Rudy Almadin
Born in Baguio

🧭 The Journey of Felipe (Eping) Claveria and Regina (Isinang) Siapno

Felipe Claveria, affectionately known as Eping, was born in Dagupan City, Pangasinan Province, alongside his seven siblings—including Nicolas Claveria and Piang, the only sister. In the mid-1940s, during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II, Felipe migrated alone to Baguio City, a highland town known for its cool climate and emerging trade opportunities. There, he became a hog dealer, carving out a modest livelihood in a city still reeling from wartime disruption.

🏔️ Regina Siapno and the Igorot Heritage

In Baguio, Felipe met Regina (Isinang) Siapno, a domestic helper working for an Igorot family. Regina herself was an Igorot, born in the Hundred Islands area. The Igorot peoples, indigenous to the Cordillera region of Northern Luzon, are composed of several ethnolinguistic groups such as the Bontoc, Ibaloi, and Kankanaey. In the 1940s, they were known for their strong communal bonds, agricultural traditions, and resistance to colonial and wartime oppression. During World War II, Igorot fighters were celebrated for their bravery, notably in battles such as Bataan, where they fought valiantly against Japanese forces.

💍 A Marriage in Wartime Baguio

Felipe and Regina married in early 1940s, just before the full onset of World War II in the Philippines. To commemorate their union, they visited a local photo studio. Despite Felipe being under five feet tall and Regina over five feet, the photographer cleverly used a chair to balance their heights—capturing a cherished wedding portrait that symbolized their love and resilience.

🌱 Migration to Mindanao and Farming Life

In 1947, after the war, the couple—now with two children—migrated to Mindanao Island, over 1,500 kilometers from Baguio, in search of greater opportunities. During the 1950s, Mindanao’s farming society was rapidly expanding. The government encouraged migration to the island, offering land to settlers from Luzon and the Visayas. These new farmers cultivated crops like corn, coconut, cassava, and bananas, contributing to the island’s transformation into an agricultural frontier.

Felipe and Regina acquired 16 hectares of farmland—equivalent to 22 soccer fields. They planted pineapples, bananas, coconuts, corn, cassava, and other minor cash crops. Cassava, in particular, was a staple used in dishes like cassava cake, a beloved Filipino dessert.

🌳 Tragedy Under the Acacia Tree

Their daughter Flor Claveria, born in Baguio, followed her parents to Mindanao. At age seven, while playing under an Acacia tree, a falling branch struck her fatally. This heartbreaking accident marked the beginning of Regina’s lifelong sorrow. Unable to bear the grief, Felipe abandoned the farm and returned the family to Dagupan City, his birthplace.

🐟 A New Chapter: Aquaculture in Dagupan

Back in Dagupan, Felipe shifted to aquaculture, establishing large fishing ponds for milkfish (bangus), tilapia, and shrimp. Bangus, the national fish of the Philippines, is central to the country’s aquaculture industry and a staple in Filipino cuisine. This new venture allowed Felipe to rebuild his livelihood while staying close to his roots.

Two of Felipe’s siblings eventually settled in Santa Barbara, a nearby town in Pangasinan Province, maintaining the family’s presence in the region.