Biag – Social Life Social life revolved around religious activities such as baptisms, marriages, birthdays, deaths, fiestas and church going on Sundays and Holidays. The church was, therefore, the hub of social interactions. There friends, enemies, lovers and strangers met on Sundays and Holidays. No doubt the people were peaceful and practically knew one another. […]
History of My Life (1990) Part 3 – Sanitation
Health conditions during the early Twenties were very poor and unhealthy. Toilet was not a usual part of a house, much less bathrooms. A house was usually elevated several feet above the ground to accommodate the pigs, dogs and chickens to scratch and pick up the scrap food dropped down between the bamboo-slat floors. We […]
History of My Life (1990) Part 2 – Social
KOMEDIA Komedia or “moro-moro” was then the BIG town entertainment. It took several weeks to prepare the actors, the stage, the PALCOs (grandstands), the clothes and props before the show went public. Most “comediantes” (actors) and “comedianteas” (actresses) were from the East side (TAGA DAYDAYA) of the town. Fina’s grandpa, Don Juan Valera (Angcuan Bai) […]
History of My Life (1990) Part 1 – Family & Religion
Birth Bangued, Abra is my birthplace. My parents were Florencio Sibayan and Victoriana Bravo. I was baptized Patrocinio in an Aglipayan Church in 1918 and again baptized Jose in a Catholic Church in 1920 when my brother, Felix, was born. We were baptized together. My godmother was Nana Titing Lizardo and my brother’s godfather was […]
The "ID" Story – March 23, 1993
Jose B. Sibayan’s Japanese Issued ID “For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory. To him be glory evermore.” Romans 11:36 (The Book) This ID saved my life and my family. It is dated September 1943 and bears the signature of Col. Tomas Domaoal who was […]
Thank You From the Sibayan Clan
We buried my grandfather a week and a half ago and I’ve been busy getting my regular life back on track. It was a beautiful ceremony with family and many old friends coming to pay their respects. My mother, Jocelyn Lontok; my uncle Antonio Sibayan, and myself Christopher Lontok gave the eulogies. He was buried […]