Alimodian Firsts: John Amarra

Mr. John Amarra

First B.S. in Veterinary Medicine

   Mr. John Amarra is the first graduate of Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medicine. He is the son of Dr. & Mrs. Napoleon Amarra.

Alimodian Firsts: Simeon Arensol

Mr. Simeon Arensol

First Director of Moro-Moro Plays

     Alimodiananons are never in want of thespic talents. It is, therefore, with great pride, that they remember Mr. Simeon Arensol, the first director of Moromoro plays this town has ever produced.


     Mr. Arensol was a native of San Miguel, Iloilo. A widower early by his first wife, he was attracted by the beauty of Alimodian, Juliana Alfeche, of Magtanong Street. Their marriage was blessed with eight children.


      A voracious reader, he became fascinated by stories of adventure and romance he read while in school. The heroic exploits of gallant knights to win the heart of their ladyloves left a deep mark in the mind of the young Simeon.


     Endowed with poetic talent, he made his first venture into comedia or moro-moro production with his contemporaries, Mr. Apolonio Loredo and Francisco Amolar who shared his passion for the stage. The stage play, entitled “Si Ludovico at Esberta sa Kaharian sang Berbania” had his son Alfredo in the title role. The immense success of this first venture inspired him to produce the same play in San Miguel, this time with another son, Numeriano, playing Ludovico.


     Mr. Arensol died in his late ‘80s. His play has been revived time and again with Numeriano directing. The last presentation was in 1976.

Alimodian Firsts: Cornelio Alejo

Mr. Cornelio Alejo

Chairman – Alimodian Historical Society

     The publication of this book would have not been possible were it not for the efforts of one man – Mr. Cornelio Alejo – the chairman of the Local Historical Committee.

     Mr. Alejo was the man who fought that this noble project may be pushed through, that the people of Alimodian may relive the glory of their past in the pages of a history book they could call truly their own.

    “Cone” as the man is known, was born to a couple, Apolonio Alejo and Baldomera Allin of this town on July 12, 1914. He has served his town mates and countrymen as salesman,clerk, teacher, policeman, soldier, deputy assessor and administrator.

     After the Second World War, he was employed by the Bureau of Education, now the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, as Clerk I, but he rose through the ranks to become the Administrative Officer IV of the Division of Iloilo until his retirement on July 12, 1979. Upon his retirement he was given several awards and certificates of merit for his valuable services to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports.

     He is married to the former Fe Kilayko of Leon, Iloilo. The union is blessed with ten children, eight of whom are now professionals.

Alimodian Firsts: Felix Amparado

Felix Amparado

First Agriculturist

      In 1907 a baby boy was born to Emeterio Amparado and Natividad Rodriguez. The couple named him Felix, and the boy later became the first agriculturist of Alimodian.

     After his elementary and secondary studies, Felix, who had always shown fascination for the bounty that springs from the fertile earth, went to Laguna to enroll at the University of the Philippines College of Agriculture at Los Banos. In 1930, he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from that school, the first Alimodian to do so.

    After graduation he found employment at the Pilar Sugar Central in Capiz. But, his desire to serve his town mates led him to leave that job and become the agricultural inspector of Alimodian. He also lent his expertise to the teaching profession, by joining the faculty of the Iloilo High School, and later, the Alimodian High School.

   He was married to the former Natalia Alingasa, and they had one daughter Delicia. The Amparado family is well remembered in the community because they put up the first electric plant in Alimodian which served the need of the populace before the service from the Iloilo Electric Cooperative became available.

  He died on September 21, 1955.

Alimodian Firsts: Rito Tolentino

Rito Tolentino

First Historian

      Without the termite-infested notes of Rito Tolentino, the history of Alimodian would not have been written. Information sources for different purposes including general studies used extensively his notes which covered practically all aspects of life of the people in this community since the Spanish time up to his death on July 22, 1961.

       Rito Tolentino was born to the prominent couple, Tan Marcelo Tolentino and Tana Lorenza Almira on May 22, 1875. He is the 14th child of the 16 children of the couple, seven of whom died in infancy.

       He learned the alphabet and caton from his mother Tana Insay and the rudiments of Spanish from his father Tan Ilo. Father Silvestre Apura gave him special lessons in Spanish and a little English.

       On February 8, 1897 he married Gavina Amarra. They had 11 children, 6 boys and 5 girls. Seven children died in infancy, while Felimon offered his life for liberty when he joined the infamous Bataan Death March on May 20, 1942.

        Rito Tolentino was considered a man of letter during his time. He devoted a great deal of his time jotting down important events in town for which the young generation would be grateful.

