18 Dec. 2010, Liquiran's Mini-Resort, Villasis, Pangasinan. After about 3 decades of absence from one another, 29 employees and officers of the former Philippine Cotton Corporation (PhilCotton), now known as Cotton Development Administration (CODA) converged at the residence of a former PhilCotton supervisor Leonardo Liquiran, Sr. It was the first-ever homecoming for former workers of once upon-a-time a flourishing local cotton industry.
The reunion was really significant, and some kind of emotion-filled, as these 29 people, who once dedicated their lives to public service, narrated their lives since they departed from each other. For this blogger, leaving PhilCotton in 1983 was a hard and painful decision, not only because the corporation was then at the brink of "collapse", but also the sentimental value of this organization as his first employer after college graduation.
In this reunion, we were brought back down the memory lanes where PhilCotton started in Urdaneta (IBAA Bildg.), then in Dagupan (Arzadon Bldg.) and finally in San Fabian, Pangasinan. For my 7-year stint at PhilCotton, I was broken-in into the wonderful world of corporate life - human relationships, professional practice, and witnessing the corporate power play, which was both exciting and intriguing. Thus, when I moved to another organization, I guessed I was better prepared and understood its intricacies.
Those who participated in this maiden reunion were as follows; Brando Padolina, Boyet Liquiran and wife Chato as hosts), Betty and Leo Icalla, Celso Galletes, Johnny Sta. Ana, Dan Villa, Buddy Anyaya, Danny and Evelyn Biasbas, Celo and Tess Estillore, Rey Argonia, Romy Obedoza, Bert Cezar, former VPO Mr. & Mrs. Percy Dalugdog, Joe & Rose Falla, Lyn Dulnuan, Susan Cancino-Mones, Cris Bautista, Pabs Malla, Ariel Peralta, Ben Pellos, Dick Fernandez and wife, Nards Gabot, Charlie Corpuz, Andro Juating and Lina Arellano.
These people were deployed either at PhilCotton operations, in the so-called RP-German Cotton Project, and then CRDI (the research arm) from 1976 thru 1984. Shortly, PhilCotton and CRDI were merged, retrenching some employees. The unit, which is now based at the ATI Building at the DA Central Office, is called Cotton Development Administration, with Dr. Eugene Orpia (from CRDI) as the Director.
Currently, the DA is still on reorganization process (otherwise known as Govt. Rationalization Program under Exec. Order 366), and CODA is proposed to be merged with Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA).
Posted above are some photos taken during such first PhilCotton reunion. (JSF Blogs)
