Thursday, July 17, 2008 Utzurrum: The Judge Andres Borromeo marker By Chinggay V. Utzurrum The scene
WHO says dark skies and incessant rains can dampen a grand family affair?
Long in preparation and detailed in its organization, the Borromeo clan gathered here for a once-in-a-lifetime event; the unveiling of the Judge Andres Borromeo bust and marker at the family-owned Borromeo Plaza located along P. Lopez St. corner Borromeo St., which incidentally was named after their hero, fighter for judicial integrity and independence.
First, a brief background of the late judge Andres Borromeo, who was the eldest of the children of Jose Maria and Margarita Reynes Borromeo. Referred to lovingly as Lolo Ating by his family, Judge Borromeo was the eldest of nine siblings, and father of six children.
Lolo Ating served as judge of the Court of First Instance of the provinces of Surigao and Agusan from July 1914 till his untimely death in January 1923.
Due to his 1921 victory in the landmark Philippine Supreme Court case known as “Borromeo vs. Mariano,” he became popularly known as the Fighting Judge.
Judge Borromeo defended the Judicial Branch of government in the face of a hostile insular legislature. During the period from 1907 until 1941, it became the practice of Filipino politicians to assign a judge of the Court of First Instance to try a particular case, which, in the case of Judge Borromeo, was the issue of election fraud. He failed to bend to the will of the corrupt body politic!
The just judge was to have been appointed to the Supreme Court in 1923, but unfortunately, this was too much for the powers that were.
While on holiday in Manila in January of 1923, he was felled by an assassin’s bullet.
Lolo Ating’s self-sacrifice and the ideals he fought for are as meaningful today as they were 85 years ago.
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The unveiling ceremonies were attended by members of the huge Borromeo clan and commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Rodolfo Borromeo, president of BBEI, (Borromeo Bros. Estate Inc., a corporation with diverse business interests).
And the reading of the citation by Maxcy Borromeo, general manager of BBEI. Such a prestigious national event had no
less than Vice Mayor Michael Rama, to do the unveiling.
Response was given by Hermenegilda R. Borromeo-Nonnenkamp, youngest and sole surviving heiress of the honest judge.
Her son, Marc E. Nonnenkamp, gave a longer response as he referred to his Lolo Ating.
The momentous affair was emceed by our good friend, Landscape architect Socorro “Baging” Borromeo-Atega.
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Then the fun began with the eagerly anticipated family reunion, held at the palatial home of Maxcy and Marivic Borromeo.
After a sumptuous dinner, each of the six siblings of the late judge was represented with their descendants garbed in color-coded t-shirts.
And what a great time was had by all.
That’s not all. At the Borromeo Beach house in Cansojong (Talisay), still another happening took place, while the kids took to the water, the senior citizens participated in, hold your breath: a pabitin! Oh, the games they played, the musical chairs and oh, the way they danced the cariñosa!
Inhibitions were thrown to the wind, as the revelers pranced, danced, and brought home raffle and souvenir prizes.
Lolo Ating must’ve been totally amused by the proceedings!
