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.