Thinking of Catmon and Catmonanons!

Just can not believe how long it has been since I last posted. Have written a lot but not posted them.

To get the idea of having this blog, the reader will need to read older posts - have tried to clean up the blog but am not done yet.

The purpose of the blog is to introduce folks to my beloved birthtown and hometown: Catmon,Cebu.

I have come very far in time and place, have lived in may places - towns, cities and countries and visited countless more places giving me a complex life and a multifaceted perspective.

Just the same, the thought of being a Catmonanon keeps me grounded. Although I have no plans to live there again, Catmon and the people continue to live in my heart as my family, friends and students will tell you.

I know that most of you who are "connected" worldwide are a couple of generations behind me. I hope that the stories I share will encourage you to connect with the older generation to help keep you grounded.

Perhaps you can start an ongoing dialogue with your Lolas and Titas and Tias. No offense to the men but my experience have shown me that the ladies seem to keep the memories and stories closer to the heart than men do.

I learned a lot from mostly women - the Lolas - Lola Bette, Lola Milyang, Lola Vidad, Lola Sayong, Lola Ilyang, Lola Conching, Lola Ibing, Lola Sana, Lola Ciana, Uray Tilde, Lola Piyang, Nanang Ipay, Lola Mere, Lola Espec Ceniza, Tia Ason Estenzo, Tita Uping Menchavez, Nana Pising Roldan, Mana Pilar Nuneza, Mana Titang Pontillas, Mana Paz Rojas, Mommy Flor Iway and countless others who were generous enough to "mother me" including the mothers of school friends when I was growing up.

A lot of Catmonanons have helped shape who I am today - for that I am forever grateful!

Fishing In Catmon

The stretches of beach, the warm gentle waves can fool the senses. Poverty lurks!



These boats are still in use by subsistence fishermen all over the Philippines.



These are homes of the fishermen living on the beach in Catmon,Cebu. Their livelihood is dependent on the day's catch from the sea.

Katugnaw Kaayo Dinhi Karon

Just had to get out of the house. Been working on the spare bedroom, turning it into my study/writing room. I keep the house cold - I like cold.

Today is super cold - there are tiny bits - small pin prick size snow falling - I don't care for powder snow much - not a skier; the temperature this morning was 9 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind chill was some thing like 12 degrees below. So I was happy just putting around - reading, sorting books, mail, bills Ughh!!!, etc.

As I was watching the snow covered lake - most of it anyway - I couldn't help but marvel how quickly the weather have been changing this last two weeks. When I got back from San Francisco - I came back to a snow storm. The lake appeared frozen and covered with snow when I got home.

Then we had a warm spell - the ice and snow melted - I have been watching the ripples of the water - now, this is mid-January - there should have been any ripples at all - just ice on top of the water.

Just last Saturday, I went for a hike with Larry at Hudson Mills Metro Park and watched bluebirds - gorgeous creatures that they are, when the colors are caught in the sun light as they showed off on the tree tops. Even blue jays looked friendly playing in the sun!

Then here comes the cold spell again. I hope it stays for a while this time; so folks can at least go sledding and have some winter fun. No one has gone ice fishing on the lake yet - too treacherous.

I am writing this in the library - just to connect and at least talk about the weather. Isn't that exciting???

Oh - to be laying on the beach in Catmon just about now!

Copied From FeeBee

COPIED: Survey sa Iyaan
1.Do you know where your sister is right now?
>>Which sister? Donna - at Mina's Christmas recital; Julie - at home with Joey in Shelby Township; Karen - at home with her mother in law, Fran and husband, Mario; Jane - probably in Delano, Ca; Juliet - Phoenix, AZ with Joanice and the girls esp newborn Akira; P-nat - in South San Francisco with her girls and Jerry; Tonette - not sure, somewhere in the Bay Area; Majoy - somewhere in the Bay Area with Janessa and her siblings

2. Last time you hugged someone?
>>this afternoon - hugged the students who went to sort food at Gleaners' Community Food Bank for distribution to the homeless and hungry

3. What is something you've learned about yourself recently?
>>that I long for closer ties with the folks in and from Catmon

4. What color is your watch?
>>which one - I don't wear one but have a few

5. Do you like anyone?
>>yes, yes, of course but as in guy??:D

6. Do you know of anyone who likes you?
>> don't know, don't care

7. Where do you work?
>> at Madonna University

8. What are you listening to right now?
>> none - but, I like the soundtracks to Grey's Anatomy

9.what do you smell like?
>> awful - probably sweat from working at Gleaners'

10. What color are your pants/jeans?
>> blue, speckled with paints, mostly white paint, from working with Habitat for Humanity

11. Closest thing to your left?
>>tv, hobby stuff, etc.

12. What color is your shirt?
>> navy blue with Madonna Alumni in front

13. Do you have a brother?
>>lucky me, have 9 I think - Michigan: Michael and Roger; California: Joseph, Melchor, Jonathan, Joel, Job, Peter, Jesus; the Deceased ones in the Philippines: John, Jr (his grave is in Catmon and Orlando (not sure where he is buried)

14. Time you were born?
>>11:00 am

15. Do you know anyone who is engaged?
>>yep.I think??

16. What's your favorite number?
>>8

17. Do you know someone named Lori?
>>no

18. What color is your mom's hair?
>>black.

19. Do you have a dog?
>>nope. I am allergic

20. Do you remember singing any songs as a kid?
>> Auntie Evangeline taught me a lot of songs: Too Young, Hi Lili, Hi, Lili, Hi, Lo
Love Letters in the Sand, You Belong To Me - can't really carry a tune!!!

