Olongapo City Lungsod ng Olongapo
—  Highly Urbanized City  —
Official seal of Olongapo City Seal
Nickname(s): Gapo, City of Excellence, City of Volunteers
Motto: Fighting for Excellence!
Anthem: Himno ng Olongapo (Hymn of Olongapo)
Map of Zambales showing the location of Olongapo City.
Olongapo City Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°50′N 120°17′E / 14.833°N 120.283°E / 14.833; 120.283Coordinates: 14°50′N 120°17′E / 14.833°N 120.283°E / 14.833; 120.283
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Luzon (Region III)
District	1st district
Founded	November 4, 1750
Cityhood	June 1, 1966[1]
Barangays	17
Government
• Mayor	James L. Gordon, Jr. (Bagumbayan-VNP)
• Vice Mayor	Rolen Paulino[2]
Area
• Highly Urbanized City	185.00 km2 (71.43 sq mi)
• Metro	472.16 km2 (182.30 sq mi)
Elevation	15 m (49 ft)
Population (2007)
• Highly Urbanized City	227,270
• Density	1,200/km2 (3,200/sq mi)
• Metro	304,388
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP Code	2200
Income class	1st class; highly urbanized
Website	www.olongapocity.gov.ph

The City of Olongapo (Tagalog: Lungsod ng Olongapo; Sambal: Syodad nin Olongapo) is an independent highly urbanized city located in the province of Zambales, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 227,270 people in 50,300 households.^[3] Along with the town of Subic, it comprises the Metro Olongapo, one of the twelve Metropolitan Areas in the Philippines.^[4]

Etymology[link]

According to popular legend, there once was a group of warring tribes who lived in the area in and around what is now the modern city. A wise old man, seeing the perils of disunity, exerted great effort toward uniting the warring tribes. There were, however, some who bitterly opposed his idea, and one day the old man just disappeared.

After a long search, the old man's body was found, but with the head missing. It is said that the tribesmen launched search parties to locate the severed head of the man. (To the Sambal, decapitation was the only permissible form of assassination.^[5])
These efforts proved to be futile, and the search was eventually called off. A boy, however, vowed to himself that he would not stop searching until he found the elder’s head. He searched for weeks, but found nothing. Then, one day, he chanced upon what appeared to be the old man’s head, resting on top of a bamboo pole. The boy ran back to his people crying, “Olo nin apo! Olo nin apo!” (“head of the elder” in Sambal; translates as “ulo ng apo”^[6] in Tagalog), running hysterically from village to village. The phrase stuck, and that, according to legend, is how the area got its name, Olongapo.
To this day, the old man’s head acts as a symbol of the unity of the people of what is now a modern city.

History[link]

Spanish Period[link]

On March 8, 1885, the Spanish Naval commission authorized construction of the Arsenal at Olongapo. The Spanish planned to make their naval station and the village of Olongapo an island, protected against attack by insurrectos. The Spanish Navy Yard occupied the entire area east of the Spanish Gate. Employing Filipino labor, they did extensive dredging of the harbor and the inner basin and built a drainage canal. The canal served both to drain the swampy area around the yard and also to form a line of defense.

Within ten years, the Spaniards had erected walls and markers to fence off the arsenal. They had shops and buildings erected. The Spanish government spent almost three decades developing the Naval Station.^[7][8]

American Period[link]

On May 1, 1898, the construction of the Spanish Administration Building was hardly completed when Dewey's Flagship USS Olympia leads the Asiatic Fleet into Manila Bay. A detachment of Admiral Dewey's fleet bombarded the Navy Yard. Eventually, after the surrender, Spain relinquished all her rights in the Philippines to the United States. This marked the end of more than three hundred years of Castilian rule over the islands.

Realizing the tremendous importance of Olongapo as a naval facility, the U. S. Navy decided to keep the base in functioning order. So the President of the United States, then Theodore Roosevelt, on November 9, 1901, by executive order, reserved the waters of Subic and some of the adjacent lands for naval purposes.

The Naval Station was widened and with the establishment of the American rule in the Philippines, American defenses in the islands were facilities left by the Spanish Navy were taken over by the United States.

Olongapo grew in direct proportion to the growth of the Naval Station. More people came to live in Olongapo since the Navy offered employment. To most Filipinos during that time, it was a welcome change. The promise of a different kind of experience as shop workers and office help induced many young men to leave their farms and fishing boats to work in the Navy Yard. Others finding the lure of the sea irresistible joined the U. S. Navy and really saw the world.

Olongapo impressed its visitors as being one of the finest communities in the country. People passing though the town never failed to comment on its cleanliness and orderliness.^[7][8]

World War II[link]

When the war broke out in 1941, the old town was obliterated. Olongapo had to suffer the brunt of destruction twice.

