Gay Filipino In History - Walterina Markova

Walterina Markova (1924 - 2005) 

Filipino Comfort Gay

Birth Name: Walter Dempster Jr.

Birth Date: May 20, 1924, in Pasay, Rizal

Death: June 24, 2005

During the Japanese conquest of the Philippines in World War II, Walter Dempster Jr. (May 20, 1924 – June 24, 2005), better known by his nickname Walterina Markova, was a gay Filipino who was compelled to work as a "comfort gay" (sex slave) for Imperial Japanese Army soldiers.

As a young child growing up in Manila in the 1930s, Markova's life was already influenced by cruelty. He was frequently harassed and mistreated as a child by his older brother, Robert. When Robert passed away, he experienced independence for the first time.

According to Markova, he was first unconcerned by the Japanese soldiers' presence in the nation in the early 1940s. Actually, the soldiers only chuckled when they witnessed his gang rifling through a Harrison food shop.

However, Japanese forces searching for Americans nearly arrested him during a raid. When the military arrived, he was accompanied by his American stepfather, and they brought him to a garrison at the University of Sto. Tomas.

Markova claimed that the Japanese soldiers eventually turned vicious. He remarked, "In the land they do not own, they were like kings." Rice, vegetables, and other goods were seized by the soldiers to be kept in their barracks. By then, he recalled, forced labor was also enforced.

Markova joined a gang of six drag queens, or crossdressing performers, after leaving home. Japanese forces detained him when he was a member of this group and brought him to what is now the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

For several years, he and his friends—along with other "comfort gays"—were forced to work and were sexually exploited by Japanese soldiers, who utilized the "comfort women" for their own purposes.

During World War II, when homosexuality was seen as a societal taboo and a cardinal sin, the Japanese army compelled him to work as a sex slave.

At Japanese sentry stations, violence was a common occurrence. Markova said how they were told to exit the car in order to give them a salute. They would be beaten severely if they did not perform the proper salute, which is to bow the head to hip level with the hands-on top of the thighs. He held his cheeks and remarked, "Pag hindi maganda ang saludo mo sasampalin ka…bibigyan ka ng mag-asawang sampal" (If the salute was not performed correctly, the soldiers would slap you on both sides of your face).

After learning from an informant that a gay man had killed a Japanese in retaliation for the loss of his parents, Japanese soldiers were once hunting out gays. At the San Beda College gate, a gay acquaintance was detained, shackled, and subjected to beatings and cigarette burns by passing Japanese soldiers. Only when another gay suspect—who was thought to be the Japanese murderer—was apprehended was he released.

The culprit was then taken to Fort Santiago, according to Markova, where burning wood was placed beneath his feet and his arms were hung. It appears that during torture, all of his toenails were ripped out.

Between 80,000 and 200,000 women were reportedly coerced into serving Japanese troops at "comfort stations" across the Pacific during World War II, according to historical records.

Even when men were around, Filipino women were not safe in those days. In reality, women were raped anywhere, at any time, and even in front of their male friends, according to Markova. "They would compel women to accompany them and sexually assault them anywhere," Markova said, describing the ways in which they would violate their rights.

Markova and his gay pals were not exempt from such "service" at the age of 18, which is considered to be the age of adolescence for women.

When Markova's barkada (friends) were brought to the Japanese officials' suites at the Manila Hotel, Japanese soldiers initially thought they were ladies. In addition to being beaten with weapons for their "deception," all drag queens were ordered to be detained. After being taken to a place that is now known as the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, the gays were raped far more frequently than comfort ladies and turned into comfort drag queens.

"Buti sana eh hindi kung isang beses lang ginawa sa amin 'yon." Lahat ng klaseng kababuyan ginawa sa amin. "Mga bakla ito, hindi ito mga tunay na babae." He recalled, "Di ka naman makapagsabi ng 'huwag,' e bayoneta ang kaharap mo" (They did it not once, but multiple times; they were even enraged that we were gay and not women; they did all kinds of nasty things to us and we were unable to defend ourselves because their bayonets were pointed at us).

The barkada or friends would be transported to other Japanese camps for years in order to provide the soldiers with their "service." They simply had a set of clothes back then, Markova disclosed. He said that while they were washing their garments, they would just wear rice sacks.

