Do you know that the TOLONG GAPO was a family? BARBO(father) LINSA(mother) and a little child turned to stones? Have you noticed that throughout the years, the family has multiplied? We now have around five stones!!!
But what about the unnoticed MANNONGGOL? It was said that a boy playing with his cat and guitar was struck by a bolt of lightning and turned to stone?
BACON has been the cradle of civilization, even before SORSOGON AND LEGAZPI. BACON, BATO CAVES AND THE BALUARTES/KUTA are the very EVIDENCE. It is because Bacon is near the sea-routes which ADELANTADO LEGAZPI AND SALCEDO traveresed. Chinese traders and European SPECIES searchers have visited BACON. bUT AGAIN, WHO CARES?Are we not PROUD to be forebearers of BACON CIVILIZATION?
I am, so with some VERY FEW BACONGNONS, but we are only a minority. If NOBODY CARES, who will?
SI OTI ECO TABI INI
11 comments:
I'll question our local government in Sorsogon for allowing these small businesses to mushroom in a scenic spot, the pride of Bacon, Tolong Gapo.
Also, can our local government see the street leading to market place is partially taken by small store owners?
It's an eyesore & hazardous.
Where can we complain? Will they give us a run around too?
Was there not a law that gave the government exclusive jurisdiction and utilization of beaches in the country; and limits private ownership of land to 20 meters inland from the reaches of the highest tide?
Does beach erosion alter this law?
If that law is in existence, some of those cottages and other facilities at Tolong Gapo are now on public land.
Their owners have no right to charge rentals/fees for its use.
When leaving a comment, the part that says, "your web page" is optional. You don't have to put anything there.
But if you want to put the blog url, don't forget that there is a period between "baconsorsogon" & "blogspot" - baconsorsogon.blogspot.com
So sorry that Bacon is no longer an independent entity and posssibly its interests are placed in the back burners. Will the Sorsogon City officials care enough that Bacongnons be a priority over and above the Sorsoganons? No way.
Well said, Oti Eco. A historical insight that every Bacongnon should cherish.
The world will naught nor long remember what Bacon was, when its people and leaders seem to lose its pride, and seem too willing to lose its identity by merging to a 5th rate city. Who should care enough to protect Bacongnons' heritage? The Sorsoganons?
Don't worry BACONGNONS:
TOLONG GAPO are not DISAPPEARING.
On the other hand it has GROWN TO FIVE!
One more is at its BABY STAGE OF GROWTH!
Despite an emphasis on an eroding glory that was enjoyed for long, the article brought warmth and vivid pictures embedded in my memory of young and old Bacongnons frolicking under the sun in the shell-dotted beach of Tulong Gapo. I still hear the waves splashing as they hit the “Gapos”, not tumbling them, but rather underscoring their eternal strength. With all the fun, joy, natural beauty and harmony with its surroundings, everything seemed permanent. Other pictures flashed: The beloved church with its distinct architecture, its heavenly altar that assured many a parishioner that God welcomes and listens to everyone, its serene ambience from an age of propriety and grace, its every celebration met with enthusiasm….young maidens in white, with array of fragrant flowers in their hands to be offered gently with prayers and hymns to the Blessed Mother, aptly matching the old, old altar, the scene, just divine; I believe it was May …...the religious processions, like no other I’ve seen. The Kuta, a reminder of the precious that it protected from a time that surely was historic, later on, a breeding place of guava and papaya trees, of lemon de china and other plants, their greenery vivid as well; as a child it seemed scary, yet loved for the sturdiness and perseverance, and mystery it exuded; yet inviting, but only the brave would dare tread as the unknown that lurks beneath was too much for the imagination……
Thank you for the article. It was also nice to read (almost hear) again the tales/legends of these beautiful places. Though I don’t have vivid memories of the rest of the places mentioned, I am certain they were/are as great. Though they are no longer physically the same, sadly, more on the negative, I am sure to those who remember these places, they remain great, if only for the memories and the emotions they evoke. It is unfair that their beauty and glory will not be enjoyed longer by those left in Bacon, by the youth who should enjoy a legacy, and by those who may have found residences somewhere, but, with the intention of not forgetting, of visiting with children in tow.
It usually starts with the environment and its landmarks, with old structures deemed meaningless by the short-sighted, unmindful of the significance of the symbols representing culture and educated activities of the past, the pride and glory of the present, of a community, a town, distinctively of a people, of simple, small scenic and pristine places. Bacon is not alone. This has been done in other places, but, who wants that for Bacon? However, if not objectively addressed, Bacon will lead to a hapless state. I don’t know at what pace, but, I just hope that activities moving to this direction could be weighed not viscerally because of some illusions of wealth, power and prestige, but with passion and wisdom by those looked up to for proper administration and management at different levels; that civic engagement be undertaken so that collective effort towards the betterment of Bacon be infused with sincere fervor in meaningful activities that will usher an integration of skills, ideas, sentiments and aspirations from both young and old, rich or poor; that the long-term effects of human activity on every angle of its existence now and in the future, on everyone, far and near, be in mind.
I have sincere admiration for those actively doing their best in preserving and enhancing the legacies of Bacon----a minority indeed, nonetheless, honorable. To them, and to those who will follow their aspirations, may the voice from the minority distanced by oceans and personal circumstances embolden them more; help them persevere in their goals. Mr. Eco is absolutely right. We should be proud of Bacon; we should care and manifest this even in the simplest way. May this be.
Ooops, got carried away...quite long and perhaps corny, mundane to some; regardless…..
a good piece by Oti Eco, as well as a good commentary by Jenny.
To Anonymous:
Cussing is not necessary to express your opinion.
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