Changing status
The
town of Tanjay officially became the City of Tanjay on April 1, 2001
amidst the usual penchant for argumentation and debate, Tanjay
style. So far, has cityhood been good for Tanjay?
Proponents led by Mayor Baltazar Salma say, “Yes, it has
been. We can now make use of the IRA (Internal Revenue Allotments) to
fund the vital projects of this new city.”
On the other
hand, dissenters, led by our very good friend Dodong Saga,
sneer, “Ay, guini-i ko nila! Himan-himan ni-ini, they will
raise
three things: property and business taxes, our cost of
living
and the salaries of the new city officials.”
Differing
opinions notwithstanding, most Tanjayanons do not seem to
care. They
just want to continue being what they have always been.
With all its
faults, Tanjayanons believe that, whether a town or a
city, Tanjay, is still the best place to be. Tanjay, the
new city, is a
happy city. It s a city in love. It is a happy city in love. It
is
a city happy in love!
Other Name changes
If the
youngsters in Tanjay do not recognize the name of their dad’s
alma mater, it
is because the big private schools there have changed their
names:
East
Negros Institute (founded in 1947 by the late Mrs Maria A. Diaz
,
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grand old lady
affectionately called Inday Iyay by the Tanjayanons, and former
Provincial Board Member dubbed "ang garbo sa Tanjay") is now the DIAZ
COLLEGES.
Tanjay
Institute (founded in 1952 by the illustrious Dr. Diosdado P.
Villaflores, whose gift of tongue and concern for the poor but
deserving students have earned for his school the praise and membership
in international associations of colleges and universities) is now
VILLAFLORES COLLEGES.
Immaculate Heart Academy, the school with a noble mission to
educate the
whole man (founded in 1957 by the Agustinian Sisters during the tenure
of
the late Father Banjamin Hiponia) is now 'MAHKLIT
'AHRT KAHD’MY.
(Okay, okay, just kidding, but that
is how our friend Ricky Teves pronounces the name of his alma
mater.)
Cell phones nidagsang
There
is a proliferation of cell phones in Tanjay. Most anywhere you
look, you see them being used by young and old alike. You see
them in the streets, in the buildings, in the corner, most of
them texting.
Said Lito
Limbaga, former presi-dent of Tanjay Association USA, "Bisan gani
ng mga tindera'g isda. Gabugaw'g langaw sa usa ka
kamot, unya ag usang kamot tu-asa dalunggan kay ga-cell
phone".
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"Maayo ra ngani na,"
quipped Peping Gorospe (Tita Cusio’s wonderful half). “Diha
kono’y manangguete nananggot. Dugay kaayo didto sa ta-as sa
lubi – kay ga-text diay. Iyang gi-textan ag iya ra pu’ng asawa,
gaduyan sa ilang bata nga natulog”.
Association donates
shed
The two
sister Tanjay Associations (USA and Metro Manila) jointly have donated
a waiting shed located at the
corner of Magallanes and Washington,
kadtong moliko ka paingon sa Pamplona.
According to
project coordinator Armi Gayo-Cordeta, this will benefit the
commuters using public transportation as it will protect them from the
heat and the rain as they wait for a pedicab, a jeepney or a bus to
take them to Abogon, Azagra, Pamplona or to Jones in Santa
Agueda.
Jimmy
Zerna, President of Tanjay Association, USA and Elwyn Borromeo,
President of Tanjay Association, Metro Manila, thank the members of
their respective chapters for their support and cooperation.
Likewise,
expressions of thanks are in order to Mayor Baltazar Salma for
facilitating
completion and architects Amay and Lorna
Gayo-Ybañez
who have donated their professional services to this project.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o
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