Barotac Viejo, Iloilo - My Memories of the Town from 1945 to 1953

The Roman Catholic Church -a 2 Minute walk from our Residence 💚
Barotac Viejo, Iloilo is the ancestral town of my Mother. It is the town where I spend my teenager years- elementary and high school years, 1941-1953. It was a 3rd class municipality at that time.    

Today. Barotac Viejo is a booming 1st class municipality with an economy centered on farming, fishing, and a growing tourism industry. Located 56 kilometers from Iloilo City, daily life is peaceful and community-focused, highlighted by vibrant annual fiestas, but also occasionally challenged by infrastructure and environmental issues. 

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=barotac%20viejo%20tourism

The Economy

• Agriculture & Fishing: A large portion of the town's massive land area is used for farming. Locals make a living by growing rice, corn, and sugarcane, or by fishing in the town's coastal waters.
• Tourism Growth: The Department of Tourism Region VI named Barotac Viejo a top tourist destination in the province. Popular natural and resort spots, such as Nagpana Falls, draw many visitors and create local jobs. 
• Business & Infrastructure: The addition of the new Savemore Market Barotac Viejobrings modern convenience and fresh groceries to residents. A 2.2-kilometer bypass roadis being constructed to ease traffic and boost local trade.

Daily Life & Culture

• Culture & Festivals: The town has a strong cultural heartbeat. Residents celebrate with events like the annual Patronal and Municipal Fiesta, which features parades, drum and lyre corps, and community street dances.
• The People: The municipality includes a mix of coastal and upland barangays (villages). It is also home to indigenous communities like the Aeta, who share their traditions with visitors. []

Current Challenges

• Water Supply: Like many rapidly developing towns, Barotac Viejo occasionally experiences water supply issues, requiring help from local government units and the BJMP to deliver water to facilities. [1]
• Environmental Pressures: The expansion of farming creates challenges, like the loss of watershed forests and risks of flooding, which the wider province is trying to address. 

Despite these growing pains, the town continues to push forward with its "Asenso Barotac Viejo" (Progress Barotac Viejo) movement, creating a blend of traditional provincial life and modern growth.  

Coronation Night. 2026 Fiesta, June 29, 2026 * see the 1953 Version with my Photo on it.   

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barotac_Viejo

Meanwhile, A Look Back Seventy -Three ( 73) _ Years Ago

Town Fiesta, 1953 Coronation Night-Public Plaza  

I am one of the Consorts ( 3rd Guy from the Left) 

1945-1951- My elementary and high school years were in the town of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo. The town is the ancestral home of my Mother, Paz Barrido Balleza Katague 

Here's a brief description of the town, I wrote in 2009.

Barotac Viejo, Iloilo(BVI) is a 4th class municipality about 60Km North of Iloilo City. Iloilo is one of the four provinces in Panay Island. Panay Island is part of the Western Visayas Region of the Philippines. The Visayas Region is the Central Part of the Philippine Archipelago. 

BVI is the town where I grew up. It is the town where I finished my elementary school years. It is also the town where I finished high school. In 1951 I graduated valedictorian of my high school class. It is the town where I have both pleasant and unpleasant memories of my childhood and teen-aged years. 

My childhood memories of the American-Japanese war occurred in the town proper, foothills, seacoasts and jungles of this town. 

 https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2026/03/my-childhood-memories-of-world-war-2.html

When I left BVI in 1951 to pursue my college degree in Iloilo City and later in Diliman, Quezon City, BVI was a 4th class town with less than 5000 residents. In 2015, Wikipedia states that is now a 3rd class municipality, with a population of  around 45,000. When I left BVI in 1955, there was the elementary and high schools, public market, Cockfighting Arena, the Catholic Church, the Post office and one gas station, a couple of hardware stores, a Chinese bakery and may be 100 residential homes in the town proper. 

Today this 4th class town has more buildings both for business and private homes. The local high school was named a national agricultural high school. Part of the land for the school was donated by my uncle ( Jose Balleza) and my mother Paz Balleza . When I left the town in 1955, the mayor of the town was Luis Tupas, a relative of my mother. Today the local politics, are still controlled by the Tupas family and their clan.  

In 2005, my wife and I accompanied by my sister visited our parents grave site .Me and Macrine(RIP) with sister Amor at the Cemetery. 

Our old house (located at the back of the Post Office) was gone. The only thing that remained was the foundation stone with the engraving Dolce Building, 1952. 

