Three readers have reacted to the poll that the MabuhayRadio.com is currently conducting. We will soon publish an article about the advocacy for the "Abaca Republic," as the movement for Bicol independence has been dubbed.

Reaction No. One: 

Dear Bobby,

As an individual Filipino citizen I felt like I "seceded" from the Philippine Republic when I became a U.S. citizen in 1968. Last year I rejoined the republic by reacquiring my Filipino citizenship.

Have you read David Martinez's book "A Country Of Our Own" in which he advocates splitting up the Philippines back into its originally dissimilar peoples and cultures in many different regions? Spanish colonization gave birth to a "nation" (Islas
del Rey Felipe Segundo) just like the victors of World War I created one "nation" called Yugoslavia out of many small different countries.

Are you promoting Bicolandia's secession?

Your friend,

A Filipino-American physician (Name Withheld on request)

Reaction No. Two.

Thanks for letting me know about the Mabuhayradio.com.

There is too much rhetoric about this question. Should Florida or Louisiana secede from the union?

Missing Mardi Gras, New Orleans and Disney World Orlando, fun wouldn't be much of anything?

Our Bicolano brothers and sisters are a part of the Philippines. When the Southern States of America tried to secede from the UNION because of the SLAVERY (issue), President Lincoln declared "A house divided cannot stand." I hope we will have the Bicol region a part of the Philippines, because each region, it be the Ilocano, Pangasinan, Cotobato, is part of the Philippines. Each region contributes to the diversity, value and beauty to the Philippines.

Sincerely,

Eduardo T. Ibanez, CPA
Yorba Linda, California # # #