The Wise Men of Ronda, Cebu (Part II)

Ronda, Cebu was the site of the last strongholds of the 87th Infantry Regiment of the Resistance Movement, it is found in the interior hills of Malalay. The regiment could be aptly called as the "Pentagon Coalition Force", as it was composed of soldiers and volunteers coming from the five towns, namely: Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal and Badian. The members were closely knit, like band of brothers as they were relatives either by consanguinity or affinity or long time family friends or neighbors.

The famous members were Sergeants Gregorio Sungcad (a member of the clan, Jesus Ramel M. Sungcad, of the USJR College of Law Batch 1994 was admitted to the Bar on April 12, 1996, a senior executive and legal counsel of Pepsi Philippines), Torcuato Antiporta and Geronimo Dacillo, who later made Dumanjug as their Headquarters under the leadership of Major Luis Jakosalem.

The patriots of Ronda during World War II, to name a few were: Sergeants Victorino Maribao, Cresenciano Gimena, Corporal Mercurios Villagonzalo and Private Gregorio Poligratis. The exploits of the Cebu guerilla fighters from Ronda are recorded in the book of Col. Manuel F. Segura in his book, The Koga Papers.

The Maribao clan, had a member who became chief of police of Ronda, his name was Filemon Maribao. His appointment was questioned and the case reached the Supreme Court, he was assisted by Francisco Emilio F. Remotigue (who became Governor of Cebu and admitted to the Bar on November 18, 1935). The members of the Maribao clan who became lawyers were: Ananias Villagonzalo Maribao (admitted to the Bar on November 10, 1934, elected as Councilor of Ronda in 1938, he became Asst. Regimental Judge Advocate of the 87th Infantry Regiment, later to become a Fiscal of Cebu), his son with his second wife, Josefina Villalon (his first wife was Felisa Conui, who died giving birth to twins), Herminio Villalon Maribao (admitted to the Bar on March 20, 1967, became Legal Counsel of Atlas Mining Corporation), Gil V. Maribao (admitted to the Bar on March 28, 1949) and Julienne Carmel Lucero Maribao (daughter of Atty. Herminio, admitted to the Bar on May 6, 1998). Other members of the Villagonzalo clan became famous politicians and lawyers, Santiago Villagonzalo Lucero, became a lawyer on December 11, 1934, became a town Municipal President of Ronda, Judge and Congressman, his brother, Fermin became a lawyer on November 5, 1930, another Lucero, Godofredo S. Lucero, became a lawyer on May 8, 1961 (special thanks to Janice Christine Mercado, granddaughter of Fiscal Maribao for the additional information).

Another pride of Ronda is the Giramino's, father and son lawyers, Atty. Emmanuel M. Gimarino who is presently the regional registrar of the Land Registration Authority and concurrent Register of Deeds of Cebu, he belongs to the USC College of Law Class 76, he was admitted to the Bar on April 30, 1977 and placed in his Roll of Attorney, Ronda as his hometown. He is a faculty member of the University of San Carlos.

His father, Rafael Q. Gimarino of the Philippine Law School Class of 1939 was admitted to the Bar on January 8, 1940. When World War II broke out, he was enlisted as officer of the USAFFE later to become part of the guerilla movement. He belonged to the fabled Rough Riders Company, named by World War II Legendary Hero Col. James Cushing. Atty. Rafael Q. Giramino was captured by the Japanese together with Lt. Gregorio Corriente and civilians, Mamerto Ogario and Eslao de Aquino when from Ronda later assembled at Alcantara went to Guihulngan, Negros Oriental. The bravery of Atty. Rafael Gimarino is recorded in the books of Col. Segura, TABUNAN: The Untold Exploits of the Famed Cebu Guerillas of World War II and the Koga Papers.

Atty. Rafael survived the war and practiced law, became Undersecretary of the then Presidential Assistant on Community Development (PACD) later renamed as the Presidential Arm on Community Development, it is now the DILG and in several cases collaborated with the legal eagles of Cebu, like Attys. Francisco Remotigue and Delfin Nacua (admitted to the Bar on March 29, 1947) in cases that reached the Supreme Court. Atty. Rafael ran for Congress in the old 6thDistrict of Cebu, composed of Ronda, Dumanjug, Barili, Aloguinsan, Pinamungajan and Toledo City.

Atty. Rafael, was the son of Ruperto Gimarino (who became Municipal President of Ronda) and Inez Quirante of Dumanjug, Cebu. Rafael married Dominga Tabelon Macazo of Malitbog, Leyte.