Alimodian Firsts: Paulino Tolentino Amargo

Paulino Tolentino Amargo

First Photographer and Watch Repairer

       The man who was to become the first photographer and watch repairer of this town was born on June 29, 1891 to Apolinario Amargo and Tomasa Tolentino, natives of this community.

      While still a young boy, Paulino showed interest in drawing and tinkering with iron works. Recognizing the talent of the child, his parents sent him to the Iloilo Trade School, now the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology, where on March 31, 1911, he became the first Alimodiananon to graduate in Iron Works and Mechanical Drawing from that school.

      After graduation, he put up his repair shop and photography studio in town. As lens man and watch repairer , the two jobs he invariably did well, he was of great service to his townmates. When he passed away on November 1, 1941, he left behind his wife Soterania Almocera and eight children, seven of whom are presently living.

Alimodian Firsts: Esteban A. Amparo

Esteban A. Amparo

First Newspaper Editor and Journalist

       Esteban A. Amparo was born to Aquilino Amparo and Antonina Amande on December 26, 1914. He had his first education under his mother who taught him the alphabet and the cartilla. Esteban spent only five years in the elementary school instead of seven because he was promoted from one grade to another.

      After finishing Grade VII, he enrolled in the Iloilo Normal School and graduated in 1937. In 1937 he was called to teach in Island Municipality of Cagayancillo in Palawan. After a year he transferred to Tarug and later to Cabacanan.

      During the war Esteban Amparo joined the military outfit of then Col. Macario Peralta, where he rose from the assimilated rank of private to the highest non-commissioned rank of master sergeant.

     When he was discharged from military service, he returned to teaching career. Later tired of teaching, he landed a clerical position in the Provincial Capitol. While working as a clerk, he earned a living by contributing articles to the Philippines Free Press and other Manila dailies.

     He was elected president of the Iloilo Press and Radio Club on May 2, 1971. Then on December 29, 1972 he was elected president of Sumakwelan, Iloilo Chapter, an association of newspaperman and poets of Western Visayas.

     Esteban A. Amparo has been a member of the Sangguniang Bayan of Alimodian and was chosen by the members to represent Alimodian in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. He was able to get an appropriation of P75,000 pesos which was used in the construction of the ACES Social Hall and the cementing of Almacen Street and the repair of the Home Economics Building of Bancal Elementary School and the repair of Pajo Primary School.

Alimodian Firsts: Custodio Alicer

Custodio Alicer

First Marine Engineer

      Marine Engineer Custodio Alicer was born on October 1, 1927. He attended the Alimodian Elementary School, Iloilo High School, Iloilo Provincial High School, and Iloilo School of Arts and Trades, before getting his Marine Engineering degree from the Philippine School of Arts and Trades in Manila in 1949.

      From an apprentice engineer, he rose through the ranks, becoming chief marine engineer in 1970. Tired of roaming the seas together with several associates, he put up Vir-Jen Shipping and Marine Services, Inc. He became director and vice president for operations of the firm.

      With his first wife Elise he has three children. Today, he is living in Paranaque, Metro Manila, with his second wife, Ma. Luz.

Alimodian Firsts: Lt. Marcelo Amarra Tolentino

Lt. Marcelo Amarra Tolentino

First Military Town Officer during World War II

      Another Alimodiananon his townmates are duly proud of is Mr. Marcelo A. Tolentino who served the town as its first military officer during the Second World War.

      Marsing, as his friends call him, was born on June 28, 1917 in this town. He spent his elementary years at the Alimodian Elementary School and his high school at the Iloilo Provincial High School. He was in his second year at the Colegio de San Agustin, now the University of San Agustin, taking up Bachelor of Science in Commerce when World War II broke out.

       Responding to the call of duty, he enlisted with the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) on December 12, 1941. He organized the Guerilla Forces, Alimodian Unit, on June 1, 1942, and was appointed Military Town Officer of Alimodian on that date.

       During the remaining years of the war, he served in various other capacities as military man, and for his services, he was awarded 12 medals and citations. After the war, he served as councilor of the town for two terms, and one term as vice mayor. Presently, he is the general manager of the Alimodian Water District.

       He was married to the late Purita Patriarca. They have 9 children.

Alimodian Firsts: Salvador Salarda

Salvador Salarda

First Male Nurse

      Mr. Salvador Salarda, who is the first male nurse of Alimodian, was born on May 30, 1908 to Mr. Vicente Salarda and Mrs. Camila Alingasa Salarda. His father was from San Miguel, Iloilo, but the couple took up residence in Alimodian, Mrs. Salarda being an Alimodiananon.

