I write this at the beach house of Alfonso Lim at Barit, the second biggest island (about 600 hectares) of the three islands of Fuga (about 10,000 hectares) and Maaba (about 250 hectares). They are about fifty miles north north west of Aparri, Cagayan. Their dry season is the rainy season of the Ilocos coast (west northern Luzon). It starts to rain in November up to March.
As Imelda says happily, they are the most beautiful islands anywhere in the Philippines. They belong to Alfonso Lim owner of Taggatt Plywood at Claveria Cagayan, although they were bought by his father before the war.
White beaches, cool wind that blows continuously.
And tonight was full moon in a clear sky with the big dipper and the southern cross bright on the opposite horizons which I taught Imelda to identify.
We took light planes (I the PNB [Philippine National Bank] KingAir and Imelda the Soriano larger KingAir). Left Tuguegarao at 4:30 PM and landed in Fuga at 5:00 PM. We had left Manila at about 8:30 AM, arrived at Aparri for the PNB Bldg. inauguration, left Aparri by Fokker (Imelda in the PNB KingAir) for Tuguegarao at about 12:30 AM and arrived there a
Entry is mislabeled as May 10.
Official Gazette for May 11, 1971: President Marcos warned the people of Northern Luzon against national leaders who, once having gained power, are using that power “wittingly or unwittingly,” to help advance communism in this country. He made the warning in brief remarks at the inauguration of the branch of the Philippine National Bank in Aparri before noon. The President also cautioned the people to be more discriminating in their choice f aspirants to government posts such that leaders of dubious motives and qualifications are not returned to power.
The President was accompanied to Cagayan by the First Lady Imelda R. Marcos, who took advantage of the opportunity to thank the people of the region fur their wholehearted support of her Green Revolution. The First Lady impressed upon the Ilocanos the importance of the movement, saying it is the basic foundation of any developing country like the Philippines.
The First Couple was accorded a rousing reception upon their arrival in Aparri. It was their first visit to the northernmost town of Luzon since the President assumed the highest office of the Republic. The President was introduced by Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, who is a native of the province. Other speakers included Gov. Teresa Dupaya, Aparri Mayor Oscar W. Litaua, and PNB President Eusebio Villatuya who headed PNB officials at the ceremony.
Following the inaugural rites, the Presidential Party flew to the capital town of Tuguegarao where they boarded helicopters which ferried them to Liwan, Kalinga-Apayao. In that town they viewed the fossilized remains of prehistoric animals and man-made tools said to date back to 100,000 to 400,000 years ago. The artifacts were unearthed by archaeological excavation undertaken by the National Museum and the University of the Philippines archaeological department. The First Couple was accompanied to the excavation site by Rep. Roque Ablan, Jr., president of the Philippine Tourist and Travel Association.
From Kalinga-Apayao, the President returned to Tuguegarao where he conferred with local officials whom he urged to finish improvement projects in their areas before the rainy season sets in. He also inquired into the peace and order situation in their respective localities.
about 12:50 AM. We left for the archeological diggings at Liwan, Kalinga, Apayao by helicopter—UH-1H (a trip of only ten minutes). The archeological finds are astounding (elephas, estodons, pigmy elephant, rhinoceros) and confirm the mid-Pleistocene period when man (because of the flaked tools that abounds in the area some of which Imelda actually picked up) existed in this part of the country.
We were back at Tuguegarao by 3:00 PM and meeting the political leaders at 3:30 PM so that I could leave for the airport at 4:10 PM and take off at 4:30 PM.
Imelda, the sea girl, is very happy in the island. We walked the beach holding hands sat on the sand singing songs and looked at the moon.
So now I have ordered all my appointments including the military briefing at Cagayan, Isabela to be set back one day so that we can stay in Barit the whole day tomorrow!