Additionally, the barkada were forced to perform labor. They would wash the soldiers' uniforms and shine their battle shoes every morning before cleaning their barracks. The lawn in front of Manila City Hall also needed to be mowed.

He claimed that despite all of their "service" and other labor, they were frequently just given lugaw (rice porridge) to eat. Giving them sisid rice—sea rice that had to be fried due to its unpleasant odor—along with mongo beans and ginataang ubod ng saging, or banana stalk cooked with coconut milk, was already a feast for them.

Markova witnessed the army raiding communities nearly every day while they were in Japanese prison. Those who were arrested would be slain after having their hands tied. "D'yan sa may Remedios Church, ang daming paring Amerikanong pinatay d'yan" (Many American priests were slaughtered at the Remedios Church in Baclaran), he said.

Markova, however, was appalled by the infant deaths. "Cheers to the sanggol!"Ihahagis nila nang pataas bago sasaluhin ng bayoneta," Markova muttered, shaking his head in fear. (Babies were hurled up in mid-air and their bodies punctured by bayonets as they came down.)

These terrible events caused Markova to live each day as though it were his last. Nevertheless, his desire to regain his freedom had not been forgotten.

About a year before American troops returned, he had an opportunity to run for freedom. He was traveling to another Japanese garrison in a military truck with a few friends. The Japanese soldiers had to disembark to inspect the truck due to a mechanical issue. It was then that Markova and his companions fled. The Japanese soldiers pursued them through a grassy field that is known today as the EDSA highway, but it was too late for them. 

Markova witnessed a captured Japanese soldier bound to the rear of a jeep one day during the "liberation." He claimed to have struck the soldier with an umbrella in retaliation. Then he removed a safety pin and poked the inmate several times.

When the soldier's American prisoners attempted to step in, he warned them, "You don't know what the Japanese did to us...they tortured us."

To exact revenge for what they had done to us, I slapped the Japanese and then struck his arms, head, and face. “But nahampas ko na ‘yung Hapon…kung saan ko hampasin, sa likod, sa braso, sa ulo, sa mukha, para makaganti ako sa galit ko sa ginawa sa amin.”

Markova was eventually left alone to tell this story after learning that his two other gay friends had been killed in a raid shortly before the Japanese occupation ended.

He retired from crossdressing years after the war ended and worked as a makeup artist for the motion picture industry. He also discovered that some macho actors in the movie business were in relationships with gay lovers.

He would spend the night in the Home for the Golden Gays in Pasay City, where other elderly gay people who had experienced persecution from society also sought safety.

Additionally, he started training young Filipinas part-time to work as exotic dancers in Japan.

Markova never believed that his story, which was already widely known in print and on television, would be worthy of a movie. Dolphy, the comedy king of the film industry, depicts his life in much more detail.

His final years were spent in Pasay City at the Home for the Golden Gays. When he was unintentionally struck by a racing bike on June 24, 2005, he passed away at the age of 81.

He was cited as saying: "Tayo namang tao ay hindi talaga magtatagal. Kaya ako lumabas ay para magbigay inspirasyon lalo na mga baklang hanggang ngayon ay inaalipusta pa rin. Because of this, naniniwala ako na hindi lang ang sarili ko ang napalaya ko mula sa ganitong pagtingin." (As humans, we won't live long. By sharing my own story, I hope to inspire other gays who are still oppressed today, and by doing so, I may have likely granted freedom to many other gay people.)

Gil Portes directed the 2000 movie Markova: Comfort Gay, which was based on his narrative. It was screened at the San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival as well as the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in 2002.

Source Article: 

WP, excerpts from AUBREY SC MAKILAN's interview of Walter Dempster Jr for Bulatlat.com

Photo Source: 

The Probe Team

Gay Filipino In History: Arsenio de Guzman

Arsenio de Guman

Patriotic Cult Leader

Name: Arsenio de Guzman

Hometown: Barrio Sinalhan, Santa Rosa, Laguna

The cross dressing colorful individual Arsenio de Guzman founded the nationalistic sect Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi on December 25, 1936. (The followers of early leader Gaudioso Parabuac is contesting the claim). 

