Cebuanos in positions of leadership in Zambo

Dipolog: The whole morning of Monday we rode the 325-kilometer trip from Zamboanga City to Dipolog and caught the Montenegro Shipping to Dumaguete City in the afternoon. It was a great ride and I learned a lot in Zamboanga City. First is that Chabacano is a great unique language which has no comparison elsewhere in the rest of the country, except perhaps in Cavite where a few people also has a similar language since Sangley Point was a Spanish Naval port. But Cebuano is becoming a dominant language to the detriment of Chabacano. I understand that the Muslims there would rather speak in Tagalog so if the people in Zamboanga don''t find ways to preserve their unique language, in a few generations from today, Chabacano may cease to exist. I asked the people at the country near Fort del Pilar what they were and they said that they are Bisaya but confused as to what tongue they should be speaking. So someone better start working on the preservation of this language before it disappears like the dinosaurs.

There''s no question that the influence of Cebu is very strong in Zamboanga. I''m positive that Zamboanga del Norte''s Gov. Rolando Yebes is the same person who studied at the University of San Carlos who also ran for President of the Student body. Gauging from the posters, I think he''s the same person I used to know. This fellow was an achiever in our school days, but I never expected him to be the Governor of Zanorte. Another proud Cebuano is reelectionist Gov. George T. Hofer, who when he was a Congressman created the Zamboanga Sibugay District. From being a small town Mayor in 1995 he became a Congressman in 1988. During that time, he created Zamboanga Sibugay, where is now the Governor. His slogan can be found in his initials, "Great Things Happen" and that''s not just a campaign slogan. The town of Ipil was attacked and burned to the ground by the Abu Sayyaf in 1995, but under his leadership, business is growing. The Jollibee outlet there has become a halfway stop to Zamboanga City. When you see a Jollibee sign that means the town is progressive.

In Zamboanga, we were also hosted by Mr. Danny Lopez, whose brother Arthur is a close friend of Sir Max Soliven. Danny operates the DxKZ AM-FM (91.5 Mhz) Radio station along Rizal St. He told me stories about the violence against media in Zamboanga City where 10 years ago radioman Rey Bangkarin was shot inside his booth while Danny was just a few meters away from him. Another radioman was also killed. Both murders remain unsolved.

Zamboanga City used to be the kidnapping capital of the Philippines. But it''s been a long time since they had a kidnapping there. It was just unfortunate that of the seven construction workers beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf last Friday, six came from Zamboanga City. What can the Abu Sayyaf hope to gain from kidnapping poor construction workers escapes me. But like what we read, this incident happened in Parang, Sulu, not in Zamboanga City where we found life there quite bustling despite the bad news. Zamboanga City has a unique way of allowing election posters. They are allowed only on the islands on the middle of the road and in their parks. Thus, I could hardly recognize Plaza Pershing, named after the American General John "Blackjack" Pershing who earned his Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism against the Muslim in Mount Bagsak, Jolo. Pershing Plaza is now festooned with election paraphernalia.

Zambo City''s Mayoralty race is perhaps the most colorful as reelectionist Mayor Celso Lobregat is facing no less than Monsignor Crisanto "Monsi" dela Cruz. Yes, Lobregat is facing his greatest challenge coming from the Catholic Church. But when I asked where would Monsi get his campaign funds, this wasn''t a mystery at all. Monsi is apparently a close confidant-cum-spiritual adviser of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA), which is why he is running under the banner of KAMPI. He is also being endorsed by Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao. But they say that even without the administration''s financial support, Monsi can very well pay for his campaign. I found out that a year ago, the famous Lantaka Hotel was given to him to administer by its owner Ms. Gabriela Walstrom, who is a spinster without any siblings. But is this enough for Monsi to win? People are saying, how can we trust him when he even abandoned God? His opponent Mayor Lobregat had to seek another party under LDP/Lakas just to stay within the administration ticket. But then Zambo has always been an opposition city, let''s see who will win between the church or state.

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