Fabicon - Chicago
7. Ading Faderon - New York
8. Bitoy Faderon - New York
9. Delia Famatigan - Chicago
10. Jay Fetizanan - New Jersey
11. Paz Fetizanan - New Jersey
12. Engr. Patricio Fetizanan - Texas
13. Nic Musico - Hawaii
14. Lily Fonte Silverio, M.D - California
15. Liza Silverio
For Romblomanons
the holding of the 2002 Sanrokan Convention in Romblon made history
and the event itself is not history because the sponsors and participants
are looking forward to holding another convention. The next convention
which is in the process of being drafted on the drawing table will
be held in Los Angeles, California.
See you all in
Los Angeles!
