The Katbalusa
(Katbaloganon USA)

 

A Profile

By Fe Fernandez Fernando

New York.New York.the city that never sleeps. The premier city of the world evokes visions of an incomparable metropolis: exotic, mysterious, decadent, fantastic! Perhaps, it is not an exaggeration to say that eighty percent of the people of the world dream of reaching, touring, living in and unraveling the mystery of the City of New York.

But for Katbaloganon in New York, the multiple enticement of the city pale in comparison to the haunting lure of small, rustic town of our birth: Catbalogan. To us, who in many ways have to live with recurrent attacks of loneliness and nostalgia, there is still no place like home. And home, wherever we are, is still and will always be Catbalogan.

In the early 70s, Katbaloganons welcome every opportunity to be with fellow Katbaloganons. Thrust into an alien society where most every other person was a stranger, it was a great relief to go to a social gathering where there were Katbaloganons. In one such occasion where a number of Katbaloganons were in attendance, Amado Latorre suggested that it might be a good idea to gather all Katbaloganon in New York and have some sort of celebration.

The idea struck with Narding Sison, and it soon became almost a passion with him, to organize the Catbalogan community in New York and neighboring states.

Drawing inspiration from St. Bartholomew, and profiting from the value advise of Amado Latorre, Fr. Doming Juntilla, Salud Abella, Ernie Rodriquez and encouraged by the enthusiasm demonstrated by whoever he broached the idea to, Narding spearheaded the effort to hold the first Katbaloganon affair in August, 1973 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The following day a whole day affair was held at the Sunken Meadow Park, Long Island.

This was the first Katbaloganon celebration in New York, the birth of KATBALUSA. Every year thereafter the association was to hold a nigh affair and a whole day affair the day after.

Patterned, although unconsciously, along, the line of the KATBALOGANON ASSOCIATION OF MANILA, the organization format of KATBALUSA is that of a loose, socio-oriented, informal association. The one thread, although tenuous, which binds its members is familial ties, cultural roots, and a heady feeling of belonging whenever with Katbaloganons. The association's officers are the President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, and other officer chosen by the president. The 1st Vice President invariably becomes the next president and the 2nd Vice President becomes the 1st Vice President. Every year an election is held to choose the 2nd Vice President. This insures no reelection for the President.

Predictably, the 1st president of the association was Narding Sison. He was to be elected again in 1995. The other President of the association were Femy Japzon, (1974) Raul Fernando (1976) Egoy Rosales (1977), Yaning Tan (1978), Ernie Rodriquez (1979), Ted Lomuntad (1980), Edsel Acampado (1981), Ben Lomuntad (1982), Jun Japzon (1983), Nestor Tambor (1984), Jessie Villarin, (1985), Laling Tanseco (1986), Ruben Silva (1987), Rolando Bartolome (1988), Boy Bohol (1989), Romy dela Cruz (1990), Fred Donaire (1991), Prosy Lim (1992), Ted Noble (1993), Boy Lim (1994), Casey Tanseco (1995) and currently Tony Avisado.

When Fr. Bobby Sison arrived from the Philippines in 1979 he introduced the liturgical and religious aspects of the celebration, with nine weeks novenas in honor of Saint Bartholomew, the Patron Saint of Catbalogan Samar.

Started 1982 was the choice of an HERMANA MAYOR for the Katbaloganon USA celebration. The Hermana Mayor, again following the line of the Katbaloganon Association of Manila is supposed to supervise arrangement for the whole day affair. The 1st Hermana Mayor was Awang Rosales, who was elected again in 1995. The following Hermanas are Marilou dela Cruz in 1983, Julie Coronacion in 1984, Fe Fernandez in 1985, Betty Litorja in 1986, Linda Japzon in 1987, Lina Penafel in 1988, Min Lomuntad in1989, Sonia Cruz in 1990, Gerri Villarin 1n 1991, Sylvia David in 1992, Tetit Lomuntad in 1983, Miranda Ortiaga in 1994 and Linda Avisado in 1996. Currently, the Hermana Mayor is Marcy Sison

KATBALUSA counts with over 300 active members. Every summer, they look forward to the Katbaloganon affair, so that, even once a year, they may renew acquaintances, relive memories and share experience with fellow Katbaloganons.

After all, for many of them, this affair is the nearest thing to going home.