Justino Romea
Encyclopedia
Justino ‘Tining’ R. Romea was a Filipino composer
, writer
, director
, musical arranger, poet
and journalist
. He composed the Awit sa Bohol
or Bohol hymn and many school anthems.
, Bohol
who later settled in Maribojoc with his wife Jesusa Dalugdug (also from Napo) and family because they were able to acquire a property there.
Romea taught at the Bohol School of Arts and Trades (BSAT) now CVSCAFT.
Romea was commissioned to pen the Bohol Provincial Hymn. It was first sung publicly by a female choir of the College of Holy Spirit
of Tagbilaran City
on March 1, 1970 in time for the unfurling of the Bohol Flag during the opening ceremonies of the 1970 East Visayan Athletic Association held in Tagbilaran City.
On September 24, 1970, the Provincial Board passed Resolution No. 215 adopting it as the official song of the province of Bohol.
As the hymn's original version was in English, the Provincial Board, a few years after, endeavored to have it translated into the vernacular. A competition was launched and the entry of Maxelende Ganade emerged as the best and was adjudged the winner. The Boholano version was adopted by the Provincial Board in Resolution No. 151 dated September 13, 1974.
Romea also composed many school anthems like University of Bohol
or UB Hymn, BSAT Hymn, Saint Joseph Institute of Technology in Butuan City
, and he is best remembered for the love song "Ako Kang Paabuton," the folk song "Sa Daplin sa Baybayon" as well as most of the songs featured in the annual ‘drama’ presentations in his native Napo for which he served as writer, director and musical arranger.
Nong Tining was also a revered columnist of Bohol Chronicle
. In fact, his column was in the frontpage of the Bohol Chronicle defying editing rules.
Bernardo or "Pantaleon" or "Leon", as he was more popularly known, was born on March 12, 1895 in Barangay Napo to spouses Marcelo (Oyong Eloy) and Maria (Oyang Iyay) Vidal, a second wife. His grandparents were Domingo Romea and Cecilia Ordubanes of Barangay Taytay.
After completing his elementary education and first year of high school, the latter at Bohol High School, he qualified for a teaching post, a feat in those days. On June 16, 1910, at age 15, he was appointed temporary teacher in Loon. A few years later, he passed the teachers' examinations and went on to become principal for 19 years.
Romea's command of the English language was grammatically flawless. He bought American books and subscribed to local English magazines (e.g. Free Press, Graphics, etc.) hoping that his children would love or develop the habit of reading. They indeed became bookworms and their communication skills improved. His passion for music was such that he composed songs, organized rondallas wherever he was assigned in his teaching career, and promoted and participated in competitions. This went on even through his retirement years. He could skillfully play any of the string instruments in the rondalla but was at his best with the banduria.
Romea was keen in distinguishing the slightest discord that at times during rondalla rehearsals, he would suddenly wave a hand for a pause just to tune up a dissonant instrument. Romea was also called a "dramaturgo" for he wrote and directed stage plays or "drama" which always served as the culminating feature of the barrio fiesta celebration in Napo. In fact, he is acknowledged as the original playwright, director and composer–musical arranger of Napo’s stage plays that are now mounted on May 25 of each year without fail. It is believed that Napo holds the record of staging the longest running series of annual plays in Bohol, if not the whole country.
Ako Kang Paabuton
Buhi sa kanunay, ug dili hikalimtan
Ang gugmang gibatiko
Gi ampingan ning dughan
Chorus:
Tohoi intawn ako,
Salig sa gi saad ko
Gugma kining way pagkalaya
Bisan isapnay sa luha
Kung ang kasing-kasing ko
Sa palad sakiton
Didto sa kalangitan
Ako kang paabuton
Bohol Hymn
(English version)
This is the land I love,
The land God gave to me,
Caressed by the sun,
Bathed by the sea,
And kissed by the cool breeze
Night and day.
Here’s where the early heroes lived,
Here’s where they wrought peace and here they bled,
Here rise the marvelous cone-shaped hills,
Here’s sweet kinampay grows.
Blessed with white sandy beaches,
Rivers that water valleys,
Seas teem with fishes and cows graze
on the plains,
In ev’ry home love reigns,
God keep my homeland always free,
Let her forever be,
I pledge my strength, my heart and soul,
To my dear home, Bohol.
