TWO weekends ago on November 24, my siblings and I drove to Kiangan, Ifugao for the two-day wake of the late veteran journalist and politician Gualberto “Bert” Lumauig – considered the “Father of Ifugao” province.
Sir Bert must have been given that epithet and honor as he was the first governor of the then newly-created province of Ifugao.
Ifugao “was created as an independent province on June 18, 1966 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4695, otherwise known as the Division Law of Mountain Province. Under this Law, Mountain Province was divided into four provinces namely: Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga Apayao, and Mountain Province...”
Source: https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Ifugao_Province,_Philippines_Genealogy
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Ifugao’s “Apo Lakay Bert” started his political career as the first Governor of the Province of Ifugao in 1967 – upon the creation of the province in 1966 when the then one “Mountain Province” was divided into several provinces.
Ifugao’s Apo Bert served as governor for nine years until 1976; then as Ifugao assemblyman from 1980; then as congressman from 1987...
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Earlier, I posted in my Facebook account the following:
“My deepest condolences to the Lumauig family on the passing of Sir Gualberto Lumauig of Ifugao – my Publisher in the late 1990's when I was the “Life” Section & “Women & Children” Section Editor and Columnist of the Baguio Cordillera Skyland News...
Published by the Lumauig family, the Skyland News was circulated in Baguio City and the entire Cordillera Region in Northern Luzon, Philippines...
Sir Lumauig had served as Governor and Congressman of the Cordillera Province of Ifugao – and was the Spokesman of the then ruling political party Lakas-NUCD...
Rest in peace, Sir Bert Lumauig!”
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Apo Bert’s daughter Gina Lumauig – who used to come over to the editorial desk of their family’s Cordillera newspaper – said of her dear father’s passing:
“I love you, Daddy
Gualberto B Lumauig, my rock, my inspiration, has left us this morning.
Our mom, Felicisima Esing Dait Lumauig, and the family wish to thank you all for the prayers and messages of sympathies...”
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Gina Lumauig then gave the following detailed backgrounder on her father:
Former Ifugao solon passes away
Former Ifugao governor and congressman Gualberto B. Lumauig passed away yesterday after a lingering illness. He was 85.
The first Governor of Ifugao in 1967, Lumauig also served as assemblyman and congressman, and also as MECO Ambassador to Taiwan. He was former president of the UST Philets, former governor of the Philippine National Red Cross, and former Jaycee President, and a lifetime member of the National Press Club. He served as Spokesman of Lakas-NUCD under then President Fidel V. Ramos.
A journalist by profession, Lumauig was a long time columnist of Manila Bulletin, and was a contributor for Philippine Star and Philippine Daily Inquirer. He was author of Into the New Horizon: Ifugao, an insightful book on the history of Ifugao politics.
He will be remembered as a devoted husband to his wife Felicisima Dait, a loving father to children Aloysius (+), Benedict (+), Cicero, Doris (+), Emma, Frances and Gina, and a doting grandfather to 22 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
His was considered the Builder of Ifugao who unselfishly and passionately served his province for many decades...”
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A Lumauig family member – Dice Lumauig Martires – described the arrival and welcome of the people of Ifugao for their favorite son who was honored with a wake at the Ifugao Provincial Capitol on November 22:
“Sobrang kakilabot! Arrived 4:30 a.m. Upon descent from vehicle, the Ifugao gongs started to beat to welcome their son, Apo Lakay Bert?? Thank you Lagawe!”
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Gualberto Lumauig
1933- 2018