The Araneta Clan in Cyberspace

THE POWER BEHIND THE THRONE
(By: dinggol a.divinagracia)

Behind the success or failure of Filipino Leaders; be it family, friend or acquaintance who have greatly influenced their fate for history … is a Bisaya and/or an Ilonggo!
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* Mactan Chieftain Lapu Lapu
Cebu King Rajah Humabon and Datu Zula, both collaborated with the Spanish “discoverers” under Ferdinand Magellan to kill Lapu Lapu. In the ensuing battle of Mactan, Magellan was slain and Lapu Lapu became our foremost hero.
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* Cebu King Datu Tupas
Boholano leaders Datu Sikatuna and Datu Sigala, performed the "Blood Compact" as token of friendship with Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. Thereafter, they assisted the Spaniards to invade Cebu. The Spanish led invasion was victorious and Datu Tupas agreed to pay tributes for protection from the victors. This was the first recorded "Protection Racket" in Philippine history.
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The “El Adelantado” Miguel Lopez de Legspi then established the first permanent Spanish settlement on the island of Cebu. Thus, began the colonization and christianization of the whole archipelago with the sword and the cross.
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* Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal
Graciano Lopez Jaena of Jaro in Iloilo, together with Jose P. Rizal and Marcelo H. del Pilar composed the great triumvirate of the Propaganda Movement in Spain during the late 1800's. Lopez Jaena was the founder of the La Solidaridad, the organ of the propaganda movement --that ignited the spark of the Philippine Revolution.
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* Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio
Candido Iban and Francisco del Castillo, of Aklan (then part of Capiz) donated part of their lottery winnings in Australia to set-up a printing press for the Katipunan‘s “Kalayaan” kartilla. They were commissioned by the Supremo to organize a Katipunan chapter in their home province. Both were killed in action during the early part of the revolution.
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* President Emilio Aguinaldo
Gregorio S. Araneta of Molo, Iloilo City– As Secretary General of the Malolos Congress led in framing the Constitution of the First Philippine Republic under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. He was the first Philippine Secretary of Finance, Justice and Solicitor General.
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* President Manuel L. Quezon
His Vice President was Sergio Osmena of Cebu and Jorge B. Vargas of Bago, Negros Occidental was his Executive Secretary. President Quezon’s daughter, María Zeneida "Nini" Quezon -a widow re-married to Alberto Avancena, son of Chief Justice Ramon Avancena of Arevalo, Iloilo and Proserfina Abad of Leyte.
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* President Sergio Osmena
The post WWII president who took the reins of government on February 1945 is a Bisaya from Cebu of Chinese descent, whose son Serging married an ilongga ..Lourdes de la Rama. The Taipans "Golden Rule" began and gave a shot-in-the-arm to Philippine economy.
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* President Jose P. Laurel
War time President; A risky decision to accept a difficult position in a very precarious situation. His son Salvador "Doy" married Celia Diaz of the Bacolod Locsin Clan. And another son Mariano married Alice of the Iloilo Yulo Clan.
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* President Manuel A. Roxas
A Genuine Ilonggo from the Province of Capiz. The capital...Roxas City was named after him. He married Trinidad de Leon of Bulacan; hence, his Capizena sweetheart --the operatic diva Jovita Fuentes was broken hearted and echoed her sentiments in the immortal ilonggo folk song “Ay ay Kalisod, kalisod ining binaya-an” . President Roxas son, the late Senator Gerardo “Gerry” Roxas married Judy Araneta y Araneta of the old rich ilonggo family in Negros Occidental.
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* President Elpidio Quirino
His Bisaya Senate President, Jose Avelino of Samar, one of the few Filipino politicians at that time censured for his dealings; in reply to question on widespread corruption in government, cynically asked, "What are we in power for? We are not hypocrites. Why should we pretend to be saints when in reality we are not? . . .
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* President Ramon Magsaysay
Was born in Iba, Zambales to Ezequiel Magsaysay, a blacksmith, and Perfecta del Fierro, a schoolteacher of Visayan descent. His daughter Mila married Cezar Infante Valenzuela of Valladolid, Negros Occidental.
