Bayugan City History and My Dad



My dad, Jose Turla Joson, lived at a time when there was no internet yet. But surprisingly, my Dad’s name, Jose Joson can be found on the internet! He is mentioned in relation to the history of Bayugan City, in the province of Agusan del Sur, Philippines. According to the internet, my dad led the early settlers in their desire to make Bayugan a barrio ( now called, barangay) during the 1960s.

I remember this photo was from a Free Press magazine which was published sometime in 1963. My dad was interviewed and I was right there in front with my sister.
I remember this photo was from a Free Press magazine which was published sometime in 1963. My dad was interviewed and I was right there in front with my sister.

History of Bayugan City

Bayugan City used to be just a small settlement (a sitio). Back then, it was not even a barrio yet. In so far as I can remember, it was sitio Bayugan, part of Barrio Maygatasan, in the town of Esperanza, province of Agusan. It was located at the “crossing” of the Butuan-Davao road and the Valbueco-Esperanza road. As a young boy, we used to live right at the “crossing” when there was no rotunda yet. It was aptly called the “crossing” by the early settlers during the early 60s. We used to live right at the center (almost) of the present rotunda.

Bayugan
Members of the newly-inducted officials of the Bayugan Barrio Council with Mayor Romao of Esperanza, Agusan (with some of his councilors) taken after the ceremony held at Bayugan January 23, 1960.

As Bayugan’s first Tiniente del Barrio, I remember my Dad settled a lot of disputes among the barrio folks. He also counseled on marital and family problems at times. That’s how I remembered it during those early days of Bayugan. I also remember that my Dad had one rural police under him. He had a khaki uniform but he had no shoes—just slippers! And he had no gun too but just a short batuta (club) haha!

Post-humous Award for First Barangay Captain

Bayugan Plaque of Recognition

On April 2005, my Dad posthumously received a plaque of recognition for having served as “Barangay Captain” during the years 1960-1964. I find this humorous because back then, he was never called a captain. Just a lieutenant. No, not in the military. A barrio lieutenant! Or in Spanish, the first Tiniente del Barrio of Bayugan hahaha!

Off to US after Serving as Provincial Board Member

Bayugan
These were the first 3 provincial board members of the newly-formed province of Agusan del Sur in 1969 during their oath taking. My dad, Jose T. Joson is in the middle being congratulated.

On December 31, 1969, the province of Agusan was divided into two. My Dad was among the first three elected provincial board members of the newly-formed province of Agusan del Sur. He served in the province until 1985.  In 1985 my mom and dad went to Missouri. He was invited to attend a reunion in  of his former American war buddies during World War II. My dad was the only Filipino in that group of American soldiers who fought in the Philippines against the Japanese troops.

Unfortunately, my Dad was never recognized officially by the Philippine government as a war veteran. According to my Dad, some Filipinos got their papers processed although they were fakes and became “veterans” after the war enjoying veteran’s benefits. He said he did not pursue being recognized as a veteran because all he wanted was to serve his country. I admire him for that.

Jose T Joson WWII Veteran
My dad with his American war buddies in World War II. They belong to the H Company, First Infantry Regiment, 6th Division. Photo was taken in 1945.

Recognized as WWII Veteran in US

My dad (rightmost) with some of his American war buddies in Word War II during their reunion in Missouri sometime in 1985.
My dad (rightmost) with some of his American war buddies in Word War II during their reunion in Missouri sometime in 1985.

Thankfully, my Dad’s American war buddies did corroborate his being a real war veteran. Years later, my dad died of a heart attack in 1990 in Los Angeles, USA. He was buried in Oregon. After some 17 years, in August 2007, I had the chance to visit my Dad’s grave. Interestingly for me, I read on my Dad’s gravestone written in capital letters, “WWII VETERAN.”

I thought it was odd that my Dad was recognized as war veteran in a foreign land but not in our own country, the Philippines. Oh well. At least, he was recognized by his very own American war buddies during WWII—although not officially by the US government.

Jose T. Joson buried in Oregon, USA
My mom at dad’s grave in Oregon. After 17 years, I was able to visit the grave in 2007. Every July 4th, Americans place little US flags on the graves of their war veterans. My dad had one too.

Finally, this part of Bayugan City history is now written and is on the internet. I’m writing this for my kids so that they may know more about their grandfather, my Dad. And may I share this for everyone too. From a very small settlement decades ago, Bayugan is now officially a city—Bayugan City! And my dad had some part in it.