De Guzman who is from Barrio Sinalhan, Sta. Rosa, Laguna is a former storekeeper and has been the face and voice of the sect ever since. He is fond of wearing feminine attire, make-up and printed nails. He is known to assume different personalities and was called by various names such as Tatay Ada, Anda Malakie, Maria Consuelo, and Ka Senyong.

De Guzman claimed that he was commissioned by his friend and hero to carry out his will after his death in 1896 making Rizal the sect's patron saint. He further claimed that he was 100 years old at the time of his interview. 

He placed a set of 10 principles that all members and followers should adhere and follow the examples of heroes, attend regularly masses in Latin and internalize the slogan:  "Maka-Dios. Maka-Tao. Maka-Bayan."

In the 1956 report, the religious nationalistic cult has a following over 50,000 with 30-cassock or sutana wearing priests, seminarians and bishops. 

The Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi firmly believes that Rizal is the Holy Spirit reincarnate, and that Jose Rizal was never really killed during his execution at the Bagumbayan on December 30, 1896. The sect stressed out that when his family attempted to exhume his body in the Paco Park where it was buried after his executive, it is nowhere to be found and that a tree trunk and a pair of shoes were found at the site.

The Samahan Rizal nationalistic cult believes that there are four personas of God: God the Father, God the Mother (Mary), God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit.

At its peak in the 1980, the group reached over 100,000 members. However, by 2012, its number dwindle down to a staggering of at least 90 percent. In the same year, the sect was led by Bonifacio Relleta.

In the year 1987, the group was divided into four factions: The Samahan ng Watawat ng Lahi Presiding Elders, Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi Malvarosa Faction, Iglesia ng Lipi ni Gat Dr. Rizal and Pilipinas Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi.

The charismatic cult leader was buried in the grounds of the Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi headquarters in Laguna where people still visit his tomb.

Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi Flag

One of the symbols of the Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi, clearly influenced by Masonry is the triangle with the " eye of God " and three stars on it. 

 

The Nationalistic Cult Church

 

Iglesia ng Watawat ng Lahi Headquarters Building

Sources:

Filipiknow (Author: Alex R. Castro) - https://filipiknow.net/lgbt-personalities-philippine-history/

Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:8430jfSierra_La_Paz_Dumarais_Church_Roads_Tarlacfvf_06.JPG

Maharlika kingdom of God Lupah Sug Empire Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/107718370926612/photos/a.107736270924822/117618116603304/?type=3

Gay Filipino In History: Crispulo "Pulong" Trinidad Luna

Crispulo Trinidad Luna (1903 - 1976)

Early Filipino Transvestite

Birth Name: Crispulo Trinidad Luna

Birth: June 10, 1903 in Sasmuan, Pampanga

Death: May 1976

Pulong as he is fondly called is the first prominent Filipino gay crossdresser. Although obviously, he is not the first Filipino transvestite as there are Filipino transvestite during the Spanish colonial period, he prominently sits for portraits working for Victoria Studios and his life was well documented by his relatives. His life is colorful yet meaningful and paved the way for modern day transvestite now with the popular drag race. His story was first written and told by the award-winning writer J. Neil Garcia in his book "Performing the Self: Occasional Prose" and in fact, Pulong made the cover of his acclaimed book. Almost all of the information in this article came from his book and written journal, "Budhi: A Journal of Ideas and Culture" published by the Ateneo de Manila University publishing house.

Lolo Pulong was born Crispulo Trinidad Luna on June 10, 1903. He is the third child of four children of the couple Pedro Luna and Candelaria Trinidad both of Sasmuan, Pampanga. He grew up in Orani, Bataan where his father earned a living for his family as a fisherman. When his husband died, Candelaria moved the family to Tondo until her children are old enough to become independent and have a family of their own. 

Even as a very young boy, Pulong had been "soft" and "effeminate" - he has a light skin which makes him appear like a mestizo and his features is delicate which is no surprise for his family that he did not get married as all of his siblings did. His sister recalls that each time a well-meaning family offer to find him a wife, even at the ripe old age of 50, invariably, his response, delivered with unflappable grace, was, "Pero por Dios, babae ako!" (For heaven's sake, I'm a woman!). Pulong was never subjected to a moralizing judgment by his siblings or by anyone in their families in fact, petty jealousies erupted among them whenever Pulong chose to live with any one family for too long. 