On December 14th 1941, Japanese bombers conduct attack on Olongapo/Subic Bay area. Ten days later, the order was given to burn Subic Bay Naval Station and withdraw. Olongapo is set aflame by the local Filipinos in anticipation of Japanese troop arrival. The USS New York is scuttled in Subic Bay.^[9]

When the American forces made a last-ditch stand on the Bataan peninsula, the Naval Station was abandoned and most of its facilities were burned before the Japanese came. In 1945, Olongapo was again bombed, shelled and burned. None of its former landmarks—with the exceptions of the Station Chapel (it was the Olongapo Parish Church before the war) and the Spanish Gate—withstood the sweep of the war's fury.

Reconstruction and Rehabilitation[link]

Shortly after the war was over, the Philippines was granted her independence. Olongapo was one of the principal navy bases retained by the United States. The Navy started to rebuild the town right after the hostilities ceased. Olongapo however was built on a new completely undeveloped site a couple of miles north of its former site. The prewar town site became a part of the Naval Station.

The first few years after the war were extremely hard on the new town. Starting from scratch, everything in the new Olongapo was in a deplorable state. There was no electric power and no drainage system. The water supply and sanitation facilities were inadequate. Olongapo streets were unpaved—they were dusty during the dry season and were stretches of mud and slush when the rains came.^[8]

Gradually Olongapo evolved into a better community: new business concerns were established; housing projects were planned, civic facilities were restored. The development of the Reservation has been particularly rapid during the past two years. The new building constructions recently undertaken by the Reservation include: a new ice plant, a high school, two elementary schools, two bridges, and a public library. Two housing projects at Kalaklan and Saluysoy areas are at present being developed. Within a couple of months, the Reservation plans to start laying down a new set of water main lines to replaced the obsolete lines set up in 1908.

Due to the Korean War, U.S. spent over $170 million to convert the base into the homeport of her Navy‘s Seventh Fleet, developing the Cubi Naval Air Station as the largest U.S installation of its kind in Asia. Naval authorities relocated the residence from the area of the former Public Works Center area to what is now the hub of Olongapo – along what is now known as Rizal Avenue and Ramon Magsaysay Drive, and in the Barangays New Asinan and New Kalalake areas. Zoning of Olongapo was patterned after the American setup where streets are constructed along straight lines, both hori-zontally and vertically. The very considerable program of construction of facilities in the Olongapo and Subic Bay area brought about growth and prosperity to Olongapo. By 1956, migrants from nearby towns and provinces had swelled the population to 39,180.^[10]

Independence and cityhood[link]

Olongapo and the bridge leading to NS Subic Bay, 1981.

Unlike the rest of the Philippines which gained independence from the United States after World War II in 1946, Olongapo was governed as a part of the United States naval reservation.

Olongapo City was the last piece of Philippine territory surrendered by the US to the country in the 1950s.^[8][11]

After the efforts of James Leonard T. Gordon, the area was relinquished to the Philippine Government and converted into a municipality on December 7, 1959. The first mayor appointed was civic leader Mayor Ruben Geronimo and was later succeeded by business enterpreneur Ildefonso Arriola.

Six years later under Mayor James Leonard T. Gordon, Olongapo was reconverted to a chartered city on June 1, 1966.^[1]

Olongapo City administers itself autonomously from Zambales province. Adjacent to the city is the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, which until 1992 was a United States naval base.

Mount Pinatubo Eruption[link]

Ash from Mount Pinatubo covers Naval Station Subic Bay.

June 15, 1991 proved to be a memorable date to the people of Olongapo. Mount Pinatubo, just 20 miles away from Subic Bay erupted with a force 8 times greater than the Mt. St. Helen‘s eruption. Day turned to night as volcanic ash blotted out the sun. Volcanic earthquakes and heavy rain, lightning and thunder from a typhoon passing over northern Luzon made Black Saturday a 36-hour nightmare.^[12] This caused widespread damage to the U. S. Facility and Olongapo City.

On September 16, 1991, the Senate leaders of the Philippines did not grant any extension on the existing RP-US Military Bases Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America thereby terminating the stay of U.S. Military Bases in the Philippines.

Conversion of the Naval Base and the present-day Olongapo[link]

Like his father before him, Mayor Richard Gordon, who was against the departure of the US military forces, lobbied for the turnover of the facility and its conversion into a freeport.

The American Flag is lowered and Philippine flag is raised during turnover of Naval Station Subic Bay.

