PAGURIGAN STADIUM GRANDSTAND:ONCE A SPLENDID LANDMARK, NOW ILAGAN'S MOST HAZARDOUS PLACE

ILAGAN, Isabela- Clarita 37 sends her two teenage sons for a summer training on sports undertaken at the oval of the once renowned Paguirigan Stadium at the gateway to the poblacion of this provincial capital. Her purpose was to make wise use of the summer vacation for the development of her offspring's sports enthusiasm and most of all- keep her sons away from imminent danger posed by various social elements.
Little did she know; she was courting disaster.

ONCE A CLASSIC VIEW OF THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL OF ILAGAN AS YOU ENTER THE POBLACION AREA IS NOW A PICTURE OF NEGLECT AND GOVERNMENT INDIFFERENCE

The ruins of the Pascual Paguirigan Stadium Grandstand inside the Isabela National High School (INHS) compound has been left the way it was- forsaken since its devastation a broad daylight fire in 2003.
Students were having their Physical Education classes in the grandstand shortly before noon on a hot summer day of April 14 when an overheating ceiling fan sparked and swiftly spread its flames in the structure's old dried up roof. Students and teachers helplessly watched the fire aggravated by the hot summer temperature ate the grandstand in less than an hour.

THE FILTHY RUINS OF THE GRANDSTAND POSES AND ADDITIONAL HAZARD TO STUDENTS' HEALTH BESIDES THE IMMINENT DANGER POSED BY LEANING WOODEN POSTS

The stadium was once a splendor of the town's historic past greets every visitor going in and out of the municipal proper.
Upon the assumption to office of newly elected Governor Grace Padaca the in May of the following year; School Principal Oscar Martinez has been requesting her office for the Provincial Engineering Office to undertake the demolition of the stadium remnants. Although the school was assured by the Padaca Administration of its favorable response; the assurance remained an empty promise.

OFFICIALS OF ILAGAN SHOULD ADOPT THE FORMER PAGURIGAN STADIUM FOR SANITATION THAN WASTING TIME DOING JUNKETS AT THE DESOLATED STA. VICTORIA NATIONAL PARK WHEREIN THE MUNICIPALITY DOESN'T DERIVE MUCH INCOME FROM DEVELOPING THE PLACE

By 2010, after losing her bid for a third term to incumbent Gov. Faustino Dy III; Padaca is gone but the Pagurigan Stadium ruins still remains. The ruins echoes the government's stance of neglect and indifference views Andriano Mata 39, who dries his palay harvest in the pavement of the stadium's once basketball and volleyball courts. Built during the early 50s Paguirigan stadium was site of the 1978 Palarong Pambansa.
Late October of the same year; Typhoon Juan lashed its peak signal number 4 winds followed by torrential cold front rains until December causing the ruin's huge wooden pillars to fall and some to leaned thus, posing imminent danger to the public, mostly students frequenting the area.

THE "PERYAHAN" CARAVAN IS CURRENTLY SETTING UP ITSELF AT THE STADIUM'S OVAL WHERE ITS TEMPORARY SETTLERS WANTONLY DSPOSE THEIR SHIT AROUND THE AREA. ALTHOUGH THE PLACE IS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE ISABELA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL; EDUCATION OFFICIALS DENY EXACTING PROCEEDS OF THE COLLECTIONS OF THE FIESTA CARAVAN WHICH COULD AT LEAST HELP THE SCHOOL REHABILITATE ITSELF FROM THE DAMAGES WROUGHT BY THE LAST TYPHOON. MAYOR JOSEMARIE DIAZ SHOULD AT LEAST MAKE PUBLIC HOW MUCH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT RAKES DURING THE OPERATION OF THIS "PERYAHAN" THROUGH PUBLIC ACCOUNTING AFTER THE MAY 30 PATRONAL TOWN FIESTA. THIS IS FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION WHERE ILAGUENOS TAXES GO. AT THE BACKGROUND IS THE BLUE TOWNHALL BUILDING; WHILE IT IS IMPOSINGLY STANDING AT ITS FRONT, LURKS THE FILTHY SITE OF NEGLECT IN THIS TOWN ASPIRING TO BE A CITY.

