The Philippines is an archipelago, a group of small islands, that when bunched together is not even bigger than the smallest state in the United States of America. Beyond the baseline of the Philippine territory are island masses, countries belonging to other continents. Yet even with this “petite” physiological characteristics, the Philippines is endowed with assets that when tapped could spiral into a haven for a global business hub and retirement as well.

The Philippines is geographically located in the most pivotal position for global entrepreneurship a strategic point to connect all continents of the world, America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Just within reach from any part of the world… a friendly neighbor to the rest of the world.

When global economic powers like the United States, United Kingdom and other European countries sank into economic recession, the Philippine economy survived or was less affected at all. It may not have grown bullish in its economy but neither did it also shoveled down below. That is why, the United States and other countries has been eyeing for more active business relations with the Philippines. Ergo, it is something that various business groups that are into trading, manufacturing, tourism and others should deeply be involved.

Population has always been an issue in the Philippines. Legislations for and against abortion and the right to life are endlessly debated in any forum. HoWhether it was culture or religion that contributed to the balloon of population in the Philippines, population explosion should be looked upon in a positive way. The Philippines is demographically a young country. More than 75% of the population is ages between 18 to 35 years old. Educate, train and allow this portion of the populace to have an opportunity to work by creating jobs within the country and abroad, is a tremendous contribution to the country’s economy. Not to mention a given factor that the Filipinos are one of the most sought after labor force because of their adaptability to any job requirement in any country they are working with.

The Philippines has many economic zones just waiting to be filled up. This cannot be done by government alone. So much could only be accomplished even if government has placed enough linkages and shortened its bureaucratic tapes. The private sector must act as a catalyst towards this dynamic stance for a global business “come on” towards the Philippines. Just as, a magnet is a useless tool if it is left in the cupboard.

If there are heroes for change in political governance, there too are heroes for economic growth. As a Filipino, we share the same desire to help the country gain prestige in any given situation, be it in the boxing arena or in the streets where the side walk vendor are.  Let us not limit opportunities with what our peripheral vision can see when this could be more possible if we are able to invite investors from other countries. “The world is getting smaller everyday”, is not just a song… It is prophetic. And because the great man from Nazareth said, “Love thy neighbors…” We must give opportunity to our neighbors from whatever and where ever points in the globe to be home in the Philippines by giving them an opening the gateway for business here, giving them tax incentives in return for our people to be able to work and earn with dignity in our own country.

 

“Pictures that speaks of a thousand words” (Taken by Gloryrose Dy)

 

September 26, 2009, will never be forgotten in the history of man. Typhoon ONDOY bat-tered the Philip-pines with storm that flood-ed most of Luzon and Metro Manila areas. Many families were rendered homeless, damage to properties was unaccounted for, hundreds died and hundreds are still missing. To this date, rescue operation con-tinues as another storm has been fore-casted to come.

Behind the emotional tapestry, the façade of the so called coordination between the government and the private sector lays an annoying gap of the “blame game” metamorphosis.  Some with obviously hidden agenda, under the guise of media blitz, has successfully toyed with the psyche of poor innocent victims. The psychology of the “stomach” is the most effective political campaign. And… from today until the Election Day, it is inevitable that who so ever the biggest tri-media group has endorsed will be the next President of the Philippines. Election is therefore over and done with… thanks to ONDOY!

Setting aside politics however, who do we blame for this devastation? Blame it on God! Blame the government!  Blame the people themselves!  Blame the water! In its frenzy to find its way to the lowest level, as the theory goes… “Water always seeks its own level”, it run across homes, property, lives and everything that get in the way… and unfortunately, GARBAGE…and so much of it got in the way! It trapped the water causing it to rise high because the volume of water could no longer be contained. As a result, there was a sporadic rushing of water and flooded areas which were usually flooded during rainy season and also those areas that never experienced flooding at all. There are areas in Metro Manila that are usually flooded to the ankle length whenever it rains. Residents continue to stay in the place in spite of this situation. But the recent flood rose to the neck high and some kids and elderly folks died as a consequence. The TRAGEDY OF NEGLECT spared no one regardless of age, gender or socio economic status.

September 26, 2009 was a TRAGEDY OF NEGLECT! Everywhere in this country we can find a surmountable amount of GARBAGE. The incriminate disposal of waste in places where it should not be, in canals, along the streets, in gutters and drainage system. In spite of laws on Proper Garbage Disposal and Solid Waste Management, it is an undeniable fact that littering is an unbreakable bad habit of the Filipino. There are Laws beautifully worded on Anti-littering but these laws remain without teeth. Seasonally it is implemented but the rest of the year… GARBAGE on the streets is a common site, the best habitat for flies and maggots too… If it is not collected on time by the government agency assigned to that task, the alley cats and the street dogs will clutter them more… and when it rains… these solid waste clogs the canals and water ways.

Dr. Jose Rizal, in his novel, “El Filibusterismo” or “The Reign of Greed”, Pasig River was then a problem. It was murky and dirty and the smell was stench as Donya Victorina would describe it to be then. Nothing has changed in the passage of time.  I wonder what the author would do if he were alive… write a sequel to the novel…  TRAGEDY OF NEGLECT!

 

 

 

(Please read Chapter I)

Searching for one’s roots in the internet does have gratifying experiences as well as frustrations. No matter how helpful websites on ancestry and genealogy may seem, it does not contain an eloquent data or facts that may lead the researcher to ultimately obtain its objective, the search for links from the unrecorded past events. Especially so if the surname is not common compared to the most American and European surnames that are abounding in the websites mentioned above.