To date, the renowned volunteerism strategy, overturning an ailing economy to prosperity after twin disasters – withdrawal of US Bases and Mt. Pinatubo‘s eruption, is an unparalleled achievement. Mayor Richard "Dick" Gordon boldly led a strong corps of 8,000 City volunteers who protected and preserved the abandoned US Naval Base facilities from poachers. He complemented this with an aggressive advocacy to convert the area into a protected area and industrial zone. Later, he launched an aggressive international investment promotion which resulted in the acceleration of the development of a prime industrial and tourism zone in the country, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ).^[12]

It was the first chartered city and highly urbanized city in its province.^[11] It rose from a “sin city” in the 1960s and 1970’s to become a “Model city” in the 1980s and 1990’s.^[11]

The city is known for its innovative methods of urban management in the 1980s in addressing crime and cleanliness that has been said to be copied by local governments nationwide. The city pioneered the Color-coded transport system, Integrated Solid Waste Management System, Volunteerism, Organized vendors, elderly, youth and women’s groups, use of slogans, People’s Law Enforcement Board, Emergency Response Team, and international awards such as the UNESCO Cities for Peace representing Asia and the Pacific in 1997 and the Konrad Adenauer Local Medal of Excellence in 1999.

Furthermore, the Asian Development Bank and World Bank have also recognized its successful urban redevelopment and city development strategy after the US Base turnover.

Geography[link]

Location[link]

Situated at the Southern entry point of Zambales and the Northwestern interior of the Subic Bay area, Olongapo City is approximately 127 kilometres (79 mi) north of Manila.

The city proper is located on a 6.48 km². Tidal flatland, and the city is characterized by rugged and mountainous terrain. The land area of Olongapo City is 185 square kilometers or 18,500 hectares.

Because of its peculiar geographic location - the Zambales mountains on its three sides, Bataan and Subic Bay at its base - development of city land is limited. Also, the territorial borders from nearby towns are not properly marked.^[13]

Coordinates[link]

Geographical coordinates in decimal degrees (WGS84)
Latitude : 14.829
Longitude : 120.283

Geographical coordinates in degrees minutes seconds (WGS84)
Latitude : 14 49' 45
Longitude : 120 16' 58

Climate[link]

From late October through February, the weather in tropical Olongapo is relatively cool. Temperatures increase slightly from March to May, which are the warmest months of the year in this part of the Philippines.

The rainy season begins in June and continues through October. At times rains are heavy and flooding can occur.

The city receives an average of 3,590 mm rainfall every year. Temperatures range from an average of around 25°C degrees in November to around 28°C in May.^[14]

Culture[link]

Language[link]

The city's population speaks a wide variety of the country's main languages, Specifically: Tagalog, Kapampangan, Ilocano, Sambal, Cebuano, and the modernized language called Taglish (Tagalog and English). Many more dialects were also spoken from other denominations of people.

Religion[link]

Majority of the people of Olongapo are Roman Catholics. Other Christian groups such as Protestants (Evangelicals, Born Again) and the Iglesia Ni Cristo are also present.

Government[link]

Olongapo City, belonging to the 1st District of Zambales, is governed by a City Mayor designated as its Local Chief Executive and by a City Council as its Legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. Both the Mayor and the ten (10) City Councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three (3) years.

As an Independent City from the province of Zambales, only the city government officials are voted by the residents of the city. The provincial government has no political jurisdiction over local transactions of the city government.

Barangays[link]

The city is politically subdivided into 17 barangays^[16]

Barangay	Population	Captain
Asinan	3,883	Conrado Viray Jr.
Banicain	6,991	Ernelizar P. Batapa
Barreto	19,035	Carlito A. Baloy
East Bajac-bajac	19,583	Filipina E. Tablan
East Tapinac	10,213	Remegio Buenafe
Gordon Heights	26,665	Jose Tomas C. Madria
Kalaklan	12,184	Jesus Ricardo N. Frederico
Mabayuan	9,279	Robert C. Ferrer
New Cabalan	11,439	Rafael Lim
New Ilalim	22,782	Alexander F. Gaffud
New Kababae	1,574	Randy D. Sionzon
New Kalalake	2,423	Amalia N. Corum
Old Cabalan	6,705	Basilio D. Palo
Pag-asa	6,160	Jimmy Pasag
Santa Rita	40,023	Jerome Michael S. Bacay
West Bajac-bajac	8,221	Rafael Santulan Jr.
West Tapinac	6,705	Rodrigo Del Rosario

Mayors[link]

The following is the list of all Mayors that ruled Olongapo after World War II

Name	Term	Position
Ruben Dela Cruz Geronimo	November 1959 - 1962	Municipal Mayor
Ildefonso O. Arriola	1962–1964	Municipal Mayor
James Leonard T. Gordon	November 1964 - June 1, 1966	Municipal Mayor
James Leonard T. Gordon	June 1, 1966 - February 20, 1967	City Mayor
Jaime Guevarra	February 20, 1967–1968	City Mayor
Amelia Juico Gordon	1968 - June 30, 1972	City Mayor
Geronimo "Momoy" Lipumano	July 1972 - May 1980	City Mayor
Richard "Dick" Gordon	June 30, 1980 - February 1986	City Mayor (1st term)
Teodoro Macapagal	March 1986 - November 1987	OIC Mayor
Ildefonso O. Arriola	November 1987 - January 1988	OIC Mayor
Richard "Dick" Gordon	February 1988 - June 30, 1998	City Mayor (2nd term)
Cynthia Cajudo	June 30, 1998	Acting Capacity
Katherine "Kate" Gordon	June 30, 1998 - June 22, 2001	City Mayor
James "Bong" Gordon, Jr.	June 30, 2001 – present	City Mayor

Infrastructure[link]

Airport[link]

The Subic Bay International Airport is the airport serving the immediate area of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and the general area of Olongapo City in the Philippines. This airport used to be the Naval Air Station Cubi Point of the United States Navy. Its airport terminal has 2 gates. Currently, it was proposed to be converted into a logistics hub.

