A Recollection on the original De Basilan Association.
By: Butch "Babuchi" Natividad
Makati, Philippines - - This is as far as I can remember on how the De Basilan Association came into existence.
It was purely accidental, if I remember it right, during the early 1970's, while I was in Manila trying out for the basketball Varsity Team at the Far Eastern University, I was welcomed to stay at the residence of fellow Basilenos John Calminero and Jorge Castor (both are cousins of Butching Sanson), which was located in Concepcion St., Pasay City. John was working then at the Lakambini Night club in Mabini at night and tending to his Uncle Teng's Billiard hall during the day in Pasay City, while Jorge Castor was working at the Avenue Theater in Avenida Rizal.
(L-R) Bingbong Silva, el chika they can't remember her name anymore, Mike Paraguya and Butch Natividad. The house was still bare when Bingbong and Bro. Willy Silva rented this apartment while trying their luck in the "urban jungles" of Manila.
I noticed that this place was the favorite hang-out of close friends from Isabela; a "melting pot" where Isabelenos usually meet during the weekends to exchange pleasantries and notes of what life's hurdle is in Manila and the life they sorely missed back home, and of course, these discussions were always interpersed with drinks and "pulutan." To break the spell of being "homesick," even love life and all sorts of life travails were shared, discussed and entertained in this gathering so that each may provide solace and comfort to a fellow Basileno - a welcome refuge or a "home away from home."
Nadette Macute and Bingbong Silva.
Due to this interactions, Basilenos who were residing and working in Manila were identified and contacted. In the process, a network of fellow Basilenos started to formed and they were the following: my cousin Willie Silva, who was working as a field engineer at Better Living Subdivision, Bingbong Silva (both are Pipoy’s brothers), Mike Paraguya (a nautical graduate), another cousin of mine, was also in the mix while he was in Manila applying for seaman - he was residing with cousins Willie & Bingbong at Gen. Alejandrino Street, Bangkal Makati, where I also stayed upon the instructions of my father, the Igot family (Boy, Titing & the twins Nonong & Neneng) who were staying with their sister Cely nearby in Bangkal Makati, and Nadette Macute (Leland's brother) who was working at TESCO in Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong, who was staying in his uncle's house in Pasay City.
(From top-to-bottom)Engr. Willy Silva, John Calminero, Bingbong Silva & Mike Paraguya. These boys were the orginal's of the De Basilan Association. Meeting of Basilenos was every Friday eevening and wind up Sunday afternoon. They only had 2 hard sofa chairs in the sala, 1 folding dining table with 6 chairs around it.
The house in Bangkal (Silva's residence) now became the favorite hangout of the Basileños. The guys will come-in every Saturday morning, pass the hat for contributions, and then buy groceries and drinks. John, the Chef, will prepare mouth-watering meals and specially made "pulutan" Isabela style for the group, while the rest of us were busy downing several cases of beers until we bid our "adios's" the following day at about 5:00 in the afternoon. Of course, the conversations were mostly about life in Basilan, and we aslo shared notes of common friends and relatives, pleasantries were also exchanged by new and old faces in the group, and lastly, the topic would always stray with speculations of "cuanto Isabeleno kababayans gaha tiene kita aki na Manila?" This went on and on for quite a time until the rest of our fellow Basilenos came to know, through word of mouth, about this regular weekend get together at Gen. Alejandrino Street.
This house became the unofficial "Headquarters" for the Isabeleños. In fact, because of its reputation, it became the "gateway" for most of the Isabelenos who came over to Manila for a tour, for a vacation, to attend a seminar, to reside, to study or what have you. My sister Mimi and her teacher-friends who came over to Manila even made it a point to either drop by, or check-in, or stay there during the entire lenght of their vacation.
The man of the house and an the indefatigable host, Bingbong Silva. His compassion for Basilenos who ventured to Manila made his apartment an open-door for those who seek comfort and joy.
Circa 1980, when I returned back to Manila, Junie (my brother) informed me that the Bangkal get together has already folded-up. That in its stead, fellow Basilenos were now meeting regularly every Friday night at about 7:00 p.m. at the Betsy's Cafe & Restaurant in Jupiter St., corner Makati Avenue in Makati. According to him, the notables were: Boy Igot, Dennis Morales, Nadette Macute, Nonito Legazpi, Willie & Bingbong Silva, Lando Dalguntas, Butch Alano, Lina Santos Potts, Jane Fernandez, Eric Sanson (deceased), Victoria "Baby" Estrada (sister of Teng Saavedra) and Hubby Hamlet Garcia. The place was located near Boy Igot's office (AG&P)
Of course, with the biologically innate feeling to naturally reconnect with our fellow Basilenos, I went to said watering-hole and said my hi's and hello's and ask them how it's been since I left for Basilan and the last hang-out that we had at Bangkal St.