In the late 1920s when he was at least 25 years old, Pulong had made friends with the owner of the Victoria Studios in Paco, Manila where some of these pictures of Pulong (and a picture with his live in partner Juan) were taken. This studio was located close to the home of the sibling with whom Pulong is staying at the time. 

As was the case with other photo studios and establishments of its kind, a customer wishing to be photographed by the Victoria studio could choose to avail himself or herself of any of the costumes which the studio kept in its wardrobes. Pulong had pictures of himself taken well into his twilight years. He ended up with a sizable collection of these visual self-representations which, arranged chronologically, comprises the narrative of his life. In them, we find him all dressed and made up in feminine poses and styles, reflective of the fashion of the time. 

In one photo, Pulong has transformed himself into "Madame Butterfly" complete with kimono and geisha headgear in a homage to Puccini's benighted heroine, whose opera had just opened in Manila. In another photo, Pulong is wearing a more contemporary American-style dress standing beside a seated woman in a traje de mestiza (a Spanish-inspired dress usually cut out of cloth made from pineapple fibers). 

 

Although Pulong's effeminacy shifted effortlessly from being a "simple" (speaking in a soft and sing song manner, walking demurely acting like a modest dalagang Filipina or Filipino maiden, etc.) to "moderate" (putting on a little makeup, wearing women's undergarments and accessories), to "elaborate" (going in full drag), but only occasionally and inside the privacy of this friend's studio did he let his hair down, and go the whole hog to pursue the dream of crossing over.

Soon after these pictures were taken, Pulong became involved with and eventually became a supposed to be "wife" to a certain maestro carpentero or master carpenter (equivalent to foreman in a construction site), a strapping man five years younger, whose name was Juan. They live in their own dwelling place - a "love nest" of some sorts. This was an arrangement that the families of both side of the relationship involved have no problem or issues with. Years living with Juan were the happiest years in Pulong's life. Pulong's nieces remember that their uncle Pulong occasionally told them that Juan was the first and last "love" of his life. It was while living with Juan that Pulong had sharpened his home making skills, the most noteworthy of which were cooking and sewing. Pulong kept a clean and cozy house for his partner, and later in his life, he would continue to do the same for the family of his sister Miguela, and much later on with the family of this sister's daughter, Patricia or Aling Pat. This "conjugal bliss" last only a few years. Working on a house one day during the Japanese occupation, Juan fell from the scaffolding, and from the fall suffered an internal injury which caused his death about a month later. 

After World War II following the liberation from the Japanese forces, Pulong moved into Miguela's (Gelay), house in Santa Ana district, Manila. As if providing Gelay house help and assistance managing her household was not enough, he worked as a part-time sari sari store attendant owned by Aling Sabel, a family friend and accepted to do handwash laundry services as well as perform many other housekeeping chores for friends and acquaintances who could afford to pay for his service fee. Pulong decided to stay with her sister Gelay because she suffered from the tragic fate of losing her babies to crib death one after the other. Out of a total of 14, only six of her children survived including Aling Pat. He played important role raising these children, teaching them, particularly the girls, how to be "decent", how to keep themselves clean all the time, to wash, iron, mend clothing properly. He gave them strict instructions in the matter of boyfriends, and imposed curfews whenever they went out. Of course, it was not beneath Tio Pulong to size up his nieces' prospective suitors. We can only imagine how terrorized those poor boys must have been, every time they came to the house to call. 

Ever if he devoted a good part of his life helping his sister raise her family, he usually managed to get a few moments to himself. Aling Pat recalls that after Tio Pulong had moved in with her in 1970, the old man would sometimes go out to watch movies with an effeminate friend, a bubbly, grey-haired man he called Tiago. Other than the movies, the two of them also like taking long, leisurely strolls down Hardin Botanico which later eventually be called as Mehan Gardens.

Patricia remembers that toward the end of his life, Lolo Pulong received regular visits from his friends, Josie and Tessie, a pair of garrulous gay beauticians from the neighborhood who have the tendency to be a little loud and swishy. These two were given to calling the old man, endearingly, their "Lola Pulonia." Sometimes when Lolo Pulog could no longer abide their brash  and unladylike ways, he would shush and promptly reprimand them. The three of them comprised a happy bunch, breaking out in giggles over stories of sexual escapades both remembered and imagined. During these times, Lolo Pulong's face could be seen to light up, as though in his mind he was already somewhere else, sashaying in a floral sun dress in a life he'd always wanted and once probably did get to have, dreaming he was with his beloved Juan once more, young and looking fabulous as always and free.

