THE WONDERFUL ONES SOCIETY Page 3
WONDERFUL ONES SOCIETY
Page 3
Hello! This is E.T. phoning home in cyberspace! How has it been with the Philippines since we left in 1966? Of course, I've heard of the Plaza Miranda Bombing in 1969, the martial law imposed by Pres. Marcos in 1972, the assassination of Senator Benigno Aquino at the M.I.A. in 1983, the People Power Revolution in 1986, and the numerous coup attempts during the administration of Pres. Corazon Aquino (1986-1992). I've heard about the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, the withdrawal of the U.S. from Clark and Subic the following year, the centennial celebration of Philippine independence at the Expo Center at Clark in 1998 at the end of the Ramos Administration, People's Power II and the ouster of Pres. Estrada brought about by his involvement in a Jueteng scandal triggered by Chavit Singson and the installation of Vice Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as president. A lot of important world events also happened including international ones such as the assassination of Robert Kennedy in 1968, the
Charles Manson murder spree in 1969, the Apollo lunar landing by Armstrong and Aldrin in 1969, the withdrawal of the U.S. from Vietnam in 1973, the cult and mass murders in Guyana in 1978, the disintegration of the USSR during the term of Premier Gorbachev and the resulting democratization of almost all countries in eastern Europe in the latter part of the 80's, the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal in 1999, etc. But let me take you on a field trip - or rather, on an an exploration - a journey back in time when we, senior citizens and Filipino expatriates here in the U.S. were still in our prime and enjoyed the good life back there in our mother land. But where do I begin....oh, okay, let's begin with ourselves, the W.O.
We were a club that patronized recording stars by forming
fan clubs and engaging in requests and dedications through
songhits albums and radio programs. In politics, during Magsaysay (is my guy)'s term, two cabinet members shone above the rest: Dominador Aytona, the budget commissioner,
and Pacita Madrigal Warns, the social welfare administrator
During Macapagal (the poor boy from Lubao)'s term, there
was Finance Secretary Rufino Hechanova, Economic Coordinator Hilarion Henares, Press Secretary Leoncio Parungao. Among our leading ambassadors then were Carlos P. Romulo, Narciso Ramos, Roberto Regala and Felixberto Serrano.
Macario Asistio was the mayor of Caloocan. Dynasties ruled
the provinces even then: The Montanos of Cavite, the Nepomucenos of Pampanga, the Osmenas of Cebu, the Laurels of Batangas, the Crisologos of Ilocos. The senators on the limelight then were: Soc Rodrigo, Gerardo Roxas, Cipriano Primicias, Arturo Tolentino, Emmanuel Pelaez, Raul Manglapus, Roseller Lim, Estanislao Fernandez, Lorenzo Sumulong, Ambrosio Padilla, Gil Puyat, Claro M. Recto, Lorenzo Tanada and Jovito Salonga. Congressmen: Manuel Cases, Emilio Cortez, Ramon Durano Bartolome Cabangbang, Regociano Mercado, Constancio Castaneda. The two major political parties for several decades were the Liberal Party and the Nacionalista Party. The AFP chiefs of staff were (not in this order though) Calixto Duque, Isagani Campo, Manuel Cabal, Alfonso Arellano and Pelagio Cruz - all lieutenant generals. On the other side of the fence, the Huk commanders were (after the surrender of Luis Taruc) Casto Alejandrino, Jesus Lava and Silvestre "Linda Bie" Liwanag. There was no N.P.A. yet. Tondo was a street-gang battleground between the OXO and the Sigue-sigue, and a myriad of other gangs like the Apaches. There was Asiong Salonga, Nardong Putic and Boy Golden who all excelled in notoriety. In the movies, it was the reign of Kardong Kidlat (played by Jess Lapid, the greatest stuntman of all time in Philippine movies) and Palos (played by Eddie Fernandez, as a gumshoe). T.V. shows then were hosted by Jean Lopez, Vic Pacia, Lito Gorospe, not to mention Pepe Pimentel, Helen and Eddie. Oras Ng Ligaya (directed by Tony Santos) was a favorite comedy series, starring Sylvia La Torre, Oscar Obligacion, Ike Fernando and Eddie San Jose. And so was "Puro Utos" with Bentot, ang anak ni Mang Nano. Some of the singers of the time then were The Reycard Duet, The Wing Duo, Pat Salem and Dinky Doo, in addition to Pilita Corrales, Carmen Soriano, Nida Blanca, Bobby Gonzales, Eddie Mesa and Diomedes. With singing sensations such as these, who would ever get bored then? Surely, not the Wonderful Ones nor anyone I know of! Well, till next time folks, this is E.T., your story-teller, now bringing you back to the present time: the year 2001. Good bye for now, and Happy New Millennium, one and all! (I can't give you the music, but just imagine Ray Peterson serenading us with his ditty, Good Night, My Love....Pleasant dreams....)
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