A Tense Beginning . . . Part I

(Pictures by: Joyce Gapuz in her Facebook Account)

We were tense as night falls during the scheduled registration for the 75^th Death Anniversary of General Mateo Noriel Luga around 6:00 in the afternoon on April 9, 2010, which falls on Araw ng Kagitingan. As darkness begins to eat up what remains the light of day - the sun slowly sets in the western part of Camp Samal, suddenly you can hear the crowds coming from afar by three . . . five, then by groups, children starts to appear from the dark into the lighted portion of the training center atop the hill where the main activity shall be held the following day. Little by little a group of crowd appears from all directions from all ages holding their hands together, excitedly walking, talking, smiling. You can see teary eyed faces of the older generations, many of them set foot for the first time in Tumauini, which was actually the home of their ancestors belonging to a tribe which once rules Cagayan Valley, the “Ybanag”, along with the Gaddangs and Itawis from Tuguegarao. The spirit of the Tribal Warriors return to a place where they once gather along with their families. TO BE CONTINUED . . .

Homestay in Ugad, Tumauini . . .

The Tumauini celebration was a lifetime experience for those who attended the 75th Death Anniversary of Gen. Mateo Noriel Luga right at the place where he was born. We stayed in a house believed to the ancestral home of General Mateo Noriel Luga's family who, according to the old people we interviewed, was considered the ruler of the Ibanag Tribe, the fierciest tribe in the entire Cagayan Valley, along with the Gaddangs and the Itawis. We were informed that some parts of the house like its wooden door dates back to 16th century. It has four (4) fully air-conditioned big rooms with 3 toilet and bath. Fully furnished furnitures made of Narra and solid wood ceilings personally designed and handcrafted by Ybanag craftsmen of Isabela. It has a mini bar and a spacious dining room and sala. You can relax and let the night pass by sipping aromatic native coffee from Cordillera at its veranda right besides a mini garden and a colorful aquarium with ornamental fish and a mini water falls. You can feel the aura of serenity away from the busy metropolis and experience the warm treatment of the Ybanags, the people of Ugad. You can spend a night at the place after visiting the 16th Century Tumauini Church, one of the Barroque Churches declared by UNESCO as a heritage site and the San Pablo Church, among other Barroque Churches within Isabela for your Bisita Iglesia on your Holy Week Pilgrimage or whenever you wanted to spend a night just to feel the aura of letting time passes by in a historic place dating back to 16th century, which was once the ancestral home of an influential Ybanag family. For reservations and inquiries you may contact: ROY R. LUGA @ mobile 09209835308 email address twinstar_phils@yahoo.com; or, HARRY BALAIS mobile: 09176274945 email address: harry.balais@gmail.com; ENGR. TONY LUGA; mobile: 09159350421.

MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT PO!

(Joyce Luga, the daughter of Eng. Tony Luga presenting the plaque of appreciation awarded to Fr. Angel Luga and Eng. Tony Luga for their effort to organized the 75th Death Anniversary of Gen. Mateo Noriel Luga) (From left : Mr. Sid Lactao, a teacher/writer who wrote a book featuring Gen. Mateo Noriel Luga with Harry Balaois, a travel tours agent and who maintains Insight.com; and, Fr. Angel Luga, the organizer of the event.) (Engr. Tony Luga, 3rd from the left with brother George, 5th from left, with their family)

MARAMING SALAMAT PO! Kami po ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng dumalo sa pagdiriwang ng ika 75 taon na pagyaon ng isa sa pinakadakilang bayani sa larangan ng ating bansa, si Heneral Mateo Noriel Luga. Sa lahat ng sumoporta, tumulong, dumalo sa buong sulok ng bansa at sa mga nanggaling sa labas ng bansa, kabilang na ang hindi nakarating sa kadahilanang hindi nila kagustuhan, sa mga nasa labas ng ating bansa at buong kabayanan, MARAMING, MARAMING SALAMAT PO sa matagumpay na pagdaos ng ika 75th na kamatayan ni Heneral Mateo Luga. SALAMAT PO!

(Mahigit sa 213 ang naka rehistrong dumalo, hindi pa kabilang ang mga bata at iba pa. Karamihan ay kusang nagsidatingan para dakilain ang ating mga ninuno na siyang bumubuo ng isang tribong magdirigma na namuno at nakibaka para sa kalayaan ng ating bayan. MABUHAY AT MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT PO!)

Kay Father Angel Luga, Engr. Tony Luga, Sid Lactao at Harry Balaois, sa mga taga Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Davao at mga galing sa ibang sulok ng ating bansa sa kusang dumating. Lalong-lalo na po sa mga taos pusong tumulong sa paghahanda ng walang kabayaran, sa mga nagbigay ng pagkain, bigas, malagkit, gulay at iba pang tulong, sa mga naglakad, nagsumikap makarating sa malalayong baryo ng Tumauini at Probinsiya ng Isabela. MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT PO! Sa mga hindi nakadalo sa kadahilanang hindi sinasadya, kami po ay taos pusong nakakaunawa. MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT PO!

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.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:


FR. ANGEL LUGA
HOST

ENGR. TONY LUGA
Malappo Nga Ibanag, Tumauini, Isabela


GEN. EMILIO S. LUGA, JR.,

GEN. VICTOR LUGA

GEN. ALAN RIO LUGA

COL. MATEO LUGA

COL. ERWIN RIO LUGA

MAJ. RUSTICO P. LUGA

LENNY LUGA CAÑIZARES-FERNANDEZ

CARLO LUGA-BORJA
The Gali Koren Law Offices, Anaheim, California

USEC. ROBERT T. RIVERA
Pilipinas Ngayon Na!
NBN-4 Sundays 8:30 t0 9:00 P.M.


