Maybe at this time, with September coming, I need to pause on the "politics" issue that I posted in August. I guess, I need to lighten up a bit.
I was talking to our Auntie Feling Ginete-Lopez many weeks back and since she is practically the only one left among the brood of Tiburcio Ginete and Tomasa Gueta, the talk went the way of what differentiates us, Ginete's, from the rest. Part of it I think is believing that there is one thing that should make any Ginete stand out from the others. Or is it more like looking at that unique trait to anchor you in a sea of "commonness"?
What is it really that distinguishes us from the other families? Rightly or wrongly. Are we known for our being attuned to the needs of the community? Are we a group that drops everything to help out others specially those in need? Or are we just the same group of people that both have the good traits and not-so-good ones?
Auntie Feling would like to think that we are "kind". Maboot is the Bicol (Bulan) word. She thinks we are a peaceful, kind and gentle group. No rowdy parties there that upset the neighbors. No arrogant displays of power or riches, if a few of us have, nor egoistic bouts that would blow anyone away.
What's our one true trait anyway?
If you have any idea (whether you're a Ginete or happened to have met one), drop me a line, comment here or holler :-).
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Politics in the Family 2
As I said, politics run deep in the Ginete family. As a rule, we are a typical provincial family where local politics are better appreciated than national and abstract ones. It seems that like most Filipinos we tend to get affected and therefore act on our politics only when we feel them in our gut.
So if you have been to a Ginete gathering, one of the most discussed topics is politics - local politics that is. The loyalty lines also tend to get blurred as time passes. Once, when we were growing up, the rivalry between the Ginete's and the de Castro's for the mayorship of Bulan was very palpable. Now, most of our relatives are on the side of the de Castro's. Practicality I think dictates these shifts.
But we also have fissures within the family. So as it is there is no single vote for the Ginete family. We are as independent as anyone and that may prove to be a liability especially if hardball politics were the name of the game. I think our capacity to tolerate other viewpoints and beliefs result in a less than cohesive group and thus, not a very attractive option for ay politician. Thus you will find that other cousins are in the opposite side of the political fence fiercely guarding their independence. We have not been able to leverage as much as we can from the fact that we are really one big group of family.
One may also argue that the same fissures are the reasons why there is so much poverty in our group - mirroring a national condition if you will. The lack of cohesion does not bring us much benefits as a group. The lack of a credible leader exacerbates this.
On the other hand, we ask ourselves, should we depend on politics to improve our lot? Should we not take avantage of our being large, as a group, and pool our resources so we can grow them for everyone's benefit? Are our leaders' visions just tied with their own ambitions of advancing their political careers? You see that by and large, those who wanted to lead us do so because of an ultimate, if not discreetly avowed, agenda: getting a political office.
I think politics cannot be avoided. I also think that as a group, the Ginete family needs to leverage its size to its benefit. We will be able to do that only when a credible leader arises who has he vision that will be embraced by all. Without this leader, we are like leaves scattered on a wide ground.
So if you have been to a Ginete gathering, one of the most discussed topics is politics - local politics that is. The loyalty lines also tend to get blurred as time passes. Once, when we were growing up, the rivalry between the Ginete's and the de Castro's for the mayorship of Bulan was very palpable. Now, most of our relatives are on the side of the de Castro's. Practicality I think dictates these shifts.
But we also have fissures within the family. So as it is there is no single vote for the Ginete family. We are as independent as anyone and that may prove to be a liability especially if hardball politics were the name of the game. I think our capacity to tolerate other viewpoints and beliefs result in a less than cohesive group and thus, not a very attractive option for ay politician. Thus you will find that other cousins are in the opposite side of the political fence fiercely guarding their independence. We have not been able to leverage as much as we can from the fact that we are really one big group of family.
One may also argue that the same fissures are the reasons why there is so much poverty in our group - mirroring a national condition if you will. The lack of cohesion does not bring us much benefits as a group. The lack of a credible leader exacerbates this.
On the other hand, we ask ourselves, should we depend on politics to improve our lot? Should we not take avantage of our being large, as a group, and pool our resources so we can grow them for everyone's benefit? Are our leaders' visions just tied with their own ambitions of advancing their political careers? You see that by and large, those who wanted to lead us do so because of an ultimate, if not discreetly avowed, agenda: getting a political office.