Crispulo Trinidad Luna who was fondly called Lolo Pulong by his loved ones and people who knew him passed away in May of 1976 due to a stroke or a ruptured aneurysm.

On the right, Pulong is wearing a more contemporary American-style dress standing beside a seated woman in a traje de mestiza (a Spanish-inspired dress usually cut out of cloth made from pineapple fibers). Lest the viewer be misled, the third figure in this photo to their left wearing a Commonwealth-period Filipiniana native dress is probably also another man.

Sources:

J. Neil Garcia - Performing the Self: Occasional Prose, Budhi: A Journal of Ideas and Culture

Gay Filipino In History: Ponciano Elofre Of Negros Oriental

Ponciano Elofre (c. 1800s ? - 1887)

Public Servant, Shaman and Revolt Leader

Birth Name: Ponciano Elofre / Ponciano Elopre

Birth: circa mid 1800s in Negros Oriental

Death: August 22, 1887 in Siaton, Negros Oriental

The skirt-wearing Ponciano Elofre (sometimes spelled as Ponciano Elopre) was a Cabeza de Barangay or the head of a barangay (now called barangay captain) in the town of Zamboanguita in Negros Oriental and also the leader of a politico-religious revolt in Negros in the late 19th century against the Spaniards.

He began his revolt when as a Cabeza de Barangay failed to collect all the taxes from his constituents. As a result, the Spanish soldiers beat his father, Cris Elofre to death to teach him a lesson. He took the name Dios Buhawi (Hiligaynon word for "Tornado or Whirlwind God" and thereafter, rallied the people against the forced payment of taxes.  

Soon later, he included religious freedom as part of his agenda and presided over the celebration of the ancient rites of the babaylan (ancient Visayan shaman priest), a revival of the pre-Spanish period religious leader. He and his followers numbering about 2,000 were later called the babaylanes. Elofre was reputedly dressed in female garments and was said to be effeminate in the same manner as ancient asog shamans. 

The activities of Elofre so alarmed the Spanish colonial government that governor-general Valeriano Weyler sent 500 Guardia Civil (civil guards) and a battleship to Negros to deal with the threat. On the fateful day of August 22, 1887, Elofre raided Siaton, the town adjoining Zamboanguita, and was killed in the encounter with the colonial forces. His wife, Flaviana Tubigan, continued the revolt but lacked her husband's charm and charisma. She was succeeded by Ka Martin de la Cruz, Elofre's lieutenant of the town of Tolong (now the Municipality of Santa Catalina) located in the southern part of Negros Oriental but his command of the babaylanes degenerated into banditry. When the Spanish authorities failed in their attempt to capture him on September 11, 1893, de la Cruz was killed in a trap laid by his own mistress, Alfonsa Alaidan. 

The remaining Buhawi followers according to historian Modesto P. Sa-onoy were later recruited by Papa Isio when he began to organize his own group of babaylanes in another revolt against Spain.

Vice Governors Of ILOILO Province

Demy Sonza

Rolex Suplico

Here is the list of the Vice Governors who served Iloilo province with the effective date of their appointment:


