No man is an island

Abstract

A spoken message may be heard by just a few people, if delivered to a small audience; or by thousands, if aired over the radio or television. No matter how well an oral message may be delivered, however, it may not be fully understood by the audience nor stay long in their minds. It was to make messages clear and lasting that man invented the art of writing.

The speeches and lectures selected for this book were delivered at different places and before various audiences. The purpose for collecting and putting them in book form is not only to make them better understood and last longer, but also to make them reach a wider audience.

The title “No Man Is An Island” was chosen because it expresses the central theme common to all the speeches and lectures. This theme is that man does not live by himself and for himself alone, but he also lives with and for his fellowmen. Of course, as the reader may find out, the speeches and lectures also dwell on other subjects of wide and lasting import.

Almost half of the speeches were delivered at the session hall of the Provincial Board of Iloilo, and I would like to acknowledge my colleagues on the Board who listened and reacted to the speeches with interest and sympathy. For the record, I would like to list here the members of the august legislative body, namely, Hon. Simplicio C. Griño, Governor and Chairman; Hon. Ramon D. Duremdes, Vice Governor and Vice Chairman from 1988 until early 1990 when his proclamation as Vice Governor was annulled because of a pending electoral protest; Hon. Robert B. Maroma, Hon. Juanito M. Acanto, Hon. Rudy C. Tupas, Hon. Demy P. Sonza, Hon. Juan G. Garin, Sr., Hon. Leo Agustin B. Lutero, Hon. Vicente N. Molejona, Hon. Alberto “Boy J” C. Javellana, Hon. Perla S. Zulueta, Hon. Jose “Chepe" S. Cortes, Jr., Hon. Melchor E. Bonilla, Hon. Feliciano Marañon, and Atty. Gregorio D. Guadalope, secretary.

I wish to thank Mr. and Mrs. Fulgencio S. Madrazo (nee Cecilia Sequio) of ABC Printing Center for their kind assistance in printing the book, and Inday Vic Madrazo for helping in the design and layout of the book. The cover picture that illustrates the book’s central theme was adopted from a photograph by the United Nations.

Lastly and as ever, I wish to make public acknowledgment of the abiding support of my beloved wife, Gloria Jayaon Sonza.