TFL run up

The primary articles in this newly created blog are copied from the maiden issue of our 4-page, 8.5 by 11 inches tabloid theFamilyLink jan-april 1998 issue.



The editor decided to republish the tidbits of information in the internet to provide many of our relatives a chance to trace a bit of the history of our clan.
It is also one purpose of theFamilyLink blog to continue the link of love among our family members and to unify us by keeping everybody informed on the whereabouts, the significant developments and precious events of the members. This is so because it has been 9 years since theFamilyLink's maiden circulation and our family grew bigger and bigger and now we are scattered in practically all parts of the Philippines and some of us are now based in US and Canada.
In view of the fact that theFamilyLink newsletter is published only whenever there is availability of funds, we firmed up to maximize the use of the internet knowing most of our relatives and family friends are now living with infobahn set on their own computers. This would also lessen our expenses in printing bulks of our newsletter.
And just like the newsletter, this blog is updated whenever there are significant developments in our family.
Read on and enjoy.

A poet in the family

Virgilio Tampo, Diday's partner, is a poet by heart. Behind his laconic facade, Vir is a person of varied intense emotions eloquently expressed in the words of his poignant poems he only finds time to compose in the stillness of the night.
We culled this poem from his collection of verses as his contribution to our newsletter.

Gama
(a memory of a place)

Running my fingers through your hair
And tipping your brow.
I only hear the river murmurs,
The parallel of waters cascading
Rhymes with the throbbing beat
Of this sobbing heart
Though silent as it was lonesome
Birds sing a melody unrehearsed
To a drifting leaf, dancing
And receding upon my sight
Foretelling the coming of fall
On early summer.
Should I call this day mine?
The hills, the proud breasts of Kanlaon
I quivered of your avowal.
Should I say, I love you,
And be released?
What arrow doesn't point their poison of mercy
And forks at me.
This incidental get away
Of February's last heat
And days that recedes
Perhaps in parody of pursuit
For long-gone yesterdays
Days when I was young
The last nerve gasp for guts
I am beyond my written ode,
I am beyond the lamentations
Of somnambulistic
Sleepless nights.

- Feb. 28, 1981

What’s up in Kabankalan City

Kabankalan, also dubbed as Pearl of the South, is a charming and progressive city in south of Negros.

The city is noted for its friendly people and unhurried pace of life. It’s now quite easy for Kabankalanons to go to Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental and jump off to Cebu because of the superhighway that connects Kabankalan to the oriental side of Negros.

Edgar and Raquel “Ging-ging” Dizon are certainly lucky to have established themselves in Kabankalan. Ging-ging, an instructor at Fortress College is now busy preparing to take the compre exams for her masters in sociology in Silliman University, Dumaguete City. Edgar is kept busy with his printing jobs which include t-shirts, stickers, posters and streamers and lately the flex signs. There are now several establishments in Kabankalan sporting his outputs. He’s also the sole distributor of Jacob’s purified water in the city.

They’re blessed with four frisky and hyper-active boys. The last attempt to have a girl turned out to be a boy and Ging-ging says enough is enough…no more babies.

Their eldest Jared Ian, 11, will be grade V this coming school year. He’s with the honor roll and was awarded outstanding in co-curricular activities.

Net is Jezreel Ian, 9, grade IV, with honors and an exemplary behavior awardee. The third is Jazer Ian, 7, grade II, 2^nd honor and a leadership awardee.

The youngest is Jeriel Ian, 3, a nursery pupil this coming school year. A multi-talented kid, he entertains people with his songs, dance and recitation…provided you toss him a peso for his bubble gum.

With four super energetic boys, the house is a bedlam on weekends, but then how empty home would be without them.

Still alive and kicking

What’s keeping Marietta Mixdon Yap busy these days is attending to her small sari-sari store in La Carlota City.

Her small store is oftentimes “looted” of goodies by her apos.

Maring’s only joy is that she has something to give everytime any of her 18 apos begs her for snacks.

After all, isn’t it the role of all grandmothers?

In God’s time

Proceso M. Yap Jr. and her charming wife Arlene Estonina of Su-ay, Himamaylan are still childless after 3 years of marriage. However, both do not feel anxious just trusting the Lord that in His own time the baby will come.

Jun is teaching electronics at the Todd Vocational School of the Asian Christian Outreach (ASCO) in Kabankalan and Arlene is an elementary school teacher in Paloypoy, Himamaylan.

The young couple has now a nice house in Kabankalan City, constructed in their lot beside a vast sugarcane field where they enjoy a continuous cool breeze coming from the open field.

It’s really a luxury just lying down on their cool bamboo floor with no need for an electric fan because of the brisk, refreshing country breeze passing through their wide windows.

Fond of dogs, Jun and Arlene has five pet dogs at home.