Jan. 1, 1960 - Dec. 31, 1963  - Guardalino Mosqueda
Jan. 1, 1964 - Dec. 31, 1967  - Conrado Norada
Jan. 1, 1968 - Sep. 10, 1969   - Conrado Norada 
Sep. 11, 1969 - Dec. 31, 1971 - Fortunato Padilla (Succeded)
Jan. 1, 1972 - Dec. 31, 1975  - Ramon Duremdes
Jan. 1, 1976 - May 31, 1980  - Ramon Duremdes (PD 826)*
Jun. 1, 1980 - Feb. 26, 1986  - Ramon Duremdes
May 8, 1986 - Nov. 26, 1986 - Carlos Lopez, Jr. (Appointed)
Dec. 22, 1986 - Mar. 31, 1987 - Simplicio Griño (Appointed)
Apr. 9, 1987 - Jan. 31, 1988 - Ramon Lopez, Jr. (Appointed)
Feb. 1, 1988 - April 1990     - Ramon Duremdes
May 1990 - March 1992      - Robert Maroma (Acting Capacity)
April 1992 - June 30, 1992  - Ramon Duremdes
July 1, 1992 - June 30, 1995 - Robert Maroma
July 1, 1995 - June 30, 1998 - Demetrio Sonza
July 1, 1998 - June 30, 2001 - Demetrio Sonza
July 1, 2001 - June 30, 2004 - Roberto Armada 
July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2007 - Roberto Armada
July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2010 - Rolex Suplico
July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2013 - Oscar Richard Garin Jr.
July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2016 - Raul Tupas
July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2019 - Christine Garin
July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2022 - Christine Garin 

Research Center of Iloilo: The History Of Iloilo Chapter 16 - Iloilo In The New Millenium

Chapter 16

Iloilo in the New Millennium

Mall, Hardware and Convenience Stores

By the year 2000, the population of Iloilo grew fantastically. To cater the growing retail stores, SM Holdings bought a land in Bolilao, Mandurriao.

Education and Leisure for Koreans

The lower cost of living and leisure made Iloilo appealing to the Koreans. Starting in the early years of 2000, there was an upsurge of Korean tourist. According to Moon Dae Jin (Tiger Moon), president of Metro Korea and the vice-president of  the Iloilo Korea United Community Association Inc., there are around 3, 000 Koreans in this city about 70 percent of them students.


Iloilo - Safest place for Koreans

More than 20 Korean language schools have been established and they hire Ilonggo English tutors.

“Iloilo City is a very safe place for Koreans" Titus Jeon, vice president of the Iloilo Korean United Community Association Inc., said that except for Iloilo City, some areas in the Philippines were already declared as “red alert” for Koreans. Iloilo-Korea Friendship Festival has been launched to seal this cultural bond on September 17-22, 2012.  It is the first of its kind in whole Philippines.

Iloilo International Airport

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurated the project on January 25, 2004 and construction work on the new airport started on April 14 that year. The original expected deadline of completion was June 2007 although this was moved to the first quarter of 2007. A joint venture between the Taisei Corporation and the Shimizu Corporation of Japan served as the contractor for the project with Phil-Japan Airport Consultants, Inc. managing the project and serving as the government's consultant to the project. The project was 75 percent complete as of July 14,  2006 and fully complete by March 18, 2000. While construction was completed ahead of schedule, the airport was constructed over budget with a final cost of around 8.8 billion pesos ($201 million) caused by increases in the cost of civil works and consultancy services.

Heritage Conservation

Iloilo Cultural Heritage Conservation Council was created by a group of citizens desiring to arrest the continuing decay of heritage buildings and the decline of cultural appreciation amongst the youth during the administration of Mansueto Malabor to make Iloilo City the cultural heritage capital of the Visayas to raise public awareness of the rich culture Ilonggos ought to preserve.


Iloilo Risk-Reduction Flood Control Project- A Success

No flood since 2009

Iloilo successfully eliminated the risk of flood. As early as 1995 local governments of Iloilo have been appealing to the national government to act on the issue of perennial flooding in the province. However, it was only in 2002 when the loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) was approved. It is a project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Iloilo City, Philippines. The construction of the Iloilo Flood Control Project has an original cost of P4,262,000,000 with the national government counterpart fund of P1,309,830,000 and an acquired loan of P2,952,170,000 from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The 4 billion project aims to  reduce flood damage by diverting the excess flood discharge of Jaro River towards the Iloilo Strait. The project involves the improvement of Tigum River, Aganan Bridge, construction of the flood-way from Jaro River mouth, Iloilo River, Upper Ingore Creek up to Carpenter’s Bridge, dike embankment at Barangay Hinactacan, Lapaz which includes the raising of river banks, excavation of high water channel, excavation and embankment of diversion structures, development of relocation sites, and improvement of existing drainage facilities. There's virtually 0 zero flood in Iloilo starting 2009 while Manila, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and General Santos experienced flood every year.



