by Telly G. Ocampo
Ms. World, Mara’s Platform for Environment Advocacy
In last Sunday’s edition of The Bohol Tribune, Atty. Mara Ruiz was my page neighbour as she was feature in the “People, Places and Events section, next to the culture and arts page.
I was inspired with Mara’s strategy for environmental advocacy. A young girl who is privileged to study in the best schools: Bohol Wisdom for her younger years; University of the Philippines for her baccalaureate degree and Ateneo de Manila for her law school. I’m amazed at her advocacy, with the Ms. World competition as her platform – her centerstage.
In a way, we are related by blood, from her grandparents’ paternal side. Her mother is Dr. Mary Ann Alagon-Ruiz. Dr. Mary Ann is the daughter of Mrs. Fancy Baluyot and the late Luis Alagon, Moreover, Luis Alagon Jr is the son (of course) of Luis Alagon Sr. The late Luis Alagon Jr is my mother’s cousin. His grandmother, Salome (Nang Momeng as we call her) was one of triplets namely: Cleofe (Inoy Oping), Maria Juaquina (Anding Yaying) and Salome. Their mother, Erene Tomalom, died at childbirth of the triplets. Their father, Basilio, married again and his wife by the second marriage was the younger sister of Erene Tomalom named Felicidad.
Basilio was a seafarer who was the Hefe de Viaje of my great grandfather’s business. My grandfather was Ciriaco Villamor, the younger brother of Basilio. The triplets, then, were taken care of by the family of Ciriaco Villamor after the triplets’ mother died and as Basilio continued with his trading business in Mindanao.
Now, I will talk of the days of my great grandparents, Ciriaco Villamor and Agripina Buhion, many and many years ago. Both took under their care, the triplets I mentioned earlier. I said that they were the children of the couple, Basilio Villamor and Erene Tomalom. Basilio and Erene were second cousins, sharing the same grandparents: Marcelo Tamayo Villamor and Silvina Iyog. Since Basilio was Hefe de Viaje of the trading vessels plying the Mindanao and Visayan seas and his wife died giving birth to the triplets, the triplets were then brought to our ancestral home in Baliaut under the care of my grandmother, Alejandra with Guadalupe and Graciana. At that time they were young and unmarried, yet.
When the triplets grew up, one of them, Salome, fell in love and married Luis Alagon Sr (my cousin). Both Salome and Luis Alagon Sr. are the great grandparents of Atty. Mara A. Ruiz.
I’m proud to meet Atty Mara, a determined girl, who knows what she wants in life. And I am more proud knowing that she is a niece of mine in a way. I know her grandparents very well and I can still remember the presence of the triplets when my grandmother, Lola Danday. died. And that was their story.
Here’s wishing Mara the best of her endeavour and seeing her at centerstage in her advocacy.
Here are some photos of the family of Atty. Mara, including her uncles and aunties, and most especially her grandmother, Fancy Baluyot.
Mrs. Fancy Baluyot, the grandmother and Atty. Mara Ruiz, the granddaughter
Atty Mara’s uncle, Dr. Kazan Baluyot (left) and auntie, Atty. Fama Baluyot (right)
Mrs. Fancy Baluyot (seated, first row, center) and her children. This photo was taken during one celebration of Mrs. Baluyot’s birthday.
Mrs. Fancy Baluyot (front row, center) leading her family in one of their trips to Netherlands.
Dr. Kazan Baluyot and his mom, Mrs. Fancy Baluyot