Moreover, some websites may mislead the user too. For example, one site indicated that the surname Alcoran comes from Alcorn which means “the corn”, whose origin was believed to be from Ireland where vast corn fields were grown. Thus, it leaves an impression upon the researcher that Alcoran means “of the corn”, entirely moving away from its historic meaning, the Koran or the Qu’ran, the Islamic Holy Book. However, if the user searches further the links of the same website, it will find a record of old real estate titles and contracts executed or signed by a person whose surname is Alcoran and not Alcorn.

It is not customary or common for a person who executes a legal document to miss spell his surname. Therefore, if a person signed “Alcoran” in all his legal documents, it was his intention to sign “Alcoran” and not “Alcorn”. Signing or writing of one’s signature is a spontaneous and automatic habitual act of a person, what is written there indicates a valid descriptive act of what the person intents to write. Henceforth, titles and contracts signed by James Alcoran of North Carolina, USA were signed by James Alcoran, bearing his surname Alcoran and not Alcorn. Thus, other legal documents bearing signatures of Alcoran were executed by an Alcoran and not an Alcorn. Nevertheless, it is still a jigsaw puzzle how the Alcoran reached North Carolina in as early as the 18th century. As simply stated, if the researcher doesn’t have the patience of an ant… he would stop searching.

Finding other Alcorans brings joy as well as disappointments. We encounter negative biases along the way due to differences in culture. So expect the unexpected… Not all Alcorans may welcome intrusion to their quiet life, although most admittedly long to learn more about the mystery behind the strange surname. Others may doubt your intentions especially because the researcher comes from a country that has been stereotyped negatively in the international community. The Philippines has been notoriously branded as Mail Order Bride Capital of the World; A poor third world Country; Country of Domestic Helpers: Internet Cyber Sex Trade Capital of the World and many others that would equate the Filipino into something less impressive. Even if the Filipino has empowered itself by making a mark in the global labor force, this has not erased the bad imaged that has marred the Filipino. So it is no wonder why others may question the motive of the researcher, whether it is merely to defraud others, to solicit financial help from Alcorans of USA, UK and other European countries as well.

In one of my internet sojourn, I run across some Alcoran’s from UK. I befriended Stephen “Steve” Alcoran, a song writer, artist and musician. His features resembled that of our late father and our late uncles from Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental, Philppines. To me it was a miraculous encounter. At once there was an unspeakable fondness towards each other like finding a lost kin. We had common enthusiasm to know more about each other and share what memories are left of our ascendants. We shared astonishing similarities in interest…the arts, music, literature including common ailments. It was fascinating. But what was strikingly distinct is the love of the Alcoran’s to discuss whatever topic under the heat of the sun. The love of discourse and argument is an innate passion for an Alcoran. But, as the Alcorans in us were unveiled… so was the Alcoran’s temperament too. Fondness turned to contempt! Relentlessly doubting each other’s motive, the quest for the veracity of facts, led each other to refrain from keeping in touch.

“Sir Steve”, as I fondly call the English Alcoran, is an English gentleman worthy of respect! I understood his initial doubts. We all are “doubting Thomases.” Ironically however, his doubts challenged my interest to discover whatever facts that is available to track down anything that relates to an Alcoran, whether thru folklores, theories, hearsays, or whatever data that would fill in the gaps. And I wouldn’t mind if I go back to the point where I started, e.g. old picture, old notes, stories retold and retold, dusty history books, old libraries and surfing in the internet interactive websites.

Trying to recall stories that I heard in my childhood and collaborating this with photos was difficult. One of my law professor at Silliman University Law School, now Judge Cresencio Tan, use to tell us jokingly, “If you want to do something, think of funny thoughts and everything will just pop into your brain.” So indeed I tried to remember the jokes and funny incidents of my childhood. Lo and behold… the “skirt” which I later knew was the kilt, a skirt-like garment which my great grandpa wore in his old picture which was also described vividly by our father and uncles. I laugh at it. I thought he was gay. They said he use to carry a bag with many protruding long and short sticklike whatever that produces certain sounds… I learned later that it was a musical instrument called a bagpipe. Why was he in those garments and why was he holding that weird thing? Those were my queries. Our uncle Pio Alcoran, the last to live the longest among the elderly Alcorans said, those pictures were taken from where our great grandpa came from, which is so far away. I would frown at those remarks; to me it was like telling us that he came from outer space! I never ask him those questions again.

Sometime in the History of the Philippines, during the illustrious Spanish regime, Narciso Clavería y Zaldua became governor general of the Philippines on July 16, 1844 until December 26, 1849. During his reign, he made it a policy for natives to adapt Spanish surnames on November 11, 1849. This brought about chaos among Chinese and other nationalities doing business in the islands. They had to follow the law, circumvent it or be imprisoned. Alcoran was one of those surnames that were used to escape being disenfranchised by many. Thus the inhabitants had no choice. Until this date, Spanish surnames proliferate in the Philippines but most of these surnames could not be the basis of ancestral or genealogical study. In fact this could lead to miss appraisal on lineage.

I met some Alcorans today who couldn’t remember how they got the surname. One of them however was so cooperative to reveal that his surname was just assigned or given to them to protect them from the Spaniards. I find this gesture admirable and honorable rather than dismissing the use of Alcoran as an accidental fact of history. My great grandfather was not only a gentleman exemplar but also a hero in those days when he has to save people’s lives and their future by allowing families to adapt his surname. That although, what he did may have given this researcher some problems in the documentation of events, his humane character leaves greater Honor to the surname Alcoran, a legacy to those who have used and will continue to use it without compensation or monetary rewards to the bonafide heirs of this unique surname.