Dennis Morales, who was one of the regulars, was an Assistant City Fiscal then at the Manila City Hall, Dimie Fernandez (deceased) was always present everytime he was in town. Just like Boy Lanete, the moment he arrives for a vacation from Iraq (where he works as a Purchasing Officer), he made it a point to drop by the place and attend the meeting. I also made it a point to invite guest from Basilan to grace the meeting, and one of them was my good & humble friend, the late Bob Tugung. In fact, I even recall we made him sing for the group. At that time, Bob was dubbed as the "Little President of Western Mindanao." Bob, who was always accompanied by his man-Friday, Bobby Reynera, was always ready to listen and lend a helping hand to the group despite his hectic schedule. In my heart, he's still what I always call him "The Great Bob."
Jingjong Luna (the Johnny Mathis of the Philippines, according to Bert Nievera), who is the brother of Gino Luna, also sang for us for free when he attended several meetings. At that time, Jingjong was in demand and you can hardly get him to attend the meeting. But being a true Basileno he is, he will always find time to drop by and sing for the group. He was then the lead singer of the famed "Jubilation Band" that performed nightly at the Dusit Hotel.
After numerous meetings, the regulars finally decided to seriously discuss the idea to form an organization, with the thought in mind so that the Isabeleños residing in Manila will have a venue, or a forum, to be able to get in touch with each other easily, and more so, to be updated on information on what is happening in Basilan, the whereabout's of other Basilenos in Manila, and also if possible, to provide any form of assistances, if need be, to a fellow Basileno who needs a helping a hand.
Lo and behold! after the brainstorming, the group decided to christened the group's name "De Basilan Association." An impromptu and informal nomination for the set of officers was then conducted viva voce:
President: Antonio Boy Igot. Note: We gave him the credit because of the efforts he exerted. Besides, and without any offense to other members, to us he was the most credible and easily available.
Vice-President: Bingbong Silva
Treasurer: Willy Silva
Secretary: Yours truly "Babuchi" The Man
PRO: Vincent Nadette Macute
Sgt. at Arms: Junie Natividad & John Calminero
After the elections, and in order to have a brand or an identity, we discussed about the logo and it was unanimously agreed that it will look like a key e.g. "db" - if the two letters will be put together side-by-side, or back-to-back, it will look like a key, right my friends?. The key symbolizes the groups open-door connection with all the Basileños wherever they are, and to the kind-hearted Basilenos in the group, or any Basileno for that matter, to contribute whatever they can in terms of news, donations, scholarships, etc.
If my memory still serves me right (este ya ba gayot, ta kida ya biejo si Babuchi por eso), I think it was Butch Alano that made the design of the logo.
Before we decided to name the group De Basilan, I stood my ground to name the group "De Basilan" instead of Isabela only, because I wanted to include everyone who is from Basilan, regardless of culture, religion, tribe, and race. For as long as the person is from Basilan, we will give him/her the symbolical key to be welcome as a member of the association.
Among the topics that we had during our meetings were to provide jobs for those who are in need of gainful employment and the possible educational scholarship for the poor but deserving students.
The Constitution and By-Laws of the Association were crafted by none other than Assistant City Fiscal Dennis Morales, which was registered as a non stock, non profit entity with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) - if I remember it right, it was in 1981.
The first significant activity of the Association that I can recall was the grand reunion and picnic which was held at the Better Living Subdivision Clubhouse, courtesy of Boy Igot, who resides in that place. The meeting place of the group was at the Hotel Intercontinental parking area. Because of the numerous guests and members, I have to even drive Boy's car (an Isuzu Gemini) to bring them to the clubhouse.
All of the Association officers were present. The Igot family were all there as well: Cely, Boy & Family, Nonong & Neneng, Titing (Ernie to friends), Christine Perez Eustaquio, daughter of Mrs. Benitez & a guest, Mimi and several others, whose names and faces have for now slipped my memory. (Can't remember everyone anymore, he he he).
It was a fantastic and successful event. Some enjoyed swimming at the pool, the rest played basketball, the rest had their kumustahans and chika-chika. Everybody really had fun and enjoyed the whole-day affair.
December of 1982, my father passed away and I had to go home to Zamboanga. Boy Igot and the members of the De Basilan group was a big help to me and Junie during that trying times and painful moments. It was my understanding that Ramon Martin and Hamlet Escobar (deceased)took over the reigns of the association.
These are the things that will forever be etch in my memory and will fondly remember.
Finally, because of this dedicated website for the Basilenos whose thrust, among others, is to reconnect with all fellow Basilenos, I have contacted Bobby Reynera with the plan to revive the De Basilan Association here in Manila. To all Basilenos here in Manila, please contact me and/or Bobby so that we can discuss plans on how to revive our association. Thank you so much in advance.
Photos courtesy of Mike Javier. 
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