Berean Baptist Church open a Bible school

The Berean Baptist Church in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental pastured by Jether Jimena, husband of Rebecca (Yap), has such a pleasant, clean and well-maintained compound that never fails to attract the attention of the passers-by.

Within the church compound is a school building with less that a hundred students under Becky’s supervision. The school offers the accelerated Christian education patterned after the US method of instructions with instructional materials coming from the US.

The Jimena’s three children Jireh, Jethre, the only girl and Joseph are students of this school.

Becky gladly informs that an additional floor will be added soon in one of the buildings in the compound to house the proposed Bible school. Construction may start before the end of this year.

Pastor Jimena’s plush office is equipped with an internet that helps facilitate and speed up their various communications here and abroad.

Greetings from Cagayan de Oro City

Their house is ideal for those who want to forget time, swim in the clear waters of the sea and fest on fresh sea foods.

Noel and Vivian Yap are now residents of the bustling and progressive Cagayan de Oro City.

They’re staying in a huge house beside the sea, with a sprawling and landscaped yard abloom with orchids the whole year round.

Their house is ideal for vacationers who want to forget all about time, take a dip in the clear, blue sea and to feast on fresh sea foods for breakfast.

Noel and Vivian are connected with Rev. Al Galo’s Healing Ministry and once a month a healing crusade is held in their place (actually owned by Rev. Galo, brother of Vivian) which also serves as the ministry’s healing center in the city.

The children are now grown up. Vivinyl, the eldest daughter, is now a church worker and choir directress in Binulig Baptist Church in the beautiful town of Sipalay, in deep south of Negros. A singer and a former member of the singing group at Doane Bible School where she graduated, Ninyll, with her group, toured the US for almost a year, two years ago.

Rey, the only son, is a second year computer student in AMA, Cagayan. Gay and Novi-ann just graduated from high school.

Their huge house in Cagayan became alive and exciting with the coming of an additional member of their family, Shem, Gay’s 3 year-old baby, who’s now the prince of the house.

Shem’s antics and naughtiness are a source of delight to his doting grandparents who babysit for him if his parents are away.

The Tampos in La Carlota City

Vir and Marisses Tampo’s house in La Carlota City is invitingly cool anytime of the day during summer because of the lush Santol trees around it.

Their house (construction going on) has been a second home to all the relatives visiting the city for they are always welcome to stay with them.

Diday and Vir has now four children with only one girl. A competent instructor of the La Carlota City College, Diday has just finished her academic requirements for her Masters in Public Administration (MPA) and is about to take her comprehensive examinations.

Their eldest son Tristram Vir, 13 years old, is first year high school. A football player, their team won first place in the division and area meet and second place in the provincial meet. Despite his athletic involvement, he maintains as average of 89.70 in school.

Next is Quincy John, 12 years old, grade V section one with an average of 92. Also a competent football player, their team won first place in the division area meet. Second place in the Philippine National Games (PNG ’97) in Dumaguete City; 3^rd place in the provincial and PNG ’98 held in Cebu City.

The third boy is Chester Neil, a good-looking 8 years old, he is now in grade II section I. He was a spelling bee champion (division level) in grade one.The youngest and only girl is Quincyanne Mari. Being the apple of the family’s eyes, this cutie 3 year old is the “life” or the family.

The Silencinos make Iloilo City their permanent residence

We are glad that a branch of our family has extended in the historic city of Iloilo. The Silencinos have decided to make it their permanent residence. They're actually "returnees" because the Majanos and the Villanuevas are originally from this province. We find it meaningful that they have established in a place where the family of Mama Clara originated from.

With six professional children and five already married, Vince and Felina just divide their time visiting their children in their respective home. The couple live in a cozy house built for them by the Espinosa family in Ajuy. Believing there is no retirement in serving the Lord, Felina is joyfully ministering to the members of the church she pioneered since 1993, located just in front of their house. The latest news is that Vince is in Davao to visit the General Baptist Foreign Mission Society, the mission he founded 40 years ago. His poor eyesight cannot stop his desire to serve the Lord.

Marylou (Bebing) Borlado, married to Dan Borlado, is about to finish her Social Work couse, her 3rd degree. Her two other courses are Bachelor in Theology and Bachelor in Education.

Her elder son Jec, is first year high school. A graceful dancer, he's now a member of their school dance troup that will tour in Australia.

Deo Grace, the younger sister, is graduating from elementary soon. A track and field athlete of CPU, she has won medals in her event.

A tourist, Ruth Fe or Bebit has just arrived from Europe. It was 4th trip abroad. She was able to visit Austria and saw the beautiful places where the famous movie "Sound of Music" starring Julie Andrews was filmed.

The Silencinos are actually 'returnees' because the Majanos and the Villanuevas (Clara Majano's family) hail from this province.

