By: Telly Gonzaga-Ocampo

A family get-together


Since 1996, after the dissolution of Baclayon Trading Corporation, we   have been practicing this tradition of making the second Saturday of November or a Saturday nearest to November 11 (the death anniversary of our Oyang Tiva) as a day to gather members of the family to remember our departed loved ones.  It’s a long list, but this has to be since we are the fourth generation from Tan Akoy.  And today, we want the young generation to continue the tradition we started in 1996.  We are thankful to our Oyong Ando for investing Oyang’s abundance that even after their death, we still have our precious moments like in the days of old where we gather together on Christmas time.

There is a song I first heard over the radio program of my bff Ardy at dyTR.  Every time this is played, I am misty eyed. We sang this piece as our introduction to our gathering held on Nov. 15, 2025 at the Karaang Balay ni Tan Akoy. This song is a fitting thank you message both for the Lord and our departed loved ones. Here’s the song:

Unsa Man Ang Ibalos 

composed by Solomon Mahinay.

Pasalamatan ko karon ang Ginoo 

Sa mga katuigan nga naangkon ko

Bisan pa sa akong kasakitan

Giatiman niya ako ug giampingan.

Nag-anam na unta ako ug kahulog

Apan gisapnay mo ako oh Ginoo

Pinaagi sa gugma mo nga way paglubad

Sa kagul-anan ko gilipay mo ako.

Sa panahon nga ako namalandong

Sa nabilin nga kinabuhi ko karon

Ihalad ko na kini sa Ginoo

Ug bisan pa ang mga butang nga naangkon ko.

Chorus: Unsa man ang Ibalos ko sa Dios  

Sa mga kaayohan nga naangkon ko

Dili ka bayran ug salapi ni bulawan

Ang kinabuhi ko ihalad ko kanimo.

There is one sibling of our grandmother who does not have a portrait in the ancestral house.  I’m wondering why. So, I have asked the group to commission an artist to do a production of the portrait.  And of course, I asked my daughter Estela, our artist.  The sibling I am referring to is Manang Asiang, Graciana Iyog Villamor.

The image of Manang Asiang is clear in my memories of her. She has some semblance with Nang Leonor (married to Atty. Pedro Naron). Nang Leonor is the mother of Ferdinand, Edward and their only sister. 

And what is the role of Manang Asiang in the family of Tan Akoy after his demise in 1910? Manang Asiang continued the business until 1933.  And Baclayon Trading was born, an offshoot of the business of Tan Akoy.

Her portrait would have been unveiled last Saturday, Nov 15, 2025 during our get-together.  But Estela and her husband Raymund could not make it to Bohol (and bring the portrait here) because of the Visayan Visual Artists Exhibit.  This was a raging exhibit about what happened to Cebu after the devastating storm.

I’m partly retired now and we are delegating to the young ones the preparation of the event.  I have specifically asked for my bff Ardy to be the master of ceremonies for my part of the program.  She explained the absence of the portrait and she conducted the different award-winning activities with gusto.

I have realized that there should be a strong bond between the 

master of ceremonies and the director This is important in any activity.

And I am happy that this particular bond contributed a lot to the success of the event.

Hangtud sa sunod natong panagtapok, puhon!