Roads[link]

The city has an organized road network, featuring a series of rectangular street grids. In the city's main district, the names of those streets running from North to South follow the English alphabet's order. While streets running East to West are numbered from 1st to 27th, starting from the South parallel and up. Even streets are on the East side of the City while the Odd streets are on the West. Most of the roads in Olongapo are made of concrete and asphalt.

Sea Port[link]

The Port of Subic is one of the busiest, largest, historical and most important of Ports in the Philippines. The Port is operated and managed by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority or SBMA. It covers the fenced area of the former U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay located in the southwest of Luzon Island in the Philippines surrounded by the municipality of Subic and Olongapo City in Zambales, and Hermosa and Morong in Bataan

Communication[link]

Leading telecommunications companies in the Philippines such as Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Globe Telecom, Smart Communications and Sun Cellular are available in the City. The city is capable of 3G and 4G Mobile Networks.

Internet Connectivity[link]

The City has more than a hundred Internet Cafés which enables the people to surf, chat, and play online games, and illegal online activities are prohibited. The majority of the country's Internet Service Providers are available in the city: Smart Broadband, Globe Tattoo, and PLDT myDSL.

Landmarks / Places of interest[link]

SM City Olongapo, a shopping mall in Olongapo.

Olongapo City Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center

• Ulo ng Apo: A towering and majestic marker located at the rotunda in Bajac-Bajac. A very visible and tangible tourist attraction to glorify the legend of the city.

• Olongapo City Hall: The City Hall is located at Rizal Avenue, West Bajac-Bajac. On the east side contains the PUD (Public Utilities Department), in charge of providing electricity to the city. To the east is the Olongapo City PNP Police Station 1, and at the back of the city hall is the Health Building.

• Olongapo City Convention Center: More conveniently known as OCCC or OCC, it has been the site of many events in Olongapo City history, not to mention numerous conferences, meetings, and school events.

• Olongapo City Museum: Opened to the public on 2003, the museum contains dioramas, artifacts, and paintings about the history of the city. At the entrance, a rotating Ulo ng Apo statue meets you.

• Olongapo City Public Library: The original Library stood near the City Hall. However, to make way for the construction of the PUD office, it was relocated at Hospital Road, East Tapinac; near the Convention Center.

• Marikit Park: One of the most earliest parks of Olongapo, it has become famous in its time. Today, it is near Gordon College, the museum, the convention center and the library.

• Olongapo Lighthouse: A panoramic view perfect for picture taking. This old lighthouse is located along the national highway going to the north. It overlooks the Subic Bay Freeport area.

• Kalapati (The Dove Monument): Mr. Kasanobu Miyazaki, a Japanese owner of an accounting firm in Aioi City, Japan, requested that a shrine be built in New Cabalan where his brother, Capt. Masanobu Miyazaki died in battle at the Zig Zag Pass. Mayor Gordon suggested instead a peace monument dedicated to the Filipino, American and Japanese lives that were lost in that battle. The monument was thus built at the junction of the national highway and the road into New Cabalan. It is surmounted by a dove of peace. This monument welcomes travelers who will pass the first barangay of Olongapo City from the province of Bataan.

• SM City Olongapo (formerly Olongapo City Mall): The only shopping mall that was formerly government-owned on May 1, 2004 as Olongapo City Mall. But, it was demolished in 2010 to become SM City Olongapo that was softly opened on December 15, 2011 and was grandly opened on February 10, 2012.

• Harbor Point, Subic: Harbor Point is a large shopping mall under construction in Olongapo City, Philippines owned by property development firm Ayala Land, Inc., a real estate subsidiary of Ayala Corporation.It is the first Ayala Shopping Center located in the city of Olongapo and the second Mall to be opened in Central Luzon and outside Metro Manila. The Soft Opening of the mall is set on April 26, 2012.

• Ridon's St. Jude Medical Center, Olongapo: (formerly St. Jude Family Hospital) is one of the oldest Hospital in Olongapo 40 years in health services.