Bebit's flourishing business is manufacturing and exporting banana chips and muscovado (brown sugar) to Switzerland for their chocolates. Roger, her husband, is an excellent painter.

Orpha Vic, simply Becbec to all of us, is now residing in the faculty row at CPU compound. She has been teaching psychology in the college for 10 years now. Their only child, named Amazing Grace, is now 2 years and 3 months old. She's a lovable kid whose witty remarks will truly amaze you.

Joel, Becbec's husband, is a radio operator of an overseas ship for the past 7 years, even before they married.

Inday (Hannah Joy) is compelled to resign from her job recently, because her only baby girl Gaia, needs her close attention. her better half, Joe Vincent from Antique, is a civil engineer and is now working in Saudi Arabia.

Hannah finished her Masters in Public Administration at UP two years ago. She will look for a job as soon as the baby is old and healthy enough.

Vincente Silencino Jr. or Nonoy, the only boy among the children, is newly married. His wife, Jackie, is his co-employee at the Sarah Lee, Philippines in Makati City. They're staying in an apartment in Sta. Ana which is near their office. Searching for a greener pasture, Nonoy may be already working in an another company as of this writing.

Magda Lynn (Pangging) has just arrived from Saudi Arabia for a month-long vacation. She's the only one left single among the six children in the family, but she's just biding her time. She's not really in hurry to get married as she's enjoying her job as medical technologist in one of the hospitals in Saudi.

Let's hope that the wedding bells will ring for Pangging before end of this year.

EDITORIAL: A link of love among family members

This maiden issue of theFamilyLink is truly a significant milestone in our family history. We find this simple publication meaningful. Besides forging a closer ties among family members, its existence will our lasting and precious legacy to the coming generations of our clan.

This FamilyLink is a brainchild of Manang Leling (Felina Yap Silencino). In her 60’s now but still brimming with enthusiasm and bright ideas, Manang Leling, to any of us, has always been a loving and solicitous sister, a thoughtful auntie, a tolerant mommy and a doting lola all rolled into one.

This idea for a family publication just flashed like a bulb, one evening while we’re taking after dinner during her visit in Negros. With the beauty of the idea she presented, I could not help but say YES!

All these years our family has grown bigger and bigger. We’re now scattered in practically all parts of the Philippines with many of us now based in the US and Canada.

Sad to say, but some members of our clan no longer bother to communicate with each other. They may have valid reasons for their silence but expectedly time will come when cousins will bump each other on the streets and not knowing they’re relatives.

Our newsletter aims to fill in the widening gap. To unify the family by keeping everybody informed on the whereabouts of members. It would indeed be heart-warming to know what’s everybody’s doing despite the distances that separate us.

We want you to be a part of the theFamilyLink. It will be a joy to hear something from you. Any tid-bit of information you can contribute will certainly be a big lift for our publication.

Address all communication to Eddie M. Yap, NOCECO, Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, Philippines 6111.

The success of our newsletter depends much on the support and involvement of everybody. This is ours. It’s for our family. Time is short and we must show love and concern to each other while we still can and have the time.

After all, even if the whole world turns its back on us, we always have our family to fall on. *Eddie M. Yap

2175 Suter St., Sta. Ana, Mla is now but a memory

It is expected for many of us to feel a stab of pain just to think that the Majano's house and lot in Suter St., Sta. Ana, Manila had to finally go.

The house and lot was a tangible reward of Quirico and Raymunda Majano's many years of hard work and sacrifices.

Quirico has long been deceased. Munding, now staying with her youngest daughter Maria Fe, will soon succumb to her advancing age. The family deemed it proper to dispose the property and to divide the proceeds of the purchase to the nine Majano children including their mother, Munding.

After a long wait for the right buyer, the house and lot was finally sold at a cost of P3M, with each of the children getting a share of P350, 000. The children, now with family of their own, have to look for their own residence elsewhere in Metro Manila. Many of them got settled in Cavite.

Prior to leaving Suter, a private party exclusive to the family members was held for the last time. It was a touching and meaningfl affair with some of them expressed tearfully their last goodbye to the place.

Ramon Jr. and Corazon Yap with their children Elma, Josie and Nana and their families are now settled in the Golden City subdivision of Cavite. Nonoy Junior is running bicycle store with Coring attending to a snack stand nearby. Their only son, Ariel with wife Nisia and 3 children settled in Laguna.

Henceforth, 2175 Suter St., Sta. Ana, Manila is now a fleeting memory to many of us. For the Idurots, the Yaps, the Silencinos, and the Ordanels, the Suter house had always been their second home away from home. It was our haven in the big city wherein we were always warmly welcome to stay for as long as we wanted.

We could recall a lot of sad and happy memories in Suter but one thing sure is that the old Majano's house will always have special place in our heart to be fondly remembered for us long as we live.