THE POWER BEHIND THE THRONE by DINGGOL ARANETA DIVINIGRACIA

THE POWER BEHIND THE THRONE

DINGGOL ARANETA DIVINAGRACIA-ACCT I·WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018

THE POWER BEHIND THE THRONE (KUNO!) (By: DinggolAranetaDivinagracia - August 4, 2018) “Behind the success or failure of Filipino leaders; be it their family, close friends or their associates who had greatly influenced their fate for history is a Bisaya or an Ilonggo.” --dinggol.d~~~

* Mactan Chieftain Lapu Lapu a.k.a. Cilapulapo

Cebu King Rajah Humabon and Datu Zula collaborated with the Spaniards under Ferdinand Magellan to kill Lapu Lapu. In the ensuing battle of Mactan, Magellan was slain and Lapu Lapu became our foremost warrior hero for his bold armed resistance against foreign aggression and domination.

* Cebu King Datu Tupas Kamparang

Boholano leaders Datu Sikatuna and Datu Sigala, as token of friendship with Don Miguel Lopez de Legaspi performed the blood compact ritual.

Thereafter, they aided the conquistadores 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.

The “El Adelantado” Miguel Lopez de Legspi then later established the first permanent Spanish settlement on the island of Cebu. Thus, began the colonization of the whole archipelago with the bible, the cross and the sword. King Tupas son by his wife Hupay was baptized as Carlos Tupas.

* Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal of Laguna

Graciano Lopez Jaena of Jaro in Iloilo City, 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 1896 revolution against Spain.

* Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio of Manila

In 1895, the Katipunan bought an old hand-press with the money generously donated by new KKK recruits Francisco del Castillo and Candido Iban of Aklan, then part of Capiz who returned to the country after working as shell and pearl divers in Australia with some lottery winnings. Later, they were both 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.

* President Emilio Famy Aguinaldo of Kawit, Cavite

Don Gregorio Soriano Araneta, a Lawyer of Molo, Iloilo City as advised by Apolinario Mabini became the Secretary General of the Malolos Congress and led in framing the Constitution of the First Philippine Republic under General Emilio F. Aguinaldo as President. Later, Araneta became the first Philippine Secretary of Finance, Justice and Solicitor General under the American regime.

*President Manuel Luis Quezon y Molina of Tayabas (Now Quezon Province)

His Vice President was Sergio Osmeña of Cebu, while Jorge B. Vargas of Bago in Negros Occidental was his Executive Secretary. Vargas was one of the most loyal and trusted aide of the President that he was called by Bureaucrats and media as “Little President”.

President Quezon’s daughter, María Zenaida "Nini" Quezon -a widow re-married to Alberto Avancena, son of Chief Justice Ramon Avanceña of Arevalo, Iloilo and Proserfina Abad of Leyte.

* President Sergio Osmeña of Cebu

The post WWII president who took over the reins of government on February 1945 was a Bisaya from Cebu of Chinese descent. His son Serging married an ilongga named Lourdes de la Rama, daughter of Don Esteban dela Rama of Molo, Iloilo City.

* President Jose P. Laurel of Tanauan, Batangas

War time appointed 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.

* President Manuel Acuña Roxas of Capiz

The capital Roxas City --of Capiz province in Panay island was named after him. He married Trinidad de Leon of Bulacan; hence, his Capizeña 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 Manuel Roxas son, the late Senator “Gerry” Roxas married Judy Araneta Araneta of the old rich Ilonggo family in Bago City, Negros Occidental.

* 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? . . .

*President Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay of Iba, Zambales

Ramon Magsaysay was born in Iba, Zambales to Ezequiel Magsaysay, a blacksmith, and Perfecta del Fierro, a school teacher of Visayan descent. His daughter Mila married Cezar Infante Valenzuela of Valladolid, Negros Occidental.

President Carlos P. Garcia of Bohol

A Bisaya from Talibon, Bohol. President Carlos P. 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.