At present; the May festivities is at its center stage in the stadium. The Carnival has already setup its Bingos, rides and various gimmicks in the vicinity of Ilagan's most hazardous place.
People will come for good time and pleasure.

Little did they know... they are courting disaster.

PEACE!

I COULD HARDLY BELIEVE FLOWERS ARE NOW GROWING IN MY BACKYARD

It has been almost five years since I overlooked and ignored this very place where I once spent 16 years of family life. When I left for a job in Manila in 2007, hardly I noticed the sorry state of my backyard where thick grasses had replaced the colorful ornamentals that have once earned the awe and admiration of visitors.

Months earlier then; I have been sleeping beside a bottle of Blue Gin to elude my guilt of losing my family who has left for Europe. Their departure was the ultimate response of my wife to end what she called a turbulent relationship.
From thereon; I have always tried to restore my complacence. But even when I tried to change the color of the living room's wall or to rearrange the furnitures into different position; the feel of a home I can never more redeem from the house.

I was given a chance to start anew in the city and had my depression overcome by my affection for the work I was given. It was far from my Job of apparently courting enemies than friends; in the city however- it was the other way around.

On weekdays I mingle with the city peasants handling the livelihood programs of the Congressman of Pasay City. On weekends; I manage the feeding program for street children with the Parishes of the same city. Funny; I had the room to enjoy my vices on thoughts that I was finally free. My sudden change of heart was perhaps spontaneous; It was not the kind of satisfaction I have been longing for.

You would not believe that I shed tears when the time finally came I was already at the end of the line. My work has ceased; I have to leave the city, my friends, my room and my home which has sheltered me from the long lost years of loneliness. But I was already a different person then; I have to face life and move on without drowning my sorrows with Blue Gin like I did before.

I went back to Ilagan to a place I feel downtrodden. Worst; I witnessed how the Super typhoon destroyed the house and its immediate vicinity. After a storm comes the sun they say; as I was passing my time thinking of any possible employment, my cellphone rang and the Editor of my current newspaper told me to stay in this devastated town and send stories of the ongoing events after the onslaught.

I was back to my former Job that I once swore I would never get it back; perhaps destiny has something stored for me. I learned to appreciate life, new challenges, new friends. It is all in the matter of accepting it.
It is now that I feel the beauty of life - This time I could hardly believe that flowers are growing in my backyard.

SEMANA SANTA 2011, LOOKING FOR THE SIGNS OF LENT

PUNTA, Aparri, Cagayan- Life goes on normal here at the tip of Luzon island where the China sea and the Pacific Ocean meets. A handful commercial stores were closed in the observance of Maundy Thursday. Other than the hot 34 to 36 degree temperature recorded in the province; no other signs give a bit of impression that it is Holy Week.

BARANGAY PUNTA, A QUIET FISHING VILLAGE IN THE NORTHERNMOST TIP OF LUZON ISLAND IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF APARRI, CAGAYAN.

Thirty five years ago, I use to hear the traditional “Pabasa” in every corner of Ilagan and in my grandparents' place in Cabagan so as in Tuguegarao, Cagayan. The same tradition is known here as “Pasyon” narrating the passion of Jesus Christ prior to his crucifixion and eventual resurrection sung for days and nights during the holy week.

HOLY FRIDAY PROCESSION IN ILAGAN, ISABELA

A local radio station in Cauayan city was commercializing the topic of the waning tradition asking texters to send in their views for discussion. Sadly, its morning anchor; apparently ignorant of the topic read in haste text feedbacks 10 minutes before the end of his show. Worst, he read stupid text queries pertinent to their ongoing raffle draw, amid the pressing topic.
Greetings and the sharing of your thoughts over their airlanes are no longer free as it was before. One should send it through text to their exclusive text portal where your two-peso text message are accumulated as their network share of the income.
It was totally disastrous for an age-old culture and tradition ending up into such commercialized scheme instead of being discussed intelligently to educate the uninformed.