       Salvador finished his elementary education here in Alimodian and his secondary education at the Iloilo High School. He then went to Manila where he took up nursing at the University of the Philippines, Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1932.

       As a nurse, he has served in the following capacities: Assistant Sanitary Inspector, Bureau of Health, Province of Iloilo; Nurse-School Worker, Bureau of Health, Cebu; Nurse, National Mental Hospital; and Teacher-Nurse, Bureau of Public Schools, Division of Iloilo.

        He retired from service on August 30, 1973. Presently, Mr. Salarda resides in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, with his wife, a Barotacnon.

Alimodian Firsts: Oliva Alloguines Leaño

Olivia Alloguines Leaño

First Female Nurse

     Mrs. Oliva Alloguines Leaño saw the first light of day on May 27, 1900. She was the daughter of Alejo Alloguines and Simona Aguillon.

      After finishing her elementary education at the Alimodian Central Elementary School in 1914, she went to the Iloilo High School, finishing her secondary studies in 1918. She then proceeded to the Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing where she obtained graduate nurse degree in 1923.

      From 1925 to 1926, she was staff nurse of the Iloilo Provincial Hospital. In 1928, she joined the staff of the Philippine Mental Hospital. She worked there until her retirement in 1965 as chief nurse.

      When she died on March 4, 1982, she left in sorrow her husband, Santiago Leaño, a native of Vintar, Ilocos Norte. They had four children, three of whom are living.

Alimodian Firsts: Francisco A. Alger

Francisco A. Alger

First Certified Public Accountant

     The man who was to become the first certified public accountant of Alimodian was born on January 29, 1918 to Isaac Alger and Perpetua Alzate of this community.

     After finishing his elementary and high school education from Iloilo Central School and Iloilo High School, respectively, he studied at the Jose Rizal College, graduating in 1948 with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce. That same year, he took the CPA board examination and passed it.

    After passing the CPA board, he began practicing his profession, serving various companies . He was the principal partner of Francisco A. Alger and Associates, an accounting firm in Iloilo City.

    Not content with keeping his knowledge all to himself, Mr. Alger joined the teaching profession as faculty member of the Iloilo City Colleges, now the University of Iloilo. From there, he progressed to become the dean of the College of Commerce, University of Iloilo, from 1952 to 1990. He, himself, holds a Master in Business Administration from Central Philippine University.

    He presently resides with his wife, Alma Velez, in Tanza, Iloilo City. They have seven children.

Alimodian Firsts: Juan A. Alger

Juan A. Alger

First PMA Graduate

       On June 24, 1925, the man who became the first Alimodiananon graduate of the Philippine Military Academy was born.

       Juan A. Alger, while still a young boy, showed a deep interest in military life. Therefore, after completing his elementary and high school education, he took the entrance examination to the PMA and passed it. He entered the academy in 1947 and got his Bachelor of Science degree in 1951. Aside from this, he also holds Master in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines, and a Master in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines.

      Since his graduation from the PMA, he has served as officer in both the Philippine Army and the Philippine Constabulary.

      He presently resides with his wife in Dasmarinas Village, Makati, Metro Manila.

Alimodian Firsts: Jacob Alzate Alger

Jacob Alzate Alger

First Alimodian Finance Officer of the Philippine Navy

     On April 21, 1928, the man who was to occupy one of the highest positions in the Finance Center of the Philippine Navy was born.

     After finishing his elementary and secondary education, Jacob A. Alger took and passed the entrance examination to the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City, graduating in 1953.

     After his stint at the PMA, he took several post-graduate training courses allied with his military duties. He was also sent to the United States by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to further enhance his military abilities.

     From his first assignment in the FA Battery, 15th BCT, in Pampanga, Nueva Vizcaya, he served the different major services until he was assigned to the Marine Battalion as S-4 in 1957. He then worked his way up the ranks of the Philippine Navy Headquarters. From that year until his retirement in 1979, he was commanding officer of the Philippine Navy Finance Center.

Alimodian Firsts: Capt. Mauricio Alcon

Capt. Mauricio Alcon

First Aviator

      In October 1916, a son was born to Ambrosio Alcon and Felomina Alipala of this town. The boy was christened Mauricio, and he later became the first aviator of Alimodian.

      After finished his elementary and high school education, Maur, as the boy was fondly called, enlisted with the Philippine Constabulary at Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City in February 1936. But in September of the following year, he joined the newly-established Philippine Army Air Corps, now the Philippine Air Force, and began what he calls “my adventure into the wild blue yonder.” In order to qualify as flying cadet, he attended the National University in Manila to earn the required 50 units of college credit and made it in December 1941.

