The Feisty Ka Ading Tejada

The Feisty Ka Ading Tejada

Back in 2001, Ibaan was so preoccupied with political colors. People were on the brink of penning names on ballots for local election. The town was so busy and was in upbeat mood with political jingles screaming loud on the streets in an attempt to grab electorates' attention. And almost a week before judgement day, town folks were invited to be at Medrano Plaza. Candidates will be there for an open forum organized by some civic group. Political hopefuls were to lay down their cards before the people, for the people, and for Ibaan. That was the first time I heard of Ka Ading Tejada.

Ka Ading was running for vice-mayoralty position against a more popular opponent. Throughout the campaign period, analysts have been keeping their scoreboards open and considered the seat's contest between them to be a close fight. Tensions were at the plaza. People were anticipating a word-war between them. It was supposed to be a battle-royal. But to everyone's surprise and frustration, Ka Ading's opponent didn't show up with no reasons or explanations offered.

Ka Ading and Sir Renzo with
Bishop Ramon Arguelles, DD, STL.

It could have been a field day for Ka Ading. But instead of feeling complacent having no one to debate with, he jump into his gun and fired a barrage of issues which he intend to address if given the chance to take on the second highest position in the municipal hall. He was restless. He urged people to struck on ballots with "quality votes and not for popularity votes". He was a filibuster. Answering every questions thrown to him. He never felt any remorse. His guts were unshakable. His plans were clear and with directions.

 To some, it was just like taking a choco-filled candy to sweeten his position in the minds of the electorate. But for intelligent voter, it was true. For as long I can remember, you would hear people say "...hindi naman pupwede yung tango lang ng tango". At this juncture, people came to some sort of awakening. "Why not give someone with clarity of intentions to take a shot?", everyone was telling everyone. And the rest was history.

Ka Ading with Fr. Roni Alkonga, OSJ (right) with
another guest during their program's anniversary.

After the last ballot was counted, Ka Ading won and served Ibaan's Vice-Mayor from 2001 to 2004.

Career Highlights

Ka Ading ran as an independent with no political affiliations. He went on his own. Although he took over the office, it was never easy going into the municipal council with no one to turn to.At the council, he was met with councilors belonging to other political groups. But one thing to be thankful, his men on the roster can be considered as the best one having two lawyers. This resulted to the passing of the most important law or ordinance ever crafted that could have saved Ibaan's environmet - the Ibaan Rivers Authority.

Ka Ading with wife on a vacation trip.

Ibaan is bounded and rich with rivers. Looking back, they were Ibaan's pride with people enjoying their clear blue water rich with fish, crabs and shrimps. But with the passing of time and with the proliferation of livestock industry and farms, particularly the piggery, along river banks, rivers slowly deteriorated and systematically died down. This caught his and the council's attention. He thus initiated the discussions on how Ibaan rivers' situation can be addressed. This resulted to the passing of Ibaan Rivers Authority with others still having some second thoughts and hesitations in supporting the ordinance, either due to personal or business interests.

Ka Ading on his radio program.

Ibaan Rivers Authority was passed with the intention of protecting them from destructive economic activities in Ibaan. Having it approved brought him to a dance with fire. In one occasion, he went to a friend for barrio fiesta. His friend's sits near one of the biggest piggery farm in Ibaan. Knowing he was there, the farm's management and workers intentionally showed him how they pitch dead piglets down the river which was on the other side of the piggery building. Basically, it was made to directly insult his authority as Vice Mayor. the last thing he could do was to watch them in disgust for the piggery's management was related to then Ibaan's political strongman.

The Tejada Family

Extended to Son

During is term, his son expressed his dream of becoming an SK Federation President. To do that, Ka Ading told his son to run first as SK Chairman of their barangay, which his son did. In the course of the campaign, talks were made that his son will win unopposed.  But just as when SK election is within  youth's door step, some political puppets fielded and pushed someone to run against his son. Ka Ading was even called and told to pull out his son's candidacy, assuring of his son's defeat.