*President Diosdado Macapagal of Pampanga He entrusted to Rufino “Fenny” G. Hechanova of Jaro, Iloilo City the Cabinet positions of Executive Secretary, Finance Secretary, Press Secretary, and also Secretary of Trade and Industry... not necessarily in that order. Justice Calixto Zaldivar of Antique, likewise served as his Executive Secretary.

The family of this Pampangueño who styled himself as the “poor boy” from Lubao, evidently love ilonggos. His son the low-profile Arturo married Mariter Lacson Jalandoni of Iloilo City while small but terrible daughter Gloria married Mike Tuason Arroyo of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.

*President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos of Ilocus Norte

After a whirlwind courtship he married the Visayan Beauty, the Rose of Tacloban City, Leyte named Imelda who belong to the Romualdez clan. Their son BongBong Marcos married Lawyer Liza Cacho Araneta of the Araneta clan of the Negros Branch while their youngest daughter Irene married Greggy, a scion of the Araneta clan-Iloilo Branch.

Under his administration served, the "Yin and Yang" of the Salas-Montinola cousins of Negros, namely; Roberto "Nonoy Bobby" Benedicto and Rafael "Toto Cay" Salas, who also belong to the Araneta bloodline.

*President Corazon Cojuanco Aquino of Tarlac When "Ninoy" became a dream and "Cory" the reality after Ilonggo Prelate Jaime Cardinal Sin incited EDSA-I revolt, she depended to the ilonggos; Franklin M. Drilon as her Executive Secretary; Justice Raul M. Gonzales as Tanodbayan (Ombudsman) and Solicitor General Frank Chavez of Bacolod to face the tentacles of the deposed dictator.

President Fidel Valdez Ramos of Pangasinan

Married to the dainty and demure Ilongga Amelita Jara Martinez of Lapaz, Iloilo City. Mr. "Tabako" was a principal figure in toppling his second cousin Ferdinand’s dictatorial regime. Our Inday Meriam and many others, however, are still doubtful of Apo Fidel V.Ramos "Brown-Out" presidency.

* President Joseph Ejercito Estrada of San Juan, Manila His favorite connection, among others is his "Guiding Lady" from Bacolod City --Guia Gomez, now Mayor of San Juan City in Metro Manila. Their son J.V. Ejercito now serves as Senator. Erap’s only daughter with Dra. Loi, Jacqueline "Jackie Estrada" Ejercito’s estranged husband was Manuel "Beaver" Lopez Jr. a scion of the super rich ilonggo Lopez family.

*President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of Pampanga Her first and only Gentleman is Miguel “Mike” Tuason Arroyo of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental. Mike is a great grandson of 1898 revolutionary leader and the only Presidente of the short - lived Negros Republic; Gen. Aniceto Ledesma Lacson and his first wife Rosario Emilia Araneta.

Her ardent backer was the late ilonggo Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzales and her defenders in Congress were the Defensors of Iloilo. While with "Joc-Joc" Bolante of Capiz, a thorn in her throat.

*President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Cojuangco Aquino His Senate President was Ilonggo Franklin Drilon who was greatly instrumental in the rapid growth of Iloilo both in economic and in infrastructure development in recent years. President Noynoy Aquino’s Executive Secretary was Bisayan Paquito Ochoa from Samar.

*President Rodrigo Roa Duterte of Davao City in Mindanao

He appointed several Ilonggos as members of his Cabinet. For whatever reason, many were not able to continue their role as his official family in Malacañang. Perfecto Yasa as Foreign Affairs Secretary; Mike Sueño as DILG Secretary; Piñol as Agriculture Secretary; Gina Lopez as Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources; and Judy Taguiwalo as DSWD Secretary.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

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.

Tony has effectively started rekindle the inherent Filipino trait; the "Bayanihan Spirit" as Founder and Executive Director of GAWAD KALINGA.

GK is making waves throughout the Philippines and supported not only by concerned Filipino expatriates but also by benevolent groups worldwide.

There must be something about the Bisaya and/or Ilonggo that makes them "Click!"

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE IS STILL BEING UPDATED OR UNDER CONSTRUCTION! --DINGGOL.D~~~