Urban Poverty and Poorly Paid Professionals

Problem of employed and unemployed
The lack of opportunity compounded by lack of talent and education are among the root causes of poverty. Agricultural lands could not provide an adequate basic necessities such as food, clothing and a decent home. Both in rural and urban areas, poverty just hit not only the unemployed but also the working group. It is called the working poor and many of them have earned a degree such as nursing, teaching or commerce. Even jobs provided by malls, private hospitals and hotels are not enough to cover the cost of living every single day. The following table is a good example of calculations of income versus the estimated expenditure in a month.

             Income versus the estimated expenditure in a month.


 Private Hospital Nurse    Mall Sales    Hotel Attendant/Restobars
Average Basic Salary             6000            8000               6000
Deductions (Philhealth)         1500            1500               1500


Government help people protecting themselves

To provide cushion, Iloilo Provincial and City government is employing measures through enrolling them in Philippine Health Insurance Coverage (PHIC) as a medical insurance to cover the cost of healthcare for a household which is economically struggling.
        

 Social Security and its Protection

Welfare Program

An impoverished household always have no choice but continue to bombard government with social problems such as crime, disease, and malnutrition. In order to ease the burden, government allocates financial allowance that allow a family to purchase basic commodities such as food. Their counterpart is to send their children to school and to vaccinate them from vaccine-preventable diseases.


Health-Insured

Even a hard-working household earns adequate money an illness can rob them of their savings and it will be used for Health Care Finances. More often that not, it is the  main cause for personal bankruptcy. The most vulnerable are the poor household.


Iloilo Health-insured
Iloilo - 1, 879, 083 ----- The rate is 77 %
Negros - 2, 297, 933---- The rate is 71 %

Insurance for Trikes

Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog turned over insurance cards to leaders of tricycle transport groups in Iloilo City recently.

An exclusive group personal accident insurance of P10,000 one-year coverage period for accidental death and disablement were given to each officers and members of Metro Iloilo City Federation of Tricycle Owners  and Drivers Association, Inc.(MICFTODA).


Housing Program

Real Property Asset like House and Lot is reality for some. With the partnership of Government and Charitable Institutions, hundreds of thousands were able to live in decent houses in Lanit, Jaro , So-oc Arevalo, in Gawad Kalinga in Ajuy, Zarraga, and Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.


A Big Question of Self-entitlement

The Philippine government is sustained by every person who forced himself to get up every single day to work, produce money  and contribute to the tax earnings. The Philippine government budget is outsourced from this working class with a total revenue of 600 billion pesos approximately enough to run all government offices, hospitals and schools.  There is another segment of society who consume government revenue by receiving cash can seek health-care with zero billing even without undergoing that tough process of working each passing day. It is called " Entitlement" because the benefits are established by law rather than by appropriations by Congress.

There are 3 categories:  the disabled, elderly and the lowest income group. The first two are understandable they are not capable to work with reasons while the latter is a different case. Based on the survey by the DSWD, most of this group came from rural poor or the squatters in the city. Squatters often built their makeshift houses along the water ways. Some of them clog the rivers not just with their garbage but also with their human waste which pollutes the river. While this segment does not produce money (gross domestic product) but only consume government budget their toll on  environment and welfare of other people is huge making them a double burden to the society.

                 Iloilo - Model Future City

Esplanade - Wellness and health

Iloilo owe its beauty through the efforts of Senator Franklin Drilon. Esplanade offers a venue for wellness and fitness aimed for longevity. Their aesthetic and health-enhancing value is a wonder to many.

Plazuela de Iloilo - Park to Unwind

A lot to do things here a massive tablet of stones, a grand staircase, a fountain, a posh restaurants, cobbled-stone plaza, massive columns to typify the Spanish piazza.

Ensuring Food Security and Self-Sufficiency

The future belongs to the ready. In order for Iloilo to ready itself from food insufficiency, the government initiated a project that can bolster the food production by creating an irrigation system of Jalaur River anchored towards the Department of Agriculture agency target through National Irrigation Administration. Export Import Bank of Korea (ExIm Bank). The additional benefits of this project include electricity generation and potable water supply to the residents of Iloilo province.



