The Balatbat Ancestry

The ancestry search started in October 1983

With my children’s' homework, "Construct a Family Tree"

I recalled the names of my own family

Tata Piso sketched mainly the "Hilarion Tree."

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A family tree was purchased for me

I began to write down names from my memory

Filled with a feeling of inadequacy, I searched more intensely

Asking many relatives for locations of distant family.

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Answers to my questions were not found easily

During the year, our tree grows sometimes rapidly

If we don't trace the roots or our ancestry

We'll lose the memory of our relatives, our genealogy.

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Each year, the chart keeps growing; it's on a coat of wood

We have to step back and trace the inner wood

It can't be left alone, decay like distant memories, it could

Lacquer it with filial love, this I believe, we should.

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In July of 1996, I went to New Jersey

I visited cousins from the Garcia Family

Reynaldo Balatbat was introduced to me

We talked about Apo Pitong, Ellenita and Josie.

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Mary Ann, Bobby, Aurora, and Nana Letty

Impong Biste, Apo Ibiang, and Apo Vicente

San Isidro, San Miguel, almost everybody

About the "Balatbats", he sent me a history.

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From some relatives, we have learned

Some birth records may have been burned

Informed all of those that are concerned

In this family effort, pride, and integrity will be learned.

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Assistance of Lette was asked by Tanny

Cousins Rico, Rene, with the help of Necy

Many relatives’ names were given to me

By Nelson, cousin Eddie, and sister Fely's family.

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Then Nana Linda and Nana Fely came in the picture

Shining bright lights to work of this nature

With all intentions that are clear and pure

Our family's inquiries will be answered, that's for sure.

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Research of Apo Pecto, Apo Pacio, and Uncle Rey

In the 1980s, they worked on the tree day after day

Tracing our roots while others sincerely pray

That more names will surface, hopefully someday.

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Tony from Binasal called up his father

Grandpa Albino, he inquired further

Father of Macario and Ursula, his sister

And to Igmedio, he was a very good uncle.

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Aunts, uncles, cousins, and names of relations

These updated our records, updates continue in action

Eyes grew big and everything is now in motion

What a blessing it is, this work of love and devotion!

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Yes, indeed! It's a huge Family quest

Legal names I insist and continue to request

A phone call at home, check drawers or chest

It's our "historial record;" this is not a test!

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And a Web-site idea, oh how wonderful!

In this, Nana Fely is talented, and very skillful

Her day's schedule is heavy, and "to do" list is full

For her work on the "tree", we are very grateful!

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I encourage all of you to send any information

Uncle Rey and Nana Fely assure us of some satisfaction

We cannot expect accuracy nor can we expect perfection

But we are the "bridge builders" to the succeeding generation.

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Now that the "tree" appears so much bigger

Its branches and limbs are a lot sturdier

While the roots are growing deeper and deeper

Our vigilant nurturing is needed, making the trunk ever stronger.

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The tree will need nutrients and real substance

For the flowers to bloom and give the sweetest fragrance

We shall maintain its beauty and radiance

The "Family Tree" will look gorgeous, even from a distance.

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Lots of "Balatbat" families are now on the record

For this project, multiple copies, certainly, I can afford

We can post all the charts on a huge display board

Our dear families will enjoy with one accord.

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"Many Thanks" to all of who help and contiually helping

