(During the war Governor Tobias Fornier was misunderstood by the Guerillas in the mountains. Since they did not surrender, they hated those in the inside territory, those who returned to the town when General Wainwright ordered the USAFFE to surrender. The Filipino Government was organized in Antique and had Hon. Tobias Fornier as Governor. He was then considered as fifth columnist and was hated by the Guerillas in spite of his acts in saving the lives of his countrymen. Sometime in 1945, acting Mayor Santiago A. Lotilla (appointed as Mayor after the Pecao's time) held a party at the corner of Rizal and Tordesillas Sts. It was in honor of Gov. Fornier. This was the first time Governor Fornier appeared before the Guerillas. Mayor Lotilla thought that there were some Guerilla officers yet who hated Gov. Fornier. So he requested me to be the one to introduce Gov. Fornier in that gathering. Here is my introduction speech.)
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are only too glad that the war is over. That there are no more Japanese whom we feared would catch us and cut off our heads anytime.
Now we are beginning to resume our prewar situation. We have been blessed with a fair harvest and with the reduction of prices of foodstuffs, clothing and other commodities. Every week, we hope that our normal life will return very soon. Then too our homes are fast being rebuilt and our government is doing its great task of guiding, helping , and protecting us, my fellow countrymen. Soon we shall have our election when we shall be free to express our convictions and our own free will.
As we enjoy this peace and contentment after undergoing the terrible days of fear and hardships during the war, we can never forget the past, especially those trying times when our lives were at stake. While we cannot forget our brothers, the guerillas, who fought bravely against the Japanese, and who helped to drive them away, we who lived in the occupied territory during the days of surrender, cannot forget the man who was ready to die for us and whom we owed our safety from the hands of our cruel visitors, the Japanese. I have the honor to present to you, our protector, the Honorable Governor Tobias Fornier.
By: Soledad L. Grasparil, May 1945
Monday, January 12, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Lola: A Fond Recollection
Lola: A Fond Recollection
(A Tribute to Lola Soledad Lotilla vda. de Grasparil)
April 9, 1994
Lola, as we her grandchildren fondly call her, is a very inspiring woman. Never blinded by luxury, she lived a simple, meaningful life.
I am blessed to experience lola's loving company when she was still healthy, socially active, and had good memory. Her physical death today has opened the floodgates of my treasured memories with her. Looking back, I could see some golden moments of yesteryears.
Time was when I, my brothers and lone sister were still living under one roof with Lola. As precious kids are wont to do, we would often play around , make abstract arrangements of our pieces of furniture, throw small odd things here and there, and have instant boxing bouts followed by loud wails of the vanquished. With all the mess we made, not an angry shout of invective was heard from her. She was the epitome of coolness, patience, and grace under trying circumstances.
Some evenings when the sky were clear and we were out stargazing, she would patiently point at and name the constellations and planetsin view. When rare astronomical phenomena occurred like the appearance of a comet or a solar or lunar eclipse, she would gather us and explain them to our satisfaction. She was an effective teacher.
Relaxed moments were spent listening to her stories from the lives of great men to the adventures of Ulysses in Homer's twin epics; "The Odyssey" and "Iliad". She was a good storyteller.
During her spare time, she either made pillows out of Kapok fiber or reading old books, write speeches or composed poems. To her, words flowed as easily like spring water. She was an imaginative writer.
She could command obedience without raising a howl. Her authority emanated from her consistently upright though imperfect life. She always meant what she said. And she hated lies. No wonder she could look straight ahead with honest confidence.
She was frugal. She would rather use salt instead of toothpaste to brush her teeth, manualy-extracted coconut oil rather than commercial shampoo to wash her hair, a dust of talcum baby powder on her face rather than make-up, or wore simple dress with no jewelry. Skin-deep beauty was not her concern but rather one that was ageless which came out of her gentle and quiet spirit.
Above all, she had faith as strong as a rock, which explained her serene composure in the face of problems. She did not force us to go to Church but her different lifestyle and dedication to the Lord's work were more than enough to speak for the reality and power of the God she worshipped and obeyed.