My Family of Artists



When my eyes were drawn to the beauty of my lovely wife decades ago, I did not know that she had an art background. I did not know we shared the same interest in drawings. Never did I also think that my children would become artists too in their own unique styles. Never did I plan to have a family of artists but that’s what God has blessed me with! And I have no complaints haha!

Veejay Joson
Veejay Joson

From the very moment she could hold a pen, my eldest daughter Veejay was already making freehand drawings. As she grew up from a little girl to become a teenager, her mom and I supplied her with paper and pen to draw. Everyday and everywhere we went, she drew non-stop. Every back page of every scratch paper at home, she had drawings in it. She loves painting, water color, freehand drawing and photography. She also loves literature and has read more books than anyone I have known at her age. She owns more books than I have. She is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Art Studies (Interdisciplinary) at the University of the Philippines – Diliman.

Jinie Joson
Jackie Joson

Little did we know that 13 years later, her baby sister Jackie—our second child—would be doing the same thing! She also loves to read books and enjoys drawing non-stop. Her mom and I supplied her with paper and pen too from a baby up to now. She excels in digital drawing using a pen tablet. She loves to draw anime. Most of her work are now in digital form but she does bring her sketch pad wherever she goes. Yesterday was her last day in school. She has just completed her Bachelor of Science in Information Technology: Area of Specialization in Animation (a new four-year college course) at the Holy Angel University. Hopefully by April 15, she will join her classmates during their graduation ceremony.

Family’s Artistic Background

We have seen their artistic development over the years. My wife and I are so blessed. Where did this talent come from? From God of course. But does genes have something to do with it? I really don’t know. But here’s our family background:

Jesse Santos
My wife and I (far right) in 1989 in California visiting relatives. My wife’s two uncles beside me. At far left is Uncle Jesse Santos with his wife, daughter and grandchildren.

My wife loves to draw and paint. She took up Fine Arts for a year. She continues to draw and paint once in a while. My wife’s dad, Henson Fen Santos was once a comics magazine illustrator during his single days. And my wife’s uncle, Jesse Santos made a name for himself in the art world especially in California where he lived. He passed away sometime in April 2013. He used to work for Warner Bros., Walt Disney and Hanna Barbera.

My sister who also loves painting.

It’s also interesting to note that one of my sisters is also a lover of art. My sister Carmen loves painting and is a Bachelor of Arts graduate at the Oregon State University where she finished with honors (magna cum laude) receiving a Certificate of Distinction in Fine Arts.

As for me, I took up Architecture at the University of Santo Tomas, and I love to do freehand drawings too since I was boy. But I’m not that good at freehand drawing compared to my kids. I excelled instead in technical drawing—aided by architectural drafting instruments back then. I used to work as an architectural draftsman for about 10 years before I became a pastor. I love photography as a hobby and as an art expression.

So, how about that for an artistic background in the family? Do you think I have a family of artists? I think so. 🙂

I’m just so glad that God has blessed my kids with such talents. Thirteen years apart but having the same interest in art. Isn’t that amazing? Does genes have something to do with it? Maybe. I don’t know. But thanks be to God for these art talents he gave my kids.

Updated, March 21, 2015.

Retirement with Mixed Feelings

After 23 years of full-time employment in my church, the Grace Communion International in the Philippines, I will be facing retirement beginning this February 15, 2009. Life is so full of twists and turns and I have mixed emotions at this time. It’s I guess, bittersweet? I don’t know. So, this is how it feels when one is told that he is soon-to-be retired and out of employment after a few decades. Lord, please help me deal with this situation!

Facing Retirement

Just a few days ago I heard the news on TV and I really felt sad that after 35 years of operation in the Philippines, Intel had to close shop and its 1,800 employees had to go. That’s a lot of people who are going to go jobless in the Philippines. And I thought to myself, “Wow, it looks like I’ll be joining them soon!” What a coincidence. I will now join the ‘company of the unemployed’ in just a few weeks.

Still Somewhat Employed

Yes, I will be “retired” somewhat. But I will still continue to serve as the senior pastor of my denomination’s Pampanga local congregation. I am affiliated with the Grace Communion International  by the way, an evangelical denomination. In a few days, I will become a bi-vocational pastor just like the Apostle Paul who also worked part-time as a tent maker to earn a living. I feel sad but also at the same time, I have mixed feelings. A new beginning and a new challenge in life!

New Chapter in Life

So, I’m now re-tired—I hope with new tires—ready for a new beginning. Ready for a new chapter in my life. I plan to go blogging as I continue my life’s journey with the Lord.

The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away. Thanks be to the Lord!

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