Ka Ading answered back by graciously telling his caller that they should stay out of the way since they are both serving as Ibaan's elected officials. "The affairs of the youth be left to the youth", he firmly told the one on the other line. Thus, he remained on his neutral ground and let his son do the rest for his candidacy. His son didn't either backed down from the fight to show he can go up against the odds. The result..his son won the election and gained the majority's approval to represent them.

Ka Ading discussing his pro-life stand.

Now comes the SK Federation election. The word was out that his son is running for the position. At one big twist of situation, SK Chairmen from all barangays were invited in an unspecified event where they were taken and kept in isolation for almost two days and two nights in one resorts in Laguna. No invitation was sent to Ka Ading's son. Out to prove his worth, Ka Ading's son went his way and followed them. He was almost barred from entering the resort and to join the others. In the course of discussion, his son was not given the floor to explain his side and to introduce himself to others as a candidate for SK Federation Presidency. Frustrated and disgusted with the system, he went back home.

Days later, the election was held and a new political puppet was born.

With guests during his radio program's anniversary.

Private Life

Finishing his term as Vice Mayor, Ka Ading went to US for a vacation. He stayed with some friends who willingly welcomed him to their homes. Incidentally, he was invited as Guest Speaker in Ibaan-US Association   composed of Ibaenos living and working in States. He was also made an inducting officer of the said association.

For a long time, Ka Ading had his easy life away from the hassle of politics. He was to prolong his vacation. But certain ailment cut short his vacation. He had some allergies causing him some skin irritations almost paralyzing part of his body. This made him decide to return home.

Partners Ka Ading and Renzo Luna

Returning to Ibaan, Ka Ading went back to where he started -the Church. He kept himself busy with Church works, spending most of his time with liturgical activities and serving the priest during Holy Mass.

Radyo Totoo 95.9 AM

In September 2011, in one of his lectures in one Church's activity, Fr. Noni Dolor of Batangas City heard him over while delivering his speech. After which, Ka Ading was approached by Fr. Noni and asked if he wants to be on radio. Fr. Noni was then, up to now, was the station manager of 99.1 Spirit FM radio station in Batangas City which was also part and under of Catholic Media Network. According to Fr. Noni, they were working on a new project which involves a radio program intended to discuss social issues integrated with the teachings of the Holy Bible. Ka Ading was told that his style suits well with the program.

Tulong Edukasyon Para Sa Batang Ibaan (TEBI) after an
interview with Ka Ading and Sir Renzo.

The following week, Ka Ading was introduced to his partner Renzo Luna who was then a seasoned print and radio news reporter. Since then, and up to present time, Ka Ading regularly hosts a 7:30am - 9:30am Saturday program entitled "Aksyon At Repleksyon at 95.9 DWAL FM Radyo Totoo in Batangas City.

Then on Saturdays, he's anchoring the program in tandem with Renzo Luna with the program "Ang Mabuting Balita Ng Panginoon Ayon Sa Pagninilay At Pananaw Ng Mga Layko" from 6:00pm to 6:30pm at the same radio station and frequency.

Their program has invited and had different personalities as guests. A broad scope of issues have been tacked  an discussed from national to provincial, down to municipal issues. Although Ka Ading has shied away from political life, his feisty side can still be heard of him during the program, much more concerning issues that are obvious of injustices and machinations and corruptions.

Ka Ading's well wishers.

It's uncertain as when Ibaan will get to see Ka Ading Ibaan's political arena. But for now, let's just let him enjoy his time. He was and will always a man of honor and he done his part in Ibaan politics which we hope to have brought some sense of integrity to Ibaeos.

Currently, he is strogly supporting the bill passed by Rep. Roilo Golez protecting rights of the unborn which is in contradiction of Reproductive Health Bill being aggressively pushed by its proponents.