Notable residents[link]

• Freddie Aguilar (b.1953), noted musician, songwriter and singer
• Arnel Pineda (b.1961), Singer/Vocalist of Journey
• K Brosas (b.1975), comedienne and singer
• Rico Barrera (b.1981), model and actor, Pinoy Big Brother Season 1 Housemate
• Scarlet Garcia (1985–2008), model
• Jackie Rice (b.1990), actress, Starstruck Season 3 Winner
• Megan Young (b.1990), actress, Host, Starstruck contestant Season 2
• Lauren Young (b.1993), actress, sister of Megan Young
• Jake Vargas (b. 1992), actor
• Kristofer Martin (b. 1994), actor
• Willie Miller (b. 1977), basketball player

Sister Cities[link]

Olongapo has the following sister cities:

• National City, California, United States^[17]
• Bremerton, Washington, United States^[18]
• Guam, United States^[19]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Olongapo City

• Olongapo City City Council
• Olongapo City Subic Bay BatangGapo News
• subictimes.com news website
• Find Hotels in Olongapo City bay area
• Living in Olongapo
• Bar, Restaurant and Hotels in Olongapo
• Olongapo City Officials and Government Offices Telephone Directory

		Subic
	Subic Bay		Dinalupihan, Bataan
		Olongapo    East
		Morong, Bataan / Dinalupihan, Bataan

v t e Cities of the Philippines Highly-urbanized Cities Angeles Bacolod Baguio Butuan Cagayan de Oro Caloocan Cebu Davao General Santos Iligan Iloilo Lapu-Lapu Las Piñas Lucena Makati Malabon Mandaluyong Mandaue Manila Marikina Muntinlupa Naga, Camarines Sur Navotas Olongapo Parañaque Pasay Pasig Puerto Princesa Quezon City San Juan Tacloban Taguig Valenzuela Zamboanga Independent Component Cities Cotabato Dagupan Ormoc Santiago Component Cities Alaminos Antipolo Bago Bais Balanga Batangas Batac Bayawan Baybay Bayugan Biñan Bislig Bogo Borongan Cabadbaran Cabanatuan Cadiz Calamba Calapan Calbayog Candon Canlaon Carcar Catbalogan Cauayan Cavite Danao Dapitan Dasmariñas Digos Dipolog Dumaguete El Salvador Escalante Gapan Gingoog Guihulngan Himamaylan Ilagan Iriga Isabela Kabankalan Kidapawan Koronadal La Carlota Lamitan Laoag Legazpi Lipa Maasin Malaybalay Malolos Marawi Masbate Mati Meycauayan Muñoz Naga, Cebu Oroquieta Ozamiz Pagadian Palayan Panabo Passi Roxas Sagay Samal San Carlos, Negros Occidental San Carlos, Pangasinan San Fernando, La Union San Fernando, Pampanga San Jose San Jose del Monte San Pablo Santa Rosa Silay Sipalay Sorsogon Surigao Tabuk Tacurong Tagaytay Tagbilaran Tagum Talisay, Cebu Talisay, Negros Occidental Tanauan Tandag Tangub Tanjay Tarlac Tayabas Toledo Trece Martires Tuguegarao Urdaneta Valencia Victorias Vigan

v t e Region III Central Luzon Regional Center San Fernando, Pampanga Highly Urbanized Cities Angeles City Olongapo City Metropolitan Areas Metro Angeles Metro Olongapo Provinces Aurora Bataan Bulacan Nueva Ecija Pampanga Tarlac Zambales Component Cities Balanga City Cabanatuan City Gapan City City of Malolos Meycauayan City Munoz City Palayan City San Fernando, Pampanga San Jose City San Jose del Monte City Tarlac City Luzon, Republic of the Philippines

Natsume Sōseki
Natsume Sōseki in 1912
Born	(1867-02-09)9 February 1867 Tokyo, Japan
Died	9 December 1916(1916-12-09) (aged 49) Tokyo, Japan
Occupation	Writer
Genres	novels, short stories, poetry
Notable work(s)	Kokoro, Botchan, I Am a Cat
Influenced virtually all subsequent Japanese novelists, Karatani Kōjin

Natsume Sōseki (夏目 漱石^?, February 9, 1867 – December 9, 1916), born Natsume Kinnosuke (夏目 金之助^?), is widely considered to be the foremost Japanese novelist of the Meiji period (1868–1912). He is best known for his novels Kokoro, Botchan, I Am a Cat and his unfinished work Light and Darkness. He was also a scholar of British literature and composer of haiku, Chinese-style poetry, and fairy tales. From 1984 until 2004, his portrait appeared on the front of the Japanese 1000 yen note.

