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.