It's proven that food is the only way that sustain the existence of  mankind. For over thousands of years, mankind simply depend on  agriculture which sustained a civilization to survive despite ravaging cycle of disease, natural disasters or war. Tons of money, gold, cars or homes have no value during worst conditions in the world because simply humans need food. An Ilonggo civilization thrived for over 500 years depending on agriculture free to move and cultivate the land's bounty.

Iloilo is strategically-important for a number of reasons. It sits astride enormous coal to energy production perking up economy. Iloilo is known as the breadbasket of the Philippines. It's finest agricultural region in the world with 150 rivers and highly developed irrigation system. Its topsoil is widely-acknowledged by agronomists to be among the world's best capable to produce vegetables, fruits, root crops, sugar, rice and poultry and cattle whole year round. Iloilo oceans is teeming with marine life, its coastal towns produce tons of fishes. Because of Iloilo enormous importance, its loss would be a crippling blow to the food production countries who produced cars, television and phones will necessarily leave those manufacturing plants to start planting for food in order to survive.  Asia Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) subject on food production, importation and its trade,  modern agricultural technology  and economic policy will be discussed in Iloilo in the year 2015.

Call Center Industry

Initially, Iloilo City government neglect of infrastructure leads  BPO companies to turn-back and locate somewhere else. With strong support from the private companies it is gaining ground in Iloilo City giving unprecedented employment for a dynamic younger population in the Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) industry considered to be a gainfully promising job.

Fort San Pedro - A Baywalk

Because of its historical value, Iloilo begun to revive the Fort San Pedro. A cobbled-stone were installed and a lamp post to illuminate the port at night.

Iloilo hosted APEC - September 2015

Various government agencies are in unison to build Iloilo society  to aim for national objectives. As Iloilo continue to rise in education, life expectancy and income.


Effective and efficient bidding policy.
Iloilo Convention Center has P747.16 million, or P63,894 per square meter 28 meters high — about six to seven stories — and has a total floor area of 11,693.57 square meters. Hilmarc’s Construction Corp yielded to  P482.5 million includes the installation of two escalators, three elevator pits and airconditioning units. Because of “effective and efficient bidding policy, the government was able to save 130 million pesos after value engineering specifically on the structural aspect adopting top international requirements” and complies with quality standards for convention centers.



Ilongo in the future
For over 500 years Ilonggo Civilization had thrived. It was such a long time the yesteryear have long been gone but our stories as a people is unfolding. We continue to make history every single day. We are not mere on-lookers everybody is a part of it.

Research Center of Iloilo: The History Of Iloilo Chapter 15 - Rockin' 80s

Chapter 15

Rockin' 80's

* highlighted in violet is the timeline or date


The atrocities of  national politics was declining as President Ferdinand Marcos lifted the Martial Law in 1981. The atmosphere in Iloilo was calm and technologies are starting to arrived in Iloilo. Since the Iloilo Electric Company (ILECO) program of electrification of Iloilo in 1977, power continue to expand its coverage. It gave rise to introduction of foreign media through TV.  TV series were so popular entertainment, video games and cassette tapes which help spread American Pop Cultures from dance, songs and fashion. There was a shift also of watching movies from the theater to home movies upon the introduction of Betamax and VHS players.

Incredible Hulk

Wonder Woman

Disco hit Iloilo as the rock and roll music fades away and considered obsolete by newer generations. From I Love The Night Life of Alicia Bridges in 1978 , Lipps Inc and their " Funky Town" meet in 1980, Flirtations rocked the world with Earthquake in 1983, Everylyn Thomas did the same thing with " High Energy" in 1984. Hazell Dean with Searchin 1983, Bacarra and Fantasy Boy in
1988. Makeshift were built to provide a seemingly outdoor for  dancing. Sound System provides disco balls and LED lights.

Discotheque appeared

Club Tiboli Disco - provides a computerized  psychedelic lighting system and disco balls frequented by older Ilonggos. DJ mixes music with no corresponding rap.

Barracks Bar - a mock replica of military base highly appealing to the young was bursting at the Friday night.

The Base Disco

Vega Disco house - with the dancers and the DJ who mostly played acid-house.

Convan - located in Lapaz oftentimes a place of brawl and gang-wars.

Calzada - equipped with fog and bubble machine and LED lighting systems.

Soon the merriment of these disco places were gone and remembered no more.

Hairstyle and Pastime