Molave Then And Now

When I first came to Molave formerly called Salug in 1948, it was a town of mud and fallen trees.. Pathways were formed through constant use by stones and dried earth and when it rained the roads disappear, and people waded through waters up to the knees. The fallen trees just a short distance from our house were so huge, the diameters reaching almost one meter or more that children can run and play on it. We had a year round supply of firewood from the smaller branches and twigs .

But the situation did not deter the progress of the town. I remember the influx of so many people during market days or tabo, mountaineers , selling their wares, subanons with baskets on their backs full of malagkit and rice walking in single files.

I saw the transformation of Molave from the slippery muddy roads to the stone and graveled provincial roads.to asphalted roads , and later to the cemented roads we see now.

Our rice and corn mill was first located at corner Roxas Yangco St. while the parking place for jeeps leading to Mahayag and Dumingag was in the corner of Roxas and Rizal Avenue, across the Petron gas station now , with two Chinese stores facing each other , the New Town Bazar and Pana’s Store. Our neighbors across were Long Life Bakery owned by the Alferez family, the Sanchez family and the Delgado’s and on our side of the street were some restaurants. before the New Town Bazar

There were Christmases when dances were held in the street in front of our house.With chairs and tables used to form a quadrangle, everybody enjoyed the evening to their hearts content with no fear of any distraction or trouble whatsoever. During those times, the Mayor was Pelagio Blancia and the Municipal Hall was in Camp 7.

When Javier Ariosa became the next Mayor of Molave, the townsite was transferred to the present site. Our rice and corn mill was transferred to the commercial area facing the dry goods stalls of the public market. I was away in college and when I returned, my family was already settled there.

I also remember .that stall owners were allowed to sleep in their stores. Evenings were moments of socializing among neighbors Noy Jesus and Nang Narsing Jabalon family, the Hedocils . Nang Abon-Ekuat Roque and Ines Sy and children and others.

The blocks across were occupied by the Amameos. Rosalindas, the Supapos and Talip. Engr Rosalinda , a classmate of my kid sister , Lilit, once played with other children in our rice mill after milling time. My elder sister Liling had her group with Viving Retuerto and the Hedocils.

.. My younger brother Nening spent hours talking with Mely Hedocil above the roof extension of the first floor by passing through the windows of the second floor since our buildings were connected by only one wall.

“Those were the days. my friend, we laughed and danced and sing -------’ the lyrics of that song embodied the feelings we had . The months of April and May was a season of fun and laughter, not only because of the series of activities before the town fiesta, but because it was vacation time. A time for reunions of classmates and friends, schoolmates, acquaintances. Almost everybody we met were our friends. I remember the dances at the old Molave Tennis Court across the Municipal Hall. We went there in groups and went home in groups walking and laughing all the way. Sometimes , my younger sisters who went with us, would run ahead playing. That was before the time of “paregla” , and gang fights.

When I graduated from college , I worked at the Municipal Treasurer’s Office.. Since the Municipal Council hosted the fiesta affairs, we were involved with the dances and activities . I discovered that it was not all work but also a series of invitations to birthdays, fiestas, weddings and baptismal parties.

!Many years later, a big fire razed Molave, which burned down big establishments in the commercial area, including our rice and corn mill and the whole of the public market. My parents corn and rice mill was included. I was already married with two children and we lived separately from my family. Soon new buildings were put up and a new public market came into view.. A better and more uniform market blocks, cleaner too, since owners were not allowed to reside in the stalls . .

With the advent of housing loans , residential buildings sprouted in many vacant lots. Provincial roads and barangay roads were developed . Teachers and government employees availed of the chance to live on houses of their own.. Changes of administration helped in the development of the town, as each political party managed to leave behind some tangible projects to reckon with..

Then a few years back, another fire burned down the public market block. The area was redesigned by a past administration and continued to be improved by the incumbent one.

Sometime in Februaty 2005, we moved to Ozamiz City, as requested by our children for ease in our medical checkups. All my married children are living outside Molave. I visited the town once a month only. One time, I wondered why there were so many people when I alighted from the bus. Every corner was full of vendors. Then someone asked me to stay for the fiesta the following day. Ah, this poor senior citizen had forgotten ! I laughed so hard. I really forgot...

. Molave is not only the booming town that it was once. It has boomed and flourished far beyond expectations. So much that I see so many new faces wherever I go. It has changed a lot. I’ve spent a lifetime in this town and I’m proud of it.

I’ve heard that the street leading to our house in Lapulapu Street is now cemented and I’m happy. Every good news about Molave makes me feel so good. I’m still a Molavenian through and through. I’ve witnessed it blossomed from then to now.

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