Early years[link]

Born as Natsume Kinnosuke in the town of Babashita in the Edo region of Ushigome (present Kikui, Shinjuku), Natsume began his life as an unwanted child, born to his mother late in her life, forty years old and his father then fifty-three.^[1] When he was born, he already had five siblings. Having five children and a toddler had created family insecurity and was in some ways a disgrace to the Natsume family.^[1] In 1868, a childless couple, Shiobara Masanosuke and his wife, adopted him until the age of nine, when the couple divorced.^[1] He returned to his family and was welcomed by his mother although regarded as a nuisance by his father. His mother died when he was fourteen, and his two eldest brothers died in 1887, intensifying his sense of insecurity.^{[citation needed]}

Natsume attended the First Tokyo Middle School (now Hibiya High School),^[2] where he became enamored with Chinese literature, and fancied that he might someday become a writer. His desire to become an author arose when he was about fifteen when he told his older brother about his interest in literature.^[1] However, his family disapproved strongly of this course of action, and when Natsume entered the Tokyo Imperial University in September 1884, it was with the intention of becoming an architect. Although he preferred Chinese classics, he began studying English at that time, feeling that it might prove useful to him in his future career, as English was a necessity in Japanese college.^[1]

In 1887, Natsume met Masaoka Shiki, a friend who would give him encouragement on the path to becoming a writer, which would ultimately be his career. Shiki tutored him in the art of composing haiku. From this point on, he began signing his poems with the name Sōseki, which is a Chinese idiom meaning "stubborn". In 1890, he entered the English Literature department, and quickly mastered the English language. Natsume graduated in 1893, and enrolled for some time as a graduate student and part-time teacher at the Tokyo Normal School.^{[citation needed]}

In 1895, Natsume began teaching at Matsuyama Middle School in Shikoku, which became the setting of his novel Botchan. Along with fulfilling his teaching duties, Natsume published haiku and Chinese poetry in a number of newspapers and periodicals. He resigned his post in 1896, and began teaching at the Fifth High School in Kumamoto. On June 10 of that year, he married Nakane Kyoko.^{[citation needed]}

Natsume Sōseki's lodgings in Clapham, South London

In the United Kingdom, 1901–1903[link]

In 1900, the Japanese government sent Natsume to study in Great Britain as "Japan's first Japanese English literary scholar".^[3] He visited Cambridge and stayed a night there, but gave up the idea of studying at the university because he could not afford it on his government scholarship.^[4] He studied instead at University College, London (UCL). He had a miserable time of it in London, spending most of his days indoors buried in books, and his friends feared that he might be losing his mind.^[5] He also visited Pitlochry in Scotland.

He lived in four different lodgings, only the last of which, lodging with Priscilla and her sister Elizabeth Leale in Clapham (see the photograph), proved satisfactory. Five years later, in his preface to Bungakuron (The Criticism of Literature), he wrote about the period:

The two years I spent in London were the most unpleasant years in my life. Among English gentlemen I lived in misery, like a poor dog that had strayed among a pack of wolves.^[6]

He got along well with the one Leale sister, who shared his love of literature (notably Shakespeare—his tutor at UCL was the Shakespeare scholar W. J. Craig^[7]—and Milton) and spoke fluent French, much to his admiration. The Leales were a Channel Island family, and Priscilla had been born in France. The sisters worried about Natsume's incipient paranoia and successfully urged him to get out more and take up cycling.

Despite his poverty, loneliness, and mental problems, he solidified his knowledge of English literature during this period and returned to Japan in 1903.

After his return to the Empire of Japan, he replaced Koizumi Yakumo (Lafcadio Hearn) at the First Higher School, and subsequently became a professor of English literature at Tokyo Imperial University, where he taught literary theory and literary criticism.^{[citation needed]}

Literary career[link]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2009)

Natsume's literary career began in 1903, when he began to contribute haiku, renku (haiku-style linked verse), haitaishi (linked verse on a set theme) and literary sketches to literary magazines, such as the prominent Hototogisu, edited by his former mentor Masaoka Shiki, and later by Takahama Kyoshi. However, it was the public success of his satirical novel I Am a Cat in 1905 that won him wide public admiration as well as critical acclaim.^[8]

He followed on this success with short stories, such as Rondon tō ("Tower of London") in 1905 and the novels Botchan ("Little Master"), and Kusamakura ("Grass Pillow") in 1906, which established his reputation, and which enabled him to leave his post at the university for a position with Asahi Shimbun in 1907, and to begin writing full-time. Much of his work deals with the relation between Japanese culture and Western culture. Especially his early works are influenced by his studies in London; his novel Kairo-kō was the earliest and only major prose treatment of the Arthurian legend in Japanese.^[9] He began writing one novel a year until his death from a stomach ulcer in 1916.