OUR FRIENDS IN THE CYBER SPACE

ILUKO.COM

TUMAUINI.COM IN FACEBOOK

LIMON RESTAURANT
The Best Place to Dine in Auckland, New Zealand

EVELYN BERGHELL
Island Technology, Hawaii

BELLA DIMAYUGA
Bellestar Promotions
Manila, Hawaii


OUR TUMANUINIAN FRIENDS IN FACEBOOK

MILA SAMONTE OPSETH
BONIFACIO BUNUAN
ALMA MARIE SAMONTE FRESNOSA
CECILE BALE
DONNA SAMONTE
MARICRIS BAQUIRAN LUGA
ELAINE LAPITAN MALIA
JEANETTE ONG

WORLDWIDE COVERAGE SHALL BE PROVIDED BY:

ALIMOKON CYBER ADVOCACIES

WOMEN's MONTH SPECIAL EDITION

AN INTERVIEW WITH BELLA DIMAYUGA,
HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN THE PHILIPPINES
and GEN. VICTOR LUGA, (PNP)

It was more than two years ago that Jerry Hawe and Troop Edmunds rescued Troop's niece, Lani Ejercito, a Filipina in Palimbang, Malaysia. The rescue which was documented by Dateline NBC News caught the attention of the blogging community that many Flipino bloggers advocated to pressure the government to take more drastic action against human traffickers and strict implemention the Anti-Trafficking Law to protect Filipino Women. It was in 2008 when law enforcement agencies conducted series of arrests against human traffickers in the country. While, some of those in the private sector conducted outreach seminars and programs to educate Filipinos on how to work, migrate or enter the United States, legally. Others shared their knowledge and experience on Criminal Exploitation of Women and Children in the Philippines, Gen. Victor Luga, PMA 73', then chief Superintendent of the Philippine National Police was our country's representative in the said international forum. Gen. Victor Luga was in the forefront of the PNP to address the issue on human trafficking and has introduced reforms in the institution to promote gender equality.

Meanwhile, Sister Bella Dimayuga, who has been training, developing and managing thousands of Filipino entertainers and talents to be sent abroad for more than 40 or so decades , having been in the entertainment industry herself for more than six decades, in cooperation with the Gender Advocacy Networking Group of the Civil Service Commission, shares with us her insights and experience on how she trains Filipino talents and migrant workers bound abroad. It is a rare opportunity to hear this woman speaks of her advocacy. Filipinos can . . .

BGEN. ALAN RIO LUGA

Alan Rio Luga, was then a Lt. Colonel when he was assigned as the Chief of a Command Center during the AFP's all out campaign to neutralize the Abu Sayaf. The operation commanded by Luga as Center Chief led to series of encounters with the main force of the ASG. It resulted to series of clashes with ASG's splinter groups that eventually led to an encounter with its leader Khadafy Janjalani along with his loyal followers. After his body was dug up in a grave to confirm his identity, Janjalani was given a decent burial in a Muslim tradition. It was an honorable warfare.

While in Compostela Valley, (DOUBLE CLICK HERE . . . )

IN DEFENSE OF OUR WOMEN . . .

LENNY LUGA CAÑIZARES FERNANDEZ

Civil Service Commission's GENDER ADVOCACY NETWORKING GROUP (GANG) Director Noreen Boots Gocon-Gragasin, noticed our post on Gender equality. Are we closely knit with each other? Maybe, but there are times when we have to make a stand . . . professionally. There were times in our lives when those in the left were being hunted by those in the right, but at the end of the day it is always for best of this country and its people that prevails. Others left with the old guards, while other stays with the new ones to secure our freedom and independence. Patriots goes on for generations.

In support of our friends in the Gender Equality Advocacy, we featured among others, CECILE SORIANO and DRA. LENNY CAÑIZARES FERNANDEZ , her scientist database alone can speak for itself - not because we knew them. They may not even be aware that we are following their footsteps. The impact that these women have accomplished does not speak only of woman's rights. The impact of their accomplishments does not benefit only the women, but men as well and not only in the national scene, but international as well.

Imagine a woman, who right after typhoon Ondoy and Peping - took the forefront promoting our country internationally by organizing an international fashion show to feature the Philippine Fiber, which we have been advocating, more than two years ago. She took the cudgel in behalf of the Civil Service Commission, which under Republic Act No. 9242 was mandated to implement one of the most patriotic law ever passed by our Philippine Legislature. She did it right after typhoon ONDOY and PEPING, when everybody seemed to have been demoralized by the damaged brought about by these two super typhoons.

Dra. Lenny Cañizares' study with Dr. Antonio Dans “Economic Impact of Smoking in the Philippines” published in 1999, on the other hand, has been one of the most important objective source of scientific data to prove that the country loses more money from smoking compared to the profits made from the tobacco industry. This study has made a significant impact on lawmakers, convincing both houses of Congress to finally approve the Tobacco Regulations Act in 2003."

Just like a Russell Crowe movie - imagine fighting the cigarette giants. If you have seen "The Insider", you can imagine how Russell Crowe was threatened and pressured not to testify before the U.S. Congress about the ill effects of smoking - you can imagine how influential these cigarette manufacturing giants are, even in the U.S. Congress. How much more in this country?

There were other women we knew of, above justification, however, makes them different from others, because they made a difference - they changed our way of life - they change the course of Philippine History. It is just but fitting to honor them even in this humble way. They might not be aware that there are still many Filipinos who still believes in their patriotic ideals - who still believes in the Greatness of Filipino Women, the same with our Men.