Ms. Ann Corpuz-Alarde, great friend

Our recent trip to Manila was a shining testament to how kind friends could be. That said, this post is not an attempt at sycophancy; it’s an expression of gratitude.

Ms. Analyn Corpuz-Alarde practices generosity long before she got to where she’s now. In fact, generosity pulsates in her veins you think of getting her as blood donor should the need for transfusion present itself in the hope that the same streak of generosity rubs off on you.

I know Ann long enough to know she’s a woman of finer taste. So privileged to be born with it, she hones this flair further with non-stop reading, a passion we both share.

Since high school, I’ve been a grateful beneficiary of Ann’s generosity. One time, knowing I had an antiquated cellular phone, she sent me a Nokia with a camera. She’d sent me books, magazines, foodstuff. And yes, DVDs because movies are another passion we share.

I don’t see Ann often because she seldom goes home to Tago. And in rare times we swapped text messages, she would always tell me to see her should I find myself in Manila. Just to share a laugh, she would say. While I had so many chances, I never sought her because generosity, even if it’s good, is something that kills me.

The last time I met up with Ann was about 10 summers ago. Knowing I love theatre, she brought me to the comedy show of Rex Navarette at Music Museum in Greenhills. All tickets were sold-out that day, but she still managed to find ways to get some for us.



If not for Emily who arranged a trip to Manila for me and Dee via budget fare of Cebu Pacific last week, I wouldn’t have renewed ties with Ann. And when Ann knew our junket coincided with the Philippine-run of Phantom of the Opera, she got us tickets without being asked. That’s vintage Ann!

If you’re with Ann, you better had a tummy the size of Makati because she has this habit of making you taste and try everything. And dining, for Ann, follows no schedule, coming as it does in short intervals.

On Sunday, 26 August 2012, we were to watch Phantom of the Opera at CCP. Ann lives in Novaliches and since we had a tour of the Ayala Museum in the morning, we met at Greenbelt 5 at lunchtime.

Unknown to Ann, Emily and I agreed that she was to go home with Ann to Novaliches after lunch. I would join them at CCP later in the evening as I lived in Paranaque. But then Ann told Emily that she had already reserved a room at Makati Shangri-La so we wouldn’t have to go home and change. Whoa!

At P7,280.00 each, the Phantom of the Opera tickets that Ann got us were premium. So close was I---second row to be exact!--- that only an orchestra pit separated me from the stage. If you were that close, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the unfolding scene and the fast changing set. And for this promdi, it was a hair-raising spectacle!

After the show, Ann bought us memorabilias--- a CD soundtrack and a white mug. Then off we went to Diamond Hotel for some midnight snacks. But the restaurant had already closed and so we repaired back to the Shang where Ann ordered room service.

The next day, Ann knocked to say we were having buffet breakfast at Circles where the array of food was both eclectic and plenty it could feed all residents of Tago in just one go!

We checked out carrying Makati Shangri-la mooncakes sheathed in magenta satin and etched with Chinese art and characters.

Because Ann knew we were meeting our high school batchmates in Serendra, she herded us to Bonifacio High Street, wanting to show us the place as it’s now the favourite watering hole of the stars. We had late lunch at Café Juanita where on the side, I tutored Ann’s sons on some things Tagon-on. Then with just a 30-minute interval, we had cake and tea at Chelsea. By the time I sipped the last drop of my chamomile tea, I was about ready to burst!

Ann is an extraordinary friend not because she has too much to share and spare. But because all these years she has remained child-like, that is: unassuming, soft-spoken, and effortless! But what really endears Ann to me is that she strikes me as someone who is oblivious of the good and wonderful things she does to her friends. And that, to me, spells the greatest difference!

To a great friend, Ms. Analyn Corpuz-Alarde, thank you very much.

Tago became a town three times: first in 1865 under the Maura Law of the Spanish Regime; second in 23 August 1883; and third in 6 November 1918 by virtue of Executive Order No. 41 signed by then Governor General Francis Burton Harrison. Now, if this written and oral history is something to go by, then there’s something wrong in the date we celebrate Araw ng Tago.

Recently we celebrated the 94th Araw ng Tago from 9 to 11 August. But where did “94” and “August 9-11” come from?

Let’s admit it, guys, we got it all wrong! And if it’s wrong, then we must correct it.

If I were to decide how old Tago is, logic dictates that I’d start counting from the day it was made into a town for the very first time, which was in 1865. That makes Tago not 94 years old but 147. But then again, I don’t have the month and date, so I’d rather not choose it as basis, unless I have no qualms about “doctoring” history by adding an arbitrary month and date.

Moving on to my next bet, 23 August 1883. If I adopt this as basis, at least the celebration will continue to be on the same month of August. I just have to change Tago’s age from 94 to 129 years.