THE FAMOUS MAGAPIT SUSPENSION BRIDGE IN LALLO, CAGAYAN. GATEWAY TO THE ILOCANDIA

Off to the 15th Century Church of Nueva Segovia

Packing my things; I am off to Lallo, Cagayan- site of the very first church erected in northern Luzon and Cagayan Valley's cradle of Christianity.
Christianity was established in here in 1582 when Dominican Cristobal Salvatierra and the Augustinian Francisco Rodriguez accompanied by the Spanish troops under the command of Captain Juan Pablo Carreon initiated the first religious mission.

THE HISTORIC 15TH CENTURY CHURCH OF NUEVA SEGOVIA

Carreon was appointed first Governor or the Alcalde-Mayor of Cagayan Valley- one of the four first provinces (Alcadia) in Luzon. The other being Manila, Camarines and Ilocos. Carreon drove away Japanese pirates holding base in Cagayan shores after which established the Spanish settlement in Lallo where the religious also made their base.
Lallo was renamed to Nueva Segovia and became the Capital of Cagayan and seat of the Diocese by that name.
The Diocese of Nueva Segovia has jurisdiction over the entire Northern Luzon. Its first Bishop is Miguel de Buenavides who later became Archbishop of Manila and founder of the country's oldest educational institution- the University of Sto. Tomas.

Nueva Segovia was not only known as the seat of Christianity in Cagayan Valley but also the very first territory to be considered a City with 27,000 Christianized population.
The territory of Nueva Segovia in 1588 has 50 private and royal encomiendas that pay regular tribute to the government, has a fort manned by 40 soldiers and an Augustinian monastery.
I told myself perhaps I can find Filipino Lenten traditions still practiced in the place other than the usual Thursday noon mass, good Friday readings on the seven last words of Christ, the procession of the “Enteirro” (dead Chirst) and the Suday “Salubong” depicting the risen Christ meeting his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

THE CONSTRUCTED STAGE FOR THE "SALUBONG" ON SUNDAY HAS OBLITERATED THE CENTURIES OLD WOODEN CROSS INFRONT THE CHURCH

Boarding a Bus bound for Vigan Ilocos Sur from Tuguegarao City; my next stop is Barangay Magapit; home of the famous suspension bridge leading the highway to Ilocos region in the west. I am heading north to Aparri and soon dropped to what they call “crossroad”- a junction in the place where one waits for a ride in all four directions. The other two is east to Sta. Ana, home of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) and Port Irene and south is from where I came from in the Capital of Tuguegarao city.
I found the usual beerhouse tunes heard from Videoke joints in the vicinity instead of the sorrowful rhythm of the “Pasyon.” Girls aged 18-24 working in the area in their summer outfit apparently had their lenten break too; they have just finished taking lunch when I asked where the waiting place of the local center-driven cycles (which is the famous counterpart of the “toot-toots” in Thailand). Instead, much sturdy multicabs that resembles the centerbikes took the line of the Magapit-Lallo route.

Nueva Segovia

Boarding down to the famous 15th century church of Nueva Segovia; the old heritage place was just beside the national highway. It was then that I realized that the historic church was very much accessible. The only reason why no one notices it is because the church's rear is the one facing the highway and its facade could be found in the community's interior facing Cagayan river.

THE REAR OF THE CHURCH IS FACING THE HIGHWAY

THE CHURCH'S MODERN DAY RENOVATED INTERIOR

THE SPANISH TIMES PULPIT WHERE "PADRE DAMASO" TELLS INDIOS WHAT TO AND WHAT NOT TO DO
No signs of any lenten activities is seen from the town proper except for the constructed stage for the conduct of the traditional “Salubong” that has obliterated the centuries old wooden cross encased in glass infront of the church. “Hindi na uso ang mga pasyon at penitensiya ngayon” comments the man doing the electric wiring installed around the “salubong” stage made with board. If Nueva Vizcaya Bishop Ramon Villena is around; the man would get a tongue lashing lecture from the prelate. Villena expressed concern over our vanishing cultural practices concealed by intense commercialization. In one point, the latest news was about the plan to bastardize the traditional passion into rap version to suit the interest of the youth.