Saint Joseph Institute of Technology (SJIT) Hymn
I ask you to join me sing this song
of prayer for SJIT
Born out of the mist of the beautiful dream,
Nursed by the love of its founder.
Here I set my eyes to find my place
in the sun,
here I lift up to the skies my ambition
to serve God and man.
So, dear Lord, in heaven,
Bless my dear SJIT
May it live forever, let us sing, and let us pray.
BSAT Hymn
Let us sing and let us praise the BSAT
Its the school that trains brind and hand.
Where the clanging of the anvils,
the buzzing of the sew
And the roar of the plainer
are song we love to here.
Where the joys and hopes are waiting.
Blend in song as we turn the mill
We are wood and metal workers
We sew, we cook, we draw and hammer.
All these jobs will make our country
Strong and free ( repeat )
Its the school that trains brind and hand.
Where the clanging of the anvils,
the buzzing of the sew
And the roar of the plainer
are song we love to here.
Where the joys and hopes are waiting.
Blend in song as we turn the mill
We are wood and metal workers
We sew, we cook, we draw and hammer.
All these jobs will make our country
Strong and free ( repeat )
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, director
Music director
A music director may be the director of an orchestra, the director of music for a film, the director of music at a radio station, the head of the music department in a school, the co-ordinator of the musical ensembles in a university or college , the head bandmaster of a military band, the head...
, musical arranger, poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
. He composed the Awit sa Bohol
Awit sa Bohol
The Awit sa Bohol or Bohol Hymn is the official provincial hymn of the province of Bohol, Philippines. The lyrics and music were written by Justino Romea and arrangement was made by Ms. Maxelende Ganade. The original lyrics are in Boholano with an available English version. The Cebuano...
or Bohol hymn and many school anthems.
Biography
Born in Napo, LoonLoon
The loons or divers are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Eurasia...
, Bohol
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
who later settled in Maribojoc with his wife Jesusa Dalugdug (also from Napo) and family because they were able to acquire a property there.
Romea taught at the Bohol School of Arts and Trades (BSAT) now CVSCAFT.
Romea was commissioned to pen the Bohol Provincial Hymn. It was first sung publicly by a female choir of the College of Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
of Tagbilaran City
Tagbilaran City
Tagbilaran City is a 2nd class component city in the island province of Bohol, Philippines and serves as its capital. Tagbilaran lies on the southwestern part of the province, and has a total land area of 32.7 km², with about 13 km of coastline...
on March 1, 1970 in time for the unfurling of the Bohol Flag during the opening ceremonies of the 1970 East Visayan Athletic Association held in Tagbilaran City.
On September 24, 1970, the Provincial Board passed Resolution No. 215 adopting it as the official song of the province of Bohol.
As the hymn's original version was in English, the Provincial Board, a few years after, endeavored to have it translated into the vernacular. A competition was launched and the entry of Maxelende Ganade emerged as the best and was adjudged the winner. The Boholano version was adopted by the Provincial Board in Resolution No. 151 dated September 13, 1974.
Romea also composed many school anthems like University of Bohol
University of Bohol
The University of Bohol or U.B. is a private non-sectarian co-educational institution of higher learning in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines....
or UB Hymn, BSAT Hymn, Saint Joseph Institute of Technology in Butuan City
Butuan City
The City of Butuan is the regional center of Caraga, serving as an administrative region of the Philippines; it is a highly urbanized city. It is located at the northeastern part of Agusan Valley, Mindanao, sprawling across the Agusan River. It is bounded to the north, west and south by Agusan del...
, and he is best remembered for the love song "Ako Kang Paabuton," the folk song "Sa Daplin sa Baybayon" as well as most of the songs featured in the annual ‘drama’ presentations in his native Napo for which he served as writer, director and musical arranger.
Nong Tining was also a revered columnist of Bohol Chronicle
Bohol Chronicle
The Bohol Chronicle popularly known as the Chronicle, is the most widely read local community newspaper in the province of Bohol. It is distributed every Wednesday and Sunday.-History:The Bohol Chronicle was founded on 1954...