I think politics cannot be avoided. I also think that as a group, the Ginete family needs to leverage its size to its benefit. We will be able to do that only when a credible leader arises who has he vision that will be embraced by all. Without this leader, we are like leaves scattered on a wide ground.
Politics in the Family
Been quite a while since I last blogged. Had a lot of things to do - from work to a lot of personal commitments. Anyways, no promises but would like to be regular from now on in putting across thoughts especially on how they impact our lives as Ginete Family.
This August saw us in one of the most politically active months of the year - as a Filipino. Cory Aquino the symbol of democracy who put her life on the line in 1983 and 1985 - 1986 to wake Filipinos up from their apathy during the Marcos regime (1965 - 1986), died from a cancer of the colon. As a sign of respect to the lady, a lot of Filipinos braved the rainy weather in August 5, 2009 to pay their last respects to her. While she had a spotty record as a president (her indecisiveness against power failures, coup plotters, etc.), she is fondly remembered for her courage and determination especially in the early days of 1983 to 1986.
I have attached some pictures of the parade honoring Cory Aquino.
The "people power" revolt in 1986, as it came to be known, was widely admired for its being non-violent. I participated in the rallies after Ninoy Aquino's assassination - the funeral march, the kapit bisig movement in Makati to protect ballot boxes, the Luneta miting de avance with Cory and Doy Laurel up until the breakout of EDSA revolt. Those were heady days, with the increasing number of people feeding one's bravery and guts.
Cory Aquino was naturally someone everyone could identify with in those days - widowed, belittled and yet eager to face her tormentors. So when she assumed the presidency, the expectations were very high - fairly or unfairly.
Six years into the presidency later, Cory was a defiant person - because primarily people were not satisfied with how she governed - they were describing her as weak (because she did not take the opportunity to dismantle a lot of the structures that continued to shackle us despite her emergency powers), there was a power outage that lasted years (until Fidel Ramos, her successor, solved it). In short, as she said she has done her best, invoking God as her witness, and would leave it up to the Filipino people to decide her fate in history.
Time indeed leaves a rose colored tint in one's eyes. A nation this August is respectful and acknowledging of she has done; the adoration is reminiscent of EDSA days (sometimes, it went over the top). Cory deserves the gratefulness of a nation if only for the fact that she was our beacon in the dark days of Marcos dictatorship. She had the courage (balls, if you will) many men did not.
I am certain that Filipinos 10 or 15 years from now will do the same to Gloria Arroyo. She is a tough lady. Many do not agree with what she has done; many in fact want her down. But give them a decade or so and they will realize that she has done much to keep this country whole.
I will post another blog on how politics in the Ginete family runs.
This August saw us in one of the most politically active months of the year - as a Filipino. Cory Aquino the symbol of democracy who put her life on the line in 1983 and 1985 - 1986 to wake Filipinos up from their apathy during the Marcos regime (1965 - 1986), died from a cancer of the colon. As a sign of respect to the lady, a lot of Filipinos braved the rainy weather in August 5, 2009 to pay their last respects to her. While she had a spotty record as a president (her indecisiveness against power failures, coup plotters, etc.), she is fondly remembered for her courage and determination especially in the early days of 1983 to 1986.
I have attached some pictures of the parade honoring Cory Aquino.
The "people power" revolt in 1986, as it came to be known, was widely admired for its being non-violent. I participated in the rallies after Ninoy Aquino's assassination - the funeral march, the kapit bisig movement in Makati to protect ballot boxes, the Luneta miting de avance with Cory and Doy Laurel up until the breakout of EDSA revolt. Those were heady days, with the increasing number of people feeding one's bravery and guts.
Cory Aquino was naturally someone everyone could identify with in those days - widowed, belittled and yet eager to face her tormentors. So when she assumed the presidency, the expectations were very high - fairly or unfairly.
Six years into the presidency later, Cory was a defiant person - because primarily people were not satisfied with how she governed - they were describing her as weak (because she did not take the opportunity to dismantle a lot of the structures that continued to shackle us despite her emergency powers), there was a power outage that lasted years (until Fidel Ramos, her successor, solved it). In short, as she said she has done her best, invoking God as her witness, and would leave it up to the Filipino people to decide her fate in history.