Tears from my eyes flowed like a gentle rain, when I saw that foundation, recalling the pleasant memories of my teen-age years. The house (photo below) is gone but my memories of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo will live forever.💚

 

Our ancestral Home-The Dolce Building, 1953- My Home during my elementary and high school years in the Philippines.   The other side of the street is the Municipal Building and the Office of the Mayor and the Catholic Church a 2 minute walk uphill. 

Meanwhile, here are some photos taken during the 2026 Town Fiesta, June 29, 2026, Feast of St Peter and Paul from FaceBook Page.  The following is a 6-minute video of the 4-days of celebration culmination in the coronation night. 

https://fb.watch/I506BPWsyN/

BAROTAC VIEJO FIESTA QUEEN AND KING

Inspired by two enduring symbols of Filipino identity, the kalesa, representing our rich history and timeless traditions, and the bangka, symbolizing resilience, unity, and our journey toward progress, this year’s Royal Float is a vibrant tribute to the beauty of the Filipino spirit.

Designed with bold tropical colors, intricate layered details, and contemporary artistic elements, the float seamlessly blends heritage with modern creativity. Every detail reflects the warmth, joy, and cultural pride that define the people of Barotac Viejo, making it more than just a parade center piece, it is a moving celebration of our shared history, identity, and aspirations.

As our Fiesta Queen and King grace this masterpiece, they embody the municipality’s commitment to honoring its roots while embracing a future filled with promise and progress. Together, they proudly represent the heart of a community that remains deeply rooted in tradition, united in faith, and continuously moving forward.

Concept, Structure and Design: Allen Van Balleza

Float Stylist: Robertson Lampa of Robertson Events

Sponsoring Agency: Local Government Unit of Barotac Viejo

Coronation Night- Featuring the King and Queen of the Fiesta Night

Ditas Katague -Newly Appointed CID National Advisory Board Member

I am super proud to announce the latest accomplishments of my

 youngest daughter, Ditas. She was just recently added to the National 

Advisor Board of the Center of Inclusive Democracy(CID), USC Sol Price

 School of Public Policy    Here's the announcement

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Exciting-News--CID-is-Now-an-Independent-Research-Organization-.html?soid=1107417106344&aid=P65SYmw_dmE

Ditas Katague - National Advisory Board Member
Former Associate Director for Communications and Engagement at the U.S.

Census Bureau  Linkdin

Ditas Katague is a democracy strategist and institutional leader with 25+ years

building the trusted-messenger infrastructure that connects American institutions

to the communities they serve. She is the creator of the trusted-messenger ecosystem

model first piloted in California in 1999 (for Census 2000) and later scaled to national

federal operations, a framework now cited as a breakthrough approach to community

-driven communications and civic trust-building.

Ditas is founder and President of The Ditas Group, LLC, where she advises California

government, philanthropy, and civic-sector leaders on strategies spanning democracy

strengthening, election administration, and civic engagement. She currently advises

the California Democracy Partnership and is a primary architect of California's

proposed VOICES (Voter Outreach Information & Corps for Election Safety) program

, which would build a statewide trusted-messenger network, an Election Administration

Fellowship, and a multi-county Election Safety Corps.

She has been appointed by the President of the United States and three California 

Governors to lead institutions with budgets up to $267M and teams of 200+, including

Associate Director for Communications & Engagement at the U.S. Census Bureau, 

Director of California Complete Count Census 2000, 2010 & 2020, and Chief of Staff

to a CPUC Commissioner. She served as Principal Advisor for Community Outreach

& Engagement on California's VOTE SAFE Program and the 2025 Special Election 

(Proposition 50).

A first-generation Filipino-American, Ditas holds an MPA from USC and a BA from

UC Berkeley. She speaks frequently on the topics of political inclusion, data 

stewardship, Change Leadership, trust building & outreach to vulnerable populations.

Ditas is meditation and yoga teacher and an artist (www.grievingthruglee.com). 

She is also a first-generation, daughter of Filipino immigrants, and community 

organizer.

The Center for Inclusive Democracy (CID) at the USC Sol Price School 

of Public Policy is a leading nonpartisan research center focused on

 elections, voting behaviors, and electoral and political participation. 

Founded by political sociologist Dr. Mindy Romero, CID has been a 

driving force for more than a decade on dozens of national and multi-state 

research initiatives that harness big data to effect change. Its studies have

 been widely used to inform public policy at all levels of government, 

as well as empower local communities seeking to eliminate disparities 

in social and economic well-being of the electorate.

Meanwhile, PHILIPPINES, SPAIN CELEBRATE HISTORIC 

FRIENDSHIPDay

Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, observed every June 30, honors the enduring ties between the Philippines and Spain and commemorates General Emilio Aguinaldo’s 1899 decree recognizing the besieged Spanish troops in Baler as friends rather than prisoners of war.

