At this age of “virtual” everything: farming, food, relationship and whatever… questions on whether technology or internet craze has made life better or worst. To the ALCORAN CLAN, there is no greater miracle that God has blessed us in finding each other in ‘Facebook’. It made the world smaller. We therefore attribute all our efforts in finding links and puzzling facts about our clan to this fantastic website. It has opened doors to friendship, family ties and made us discover the wondrous and awesome feeling of being among families that we had and never had the opportunity to be with. Thank you ‘Facebook’. I never had an iota of regret on creating the ALCORAN CLAN group.

After almost two years of patiently connecting with other Alcorans around this beautiful god given planet, we have finally reached a two hundred (200) membership on April 13, 2010 and still growing. With the global population reaching towards limitless number, two hundred is not even a visible speck but this is not a matter to dispair. One thing worth looking back is that we only started with twelve (12) members: Four from UK; Two from Italy; Three from Hawaii and mainland USA and Three from the Philippines: From UK, we had Stephen John “Steve” Alcoran, Vicky Alcoran, Gulliver Tom Alcoran, and Fiona Alcoran; from Italy, Don Angelo Alcorano and Tinio Alcorano; from Hawaii and mainland USA, Clarence Alcoran, Ryan Alcoran and Cathy Alcoran; and from the Philippines, Liza Mae Alcoran Villarante, Ivan Estella Alcoran and this writer.

With “Facebook”, the world has become smaller everyday. It takes only a click to reach out to another Alcoran. In the Philippines we were blessed to have an actual encounter with an Alcoran from UK. Steve Alcoran came to the Philippines on August 23, 2009, to meet a Filipina friend he met on-line. It was also an opportunity to be with some Alcorans that he knew in facebook. He had the chance to visit the Senate of the Philippines, tour the place and see old legislative documents in the Senate museum. Atty Andrew Lim Arrieta, the Senate Director, is the grandson of the Late Felipa “Ipay” Alcoran Yanong of Dumaguete City. Steve was treated to a sumptous dinner in the Senate Dinning Hall where Senate staff and Senators dine.

Steve also had time to meet some Alcorans in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. An impromptu party was prepared by Rosemarie Alcoran Ferolino and Richel Alcoran Ferolino-Catan on September 7, 2009, which was incidentally also Emily’s birthday (Rosemarie Alcoran Ferolino’s daughter). The following day, Meriam Arrieta Parcon, Andrew’s sister afforded Steve a beach get-together with some of the Alcorans at the Felipa Beach Resort. It was a quiet family occasion and a reunion with an extended Alcoran families of the Lirazan, Ferolino, Dy, Catan, De Leon and Cunanan. Owing to the fact that most Alcorans are of the female gender, they lost their Alcoran surname to another surname as a result of marriage.

Steve Alcoran stayed for three months travelling and enjoying Filipino hospitality and left the country first week of December. He returned to the Philippines March 25 this year. With the help of this writer, he is now staying with the ALCORANS in Taguig, Metro Manila (residence of Carmen Alcoran and the late Antonio Alcoran). Prior to Steve’s second visit to the Philippines, Jennifer Alcoran of Hawaii came to the Philippines and also had the chance to be with Allan and Alex Alcoran’s family in Taguig. Unfortunately, this writer never had the opportunity to meet Jennifer and there were no opportunities to meet Steve in his second visit. According to Allan, Jennifer went to Bohol and Iloilo to visit Alcorans there.

Going back to the old family cemetery in Berwickshire, Scotland. It is sad that only the remains of the dead are left behind. It seems that history was sealed along with the dead never to haunt the living. The oldest epithaph was dated 1741. Ironically however, my father’s sister Marguerita Alcoran’s name was one of those names that appeared among the tombstones. When Marguerita left the Philippines, her where abouts where never known and she never returned. This is not however conclusive that the tombstone that bears her name is that of my fathers’ sister. Names are names unless it is a valid representation of a persons identity. Among the dead and silent graves lives untold stories of the ALCORANS and how they manage to reach other portions of the globe including that of this small archipelago, the Philippines.

Looking at historical records of surnames, the Catalogue of Original Native Filipino Surnames (Catalogue of Original Filipino native surnames. Wikipedia), contain a list of surnames of original inhabitants of the archipelago before the Spanish colonizers decreed that all surnames be changed to Spanish, The surname Alcoran was not among the list. It is clear then that the Alcorans were not early inhabitants of the Philippines. How then did the Alcorans came to the Philippines? In the municipality of Argao, island of Cebu, where the first Spanish conquistadores landed and establish Catholicism in the Philippines, ALCORAN was listed as among the Early surnames of immigrants who lived in the Island as early as 1700 (www.sali-argao.gov.ph). And those Alcorans who migrated to the Philippines were from Spain, Italy and England.

The updated directory of members of the ALCORAN CLAN in facebook, as collated by the Clan administrators’, Ivan Estella Alcoran (Davao city, Philippines), Allan Alcoran (Taguig city, Philippines), Liza Mae Villarante Alcoran (Dumaguete City, Philippines) and this writer, revealed that most Alcorans are presently residing in the Philippines. In that many of those from Hawaii, mainland USA and Canada have Filipino lineage. Yet in spite of this blazing connectivity among Alcorans within the Philippines, there are confusing facts to link the Alcorans with other Alcorans even within the country.

The most common names that were recalled by clan members were: Venancio Alcoran and Venencio Alcoran (Note the “a” and “e” in the second syllable of the name). Alcorans from Luzon, Western Visayas, Panay and Mindoro affirms that their great grandpa was Venencio Alcoran. The Alcorans from several provinces in Mindanao and Central Visayas claims that their great grandpa was Venancio Alcoran, who was our great grandpa. Others say that there were stories that their grandpa had a twin brother. A puzzling myth or truth. A reason for this writer to formulate a hypothesis, something that other Alcorans may also have believed for quite a long time, that their grandpa Venancio had a twin brother.

Ironically, twins or double birth are common to Alcorans especially in Negros Oriental where I come from. My father had a twin sister and I myself have twin daughters and have several twin cousins. A pair of twins are now residing in Canada, Alberto Alcoran and his twin brother. There are other younger twin whose names I have yet to know.

Searching for genealogical links is tasking and frustrating. Emotions run like tsunami when we discover and find more Alcorans…. Emotions melts and dies when we lose them along the way. Some Alcorans come and others go… and only memories remains. But, just like families… we always welcome then back. Indeed this task is like digging a hole towards the centre of the earth with your bare hands… But, what great gratification it brings when we find one Alcoran… and more satisfaction when we are able to connect and share what we love so much with them… music… the love for art… poetry and discourse… common denominators of the Alcorans. And…. what a joy there is in viewing pictures of how blessed Alcorans are with good looks, awesome expressive eyes, and an eternal smile that one would miss and rather bring along to the grave… could never be described in a single word (ALCORAN CLAN album, Facebook).

Knowing that other Alcorans shares this passion to know more about our unique surname, is a blessing. With this I have to thank Tanya Raquel Keith Alcoran, Robert Michael Valentino Alcuran and Alexis Anaiss Alessandra Alcurans’ mother. You have resuscitated my dying inspiration.

In spite of the storm, God has been so good. Nothing is impossible… the search continues and this time… I am no longer alone…

Footnote:

Photo is courtesy  of Steve Alcoran. More photos are in his ‘facebook’ account profile. Unfortunately, Jennifer Alcoran did not share any photo taken during her visit.

* Makati Business Center, Philippines- One of the Spectacular Views of the Philippines

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!