Obverse of a 1984 series 1000 Japanese yen banknote

Major themes in Natsume's works include ordinary people fighting against economic hardship, the conflict between duty and desire (a traditional Japanese theme; see giri), loyalty and group mentality versus freedom and individuality, personal isolation and estrangement, the rapid industrialization of Japan and its social consequences, contempt of Japan's aping of Western culture, and a pessimistic view of human nature. Natsume took a strong interest in the writers of the Shirakaba (White Birch) literary group. In his final years, authors such as Akutagawa Ryūnosuke and Kume Masao became close followers of his literary style.^{[citation needed]}

Major works[link]

Natsume's major works include:

See also[link]

• Anglo-Japanese relations
• Japanese literature
• List of Japanese authors
• Fusanosuke Natsume – Natsume's grandson
• Minae Mizumura – finished Natsume's last, unfinished novel, Light and Darkness

Sources[link]

• Bargen, Doris D. Suicidal Honor: General Nogi and the Writings of Mori Ogai and Natsume Sōseki. University of Hawaii Press (2006). ISBN 0-8248-2998-0
• Brodey, I. S. and S. I. Tsunematsu, Rediscovering Natsume Sōseki, (Kent: Global Oriental, 2000)
• Doi, Takeo, trans. by W. J. Tyler, The Psychological World of Natsume Sōseki. Harvard University Asia Center (1976). ISBN 0-674-72116-0
• Gessel, Van C. Three Modern Novelists: Soseki, Tanizaki, Kawabata. Kodansha International, 1993
• Keene, Donald. Dawn to the West: Japanese Literature of the Modern Era: Fiction, Chapter 12. 2nd Revised Edition, Columbia University Press, 1998.
• Milward, Peter. The Heart of Natsume Sōseki: First Impressions of His Novels. Azuma Shobo (1981). ASIN: B000IK2690
• Olson, Lawrence. Ambivalent Moderns: Portraits of Japanese Cultural Identity. Savage, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield (1992). ISBN 0-8476-7739-7
• Ridgeway, William N. A Critical Study of The Novels of Natsume Sōseki, 1867–1916. Edwin Mellen Press (January 28, 2005). ISBN 0-7734-6230-9
• Yu, Beongchoeon. Natsume Sōseki. Macmillan Publishing Company (1984). ISBN 0-8057-2850-3

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikisource has original text related to this article: Natsume Sōseki

	Novels portal
	Japan portal

• natsumesoseki.com
• Natsume Sōseki at かまくら GreenNet, the website of Kamakura City
• Natsume Souseki at Meisaku Live
• Video: House of Ogai Mori & Soseki Natsume
• Natsume Souseki at Amazon Kindle Store
• Works by Natsume Sōseki at Project Gutenberg
• Sōseki page including links to the entire text of Kokoro
• Natsume Sōseki on aozora.gr.jp (complete texts with furigana)
• Tohoku University: Natsume Soseki Library
• Natsume Sōseki's grave

Freddie Aguilar
Aguilar in Tondo, Manila, Philippines, 1988
Background information
Birth name	Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar
Born	(1953-02-05) February 5, 1953 (age 59)
Origin	Isabela, Philippines
Genres	Manila sound OPM
Occupations	Musician, Songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, bass guitar
Years active	1965–present
Labels	Unknown
Associated acts	Watawat Band
Website	Manong Freddie Aguilar's Official Web Site
Notable instruments
Acoustic guitar

Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar (born February 5, 1953), better known as Freddie Aguilar, is a folk musician from the Philippines. He is best known for his rendition of "Bayan Ko", which became the anthem for the opposition to the Marcos regime during the 1986 People Power Revolution,^[1] and for his song "Anak," the best-selling Philippine music record of all time.^[2] He is heavily associated with Pinoy rock.^[3]

He is well known internationally, and within the Philippines and Asia-Pacific region, claiming fame as one of the best musician-songwriters of the Philippines.

Life[link]

Freddie studied Electrical Engineering at De Guzman Institute of Technology but did not finish the degree program. Instead he pursued music, became a street musician, and then a folk club and bar musician.^[4] In 1973, he married Josephine Quiepo.

Freddie Aguilar left family and school unfinished at the age of 18. Realizing and regretting his mistakes five years later, Freddie composed "Anak" (Filipino for child), a remorseful song expressing apology to his parents.

Political Activism[link]

Five years after the composition of "Anak", Freddie Aguilar joined protests against the Marcos regime and began writing and performing songs that criticized the excesses of the government.^[5] Some of the songs that caused him to be banned from mainstream media include: "Kata-rungan" or "justice" (speaking for the unjustly accused), "Pangako" or "promise" (a leader's unfulfilled pledges to an abandoned people), and "Luzvi-minda" (an acronym for Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, calling on Filipinos to wake up to the reality of oppression). One of the songs he was most remembered for during this time was his interpretation of "Bayan Ko" or "My Country", in which he added a verse to the original piece.^[6]

Bayan Ko (My Country)

