Sandataan - Justo 'Ve' J. Dellosa

Sandataan! It is December & again the officers and active members of the association are in a frenzy of preparation for the Annual Reception traditionally held every New Years’ eve. The Ballroom; the orchestra; the caterer have all been contracted. The ticket-invitations continuously distributed…
Ad solicitation is at its last phases; their contracts & texts in & articles for printing are compiled. The Souvenir program is ready to go to press.

This is the Sandataan of more than two decades ago when from its inception in 1934, it evolved from a tradition to an institution with primary objectives of promoting the Bicol culture, unity & harmony among Bacongnons and the Bicolanos, render assistance & support to all socio-economic, civic & religious activities and projects that uplift Bacon.

Sandataan is also a silent renewal of the vows of friendships and brotherhood among Bacongnons-a bond that linked them to one another.
A time to relax after a year’s labor, meet old friends; renew acquaintances; dance to old refrains-relive old and fading memories; perhaps rekindle flickering fires of love.
And from among the young new loves are born.

Old couples dancing to the favorite tunes of their youth –eyes lit with the fires of love.
Most of them are gone –departed from this world, others far & away. Age & distance renders them incapable of returning & sadly this old haunting poem
comes to mind:

“When I remember all
The friends so linked together,
I’ve seen around me fall,
Like leaves in wintry weather,
I feel like one
Who treads alone
Some banquet- hall deserted,
Whose lights are fled,
Whose garlands dead,
And all but he departed!”

The old and departed worked so hard to preserve the precious heritage of Sandataan. Will our children & their children resuscitate this dying institution?

Hands of Justo Ve & Maria Isabel