FINALLY!

To all Members of the Maao Sugar Central Group Welcome! My time is devoted to this because of many reasons. I may not have been a resident of Maao Central and I know most people will wonder why I am working on this. For Family members they all know the reason but for others let me just bind a simple story. My late Father and Mother were residents of Maao Central, Bago City, got married at an Acacia Tree in Balintawak where my Maternal Grandmother Carolina Abad - Torres, widowed by my late Grandfather Enrique Linaja and married Lolo Emilio Torres used to live. My father was the son of Aguedo A. Gonzaga and Agueda S. Araneta.

Three of my sisters were born inside Balay Daku and during that time my father was the Personnel Manager of the Maao Central Administration and with Lolo Mandoy Araneta as the Manager. I woke up with Bago City and both Maao Barrio and Maao Central as a distinct place of a destination for the family which moved to Bacolod City when I was born.  As far as I can remember we were always excited when its Fridays because we will be on our way to Maao Central with Tay Itong whom we make ankas when he goes back to Maao. My sisters and I spends weekends, summer and semestral breaks right there in Maao Central.

During those times all of our Lolos and Lolas were mostly alive, Uncles and Aunts, we loved being with our cousins. We usually stay at Lolo Mandoy and Lola Miling where our sister Manang Emilie was when she was still single. I clearly remember that most of our vacations were spent there and during the Milling Season Maao Central glowed like "gold" at the foot of the Mount Kanla-on where MSC serves as its foreground.

Balay Daku opened a lot of things for the future. It is not only the place that gave me memories about the big poncions that transpired there but it was also the place where I spent my early times in the Kitchen. During Birthdays big "kawas" are used to prepare food that are considered to be Comfort Food now in the Family. Kitchen is where I started to be aware and interested with what Tatay Bigboy the Balay Daku and Lolos Kusinero were preparing. Balay Daku introduced me to the joys of making Cakes and Waffles aside from the fact that I was mostly with my Mother Lilia in her Kitchen when she bakes Cakes and Pastries and prepare Food orders.

I can vividly remember the sirens of Maao Central, the never ending bright lights, the never ending free flow of the water, the free use of the Electricity - which gives precious right to have the airconditioning system on the whole day? We were not allowed so much to go to other Zones perhaps for security reasons but I remember that we go to Balintawak where my Maternal relatives are and in the place where Tioy Juaning Gonzaga in Violeta Zone and Tioy Agueding Gonzagas place in is that Elga? Im not too well versed.

I have never seen or have known Plume if not for an entry of one named Elsie Floresca Junio. After reading her entry on the Plume I immediately thought of getting there and yesterday finally I saw it. I also learned that one of the builders of the Plume was my Grandfather Enrique Linaja and I felt proud.

Another realization was the Flores de Mayo. If not for the entry of a member which I can no longer recall I wouldnt have been curious so I went to Maao Central yesterday May 15th to witness and my heart bled why? its drought and I didnt see any FLOWER! the kids were so attentive with their teacher Nimfa Diaz Villasenor. Everyday their snacks are sponsored by charitable people in the vicinity. It may not be that grand but seeing the delight in the eyes of the kids makes one happy. I told them to be very good and make sure that they will hold the future of the place - indeed these Children are the future of Maao Central.

Back to Time zone I also remember that after dinner each night cousins gather to roam around the area we go to the Pelota Court to play it was out means of sweating that time. We normally hang out at the "imburnal" in front of Balay Daku or go to unplanned parties like in Nong Junior Lopez" and or at Tiay Nani Locsins house.

Summer time also meant Sirguelas and the Bangkok and Aurelio Santols at Dos Hectarias in Maao and not to miss is Buenos Aires which used to be owned by Lola Mayang Matti. Maao River is also nice!!

Move back to present again. My biggest concern right now is the Roman Catholic Church of Maao Central and the Evangelical Church. Im dreaming that all of us can help with its rehabilitation. Stories can be told out of that Church. Weddings, Baptism, Confirmations, Legion of Mary, the Holy Week, Flores de Mayo and most of all the countless Funerals of Family members and Friends that transpired in these exact churches. I will make a separate entry on this here in the blog.

Many things to say, Many good and bad stories to tell, Many happy and sad experiences, but one thing is certain - we were all smitten by our love for Maao Central and I believe its the time for us to give back thus Maao Sugar Central in My Heart was coined because its sure ball in our Hearts! 

Lets start the ball rolling guys.....If you want to share you can and if you want to post something email your entries to me with your attachments and ill do the postings for you. Lets make this great! Madamu guid nga Salamat sa inyo Tanan.