Tracing my Aldeguer roots

Omnia mea mecum porto

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Tracing my Aldeguer roots

October 5, 2006

I am an Aldeguer.

Yet, for years my roots as an Aldeguer have been a puzzle to me and my siblings.

I remember Nanay would always court our attention every time she sees the Aldeguer Sisters on TV, strutting and throwing their legs up in the air in perfectly synchonized choreography…until Joe Quirino takes it away. She has been always proud to have the Aldeguer Sisters for cousins. But, that is just about it. She has never met the rest of the Aldeguer clan.

Then, she would share her limited memories of the Aldeguers of Iloilo, including a former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

It has been Nanay's fondest wish to be able to go back to Iloilo and Leyte to re-trace her roots and to finally meet her Dad, which she never grew up with. Sometimes she would cry while telling her childhood memories of Lolo and how her life would have been different if Lola Gloria and Lolo Jose, did not part ways.

We know Lolo may have long been dead. But, that is not enough to stop Nanay from thinking her Tatay.

Then, I thought — why don't I trace our Aldeguer roots and make Nanay's wish come true? But, I get discouraged at the task ahead. Why? Because I don't know how and where to begin.

So, why I am saying this? Well, after a coffee slash ice tea slash japanese dinner with Herman Besbano of Bombo Radyo and after revealing to him and my colleague that I have Ilongo roots, the idea of searching for the missing Aldeguer links started to bother me again.

Again, the big question: How and Where Do I Begin?

Maybe another reminiscing session with Nanay might be a good start. I know I made a note of the names of people — relatives and friends — who could give good leads. Now, where did I put that…?