So much more can be said about Lola. But time is too short to enumerate them all. Suffice it to say that enough had been poured out for reminiscence. The rest remains in the vaults of the heart.
Lola, you have left ahead of us into the bosom of our loving Father. But I know that we will be reunited once again in eternity. For the moment, thank you for the exemplary life you shared to me and the rest of your grandchildren. Though you will be physically absent from now on; though we would be missing your sweet singing and uplifting smiles; yet your memory will forever be etched in our hearts.
God bless you for finishing your race.
by: Victor G. De Gracia Jr.
4th apo
(A Tribute to Lola Soledad Lotilla vda. de Grasparil)
April 9, 1994
Lola, as we her grandchildren fondly call her, is a very inspiring woman. Never blinded by luxury, she lived a simple, meaningful life.
I am blessed to experience lola's loving company when she was still healthy, socially active, and had good memory. Her physical death today has opened the floodgates of my treasured memories with her. Looking back, I could see some golden moments of yesteryears.
Time was when I, my brothers and lone sister were still living under one roof with Lola. As precious kids are wont to do, we would often play around , make abstract arrangements of our pieces of furniture, throw small odd things here and there, and have instant boxing bouts followed by loud wails of the vanquished. With all the mess we made, not an angry shout of invective was heard from her. She was the epitome of coolness, patience, and grace under trying circumstances.
Some evenings when the sky were clear and we were out stargazing, she would patiently point at and name the constellations and planetsin view. When rare astronomical phenomena occurred like the appearance of a comet or a solar or lunar eclipse, she would gather us and explain them to our satisfaction. She was an effective teacher.
Relaxed moments were spent listening to her stories from the lives of great men to the adventures of Ulysses in Homer's twin epics; "The Odyssey" and "Iliad". She was a good storyteller.
During her spare time, she either made pillows out of Kapok fiber or reading old books, write speeches or composed poems. To her, words flowed as easily like spring water. She was an imaginative writer.
She could command obedience without raising a howl. Her authority emanated from her consistently upright though imperfect life. She always meant what she said. And she hated lies. No wonder she could look straight ahead with honest confidence.
She was frugal. She would rather use salt instead of toothpaste to brush her teeth, manualy-extracted coconut oil rather than commercial shampoo to wash her hair, a dust of talcum baby powder on her face rather than make-up, or wore simple dress with no jewelry. Skin-deep beauty was not her concern but rather one that was ageless which came out of her gentle and quiet spirit.
Above all, she had faith as strong as a rock, which explained her serene composure in the face of problems. She did not force us to go to Church but her different lifestyle and dedication to the Lord's work were more than enough to speak for the reality and power of the God she worshipped and obeyed.
So much more can be said about Lola. But time is too short to enumerate them all. Suffice it to say that enough had been poured out for reminiscence. The rest remains in the vaults of the heart.
Lola, you have left ahead of us into the bosom of our loving Father. But I know that we will be reunited once again in eternity. For the moment, thank you for the exemplary life you shared to me and the rest of your grandchildren. Though you will be physically absent from now on; though we would be missing your sweet singing and uplifting smiles; yet your memory will forever be etched in our hearts.
God bless you for finishing your race.
by: Victor G. De Gracia Jr.
4th apo
In The Foxhole (poem)
(In November 1944, the Japanese soldiers soldiers concentrated themselves in San Jose. From that time to April 1945, to protect the civilians in Sibalom against the Japanese, Filipino soldiers were stationed between Sibalom and San Jose. They stayed in the foxholes. This poem is dedicated to the soldiers on guard during those days.)
In The Foxhole
(March 1946)
Behind him lies the peaceful hearth,
Before him roars the cannon ball;
Around him, under him, the cramp earth,
About him cruel mosquitoes call.
Gladly he guards on the alert
When day is extremely hot,
And when night comes, cold and dark,
He stands sleepless on the spot.