       During the Japanese Occupation, he served with the 9th Observation and Attack Squadron in Cebu, and the guerilla movement under Gen. Peralta. Unfortunately, he was wounded in action during the battle for liberation of Manila on February 9, 1944, thus ending his flying career.

       Not someone to remain idle for long, he remained with Philippine Armed Forces in the communication electronics field. In 1947, he, together with 49 other Filipino scholars, was sent to the United States for special studies in airways operation. When he finished the course, he was in the top ten.

       He retired from service on May 3, 1967, with the rank of full colonel. He and his wife Encarnacion Ambe, have four children.

Alimodian Firsts: Dr. Emmanuel Anico

Dr. Emmanuel Anico

First Optometrist of Alimodian

      Emmanuel Anico was born to Jose Anico and Cristeta Alonsabe on December 25, 1941 in this town. He finished his elementary education at the Alimodian Central Elementary School in 1953 and his secondary education at the Alimodian High School in 1957.

      Since his younger days it has been his ambition to be an optometrist. So after graduating from high school, he pursued his college course at Centro Escolar University in Manila where he studied for three years. In his senior year, he transferred to Manila Central University where he graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Optometry in 1962. He passed the board the following year.

      He is happily married to Madolin Calisura with whom he has three children. He practiced his profession aside from being a former collection agent of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in this municipality.

Alimodian Firsts: Dr. Jose Altura

Dr. Jose Altura

First Dentist

      Although he no longer resides in this community, Alimodian is still proud of its first dentist, Dr. Jose Altura.

      The ninth child of Paulino Altura and Isidra Garay, the future Dr. Altura was born on March 5, 1910. He finished his elementary education from Alimodian Elementary School, graduating in 1925. He then proceeded to Iloilo High School, and later transferred to the Iloilo Institute where he obtained his high school certificate in 1930. From there, he studied at the National University in Manila where he graduated in 1938 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Medicine.

     As a health practitioner, he has served with the Red Cross as junior dentist assigned in Iloilo and Cavite. During the war, he served as Chief Health Aider of the resistance movement led by Governors Tomas and Patricio Confesor. After the war, he became school dentist in Antique, rising through the ranks to become Division Dental Supervisor of that province.

    With many other members of the Altura family, Dr. Altura shares a love for music. He has conducted champion rondallas in competitions in Iloilo, Bacolod and Antique. He is also a talented composer. Aside from the 24 musical pieces that he has composed, he also did the libretto to three zarzuelas.

   He was married twice, first to Lourdes Alminaza of this community, and then to Iluminada Patino of San Jose, Antique. He has three children. He presently resides in San Jose, Antique.

Alimodian Firsts: Josefina Gimeno Villar

Mrs. Josefina Gimeno Villar

First Chemist of Alimodian

       Mrs. Josefina Gimeno Villar is the first chemist of Alimodian. She graduated from the Iloilo Normal School with an elementary teacher certificate. Not contented with it, she pursued her studies at the University of San Agustin and finished the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education, majoring mathematics. She taught mathematics at the former Alimodian High School for some years then transferred to the Bureau of Treasury, Manila. Her thirst for knowledge was not quenched not until she finished BS Chemistry and Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at the Adamson University.

       Later, she was able to land a job in New York where she is still working. She married another engineer from the Bicol region. They resided at 87 Sherman Avenue, Williston Park, New York.

Alimodian Firsts: Engr. Arturo Amarra

Engr. Arturo Amarra

First Aeronautical Engineer and Professional Mechanical Engineer

       Engr. Arturo Amarra is the second son of the late Francisco Amarra and Teodosia Andutan.
       He is the first aeronautical engineer of Alimodian. Aside from being an aeronautical engineer, he is also a professional mechanical engineer.
       He is married to Cristeta Belardo, a holder of MA in Home Economics. She hails from Bago City, Negros Occidental.
       The couple has seven children who are professionals: Archimedes, manager of Union Bank; Ma. Milagros, doctor of medicine; Francisco, supervisor, Shell Refinery, Batangas City; Veronica, architect; Asteria, industrial engineer; Agustin, mechanical engineering student; Abraham, BSC, major in Agri. Business.
       Engr. Amarra has been the International Sugar Consultant of Marubeni Corporation.

Alimodian Firsts: Dolores Soberano

Mrs. Dolores Soberano

First Female BSE Graduate of Alimodian

        Mrs. Dolores Alvior Soberano, daughter of President Gregorio Alvior, is the first femae BSE graduate of Alimodian.