THE book of Jose V. Barrameda “In the Crucible of an Asymmetrical War in Camarines Sur 1942-1945” tells the story of the Tangcong Vaca Guerilla Unit: its beginning, its organization, its men and women, its trials and threnody, its strengths and weaknesses, its heroes and villains ---- something that has never told before, with a punch delivered right from the shoulder, so to speak.

This historical narrative by Jose Barrameda confines itself on events that took place in Camarines Sur during the War Years, and for me constitutes the third volume about the history of the Bikol region, with more detailed narratives of the more significant events that happened in Camarines Sur.

        I would consider to constitute the first volume of a trilogy, Veil of Martyrs, a still unpublished work of Dr. Danilo Madrid Gerona. This is about the purge, the Bikol region was subjected to following the discovery of the Katipunan in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, which gave Camarines Sur the Quince Martires de ’96.

        I would consider to constitute the sequel to Gerona’s book as the second volume of the trilogy Lucha y Libertad by Elias M. Ataviado, published in two volumes in Spanish. These volumes discuss the events that intervened when Los Gringos, Los Americanos occupied the Bikol region, with more lengthy narratives about Albay. May be set alongside these volumes is Evelyn Caldera Soriano’s Bicolano Revolutionaries: Ludovico and Tomas Arejola, whose contributions to Naga’s history are virtually unknown and glossed over.

        Any culture-loving Bikolano who professes himself to value his history should have these three volumes in his collection. They are “must read’ books --- though they are not enough yet to fill in some gaps that are yet to be investigated on and written about. Local writers have yet to write a book on the exploits of Wenceslao Vinzons, a book on Francisco “Turko” Boayes, both of Camarines Norte, a book on Camp Isarog, whose guerilla activities were concentrated in the district of Partido in Camarines Sur.

        This afternoon we are launching the book of Joe Barrameda, one of the more authoritative researchers and writers of local history of Camarines Sur. This volume speaks very well of how extensive and exhaustive his research has been. Proof, leaf through the appendices and the references of the book which lists down primary sources which not even the National Historical Institute has the opportunity and the privilege to have in its files.

        I, however, view this book of Jo Barrameda under two aspects: its format and its content.

        As far as its format is concerned, this book as printed is not a book inasmuch as it does not have the format of a book. It does not have a table of contents. The book is not divided into distinct chapters that discuss, among other things, the varied and various aspects of the Tangkong Vaca Guerilla organization, its members, its activities, its conflict with other guerilla units, the jealousy and betrayals in its rank and file. The narrative extends from page 1 to page 188 without any break.

        So as to give it the semblance of a book, an editing and a new format could be introduced in its second printing. The debacle in Hawaii and the arrival of the Japan’s occupation forces in Camarines Sur and the organization of the Resistance Movement through the Tangkong Vaca Guerilla Unit could constitute Chapter 1. The beginnings of the Asymmetrical War for the TVGU could be Chapter 2. Governor Mariano E. Villafuerte, his death and the murder of his wife and son could be Chapter 3, a very interesting chapter that can become the most read and most ear-marked chapter of the book. The rivalry between and among the guerilla units could be another chapter, and so on and so forth.

        As printed in its first edition, the book like a full-length movie, HBO or Cinemax style, does not entertain any commercial. Certainly that is not of the making of the author, but of the publisher or editor, who should know better about the format and layout for books.

        But of more importance is the content. The content of Jo Bar’s book belongs to the heavy weight division. It is heavy with details and names that fill in memory gaps. How many of us are aware of the “colorums” headed by a woman called Nanay who provided food and sanctuary to the Tangkong Vaca Guerilla Unit? (The “colorums” we know are the vehicles that ply the streets without securing the proper franchise and permit from the Land Transportation Office). In this book we get the names of natives who were brought to the notorious terminal point that was the Ateneo and never came out of it alive. In this book we come to know more about a certain Major Licerio Lapus, perhaps an ancestor of Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, about Lt. Salvador Bimeda, about Rafael Quiñones, about Capt. Leonardo Golpe and other names that we have not even heard of or read about before. In this book are the sketch of Turko Boayes, the photocopies of people and of documents that are printed for the first time. What used to be recollections that have just been committed to memory or written in personal diaries are now part of the heritage of the people of Camarines Sur.

        With more informative value are the footnotes that by themselves can stand as individual chapters. The footnotes give us information and details that are as interesting as the main text of the book itself. How true, indeed, is the counsel, that as in an insurance policy, we must read more seriously the fine prints.

        Over and above all, this volume gives Bikoliana one contribution that makes Camarines Sur richer by a book and one that gives Jose V. Barrameda a most revered seat in Bikol bibliography. Well, if he has not been nominated yet to the list of Distinguished Mayoral Awardees of Naga City, I am making the nomination here and now and in public. After all, we do not get a book as adeptly researched and as ably written, published and launched everyday, as “In the Crucible of an Asymmetrical War in Camarines Sur, from 1942 to 1945”.

        To Jo Barrameda, your book is a relief for those who have been experiencing aridity in local history. We take the liberty of directing to you the line of sentinel Francisco in Hamlet: “For this relief much thanks”.

        I like to conclude this review with a note and a question.

        The note: had it not been for a grant from the National Historical Institute, Camarines Sur would not have been richer by a book. Would that another grant or other grants be offered to local writers by the National Historical Institute or by the multimillionaires in Naga City who do not know where to spend their millions or even by local government units as there are still historical gaps to be filled in and documents and archives that have remained untouched.

        So the question, paraphrasing the witches in Shakespeare’s Macbeth: “When shall we meet again (to launch another book under another grant)? In thunder, lightning, or in rain? When the hurlyburly’s done, the battle’s lost and won?