CENTURIES OLD BRICKS, MUTE WITNESS TO THIS HISTORIC TOWN

THE HISTORIC CHURCH IS ACTUALLY LOCATED IN THIS PLACE CALLED "KALABASA"

IN BIG MALLS IN THE CITY, THERE ARE "WATERLESS" URINALS, IN THIS QUIET HISTORIC CHURCH THERE IS A "WATERLESS" COMMUNAL TOILET- LITERALLY

THE OFFICIALS OF LALLO IS VOCAL IN SENDING PRESIDENT NOYNOY AQUINO'S STANCE IN POPULATION MANAGEMENT EVEN THOUGH TREATHENED WITH EXCOMMUNICATION CONVEYED IN THIS SIGN AT THE CHURCH'S VICINITY

At the community hall besides the church was a meeting of the local farmers' group concerning their venture.
Still no trace of any cultural lenten practice.. a van on its way to the next town of Aparri has just stopped to unload passengers. I boarded in.

Aparri, the heat is on

Upon arriving at the town proper just as you cross the bridge is the silent public market. This is since the noisy fish vendors, dealers and stevedores are on a Lenten break. The fish section is at the immediate facade facing the main road as you can smell the stench of hoarded fish along “calle commercio.” No wonder, the famous air conditioned food chain across the street had flies. I could not imagine how it looked like four years ago when I saw its inauguration on a television news footage. Its customers lined up until fifteen meters outside the small food outlet of about eight to 10 tables.

APARRI DOWNTOWN SCENERY, MAUNDY THURSDAY

The heat was intense, 34 to 36 degrees celsius, disclosed the local Philippine Information Agency posted on its Facebook account. Michael Divina 29 told me I brought the sunshine. Two days earlier, it was raining cats and dogs.

A VINTAGE HOUSE IN APARRI'S RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT

“Maganda ang dating niyo sir; maganda ang araw” Michael, a criminology graduate said. He currently drives a tricycle for a living while he waits to pass the board exams and hopes to land a job with the Philippine National Police.

THE NEWLY RENOVATED ST. PETER THELMO CHURCH
The parish is currently doing the finishing touches of their renovated church as Assistant Parish Priest Rev. Adelbert Barut gladly permitted me to feel free taking pictures. The Church is as huge as the Ilagan cathedral the way I see it from the outside.

APARRI PATRON, SAN PEDRO DE THELMO
Aparri is celebrating their Patronal Fiesta on the 10th of May. The group of wandering fanfare conducting Bingo and other fiesta betting, rides and unusual people have just arrived installing their tent and makeshift stalls infront of the church. Still no trace of any traditional Lenten practices around.

LOCALS PREPARE THEIR DRIED STIFF FISH FOR MARKETING

Not far from the church is Petron's oil depot beside the sea. Michael suggested that we see the seaside of Barangay Punta where the Cagayan river meets the sea.
Groups were having good time picnic in the sea. Three days ago; Tuguegarao Archbishop lamented most Christians are preoccupied more on planning their out of town shindig than finding the peace of reflection and retrospect.

Punta is a busy district where you find the locals drying their fish and selecting sizes of those already dried and stiff ones for market trading even on a Maundy Thursday. The same is with the Taiwanse funded magnetized sand quarrying in the shores of Punta whom Michael says, an object of intense protest of residents because of the environmental threat it poses to the community like erosion, siltation and the sudden surge of water during high tide. New People's Army rebels had earlier denounced the Taiwanese firm and had its facilities and equipments burned last year.