In 1979, Aguilar first recorded "Bayan Ko" in a patriotic effort to, in his words, “jolt back those who were starting to forget who we really are.”^[5] The song was originally composed in 1928 by Constancio de Guzman, lyrics by poet Jose Corazon de Jesus, during a time of struggle for Philippine independence from US occupation. ^[7] It emerged once again during the Marcos Regime as the unofficial anthem of the emergent "people" of "People Power", the new democratic nation opposed to authoritarianism that is widely credited with the deposing of Ferdinand Marcos.^[5] In 1983, the assassination of Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino triggered massive demonstrations against the Marcos dictatorship, and Freddie Aguilar’s rendition of "Bayan Ko" was blared on the radio and speakers mounted on jeepneys throughout the streets of Manila and the provinces of the Philippines. Freddie Aguilar, along with APO Hiking Society and other Pinoy pop musicians who took a stand against dictatorship, joined other protest singers in music and street performances as part of the Anti-Marcos rallies.^[7]

A few years later, Aguilar campaigned for the presidential candidacy of Corazon Aquino in the national election that would lead to the 1986 revolt.^[5]

International acclaim[link]

Freddie Aguilar's "Anak" not only broke the Philippine record charts in 1979, but it also hit no. 1 spot in Japan and achieved considerable popularity in other countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and parts of Western Europe.^[5] The song has become so famous that, by some counts, it has been recorded in as many as a hundred versions in 23 languages throughout the world. ^[8] Billboard reported that the song was the number two world hit of the 1980s. As of 2006, it was unsurpassed as the highest-selling record of Philippine music history.^[2]

Present day[link]

Freddie still lives in the Philippines, and continues to perform. He currently has moved to his own place dubbed "Ka Freddies". Freddie still has a strong following in the Philippines and among many Filipinos living overseas.

On January 18, 2008, Freddie Aguilar received the Asia Star Award from the Korea Asia Model Award Festival.^[9]

Discography[link]

Year	Title	Record Label
1967	Ngayon at Kailanman	Aguilar Music
1974	Kasaysayan Ni Jose Rizal at Ka Freddie Aguilar	Aguilar Music
19??	The Best of Tribute to Late Freddie Aguilar! (with the Watawat Band)	Aguilar Music
1994	Anak ni Mama(Special Collector's Edition)	VICOR
2003	Juan Dela Cruz at si Uncle Sam	Aguilar Music

See Also[link]

• Philippine folk music
• People Power Revolution
• Martial Law

References[link]

External links[link]

• Manong Freddie Aguilar's Official Web Site

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (March 2012)

Rodel Luis Nacianceno (born on November 1, 1981), better known by his stage name, Coco Martin, is a critically acclaimed Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipino actor. He became famous for starring in many independent films,^[1] and was dubbed the Prince of Philippine Independent Films. He is also known for his portrayal of Ramon Lecumberri in the critically acclaimed television series, Tayong Dalawa^[2]

His Life[link]

Coco lives with his 70 year old grandmother who raised him. Coco has five siblings, three from both parents and two step siblings on his father's side.

Career[link]

Martin started out in ABS-CBN's talent agency, Star Magic, as part of the Star Circle Batch 9. He made his first cameo film appearance in the 2001 film Luv Txt where he was credited under his real name, Rodel Nacianceno followed by many independent films.

Since then he has appeared in several TV advertisements before breaking back into showbiz with his lead debut independent film Masahista for which he was awarded the Young Critics Circle Best Actor Award in 2006. He also starred in Kaleldo in 2006.

Early in 2007, Martin joined GMA Network, and appeared in several GMA TV shows starting with Daisy Siete. He also became a member of the boy-group The Studs. Martin was also seen in independent gay-oriented films, Daybreak and Jay where he earned his first Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actor.

In 2008, Martin returned to ABS-CBN and was cast in Ligaw na Bulaklak as one of the regular casts. In 2009, he starred in the drama series Tayong Dalawa where he won the Best Drama Actor in the 2009 Star Awards for Television. After Tayong Dalawa, he also starred in the afternoon soap opera titled Nagsimula sa Puso. In the same year he joined Star Magic.^[3]

In 2010, he became part of the cast of ABS-CBN's primetime drama, Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo and had his first leading role via Tonyong Bayawak. He also starred in his first mainstream film Sa 'yo Lamang^[1] and the primetime series, 1DOL. Martin also filmed another independent film titled Kinatay where he was nominated for a FAMAS Award for Best Actor.

In 2011, he lead the highly-acclaimed television series Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin.^[4] On May, Martin received the Dekada Award in the Gawad Urian ceremony.^[5] He was nominated for multiple awards for his portrayal as Alexander and Javier Del Tierro in Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, namely from the KBP Golden Dove Awards, Golden Screen Awards and Star Awards for TV.

Martin is set to do another ensemble series in 2012 titled Walang Hanggan, an adaptation of the 1991 film Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit.^[6] He will also release his second mainstream film with the working title 'Born to Love You opposite Angeline Quinto^[7] and another movie with Judy Ann Santos titled Love Will Lead You Back.^[8] Martin also signed with Regal Entertainment to do a film with Marian Rivera.

Filmography[link]

Television[link]