The occasion highlights the shared history and values of the two nations, with the Siege of Baler remembered as a moment that produced heroes on both sides.

Established through Republic Act No. 9187 in 2003, the celebration aims to strengthen the longstanding friendship between the Philippines and Spain.

Lastly, Here are the five biggest news stories making headlines today:

1. U.S. Supreme Court Issues Several Landmark Decisions
   The U.S. Supreme Court released a series of closely watched rulings
2.  on the final day of its term. Among the major decisions:
   • It struck down President Donald Trump's executive order seeking
   •  to end birthright citizenship.
   • It ruled that presidents may remove the heads of many 
   • independent federal agencies, significantly expanding
   • presidential authority.
   • It upheld state laws restricting transgender athletes from
   •  participating in girls' and women's sports.
   • It allowed mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to continue 
   • being counted in states that permit the practice. 
3. U.S. and Iran Prepare for New Peace Talks
   Following weeks of military confrontation, U.S. officials are preparing
4. for another round of diplomatic talks with Iran in Qatar. Iranian officials,
5.  however, have publicly disputed some of President Trump's statements regarding 
6. the negotiations, underscoring the fragile nature of the peace process. 
7. Violence Continues in Gaza and the West Bank
   Fighting continues in the Middle East. Israeli airstrikes reportedly
8. killed several people in Gaza, including children, while violence 
9. also intensified in the West Bank. International human rights 
10. organizations continue to express concern over the humanitarian
11.  situation. 
12. Stock Market Finishes Strong Second Quarter
    U.S. stock futures remained steady after a powerful market rally.
13.  The major indexes are on track to close the second quarter with
14.  impressive gains despite months of geopolitical uncertainty and
15.  inflation concerns. Investors are also watching corporate earnings,
16.  including those from Nike, later today. 
17. 2026 FIFA World Cup Knockout Drama
    The World Cup continues to produce surprises. Germany was 
18. eliminated in a penalty shootout by Paraguay, prompting veteran
19.  goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to announce another retirement from 
20. international football. Morocco also advanced after defeating the
21.  Netherlands in a dramatic shootout, while Mexico prepared for a
22.  key match against Ecuador. 

Finally, My Reel of the Day: Filipino Folk Dancing- Reminds me of My High school Years in the Philippines

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1522628192793220

When Is It Time? A Difficult Reality in Senior Living

Living at The Heritage Downtown (THD) for nearly three years has given me a front-row seat to the joys and challenges of growing older. Most of us here continue to enjoy an active lifestyle. We play Bridge and Mahjong, attend concerts, exercise classes, lectures, and excursions, and enjoy the companionship of fellow residents.

But occasionally, something happens that reminds us that aging is not always kind.

Recently, while walking to lunch, I saw a fellow resident gently holding a beautiful stuffed cat and trying to make it drink water. The toy looked remarkably lifelike from a distance. I quietly mentioned that the cat was not real, but she simply looked at me with a blank expression as I continued on my way.

A few days later, another incident caught my attention.

As organizer of our Monday Bridge group, I maintain a list of substitute players whenever one of our eight regular players cannot attend. A new resident had asked to be included, so I gladly placed her on the substitute list. Two weeks ago, I called her because we needed a fourth player. She never returned my call.

Several days later, she confronted me in the hallway and asked why I was preventing her from playing Bridge. I explained that I had called her recently, but she insisted her phone had not been working.

Neither of these encounters was humorous to me.

Instead, they made me pause and think about the difficult reality many senior living communities face.

As we age, some residents begin to experience memory loss or early dementia. At first, the signs may be subtle. They may forget conversations, become confused about recent events, misplace objects, or misunderstand situations. Family members may dismiss these changes as "just getting older," but sometimes they are the early symptoms of cognitive decline.

There comes a point when independent living may no longer provide enough support.

Assisted Living and Memory Care communities exist for a reason. They provide trained staff, structured routines, medication management, and specialized care designed to help residents remain safe while preserving as much dignity and independence as possible.

This raises an important question.

Should the management of an active senior living community become involved when they observe signs that a resident may no longer be thriving independently?

I believe they should.

Management is not there to diagnose medical conditions. That responsibility belongs to physicians and qualified healthcare professionals. However, management members are often among the first people to observe changes in a resident's daily functioning. They see residents every day. They notice repeated confusion, missed meals, unusual behavior, or increasing forgetfulness.

When these concerns become noticeable, management has a responsibility to communicate with the resident's designated family members or legal representatives. Together, they can encourage a medical evaluation and determine whether additional support is needed.

This is not about taking away someone's independence.

It is about protecting their safety, preserving their dignity, and ensuring they receive the care they deserve before a crisis occurs.

Dementia affects not only the individual but also families, friends, neighbors, and the entire community. The earlier it is recognized, the better the opportunities for treatment, planning, and support.

Growing older is a privilege denied to many. Growing older safely, with compassion and appropriate care, should be a goal we all share.

Perhaps the greatest kindness we can offer one another in a senior community is not simply friendship, but the courage to recognize when someone may need more help than we can provide.

Meanwhile, Last Photos of June, Welcome, July, 2026

It is hard to believe June is already behind us! Here is a post to celebrate the transition into the heart of summer: ​And just like that, June slips away into the memory book.

​Thank you, June, for the long, sun-drenched days, the vibrant golden hours, and the beauty of early summer. You brought the warmth and the inspiration, and now we hand the torch over to July.

​Welcome, July! Here’s to deeper summer days, new adventures under wide open skies, and capturing every beautiful moment along the way. Let’s make it unforgettable.

Why Tragic Movies Are Hard to Forget

Among all the movies I have watched over the years, the ones I remember most are not always the happiest. Surprisingly, they are often the saddest.

Recently, I watched the Italian film Fireworks. Like many viewers, I hoped for a happy ending. Instead, I found myself wiping away tears as the story came to a close. Long after the credits rolled, I was still thinking about the characters and wondering how their lives might have been different if only one decision had changed.

Why do tragic movies stay with us so much longer than cheerful ones?

The answer lies in human nature.

Happy endings give us satisfaction. They tie up loose ends, reward the heroes, and allow us to leave the theater smiling. We enjoy them immensely, but our emotional journey is complete.

Tragic endings are different. They leave something unfinished. They invite us to imagine what could have been. Our minds continue to replay the story, searching for another ending that never comes.

Psychologists sometimes refer to this as the "unfinished story" effect. We tend to remember incomplete experiences more vividly than completed ones. A heartbreaking ending becomes part of our own imagination because we keep rewriting it in our minds.

Another reason tragic movies endure is that they mirror real life.

Life rarely follows a Hollywood script. Good people suffer. Timing can be cruel. Opportunities disappear. People lose loved ones unexpectedly. Dreams remain unfulfilled. Tragic films remind us that happiness is precious precisely because it is never guaranteed.

There is also a strange beauty in sadness.

When we cry during a movie, we are expressing empathy. For two hours, fictional characters become real enough for us to care deeply about them. Their pain awakens our own memories, lost loves, missed opportunities, the passing of parents, friends, or spouses. The movie becomes more than entertainment; it becomes a mirror reflecting our own lives.

As I have grown older, I find that tragic movies affect me even more. At ninety-one, I have experienced both great joys and profound sorrows. I have learned that life is not measured by how many happy endings we receive, but by how deeply we love, how much we cherish those around us, and how gracefully we accept that not every story ends the way we hope.

Perhaps that is why films like Fireworks, Grave of the Fireflies, Atonement, and The Green Mile continue to be remembered decades after they were released. They remind us that love, sacrifice, and loss are universal experiences.

Ironically, the movies that make us cry often leave us feeling more grateful. They encourage us to hug our families a little tighter, tell someone we love them while we still can, and appreciate the ordinary moments that tomorrow may take away.

The happiest movies entertain us for an evening. The saddest movies stay with us for a lifetime.

The ending of Fireworks lingers because it reminds us that life does not always grant second chances. Unlike many romantic films that provide a happy resolution, Fireworks leaves us with unanswered questions, lost opportunities, and the bittersweet realization that love sometimes arrives too late. Those are the stories that stay in our hearts.

AI Overview:

Meanwhile, here are several memorable films with similar emotional themes:

• Grave of the Fireflies – Often considered one of the saddest films ever made. A heartbreaking story of two children struggling to survive during World War II.
• Atonement – A tragic romance where one misunderstanding changes the lives of two lovers forever.
• The Green Mile – A moving tale of justice, compassion, and sacrifice.
• The Bridges of Madison County – A mature love story about choices, duty, and lifelong regret.
• Hachi: A Dog's Tale – A true story of extraordinary loyalty that rarely leaves a dry eye.
• Cinema Paradiso – A nostalgic masterpiece about love, memory, and the passage of time.

For Asian cinema, I would also recommend:

• Your Name
• 5 Centimeters per Second
• The Wind Rises
• A Moment to Remember

Finally, My Quote of the Day 

“Being happy never goes out of style.”

Lilly Pulitzer