Nanang Seling a grandmother aged 65 said her townmate's indignation seem to have been a lone cry in the wilderness. The Political leadership in Aparri is like a private company, where the patriarch only hands down his position to his son, then wife then back to himself laments Nanang Seling. This is after consuming the election ban for running a fourth consecutive term in the same elective position.

APARRI FISHERMEN ON A LENTEN BREAK

The sun is going down; I have to wrap up and catch the last trip back to Tuguegarao city.
I believe I found what I have been looking for.
I saw the Passion of Christ in all the places I went through in one day.
Our sufferings wrought by disregard, negligence, commercialism, exploitation, indifference, greed and arrogance were reflected in the situations I have encountered.
The social circumstances I found were more sorrowful than looking at the scene of the blood letting flagellation or the marathon “Pasyon” I planned to see.

“Ang paghihirap natin ay hindi parusa kundi daan patungo sa pagbabago”- Ilagan Bishop Joseph Amangi Nacua, April 22 Lenten Message.

ILAGAN: DEATH OF A TOWN, RISE OF A CITY

DESPITE THE REVOLUTIONARY TRANSFORMATION OF THE OUTSKIRTS INTO A NEW METROPOLIS; THE OLD POBLACION OF ISABELA'S CAPITAL TOWN IS TURNING INTO A GHOST TOWN

ILAGAN upon sight of the outsiders is seen as a growing metropolis in the Heart of Cagayan Valley. Lately the establishment of two huge well-known Malls have ushered Isabela's Capital Town to a new image being an upcoming city following the endorsement of local officials to aspire for the second time a Cityhood Status. Its first attempt drew an upsetting and humiliating result when townsfolk outrightly rejected the Ilagan Cityhood Charter in a plebiscite conducted in 1998.

THE OLD RIZAL STREET, ONCE A BUSY THOROUGHFARE IN THE POBLACION RESEMBLES AN OLD WILD WILD WEST SCENE

What could have been a revolutionary transformation of this said once sleepy quiet town may be cosmetic in the outside. For an oldtimer in this town; the “development” is just a mere transfer of the economic activities from the poblacion- which is five kilometers in the interior from the national highway, to the growing population alternative in the outskirts of adjacent barangays of Baligatan and Alibagu.

A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BUILDING BUT ITS OWNER IS UNSURE OF WHAT TO PLACE INSIDE, HENCE HAD HIS INVESTMENT SLUMBER

The ongoing transfer of the metropolis has given birth to the few well known national investors to the perils of the old time small business owners. However; most residents see this economic shift as necessary and unavoidable -all to the name of progress.

BUILDINGS UP FOR SALE ARE COMMON SIGHT IN A DYING DISTRICT LIKE THIS ONE

To trace history; the current event taking shape in the new image of Ilagan is no longer new. The town has already moved its bastion from the early Spanish era, to the American and Japanese occupation up to the martial law years.

THE OLD VILLA THEATER THAT POSES FIRE AND DISASTER HAZARD STILL STOOD IN THE HEART OF THE POBLACION; THE LAST TIME I SAW A MOVIE IN THIS INTENSELY HOT MOVIEHOUSE WAS SOMETIME 1978.. BUHAY PA SI MARCOS, MAYOR PA SI BOY BINAG

The town was then called by its native Gaddang settlers as “Bolo” during the pre Spanish conquest era. It is one of the populous settlement during that period and site of the vast Tobacco plantation in the region making it one of the most important economic areas in northern Luzon.

THE SIDE OF A ONCE BUSY PUBLIC MARKET, TODAY ONE CAN PLAY BASKETBALL IN THE AREA ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT LONG A POPULAR RESTAURANT USE TO DOMINATE THE STREET

The town of Bolo was founded by the Dominicans in 1619 in honor of St. Ferdinand. The old Bolo was situated in the western side of Cagayan river in what is known today as barangay Naguilian-Baculod.
The cultural shock brought by the dominating social and economic regulations introduced by the Spanish authorities propelled the natives to dissent in the Mallig and Ilagan-Tumauini territories in what was known as the Gaddang Revolution. The natives abandoned their settlement after burning their church and houses until 1622 when the Spanish government pardoned and exempted them from paying tribute within three years.