Together, we say "thank You," Oh dear Lord!

~~~

Angkan ng Balatbat

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Nuong Oktubre isang libo siyam na raan at walumpo't tatlo

"Pinagmulan ng Angkan" ang takdang-aralin ng mga anak ko

Inisip kong lahat ang mga pangalan sa pamilya ko

Iginuhit ng Tata Piso'y ang Hilarion na Lolo ng Ama ko.

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Isang tsart na pam-pamilya ang binili para sa akin

Upang sulatan ko ng lahat ng mga pangalan namin

Parang kulang man din, inisip kong saliksikin

Ang mga kamag-anak na kung saan-saan nakarating.

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Mahirap masagot ang aking mga katanungan

Sapagkat mabilis yumabong itong ating angkan

Kung hindi hahanapin yaong pinanggalingan

Mawawala nang lahat ang ating kamag-anakan.

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Ang katawang lumaki sa ugat na tinubuan

Taun-taon ay tumataas, lumalapad araw-araw

Kalingain natin ito, hindi dapat mapabayaan

Ang pagtingin nating mahal, ang tanging kailangan.

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Hulyo, isang libo siyam na raan at siyampu't anim

Dinalaw ko sa "New Jersey" ang Garcia pinsan namin

Si Reynaldo Balatbat ay ipinakilala sa akin

Apo Pitong, Ellenita, at Josie ang usapan namin.

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Mary Ann, Bobby, Aurora, at saka Nana Letty

Impong Biste, Apo Ibiang, at Apo Vicente

San Isidro, San Miguel, kamag-anak ay kasale

Pinagmulan ng Balatbat, nagbigay na walang atubile.

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Ayon din sa marami nating mga kamag-anakan

Maaaring nasunog ang talaan ng mga pangalan

Ito'y ipinabatid sa lahat ng kinauukulan

Anumang labasan nito'y isa nating karangalan.

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Ang tulong ni Lette ay kinailangan ni Tanny

Pangalan ng kamag-anak nating parami nang parami

May galing din kay Mateo, Rico, Rene, at Necy

Gayon din kina Nelson, Eddie at pamilya ng Ka Fely.

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At nang mabatid nina Nana Fely at Nana Linda

Binigyan nila ng liwanag itong hangaring maganda

Ang mga katanungan tungkol sa ating pamilya

At ang pinagmulan ng angkan ay masasagot na.

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Ang Apo Pecto, Apo Pacio, at Tata Rey rin ay nagtanong

Nuong isang libo siyam na raan at walumpong taon

At ang iba ay nagdasal, umaga, tanghali at hapon

Nawa'y ang ibang kamag-anak natin makita at matunton.

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Sa Binasal ay tumawag si Tony na pinsan ko

Upang liwanagin ang tungkol sa kanyang Lolo Albino

Siya ang kilalang ama nina Ursula at Macario

Sila'y pinsan buo ni Igmedio, ang mahal na Ama ko.

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Ang lahat ng pangalan ng ating kamag-anakan

Ay naidagdag na sa humahaba nang listahan

Mata ko ay nanlaki nang ito'y aking masilayan

Tunay na biyaya, gawang malasakit at kabutihan!

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Mga pamilya na natin ang katulong na naghahanap

Sa ibat-ibang panig ng mundo tayo nangapadpad

Tunay na pangalan ang aking laging hinahangad

Ito'y hindi pagsubok; ito'y kasaysayan ng Balatbat!

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Ang balak na "Web-site" ay kay gandang dinggin!

Ang Nana Fely ay mahusay sa ganitong mga gawain

Abala man siya sa maghapong aasikasuhin

Nag-uukol ng panahon, pasasalamatan natin.

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Kaya ang hiling ko sa inyo'y mga pangalan pa ng iba

May mga tamang pangalan, mayruong dapat ayusin pa

Ang Nana Fely at Tata Rey ay magbibigay ligaya

Tayo ang "taga-gawa ng tulay" para sa pamilya.

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Ngayong malaki na ang puno ng ating angkan

Pati ang mga sanga'y lumalaki't tumitibay

Palalim nang palalim ang tubo ng ugat naman

Ang pag-aalaga nati'y kailangang-kailangan.

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Tunay na pang-unawa at ang ating pagmamahalan

Ang magpapabulaklak, magbibigay ng kabanguhan

Pananatilihin din natin ang kaniyang karikitan

Kahit na sa malayo'y napakagandang pagmasdan.

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Maraming pamilya ng Balatbat ang ngayo'y nasusulat

Kahit ilang sipi, handog ko ang pagbabayad

Ang lahat ng pangalan ay napakagandang iladlad

Sa ating mga dingding, pinaghirapan nating lahat.

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"Maraming Salamat" sa mga tumulong at sa patuloy ninyong pagtulong!

Sabay-sabay tayong magsabing "salamat sa Iyo, Diyos."

~~

Laura G. Balatbat-Corpuz

Laurabc@bradley.edu 2/14/04