Three cheers for the soldiers brave
Laud and honor crown him whole;
Think of his sacrifice to save
His countrymen behind the hole.
by: Mrs. Soledad L. Grasparil
To Whom It May Concern (poem)
To Whom It May Concern
(Dedication on my prize to the amillero when I was President of the Juego de Cursillo in a town fiesta in 1926)
To you who loved athletics
And joined the ribbon race
Is given this can of biscuits
To wish for health and long days
To you who loved to help
From Church that is in need
Is given this prize of honor
For your patriotic deed
To you who had the fortune
To get my ring and ribbon
Is given this humble premium
With hearty congratulations
by Soledad A. Lotilla (Grasparil)
(My ring and ribbon was gotten by Mr. Manuel Morales)
(Dedication on my prize to the amillero when I was President of the Juego de Cursillo in a town fiesta in 1926)
To you who loved athletics
And joined the ribbon race
Is given this can of biscuits
To wish for health and long days
To you who loved to help
From Church that is in need
Is given this prize of honor
For your patriotic deed
To you who had the fortune
To get my ring and ribbon
Is given this humble premium
With hearty congratulations
by Soledad A. Lotilla (Grasparil)
(My ring and ribbon was gotten by Mr. Manuel Morales)
The Birth of the WAS (poem)
The Birth of the WAS
February 15, 1946
When we lived under pressure
Of the Japanese stern control
We formed an association
With the women on the role
We met, we planned, and we discussed
Matters for home improvement
We partook in the town's program
and helped in the disguised movement
We held parties among ourselves
To while dreary hours away
Inspired the girls for higher learning
Till schools come again someday
Then our brothers from the mountains
Signalled that we all go out
For the town they would attack
Heroically the japs to rout
Hiding our motives from the invaders
We obeyed them and we fled
We cared not for our losses
Our dear lives just to save
When we returned home happily
To find no Japanese on our way
We felt grateful to our beloved brothers
For driving the Nippons away
We then met and reorganized
To form the WAS outright
Our main purpose just to aid
Our soldiers in the fight
Onward then o ye sisters
Your loyal support to continue
If at the front we cannot fight
Behind line our part we must do
by Mrs. Soledad L. Grasparil
for our paper The Torch
February 15, 1946
When we lived under pressure
Of the Japanese stern control
We formed an association
With the women on the role
We met, we planned, and we discussed
Matters for home improvement
We partook in the town's program
and helped in the disguised movement
We held parties among ourselves
To while dreary hours away
Inspired the girls for higher learning
Till schools come again someday
Then our brothers from the mountains
Signalled that we all go out
For the town they would attack
Heroically the japs to rout
Hiding our motives from the invaders
We obeyed them and we fled
We cared not for our losses
Our dear lives just to save
When we returned home happily
To find no Japanese on our way
We felt grateful to our beloved brothers
For driving the Nippons away
We then met and reorganized
To form the WAS outright
Our main purpose just to aid
Our soldiers in the fight
Onward then o ye sisters
Your loyal support to continue
If at the front we cannot fight
Behind line our part we must do
by Mrs. Soledad L. Grasparil
for our paper The Torch
Soledad Alera Lotilla Grasparil
Soledad Alera Lotilla Grasparil is the 3rd child of Macario Veñegas Lotilla and Juana Rojo Alera. Her Siblings are, from eldest to youngest, Raymunda L. Cerdeña, Salvacion L. Galera, Aurora A. Lotilla, Emilia A. Lotilla. 2 girls who died at infancy, Santiago A. Lotilla, Perpetuo A. Lotilla, Alfonso A. Lotilla, and Paulino A. Lotilla.
Soledad is married to Agaton Sabrine Grasparil and is blessed with seven children. From eldest to youngest: Juanita G. De Gracia, Milagros G. Novisteros, Martha G. Osunero, Rizalino L. Grasparil, Macario L. Grasparil, Diana L. Grasparil, and Jose Pacifico L. Grasparil.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