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* President Carlos P. Garcia
A Bisaya from Talibon, Bohol. President Garcia’s administration was anchored in his austerity program. His bold attempt to boost economic independence with the nationalistic "Filipino First Policy" caught the ire of Multi-National Giants and he lost the propaganda war against the big global Business interests.
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* President Diosdado Macapagal
Entrusted to Ilonggo Rufino“Fenny”Hechanova the Cabinet positions of; Executive Secretary, Press Secretary, Finance Secretary and Secretary of Trade and Industry... not necessarily in that order. Justice Calixto Zaldivar of Antique, likewise served as his Executive Secretary.
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The family of this Pampangueno who styled himself as the “poor boy” from Lubao, evidently love ilonggos. The low-profile son Arturo married Mariter Lacson Jalandoni of Iloilo City while small but terrible daughter Gloria married Mike Tuason Arroyo of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.
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* President Ferdinand E. Marcos
Married to the Imeldefic Bisayan Beauty, the Rose of Tacloban City, Leyte. His son Bong-Bong married Lawyer Liza Cacho Araneta of the Araneta clan-Negros Branch while youngest daughter Irene to Greggy scion of the Araneta clan-Iloilo Branch.
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Under his administration served, the "Yin and Yang" of the Salas Clan of Negros; Roberto "Nonoy Bobby" Benedicto and Rafael "Toto Cay" Salas.
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* President Corazon C. Aquino
When "Ninoy" became a dream and "Cory" the reality --after ilonggo Prelate Jaime Cardinal Sin incited EDSA-I --she depended to ilonggos; Franklin M. Drilon as Executive Secretary; Justice Raul M. Gonzales as Tanodbayan (Ombudsman) and Solicitor General Frank Chavez to face the tentacles of the deposed dictator.
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* President Fidel V. Ramos
Married to the dainty and demure ilongga Amelita "Ming" Jara Martinez of Lapaz, Iloilo City. Mr. "Tabako" was a principal figure in toppling the dictatorial regime of his cousin Ferdy. Inday Meriam and many others, however, are still doubtful of Apo Fidel's "Brown-Out" presidency.
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* President Joseph Ejercito Estrada
His favorite connection, among others is his "Guiding Lady" from Bacolod City --Guia Gomez. Their son J.V. Ejercito, in now Mayor of San Juan City in Metro Manila. Eraps only daughter with Dra. Loi, Jacqueline "Jackie Estrada" Ejercito later married Manuel "Beaver" Lopez Jr. --scion of the super rich ilonggo Lopez family.
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* President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Her first and only Gentleman is Miguel Tuason Arroyo of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental. A great grandson of Negros Island Revolutionary leader Gen. Aniceto Ledesma Lacson and Rosario Emilia Araneta. The second wife of Gen. Aniceto L. Lacson was Magdalena Torres.
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Presently, her ardent backers are ilonggo Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzales and her defenders in Congress, the Defensors of Iloilo. While with "Joc-Joc" Bolante of Capiz .... a thorn in her throat.
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Even Filipino leadership on the opposite side of the political spectrum; NDF-CPA-NPA Jose Maria "Joma" Sison; has the ilonggo conjugal ex-clergy, Father Luis Jalandoni and Sister Coni Ledesma who also literally calls the shots.
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Today, a ray of "Hope" is conspicously glowing along the horizon that might revolutionize Filipino society. This was initiated by yet another modest ilonggo Antonio P. Meloto of Molo, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.
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Tony has effectively started rekindle the inherent Filipino trait; the "Bayanihan Spirit" as Founder and Executive Director of GAWAD KALINGA.
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GK is making waves throughout the Philippines and supported not only by concerned Filipino expatriates but also by benevolent groups worldwide.
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There must be something about the Bisaya or Ilonggo that makes them "Click!"
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Ano tana rugya ?... Ay ma-an timo!.
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(Modified from previous INM Banwa_Mo posting)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo0oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~