TANZA, Cavite -- Over green fields, trees and mountains, some 30 kilometers from Manila lies the historic town of Tanza, Cavite, the acknowledged Revilla territory. Passing through this bucolic town, one bound for Tanza travels through Imus, historic Kawit, now progressive Dasmarinas, home to the Cavite Economic Zone and SM, General Trias and, finally, Tanza, which residents celebrated the feast of St. Augustine on August 27 and 28.
From Dau, the trip took me four hours, first by Philippine Rabbit bus, two short taxi rides and the bus ride from Baclaran to Tanza. I took a Joncy liner bound for Naic and was dropped off at the Tanza Family General Hospital where my host, Luis Marcilla, Jr., picked me up and brought me to his home at Barangay Julugan VI. Upon reaching Maricilla's place, I was joined by Augusto, Franklin, Marlon and Sherdie, all surnamed Valencia, George Villanueva and Robert Arca who gave me a breakfast send off Sunday morning. He and his wife Olive were gracious hosts like the rest of the group.
My trip from Dau was generally uneventful and not stressed by heavy traffic, considering it was Saturday early morning and, except for occasional traffic at Coastal Road and Bacoor, it breezed through several towns, up to Barangay Julugan, Tanza, a mainly fishing village fringing Manila Bay.
The hospitality accorded me by the Marcilla family headed by Luis Sr., was commendable as was the warmth of the people of Barangay Julugan VI. As I've stated earlier, fishing is the main occupation of menfolk. Others have tricycles for hire. Luis Sr, related to me that fishing boats lining the coastline cost from P300,000 to as high as P2 million. Still, other able-bodied residents opt to try their luck overseas.
The slow, carefree lifestyle is evident in Barangay Julugan but the salty water gives a different scent to merry making as is regularly held by fishermen upon accounting of their catch. The day I slept over, Luis Sr., and namesake. Luis Jr., had 20 coolers of fresh fish catch with market value of about P46,000 to P55,000. After deducting the expenses and commissions of haulers, Luis Sr., still has P15,000 to count on.
Tata Usteng, as the Tanza residents fondly call their patron saint, dwells at the San Agustin Church, Poblacion town proper, now a bustling area, courtesy of hardworking and very resourceful Maor Marcus Ashley "Kuh-Kuh" Arayata and assisted by Vice Mayor Yuri Pacumio and the Sangguniang Bayan members. It now boasts of McDonald's, Jollibee, KFC, Chow King, 7 Eleven and, recently, Puregold retail outlet.
The church, by the way, was constructed in early 1900s during the time of Emilio Aguinaldo and is preserved by the faithful of Tanza, which has 42 barangays. The Comite de Festejos 2010 is headed by Mayor Arayata.
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When sickness befalls the family, friends like Mayor Ed Pamintuan, Alex Dy Reyes, Mac Salta and Jerry Arenas, Benny Jocson, Dr. Oscar Aurelio, Rox Pena and my younger brother Perry pitch in to ease the burden as befell my son Reginald. To all of you, a million thanks.