ILIGAN City ― Once there was a crown jewel here named National Steel Corporation. People from far and near came for it. This city then became like the Middle East where people came to it to seek their fortunes.

But like the song, that says "some good things never last," well, it was like the "some" in the song, NSC never did last. Never mind the reasons. Which among them, was the company, becoming a spendthrift?

So, in 1999, it was shut down. I remember there was a parade of sorts that ended in the city public plaza. Many of the employees there participating, were employees who had just lost their jobs. And of course their families and all the curious people. There was then all the "drama" that they could muster. I saw then-city mayor Franklin M. Quijano making a speech. Some people shed tears, I saw.

I don't know if some of them were crocodile tears Though I don't know if crocodiles cry. Or whether they shed tears only. That's just some expression only, ma'am, did I hear somebody say?

Anyway, after it was shut down, naturally, everything was silent on that front. Including those who were just licking their wounds, silently.

Then by and by, I remember the words of some half-forgotten poem: '"Silently, in the infinite meadows of heaven, blossomed the lovely stars…" For it seemed as if something was "blossoming" on that NSC front. A company called Global Steel Works, an Indian company began to operate the "fallen" NSC. People though took the news with much grain of salt, so to speak. A very tall order, they say. What with billions and billions of loans from more than ten banks!

Global did operate. For a time. And with much difficulty.

It soon shut down, leaving unpaid obligations in its wake!

After that, came the "fighters." Fighting for the "carcass" of what else, the NSC! Among the prominent fighters was the city government of Iligan, under then city mayor Celso G. Regencia with his then Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz. I would call this type of fighter "the brash fighter." I liken them to some expression that says in a local language: "Hindi pa nakaplastar ang kuwan, ginatirahan na!" Uh, pardon the irreverence. Because of their claim of unpaid real property taxes which the NSC had left unpaid, the company was now theirs.

To emphasize the "ownership" they occupied the grounds of the plant. Didn't they say you cannot claim victory until you have occupied the territory?"

Yet another "fighter" the liquidator also claimed "ownership" of it. I will call them, the "low-key" fighter. Although the city was showy in its claim, even making some flag raising ceremony on it, and then followed by some pa- "drama" like holding concerts, the liquidator team's approach was "cool lang." Yet they also made some "occupation" acts, like sitting outside the grounds of NSC, complete with documents. The grounds of NSC consist of 450 hectares. And the liquidator, under lawyer Danilo Concepcion, went to court.

Another fighter of a claimant is "Global Steel." They too "own:" NSC." On the strength of an "Asset Purchase Agreement." To the tune of around P39B. Which they had paid "partially."

So, I'd name "Global" as the "odd fighter." Which in other words, may mean "against all odds."

Yet, there are other "fighters" too, the one led by "Her Majesty Salvacion Legaspi y Espiritu Santo. She owns it. God tells her so. So they made some "occupational" moves in the area. Although their "flag raising" was made outside the plant, because the city "did not give us the keys inside the plant." I would call this type of fighter, the "ignored fighter." Although my nerdy friend Mike calls them, "the crazy fighter." And I replied, "you're the one who said that ha? And not me!" And he gave out a good laugh on it, though this is no laughing matter, yeah.

Carlos Conde made some comment in a joke which said that he too is raising some flag there in the area, a flag with the sign, "666." And we know what that signifies.

The present city government leadership under mayor Frederick Siao though is in a "fight mode" too. Because this LGU has not fully abandoned its "occupancy mode." Even with the recent decision of the Supreme Court for the city to "stop its acts of ownership." In favor of…the SC did not say definitely. So, continuing the good work, was the city's stance. It created a mammal called the "Asset Protection and Preservation" Unit, with Engr. Orlando Maglinao, a former NSC employee heading it. I would call Siao et al, the "careful fighter."

When some dogs, I mean, some foreign bodies came to "visit" the plant recently, Maglinao was quick to say that it was not the team of Concepcion that came over. It was the "Global team" who made some "audits" on the plant. As in, how much do they owe some creatures, like the National Power Corporation, some former employees, or some other creatures, like them or not like them?

When I met Boy O., a friend, he said that "there are other claimants and they have documents to show for them." Boy O, is a MA (morag abogado). I'd call them the "never mind| fighters". But who knows? Inside the cabinet, there might be something for them.

So, there they are, fighters of lost love,..like that song, "Once there was a love, filled with such devotion, it was yours and mine…" Or "Once there was a love, deeper than any ocean…" I think now I got this all rambled like some lotto numbers…oh…no…

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