THE DEAD ILAGAN SUPERMARKET PROMISED BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF MAYOR JOSEMARIE DIAZ TO CONVERT INTO A MALL TO BRING BACK LIFE INTO THE OLD POBLACION, BUT WAIT.. WHERE WOULD THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SECURE FUNDING FOR THE UNDERTAKING WHEN IN FACT HIS GOVERNMENT IS YET TO FULLFILL AN EARLIER LOAN IT SECURED FROM THE DBP PURPOSELY TO ERECT A TRANSPORT TERMINAL AND A GASOLINE STATION IN A LOT IT BOUGHT FROM A PRIVATE DEVELOPER IN BARANGAY ALIBAGU?

After the Gaddang revolt, the natives reestablished their settlement upon the efforts of Fr. Pedro Jimenez in 1678 on the east side of the river thereby giving the legendary name for Ilagan which is the reverse of the word “Nagali” meaning “transfer.” The Dominicans accepted Bolo as an ecclesiastical mission given the name San Fernando de Ilagan in honor of its Patron St. Ferdinand.
On August 4, 1901 the American regime under the United States Philippine Commission has enacted the Provincial Government Act 210 that has reestablished Isabela and other provinces in the Philippines. Rafael Maramag, a former Municipal President (Mayor) of Ilagan was appointed first Governor. The act upheld in Ilagan as the provincial capital.

ALREADY USELESS, THE DILAPITATED SUPERMARKET WHICH WAS PAID BY OUR FOREFATHERS WITH HARD EARNED TAXES FROM A LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT IT SECURED FROM THE LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES IN THE 70S IS NOW A PICTURE OF UNWARRANTED FUND USE

In November 13 1925, Gaffud has approved a Resolution filed by all Municipal Presidents of the Isabela (the counterpart of the present-day Mayors' League) following a four-day convention. The resolution called for the erection of a monument in honor of National Hero Jose Rizal in the old Ilagan public plaza in barangay Bagumbayan.

WHAT USE TO BE A BUSY SITE DURING MARKET DAYS IS NOW AN IDEAL PALAY OR CORN GRAINS DRYING PAVEMENT INSIDE THE ILAGAN SUPERMARKET

It was also in the same year when illegal gambling activities are taking its toll on several police and municipal officials who faced charges before the provincial board.
By the turn of the 1950s the a new Poblacion was located uphill from the old St. Ferdinand Church to barangay San Vicente; site of the current Municipal town hall.
By the turn of another decade should cityhood pushes through; we may yet witness the birth of a new Ilagan metropolis- and the death of an old town.

MY LENTEN RETROSPECT

TWO FACES OF DEVELOPMENT: AGONY IN DISGUISE FOR ISABELINOS
The passion of Jesus Christ in our Christian observance of the Lenten season is personified in the two faces of agony seen among Isabelinos; one from the remote mountains of the sierra madres and the other- in the highly urbanized proper of Cauayan city.

Two groups of people manipulated by greed, exploitation and tyranny are both threatened of economic dislocation from an impending scheme forced down to the throat of the settlers.
“Para na kaming binigyan ng notice of eviction” meat vendor Abundo Andres 35 laments as he recalls being handed a letter distributed by the local government of Cauayan city. The letter was supposed to be a “good news” informing him and fellow vendors that the administration of City Mayor Benjamin Dy will initiate the improvement of the city market's meat section building.