. In fact, his column was in the frontpage of the Bohol Chronicle defying editing rules.
Father's side
Romea's father Bernardo "Leon" Vidal Romea was a rondalla trainer, scriptwriter, director and musical Arranger for the "Drama" in Napo, Loon, Bohol.Bernardo or "Pantaleon" or "Leon", as he was more popularly known, was born on March 12, 1895 in Barangay Napo to spouses Marcelo (Oyong Eloy) and Maria (Oyang Iyay) Vidal, a second wife. His grandparents were Domingo Romea and Cecilia Ordubanes of Barangay Taytay.
After completing his elementary education and first year of high school, the latter at Bohol High School, he qualified for a teaching post, a feat in those days. On June 16, 1910, at age 15, he was appointed temporary teacher in Loon. A few years later, he passed the teachers' examinations and went on to become principal for 19 years.
Romea's command of the English language was grammatically flawless. He bought American books and subscribed to local English magazines (e.g. Free Press, Graphics, etc.) hoping that his children would love or develop the habit of reading. They indeed became bookworms and their communication skills improved. His passion for music was such that he composed songs, organized rondallas wherever he was assigned in his teaching career, and promoted and participated in competitions. This went on even through his retirement years. He could skillfully play any of the string instruments in the rondalla but was at his best with the banduria.
Romea was keen in distinguishing the slightest discord that at times during rondalla rehearsals, he would suddenly wave a hand for a pause just to tune up a dissonant instrument. Romea was also called a "dramaturgo" for he wrote and directed stage plays or "drama" which always served as the culminating feature of the barrio fiesta celebration in Napo. In fact, he is acknowledged as the original playwright, director and composer–musical arranger of Napo’s stage plays that are now mounted on May 25 of each year without fail. It is believed that Napo holds the record of staging the longest running series of annual plays in Bohol, if not the whole country.
Songs
Ako kang PaabutonAko Kang Paabuton
Buhi sa kanunay, ug dili hikalimtan
Ang gugmang gibatiko
Gi ampingan ning dughan
Chorus:
Tohoi intawn ako,
Salig sa gi saad ko
Gugma kining way pagkalaya
Bisan isapnay sa luha
Kung ang kasing-kasing ko
Sa palad sakiton
Didto sa kalangitan
Ako kang paabuton
Bohol Hymn
(English version)
This is the land I love,
The land God gave to me,
Caressed by the sun,
Bathed by the sea,
And kissed by the cool breeze
Night and day.
Here’s where the early heroes lived,
Here’s where they wrought peace and here they bled,
Here rise the marvelous cone-shaped hills,
Here’s sweet kinampay grows.
Blessed with white sandy beaches,
Rivers that water valleys,
Seas teem with fishes and cows graze
on the plains,
In ev’ry home love reigns,
God keep my homeland always free,
Let her forever be,
I pledge my strength, my heart and soul,
To my dear home, Bohol.
Saint Joseph Institute of Technology (SJIT) Hymn
I ask you to join me sing this song
of prayer for SJIT
Born out of the mist of the beautiful dream,
Nursed by the love of its founder.
Here I set my eyes to find my place
in the sun,
here I lift up to the skies my ambition
to serve God and man.
So, dear Lord, in heaven,
Bless my dear SJIT
May it live forever, let us sing, and let us pray.
BSAT Hymn
Let us sing and let us praise the BSAT
Its the school that trains brind and hand.
Where the clanging of the anvils,
the buzzing of the sew
And the roar of the plainer
are song we love to here.
Where the joys and hopes are waiting.
Blend in song as we turn the mill
We are wood and metal workers
We sew, we cook, we draw and hammer.
All these jobs will make our country
Strong and free ( repeat )
Its the school that trains brind and hand.
Where the clanging of the anvils,
the buzzing of the sew
And the roar of the plainer
are song we love to here.
Where the joys and hopes are waiting.
Blend in song as we turn the mill
We are wood and metal workers
We sew, we cook, we draw and hammer.
All these jobs will make our country
Strong and free ( repeat )
Sources
- http://www.bohol-island.com/about/hymn.htm
- http://www.bohol.ph/article35.html
- http://www.boholchronicle.com
- http://loon.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=112&Itemid=1