I have to admit that in terms of strength of authority as basis, nothing beats 6 November 1918 because it is supported by an Executive Order. Apparently, the date of Governor General Harrison's EO was made the basis of Araw ng Tago celebration as it placed the age of Tago in 2012 as 94. But then again, why celebrate it two months and 25 days earlier?

There, my fellow Tagon-ons, lies an anomaly.

Since the watch of then Vice Mayor Roque “Nonon” Villamor I have been telling public officials to rectify the patent error but nobody has taken up the challenge.

Any celebration must have accurate basis. And as far as basis goes, nobody argues with history.

Res ipsa loquitor.

2nd Tago Skimboarding Competition

As prayed for, God gave the 2nd Tago Skimboarding Competition fine weather and great waves!

With sand art as backdrop, this year’s skimboarding competition was set off by a beach fashion show that featured six pairs of models carrying bright-colored skimboards and sashaying to David Guetta’s Sexy Chick. Wearing a matching outfit of bra-top and boy leg shorts donated by First Lady Tata Dolon-Pimentel, the girl models made hearts race with their flawless skin and svelte frame. On their part, the male models wowed the crowd with their ripped bods and washboard abs.

Graceful, multi-colored wind cones and flaglets made by First Lady Tata Dolon-Pimentel created the mood for the competition as they danced to the rhythm of the wind as though entreating the gods and goddesses of the sea for their support and mercy. When the first skimboarder met an onrushing wave, rode it, and performed tricks, the crowd roared with approval.

And thus began the 2nd Tago Skimboarding Competition!

This year’s board of judges was headed by a 34-year old professional skimboarder from Switzerland, Cedric Perreman. He was joined by two comebacking judges, Veni Vidi Vici Suarez and McFel Tutor. Attendance sheets showed that there were 35 adult and 14 grommet participants, some coming from as far as Cantilan and Surigao City.

Low tide being early that morning, the waves were well-formed, the better for skimboarders to impress the judges with their power moves, thus earn brownie points.

In between heats, the spectators had their pictures taken either at the sand art or on the photo booth that allowed them to appropriate the body of a well-built skimmer.

Lunch, as usual, was served at the residence of Engr. and Mrs. Nicolas C. Laurente with lechon as the main course. The judges and the skimboarders, like last year, had their fill of sumptuous food.



God being always good, He continued blessing the competition with an even better waves down to the last heat in the afternoon. This made one of the riders who had joined a lot of skimboarding competitions say, "Your waves here are great; they're worthy of national skimboarding competition!"

Before the awarding ceremonies, the skimboarders did some clean-up of the area, putting trash into a plastic bin. Some wind cones and flaglets were repositioned while boards were placed upright for added effect.

When dusk set in, lanterns were unleashed. As they reached for the sky, everybody said a little prayer of thanksgiving to God for being so merciful and kind.

This year’s winner in the adult category were: Jaygo Missiona, 1st Prize (10,000.00); Aldon Pamugas, 2nd Prize (7,000.00), and Jasor Ortiz, 3rd Prize (5,000.00). Special awards: Most Promising Skimboarder, Martin Vallescas (1,000.00); Best in Wipe-Out, Ronald Ancla (1,000.00); Best in Long-Ride, Aldon Pamugas (1,000.00).

This year’s winner in the grommet category were: Kenneth Castillo, 1st Prize (2,000.00); Rejohn Nahial, 2nd Prize (1,500.00), and Jevan Jimene, 3rd Prize (1,000.00).

Winners also received handpainted skimboard-inspired trophies made of narra that First Lady Tata Dolon-Pimentel designed and adopted herself. As consolation prizes for the adult category, a pair of boardshorts and drifit shirts were given to 21 skimboarders courtesy of First Lady Tata Dolon-Pimentel. Head judge Cedric Perreman offered to provide the same boardshorts and drifit shirts to non-winning grommet skimmers. (The category being an afterthought, no provision for non-winning grommet skimmers was made.) He also asked to be allowed to print the 2nd Tago Skimboarding Competition official shirt so he could give some to selected skimboarders.



The 2nd Tago Skimboarding Competition owed its success to the following donors, sponsors, and supporters: Hon. Johnny T. Pimentel (P20,000.00), Hon. Henrich M. Pimentel (P55,000.00), Hon. Nneka Marie P. Laurente (P3,000.00), Ms. Gracey Elizalde (P2,000.00), David Y. Patrimonio for the kilometric electrical wire, Ms. Maria Isabel Dolon-Insame, Ms. Maria Elena Dolon-Pimentel, Sr. Fidelisa J. Portillo, SPC, and the men and women of I-LOVE-TAGO Movement.