Time indeed leaves a rose colored tint in one's eyes. A nation this August is respectful and acknowledging of she has done; the adoration is reminiscent of EDSA days (sometimes, it went over the top). Cory deserves the gratefulness of a nation if only for the fact that she was our beacon in the dark days of Marcos dictatorship. She had the courage (balls, if you will) many men did not.
I am certain that Filipinos 10 or 15 years from now will do the same to Gloria Arroyo. She is a tough lady. Many do not agree with what she has done; many in fact want her down. But give them a decade or so and they will realize that she has done much to keep this country whole.
I will post another blog on how politics in the Ginete family runs.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Ginete Solidarity Foundation
There's an organization for the whole of Ginete brood in Bulan, Sorsogon Philippines called Ginete Solidarity Foundation. I think this group has been existing for quite a while already and the next reunion event is on May 24 in Bulan. The objective is of course to keep the fire of being a Ginete alive and burning well among its members. There are also some programs that benefit the membership. Oliver Ginete, grandson on the late Geronimo Ginete, now heads the group as president. So if there's anyone out there who would be interested about the Ginete Solidarity Foundation, perhaps you can course your queries thru this blog so we can relay them to the officers.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
May Titang
Mamay (or Auntie) Titang Ginete (center) is a daughter of the late Geronimo Ginete, if you are following the thread below. She is one of the many children of Geronimo.
May Titang, as we fondly call her, never married. When she was living in Manila in the late 1960's, my brother Manoy Dagoy (left) lived with her in Carola Street in Sampaloc. She is a strict, upright and religious lady. Probably she took a lot after her father in terms of these urbanidad qualities. Yet she never loses her sense of humor and affection for others. That's why perhaps she is well respected. With her and Manoy Dagoy in the pic is Manay Salem, Dagoy's wife, who is also very close to May Titang.
Bulan Sunsets 2
This is still sunset in Bulan's pier side. Look at the Mayon volcano in the background. Yes, from the pier Mayon can be seen and when you make a slight turn to the right you can see Bulusan volcano. How's that for two volcanoes in one site?
Bulan Sunset
This is a view from the Bulan Pier. The ship on the left is loading bags of cement and it seems it's the only activity today in this pier.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Trip to Bicol
Just got back from a trip to Bicol (Bulan in particular) to attend the funeral of Papay Etong Lopez, husband of Auntie Feling Ginete-Lopez. It was of course an instant reunion time with many of the Ginete family members in attendance. In the pic you'll see (from L-R, front row), Manoy Arthur, me, Manoy Dagoy, Auntie Feling, Bing Ginete Valdez and Manang Mildred, cousins from La Union, Manay Nola Ginete and husband Manoy Ben. At the back (L-R), Manoy Pancho, Michelle, Manay Salem, Bong Ginete's youngest son, Manay Eden, Manoy Bando, Marife, Bong Ginete and wife May, Bing's hubby, Aris, Manay Pin (wife of Manoy Dan), and Manay Titang (widow of Manoy Bimbong Ginete).It's a big family all right. And we did not disappoint someone like Auntie Feling who would be very appreciative of relatives coming to her at this time. The last night of the wake started with an outdoor Mass by a priest-friend of the family's. They said that there have been a numebr of Masses held since the wake started. The crowd attending the Mass was huge. It seemed all of zone 4 in Bulan (Chito's bailiwick) was in that area. And the food...
Food was in great abundance, proof I guess that a lot of people cared for Papay Etong and showed appreciation for what he has done when he was alive. I heard from Chito Belmonte, Auntie Feling's son-in-law and Mary Ann's hubby, that many fishermen who were their customers sent in a lot of their catch. It was a heartwarming show of appreciation.
We, the Ginete side of the population, also showed up in droves. For the first time in 5 years, I saw again a lot of my relatives: Patching, Manay Daday, Manays Norma, Nacy, Papay Pepe, and a lot more.
The funeral mass on April 21st also was well attended up until the time whe the casket was lowered to the ground. This picture was taken right after the funeral where we had to pay our respects to Auntie Feling, Chito, Mary Ann and the family.
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