21. When was the last time you went swimming?
>>Sometime last summer

22. When was the last time you talked to one of your siblings?
>>The other night with Donna.

23. Did you ever go to camp as a child?
>>Not really - I am a bona-fide "Catmon Impolite School" graduate.

24. Do you play an instrument?
>>errmm.. some piano but out of practice; thinking about buying drums or a dulcimer???

25. Do you like fire?
>> Yeahhh - camp fires, fireplaces, barbecue charcoal fire etc...used to build fires in the beach in Catmon and in the Kalubihan with Lola Bette to help the coconut trees and the caimito and tambis trees.

26. Are you allergic to anything?
>> A very long list of animals, fruits, perfumes and vegetables!

27. When was the last time you cried?
>> Last night I am a wimp and cry very easy!

29.Have you ever been to a spa?
>> My children gave me three visits a few Chritmases ago but I did not like it - except for the massage - loved that part!

30. Did you take science all four years of high school?
>> Of course - didn't everybody?? Biology and general science with Mr. Belarmino, Physics with Mr. Bascar and 6 years sa elementary before that.

31. Do you like butterflies?
>> love them, I try to help hatch some monarchs every year so they will not become extinct! As a school, Madonna folks try to hatch between 20 - 30. The migration is awesome - imagine butterflies flying from Canada crossing the lakes to Michigan then all the way down to Mexico. Raising $$ to help preserve endangered monarch habitat in Mexico - my boss went down to check it out a couple of years ago.

33. What is one thing you miss about your past?
>> Catmon

34. Have you ever seen the school counselor?
>> Yes, now I am one - it is part of what I do - addicted and substance abusing students are referred to me - I refer them out for treatment or therapy - it is a bio-psycho-social disease and all three components have to be addressed for recovery to be successful.

35. Have you ever wanted to be a teacher?
>> I love teaching - early childhood (my first certification now lapsed) and college level

36. What is one thing you've learned about life?
>> Life is good, God provides!

37. Are you jealous of anyone?
>> Sometimes and then reality butts in!

38. Is anyone jealous of you?
>> So I hear, but I don't see why! My lifestyle is very different from most folks, soooo - whatever floats your boat!

39. Ever been stuck in an elevator?
>> Once in New Zealand - the system was very old.

40. What does your mom call you?
>> all sorts of things a lot of them not soo good or nice.

41. What does your siblings call you?
>> The Californians call me Manang;the Michiganians - Ed or Edna

42. What does your hair look like right now?
>> Page boy bob cut, in need of some color to get rid of the grey

43. Has a friend ever used you?
>> Of course, I am a very slow learner, always giving people the benefit of the doubt but I believe that most people are good.

44. Has anyone recently told you that they like you?
>> Yeah!

45. What have you eaten today?
>> Pancakes and sausage for breakfast at 7:30 AM; Water and pretzels at 11:30 AM; Peanut butter and jelly with Dominic at 3:40 PM; rice, pork chops and a pickle with Dominic and John for dinner at 7:00 PM. I am supposed to eat 6 - 7 small meals a day but it is hard to do.

46. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?
>> very straight nga wa'y kwenta kay musukol

47. Is there someone you wanna be with right now?
>> I would love to spend time with Zack and Gus in Alabama - haven't seen them in over a year. Although I talk to them, I feel like I don't know them at all!

48. What do you wanna do right now?
>> I want to read but my book is at home and I am at Lauren's; I want to watch a Bollywood movie but I am too lazy to go out to rent one. We have another winter storm watch.

49. What are you gonna do after this?
>> Probably write - I have a couple of articles to write for publication.

50. Parting shots
>> babooo! Oh, well - it has been fun!

Thanks, Phoebe Birdling!

Sustained Friendships

Fe called me - I am talking about Fe Collantes Musgrave - currently in Southern California. I missed the call - I am very bad in misplaced cell phones or even answering phone calls - at work or at home.

I always call Fe back - both Fe's of Southern California - Fe Orlanes Adlawan lives in the area, too. They almost always bring me great news.

Fe gave me the news that Elvesa is now in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. We spoke about old times and then the current news - she gave me Elvesa's phone number and I gave her the link to Catmon.

A whole group of us grew up together - Northern High School Class of 1961. Our closeness started way back - is it the third grade??? Mrs. Iway's class - Elvesa threw an eraser at me in one of our proverbial "fights" and hit my jaw swollen from
mumps. Did it hurt!

What was I doing in school with active mumps in the first place?

Elvesa and I always kissed and made up. We became closer as we got older. I loved the Oyas family and ate a lot of their famous "Utan Mongos" meals while I was growing up. It was almost an open invitation with Elvesa when they had "utan mongos".