However, the city government has to rescind their contract of occupancy and then relocate them somewhere else in order to give the administration a free hand in the construction of a “better and bigger” building. “After all, as former occupants, we will be given the priority and preference to be awarded the space we choose in the new structure,” Andres continued. But wait; Andres and his fellow vendors will have to sign a conformity of revoking their current contract that binded their existence in their stall they held for more than a decade. “It's an absolute insult; we are treated illiterates by these people eying our eviction from the place that has provided our families of a hard earned decent living to cope in this difficult times,” Andres grieves.
The following month; the real motive behind their impending dislocation was heralded by the City administration's proud announcement of hosting the establishment of a new mall in Cauayan.
It was ushered by a billion worth investment in the guise of developing Cauayan as a highly urbanized city in Cagayan Valley region. The neighboring capital of Ilagan has earlier inaugurated two huge malls to the envy of other cities in the region.

Savemore, a big time capitalist that controls the chain of Supermarkets nationwide wants to establish in Cauayan. Its capitalist wants the heart of the Cauayan City Public Market to build its formidable establishment to the detriment of thousands of vendors who are now sitting duck targets for economic dislocation.
Susana Gatdula 33, a small grocery owner wept to hear that the city government plans to relocate her business in the outskirts near the boundary of the adjacent town of Cabatuan.

By late March; thousands of vendors and stall owners have trooped the highway to demonstrate their indignation of Mayor Dy's plans. It was the first in Cauayan that its people have taken up mass actions against the political scion that has dominated the city and Isabela for four decades.
“Kami ang naglagay sa mga Dy, kami na rin ang mag-aalis,” the protesters cried.

Meanwhile; the sounds of roaring sawmills and chainsaws have finally stopped in the notorious logging hub of San Mariano. Serenity has finally dominated this mountain town minus the chirping of birds and crickets that were used to be hosted by trees in the surrounding vicinities of the foothills.
“What's the use of President Aquino's logging ban; when the trees here have all gone?” questions Matildo Ramayan 52, a farmer tending his corn plantation in the municipality's logged over area.
Ramayan and some 800 families some of them Aeta natives have shifted to farming since the denudation of the Sierramadres in their area.
Middle aged Okles Manuel, a female aeta native who could not deter her age and birthdate because of illiteracy said their men gave up hunting as their primary subsistence. They all plant corn she added.

With their election to Congress in 2010 of a townmate- Board Member Ana Cristina Go; the settlers have rejoiced thinking of a better deal that could make their living better.
A month later; the Congresswoman and Gov. Faustino Dy III happily announced San Mariano's consideration of the Green Futures Innovation Incorporated (GFII) for the establishment of a bio-ethanol plant. The plant aims to produce bio-fuel from sugarcane that enables economic and environmental friendly fuel combustion for its less pollutant emission. However, to make the plant moving, sugar cane must be planted first but where?
The bone of contention emanated from the said point where settlers displaced by the logging halt should now surrender their position in order give way to the ideal 11,000 hectares sugarcane plantation needed by the GFII to keep their ball rolling.
No one from the settlers responded to Provincial Administrator Noel Lopez' invitation to forged a memorandum of agreement with the GFII to shift from corn to sugarcane. However, their sugarcane product should be binded to the GFII's monolpoly.
The scheme has never succeeded in Isabela since the Tobacco monopoly imposed during the Spanish era to the Cassava monopoly introduced by then Governor Faustino Dy Jr. that brought his political debacle in 2004 when he lost to a neophyte Grace Padaca.

Adding fuel to the settlers' misgivings of Congresswoman Go and Governor Dy's offer was the challenge made by Lopez. The provincial administrator sought the affected people to show their land titles and other documents proving their ownership of the land they are currently tilling otherwise they have no business staging indignation with the peasant group- Danggayan Dagiti Mannalon ti Isabela (DAGAMI).
DAGAMI has convinced the settlers to fight for their position and is now giving the politicians a run for their dominance in the issue, again in the guise of progress.

Recently, 4th District Congressman informed this writer of an impending inclusion of a hardcore leader of DAGAMI as sectoral representative to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan endorsed by Malacanang. The Provincial Board has no recourse but to accept it.
The trek of the peasants in the city of Cauayan and the settlers of San Mariano will come a long way like the path of Christ to calvary. Even the Lenten season over; their sacrifices linger unless their lone cry in the wilderness is heard.