TUBLAY- "ATHENS OF BENGUET"

Post 17: Lolo Ramon's Story:

Tublay started its township year 1900. Ora Juan Carino was the first Governor of Benguet on the said year. His brother, another son of Tublay, who helds in Baguio, Mateo Carino was the first representative of the Chief Executive of the American Insular Government 1902.

Bangilan Acop is the father of Fernando Cosalan, both former town representatives (mayor) of Tublay were the roots of Andres Cosalan who represented Baguio and Benguet in the Batasang Pambansa 1965 to 1984. Ronald Cosalan his son, also became the Congressman of Benguet 1995-2001. Just to name among the many Tublay breeds and with it's continues production of political leaders, Tublay was then dubbed as 'The Athens Of Benguet'. (Source: Tublay History: http://elgu2.ncc.gov.ph/tublay/index.php?cat1=2 and http://72.14.221.104/search?q=cache:1FFmmyU2czoJ:elgu2.ncc.gov.ph/benguet/index...

"1949, election for town representative (mayor seat) was held. The 'Lalakay' (elders) leaders of Ambassador gathered to encourage me in joining. Since the government was put up, my 'barangay' was never given a chance to occupy a seat. I never wanted that responsibility because Ambassador alone was hard to keep. But to their insistence, I gave in. " Ramon continues.

"Politics was dominated by the Carino-Acop-Cosalan clan since 1900. They were the giants in the political arena. They were my co-contenders aside from three other locals who were also their relatives. We were all 6 candidates compiting for mayorship."

"The voting system before was through "colors" because most voters can't read nor write. From a box, we the candidates will randomly pick a paper and the color that we got will represent us. The people would then cast into the ballot box their choice of color that represented their candidate."

"On the stage at the 'poblacion' during the election day. The six of us were seated with our respective color pinned on our chest. A white ribbon was so proud and brightly stuck on my left chest. I won at the end of the day. All the total votes of my 5 opponents added, would not beat my gained support. 1949 to 1952, I gave Acop's and Carino's a time to rest. I owe it to the Kankana-ey's stealing, the Ibaloi's would have not voted for me if not because of them."

"I then understood what my dream was telling me. It wasn't death after all but the beginning of me to stop driving the roads of Kabayan. It was for me to take the white feather and give a ride to the passengers of my hometown - Tublay"....