Alex Montelibano
dies in Manila

Canadian Toti Quizan who is from Kabankalan City and former Assemblyman Teodoro Benedicto were talking about Alex Montelibano Wednesday. Both said they were just counting the days when the former sportsman, politico was dying. I learned the other day that he had died in Manila.

The remains of Alex arrived yesterday morning from Manila. A mass was scheduled for him yesterday at 6 p.m. at the University of St. La Salle. That was the reason why a lot of sugarmen rushed their jobs so they could attend the mass for Alex.

Although he once ran for congressman of the Third District, Alex was better known for his feat in golf. Especially his role in promoting Jungolf.

I remember Alex is the ever-jocular fellow. I always remained at ease with him.

Well, sooner or later, all of us must have to go. Alex just went ahead of us. The reason why Toti, who had survived a triple bypass cardiac surgery, and Teddy Benedicto, a close friend, were discussing how many of our contemporaries had already gone ahead of us.

I can only salute Alex. He must be enjoying swinging his golf up there with the Lord.

****

If there is anything that should alarm third district political leaders, it is the state of the road leading to the First Farmers Milling Company.

All one has to do is try to visit the place. And join the chorus of denunciations of the state of the road. I hope that somehow the provincial authorities and the national government can cough up the necessary funds to restore the road. Just a reminder.

****

I am a member of the Negros Occidental Historical Council. But I missed receiving a copy of the book on Alfredo Montelibano Sr. Finally, I received my copy of it a few days ago. It was actually intended to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary figure on December 1st last year.

But the thing that I eagerly looked forward to the human side of the legend that "Agurang" had been in his lifetime. Montelibano, however, when humanized emerged a much towering figure that most had considered him to be.

For most, Montelibano sounded pontifical and stubborn man. Well, he was one person who did have patience for the inefficient and the incompetent. But he was also a noble person. He knew how to accept his mistake and apologize for it. That was my person experience with the Agurang.

I intend to write about how he doted on his Junior whom he so furiously tried to shape up to his expectations, not just let him be with his personal strengths. A common mistake of parents.

Anyway, if there was one thing that settled my curiosity it was his version of legendary slapping by a Japanese sentry which he admitted in the taped conversation with the late Nick Ledesma, NOHCI chairman. It happened but not where it supposedly took place.

According to the Agurang, it was actually Estong Gonzaga whom the Jap sentry tried to slap when the latter failed to bow down before him at the Bacolod Airport. When Montelibano intervened, the Japanese slapped him instead. The old man said he wanted to hit back at the soldier but on sight of his levelled bayonet, he calmed down.

Actually, I had heard that story from Montelibano, himself. But I forgot the identity of Gonzaga.

Anyway, it may prove interesting to read the book. Although, or precisely because it was compilation of persons who had been close to the Old Man, there are a lot of insights into the person.

Montelibano, incidentally, never finished agriculture at the UP Los Bañnos. But he had the innate talent of the scholar and experimenter. And despite his lack of academic credentials, he soon became a formidable voice in agriculture and industry to the point that whenever he came out with his ideas, often a lot of people paused to listen to him. Some, of course, hated him for his forward-looking social philosophy.

But definitely, he was a man of his times. And his ideas will remain to haunt most of us.

But then don't let me entice you to buy the book. It is just worth reading the story of a great man.

****

Yesterday, I dropped in on BREDCO where I learned that the Top Harbor is now loading a Panamian vessel - a gigantic cargo ship - with 25,000 metric tons of sugar bound for the United States.

Sammy Palanca told me that he expects the conveyor-loading to be completed in about eight days.

And the funny thing is that the boat skipper would have wanted Top Harbor to delay the pace of loading so he could stay longer in Bacolod. The reason - the captain had not stepped off his boat for six months.

Efficiency, too, has its drawbacks.*

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