alimokon: The 75th Death Anniversary of General Mateo Noriel Luga

(Fr. Angel Luga)

The 75TH Death Anniversary
GENERAL MATEO NORIEL LUGA

"The 75th Death Anniversary of General Mateo Noriel Luga is not a mere Grand Reunion of the Luga Clan, but a historical event. It is an event that symbolizes the return of the Tribal Warriors from Cagayan Valley who joined the revolution, the Katipunan. With General Mateo Noriel Luga was his cousins and other members of the tribe, who fought the Spanish and the American Forces during the Fil-Spanish and Fil-American War, until he served the Philippine Constabulary. Many of those with him did not make it back to Tumauini, Isabela, where it all started.

It has been a long cherished dream of Gen. Mateo Noriel Luga, which he keeps on repeating to his children and grandchildren, who later became fine officers and gentlemen of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, among them, Gen. Emilio S. Luga, Jr. (PMA 54'), Col. Isagani Luga (PMA 54' +) and Col. Mateo Luga (AFP).

The roots of Father Angel Baquiran Luga, were among those who made it back to Tumauini. While the roots of Gen. Victor Luga (PMA 73') were part of the said contigent of the Tribal Warriors. Others settled in Mindanao, where the roots of Maj. Rustico Luga, who shall also embrace the occasion including those from abroad, shall come to pay tribute to their ancestors.

The Celebration shall start on April 9, 2009 (Araw ng Kagitingan) at Camp Samal, Tumauini and shall end with a Mass to be held at St. Mathias Church from 10:30 to 11:30 in the morning.

ABOUT THE EVENT

It was more than two years ago that FR. ANGEL BAQUIRAN LUGA, met with COL. MATEO LUGA, to invite the Luga Clan to hold its grand reunion in Tumauini, Isabela, the birth place of Gen. Mateo Noriel Luga. The Alimokon Project begun. Its aim is to advocate due recognition to one of the greatest national hero of this nation from Tumauini, Isabela. The hastily produced Isabela Awaits You Project (Part I) sets into motion, partly sponsored by Fr. Angel B. Luga, the objective of which is to promote Tumauini, Isabela and Cagayan Valley per se and to honor the Tribal Warriors from Cagayan Valley who fought during the Fil-Spanish and Fil-American War. The Cyber Revolution among the Ibanags begun! Our continued advocacy was noticed by INSIGHT, the video documentary of Gen. mateo Noriel Luga was picked-up by AMERICA ON LINE, Sid Lactao, a native of Isabela wrote a book about the greatest "Ibanags" and those from Isabela, he included Gen. Mateo Noriel Luga, in the book with a Foreward Message from Fr. Angel Luga. Abroad, aside from America On Line, it was a group of Filipino Tumauinians whom we have been in constant contact with, TUMAUINI.COM with Mila Samonte Opseth and later the Abadillas from Hawaii of the Iluko.Com., the cagayn Valley Association in Hawaii.

On June 12, 2009, during the Independence Day Celebration, the President of the Republic of the Philipines honored Gen. Mateo Noriel Luga, the Ibanag Tribal Warrior from Tumauini, Isabela. Afterwards, in preparation of the Grand Homecoming to commemorate the 75th Death anniversary of Gen. Mateo Noriel Luga right in his hometown in Tumauini, Fr. Angel Luga sponsored the ISABELA AWAITS YOU PROJECT (Part II), after promoting Tumauini and Isabela per se. Lately, Fr. angel Luga helped established a cooperative to help the people of Tumauini for their livelihood projects.

Today, Tumauini, maybe considered as one place in Cagayan Valley having the most entries in the internet in photos, videos and posts. Families from all over the world with lineage in Cagayan Valley even up to the North now bonds together through the net and rekindles the bonding among families. It was not our intention to bring forth into the public , the accomplishment that this great warrior from Tumauini, his Tribe and that of the other tribes who followed him to stand and fight for the freedom of this nation; or, what his descendants' and relatives have done, to be featured. It is, however, but fitting for those after him to follow and carry on this ideals for the younger generations to emulate the kind of leaders that the Filipinos deserve. The General, who have not received such distinction by Philippine History, now earned his place in history, including his hometown Tumauini. Efforts is now being undertaken to include in our historical book the accounts of General Mateo Noriel Luga. His 75th Death anniversary is a symbolic celebration of his return to his hometown, Tumauini.

On April 9 to 11, we come shall to honor our dead, we shall come to honor the tribal warriors, we come to honor a person with his tribe, who once stood to lead - to gain the independence of this nation from foreign domination. A person with his tribe, who once stood against the mighties army in this planet and won. A person and his tribe who hails from Tumauini, which once part of the Great Cagayan Valley. We come to honor our dead and to fulfill the lifetime dream of those who did not make it back to TUMAUINI, to go back to the place where they once hail to put to rest the issue that has been hounding us for Generations. May their spirits be with Us!

The event shall be documented to be broadcasted worldwide for those who cannot attend this historical event.