The Luga Clan: Sagay Reunion 2012

It was Mala Jean Luga who set us up to a meeting at their residence with his father Col. Mateo H. Luga on May 20, 1998 in Fairview, Quezon City, where it all begun. Although there were reunions already organized even prior to the Tumauini and Sagay Reunion, the last two came about out of Mala's persistence.

When we were exchanging notes via emails concerning the life and times of Gen. Mateo Noriel Luga, we told Mala that we shall support her but, only at the background in regard to the advocacy campaign for Gen. Mateo Noriel Luga to gain recognition and to fulfill his father's wish as well as that of the senior members of the Clan. His father, Col. Mateo H. Luga, as well as BGen. Emilio S. Luga and other senior members of the clan - among them, Maria Luga Ramiro, have been advocating for a regular reunion of clan members from Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao for every five years. Maybe because for all we know is that, there were just but a few members of the Luga Clan. It is likewise of public knowledge that Gen. Mateo Noriel Luga is one of the most unsung national hero in Philippine history by the National Historical Institute. Mala Jean Luga was very persistent that we decided launch an advocacy movement in this regard.

It is ironic that a person with such a colorful life as a hero, who earned much respect and esteem by the mightiest army in this world, the United States Armed Forces, during the Fil-Am War because of his conviction to honorable warfare despite inferiority in armaments and forces, was not given due recognition by this nation and his countrymen. Little is known about his family, brothers, sister. The succeeding generations of this martyr is not even aware of their roots, when or where he was born and was actually buried. Most of his children were named after prominent national heroes: Jose, after Dr. Jose Rizal; Emilio, after Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo; Maria and Pilar, a prominent name of an ideal Filipina. This is how nationalistic the great warrior was that he wanted his children to follow his ideals, without them knowing about it.

In is ironic! He was not given due recognition! This is an injustice! An insult to a martyr who fought dearly for the freedom we now enjoy! His family was made hostage to weaken his resolve, yet he stood firm, rescued his love ones and fought back an honorable warfare that earned the respect and admiration of the world's mightiest army. It is this resolve that motivated and drives us to seek for answers to question that haunts us for generations.

It was then that we started the Ibanag Cyber Revolution Project to advocate for the due recognition of Gen. Mateo Noriel Luga! To commemorate his 75th Death anniversary right at the place where he was born! The ALIMOKON CYBER PROJECT begun and it paid off for we have been united in this resolve!

During the Independence Day of 2009, Gen. Mateo Noriel Luga was honored by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The "The 75th Death Anniversary of Gen. Mateo Noriel Luga" was successfully held thereafter on April 9, 2010, in Tumauini, Isabela, to give honor to the warrior whose last wish is to see his native land, but died in Manila of cancer and has never made it back to Tumauini. It was an honor that the offspring of the brothers and sister of Gen. Mateo Noriel Luga, led by Fr. Angel Baquiran Luga heed to our resolve. In unity there is strength!

Thereafter, under the present Administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III, the Luga Clan's military and police legacies to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), was recognized. Recently, according to the wishes of the senior members of the clan, a reuinio was successfully held from March 28 to 30, 2012, in Sagay, Negros Occidental.

The 2012 Sagay Reunion was dedicated to the third generation Luga, our Patriarchs, the old guards and fifth generation members of the clan. It was highlighted by awarding mementos to clan members who made extra ordinary achievement that changed the course of history of this nation. Some the accomplishment of the awardees are made public just recently after almost more than two decades. Let us not history be kept from us anymore! Let us not history repeat itself! Let freedom reign by honoring those who deserves the laurels for this nation and its people to stand courageous, like those martyrs and heroes before us without the fun fare of politics!

Posthumous Award; Lifetime Achievement Award; Military Service Award; Health and Wellness Award; Post Graduate Level Award; College level Award; and, a recognition to a clan member who contributed to the continuing institutionalization of the of the Luga Clan's legacy was given to deserving clan members as a beacon never to let history repeat itself, to carry the name and the legacy for those who shall be left behind.

THE AWARDEES! To be continued . . .

THE 2012 LUGA CLAN REUNION IN SAGAY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL.
DOUBLE CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW.