Sagunto Star

Another Saguntonian found our little abung on the web and contacted us. This is Vista Hope Esteban Ortiz and her family.

On the photo are:
Rachel (Jojo’s wife, Vista’s daughter-in-law), Jovi Faye (Vista’s daughter), Vista, Ian Japeth (her youngest), Jojo (eldest son), and Kathleen Joy (younger daughter).
This was taken at home during their New Year’s Celebration.

A message from Vista:

Hi there!
T’was a surprise to find out that Saguntonians have a website! I am very proud of you! Jeanette (Jmom) and Ophelia (Omom), right? You probably barely know me. I can remember you two as little girls visiting your grandma from Baguio with your mom. Our house was just adjacent from your grandma’s. My dad was the Barrio Captain and my mom who was and is “the” Saguntonian in the family, was a school teacher who touched a lot of lives in the community. In her behalf, I would like to greet “well wishes” to everybody here as well as the Sagunto folks.
Because of my heritage, “(Uncle Manuel keep on the good work!)” I love Sagunto. Sagunto that my dad and mom once cherished and is so alive in the memory of once a young girl, me.
Again, great work and kudos to all of you!

Manang Vista
Vista Hope Esteban Ortiz

Manang Vista shared a bit of trivia that I didn’t know before. It was her mom who started the Rizal Day Celebrations in Sagunto!

She also said “If my memory serves me right, you were the first Queen and Elmer Esteban, my cousin was the first King. You both were so cute!”
[We are still cute manang ]
Manang Vista is still beautiful as ever and we hope to hear from the other Ortiz sisters and other Saguntonians of old as well.

Old friends of Sagunto, send photos of your family, a quick update of where you are now and how you remember Sagunto, and we’ll post it here too. Just send your emails and attachments to: saguntophotos@gmail.com

Again, I apologize for the lateness in posting these photos. I meant to publish them last month to coincide with Jayden’s first birthday. Jayden, if you remember, is the grandson of Ed & Lynn Dela Cruz, son of Kimberlyn & Lee Ruck. Jayden celebrated his first birthday on May 26.

Previous Post:
Jayden’s Christening

BARANGAY COUNCIL / PTCA SPEARHEAD BRIGADA ESKWELA AT PILAOAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SAGUNTO, SISON, PANGASINAN

By: Loejan S. Anudon

“It is at this juncture that the Honorable Board Member, Danilo C. Uy, the pride of the 5th District of Pangasinan, comes always in the frontline together with Mayor Kimi and the Honorable Congressman, Mark O. Cojuangco.”

Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide project of the Department of Education that is aimed to unite the community, parents and school personnel in cleaning and preparing the school buildings, grounds and facilities for the coming school opening. Most of the work is usually done during summer vacation, a few weeks before classes start. It is customary for the school heads and the PTCA president to solicit sponsors for donations of paint and construction materials to be used during the activity that usually lasts a day or two.

It is at this juncture that the Honorable Board Member, Danilo C. Uy, the pride of the 5th District, comes always in the frontline. As a side note, Board Member Uy was also one among the negotiators during the luncheon meeting with the Pacio family who agreed to donate portion of their land for the Pilaoan Elementary School. He also facilitated the immediate release of relief goods from the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce that benefitted most Sisonians.

The direct involvement and participation of barangay leaders, hand-in-hand with the PTCA and school personnel, during the execution of the Dep-Ed’s Brigada Eskwela program in all schools is a great exercise of teamwork and cooperation and should be encouraged to continue.

The Pilaoan Elementary School, set atop one of the highest mountains of the Municipality of Sison, is one among the many schools seriously hurt by the typhoon. Giant trees fell on its roofs and its Home Economics shack was torn to pieces and gone with the wind. A cry for help from the two assigned teachers, Mrs. Percy Palit-ang Libatique and Ms. Marjorie Sabiano, impelled the Barangay Sagunto Council to climb the area geared with bolos and chainsaws. Upon arrival, the school’s PTCA headed by Mrs. Julia Seben, were already present and have started collecting the debris and stockpiling reusable materials. It took almost a day to liven up the place.

The infectious laughter of the very young Barangay Councilors, Nicole, Arlene and the SK’s Chairwoman, Ellaine, inspired everyone. Brgy. Kagawad Ruperto “Abat” Literal showed off his masculine physique but did not impress the bull of the Barangay Sagunto Council, Kgd. John “Atiwag” Damaso. Hon. Fe Inocencio together with the Barangay Secretary, Cesar W. Carino, commandeered the older women in pulling the weeds and grasse that grew along the cracks and crevices of the basketball court. Hon. Angel E. Castillo had a hard time combatting the red ants who stood their ground to protect their territory. The Punong Barangay, Hon. Manuel L. Esteban, Sr., sponsored the transport vehicle that ferried everyone to the site. The teachers brought out their broomstick weapons and helped Kgd. Castillo get rid of the ferrocious ants that choose to bite hidden body parts. This author was the garbage collector.

5th DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER DANNY UY DISPENSED CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, JETMATIC PUMPS, PAINTS AND SCHOOL PARAPHERNALIA FOR BARANGAY SAGUNTO, ARTACHO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND PILAOAN SCHOOL KIDS

By: Loejan S. Anudon

“We have a limited supply and the demand is great so let’s be contented with equal halves but the rule is always First Come First Served”… BM Uy

The cement request from the Barangay Sagunto Council has been granted. Honorable Board Member Danilo C. Uy of Pangasinan’s Fifth District delivered the cement for the concreting of the unfinished portion of the Pilaoan Road which was left fragmentary due to insufficient funds. The unfinished sections of the road remains a constant threat particularly the section in front of the Brownlow residence where it could trigger a catastrophic landslide if not mended. The grant of cement from the district will enable the road to be completed and avoid possible damage to surrounding properties.

Aside from the bags of cement, Board Member Uy also handed out two jetmatic water pumps to augment the supply of water to citizens who reside in areas inaccessible by the barangay water mainline.

The Pilaoan school children were also surprised and extremely elated to receive an early dispense of Christmas gifts containing notebooks for their daily school use.

It is imperative for schools to have presentable rooms that are conducive to learning so that our children, who are our nation’s hopes and future, will have an environment where they can grow and develop to be productive citizens. After typhoon Cosme came through the area, our local schools suffered significant damage. Realizing the importance of having a safe and presentable space for learning, Board Member Uy also brought with him, gallons of white paint for the Artacho Elementary School to beautify their rooms left standing by typhoon Cosme.

The Pilaoan schoolchildren all said in unison: MANIYAMAN KAMI APO BOARD MEMBER DANNY UY!

Barangay Sagunto and Artacho Elementary School Also echoes the thanks to Board Member Danny Uy.