I was always very impressed when Elvesa was entrusted to do the marketing in Catmondaan on Thursday. Although she can be a bit bossy - I loved hanging out with her and her family - particularly enjoyed hanging out with Nida, Lloyd, Charito, Soling, Ingrid and of course, Sergio.

Man Etrang and Man Iroy's marriage was the model that I hoped to emulate if I ever married. The unity, stability and togetherness was amazing to me.

When we were in college, Elvesa nursed me through a very rough bout of the "shingles" - likos-likos. She would put the salve on, help me change my shirt, kept me hydrated, slept on the floor by my bed for a couple of days - on top of keeping up with her college work.

When I think back now - I feel like an ingrate for being so uncommunicative. Communication is not my best suit. I am not sure that I have been there for her during her hard times as much as she had taken care of me. I was such a "baby" growing up with this group.

So I called Elvesa - I was laughing and crying at the same time. It was great to hear her voice. I hope to call her more - I really do value her as well as the other friendships formed in Catmon.

Nene, thank you for all that you have done! You are loved and cherished forever.

They are the best!

Bugoy

"Our lives are shaped by our history", so it was said in Grey's Anatomy. So here it is - I was looking at the geography of my past - the places I lived in - 5 countries. And the places I visited - where I have spent at least four hours of my life - that came to 12 countries and 216 cities and still counting.

No wonder I am very tired and never have much time or $$$ - for that matter. Right now,I am trying to decide whether to go to Washington DC and lobby for American Rivers in September. Detroit is river city as well as a Great Lakes City. The trip is usually quick; but a very hectic 2 days visiting the offices of members of congress lobbying for more clean water regulations and river preservation and protection.

Washington is not as fun to visit after 9/11 - too much security! I always like haunting the halls of the Capitol, especially for causes I am passionate about.

Rivers are one of my passions - our Kalubihan is by the Naghalin river. I spent a lot of time there. I have wonderful memories with the Roldan cousins at Ilaya - Nana Pising and Tata Titing. As I wrote to Elmer a while back - I hold the Roldans very dear to my heart.

In Bawo River - well,lots of happy memories with the Rules - Zaida, Nanan, Aurora, Wilma and Tio Camilo - may his soul rest in peace. I loved the rivers in Catmon. That love have manifested in numerous ways.

My psyche crave to be by a river a lot. I find the music of river flow very calming and comforting. In Vallejo, California it was the Napa River;in Iron Bridge,Ontario it was Blind River and the Missasauga; in Paducah, Kentucky - the Ohio and the Mississippi;in Christchurch, New Zealand - the River Avon. Now, it is the Detroit River, the Huron River (around Ann Arbor) and the Rouge River (close to my house in Northville). Have canoed down the Au Sable (Michigan) and floated down the White River in Missouri.

All of Catmon was my realm so it seemed - that is why some folks labeled me - "Bugoy". Lola Bette and I lived at the edge of town - by the Pilapilan. Our house was pretty isolated. I was lonely and needy, and in retrospect, so was Lola. So I would wander around town especially in the summer and play with whoever I can find. But mostly I ended up in the river.

Don't get me wrong - some of it, was pretty structured; like the time spent with Tata Batyong and Lola Sayong for example. Before they had running water, we had to fetch water from the river - sag-ub. It seemed such a long way from the river to the house. I broke a lot of sag-ub.

Tata used to get so mad when I break the bamboo tubes. I could not get the hang of letting the "sag-ub" gently on the ground. So finally, it was decided that I use a metal pail to help fetch water.

Catmon memories come randomly - I hope visit Italy, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Vietnam in the future. I am struggling in my Arabic studies preparing for a trip to the Arab countries. I guess the "bugoy" inside continue to live on. I already have a list of rivers, I plan to play in.

Agbate for Dinner!

Just finished eating my dinner. It is just 7:00 PM here in Michigan. Had one of my favorites - agbate - pinakupsan. I bought the agbate at Pearl of the Orient Store a week ago but did not get to cook it until last night. Had some last night and had the left overs tonight. It is one of my favorite meals.

Cooking agbate here is not the same. First of all - the bunch cost $1.89. Long gone are the days, when I walked Iya Payang's store to see if she had agbate for sale or wait for the tabu on Thursday to see if someone from the hills have agbate for sale. In grade school we also planted agbate in our school garden.

Like kamunggay, some folks in Catmon grew their own agbate - in which case, one can approach them to get some for free, if the harvest is bountiful. I wonder if they still do that?

I went to Pearl of the Orient Store today to see if they have Ube bread - Dominic's favorite. I was also looking for some tangkong - they did not have any. The mangoes are expensive - a case of 12 is $15.00. So I just bought the Ube bread and 2 cans of calamansi juice.

When did it become calamansi anyway?? It was lemoncito, when I was growing up. Lola Milyang (de Dios) used to have some trees and so did Tata Batyong (Montecillo). Now, I don't have to "kuhit" the lemoncito - I buy it by the can already mixed. I did buy some concentrate last week - see if I can mix my own like I did when I was a child.

Oh the joys of growing up in Catmon, back in the day!