Saturday, May 28, 2011

Salute to a Filipino Soldier

This Memorial Day weekend, my thoughts and love are with a Filipino teacher and soldier. He was my Father. http://www.sbgonzaga.ph/past_mayors.htm

My Father was widowed twice before he married my Mother. He was 56 years old when I was born. I am the youngest of many children. Having been imprisoned and tortured in WWII, my Father had health issues. He lived frugally. He owned substantial real estate properties, but even during hard times, he did not want to sell any, desiring that his children would inherit them. We were very poor.

I have two cherished childhood memories of my Father.

He was offered big bucks to join a company. He asked what would be his responsibilities. The answer was – none. He would be paid huge amounts of money for doing nothing. My Father refused the offer. I believe he suspected that his name would be used to seek special privileges, or even as cover for illegal activities.

One early morning, my Father asked me to accompany him. We walked to the Aparri Municipal building. He informed a male municipal employee that he was there in compliance with the agrarian reform law. My Father, I believe, further commented about the law’s injustice since he worked hard to acquire his lands. The employee rudely and angrily berated him. I felt rage. My Father kept quiet.

Then, the municipal judge arrived; he warmly and respectfully greeted my Father. The employee’s face was a sight – surprised and stricken.

The mayor arrived. Like the judge, he, too, showed my Father warmth and respect. After asking my Father why he was there and then instructing the employee about it, the mayor invited my Father to his office. The employee was trembling. As the mayor turned to lead the way to his office, the employee whispered a plea to the old man that he treated like dirt. My Father did not tell the mayor about the impolite man.

Thank you, Papang, for these memories which have inspired and strengthened me. Lovelots.

4 comments:

Ilyn Ross said...

‎1932-1940, 1945–1946

http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-am-a-Jeffersonian/102951273112979?v=wall#!/photo.php?fbid=235361066514335&set=a.235304933186615.76318.100001213303193&type=1&theater

Ilyn Ross said...

Municipal MayorsFrancis Torres
Leandro Zuniega
Teodoro Castro
Francisco Torres
Cesario Peralta
Frederico Navarro
Caytano de la Cruz
Delfin Baltazar
Claro P. Nuñez
Romarico Salvanera
Francisco T. Baclig
Hermogenes T. Baclig
Juan B. Naval
Ricardo M. Paddayuman
Aresenio P. Gonzales
Epifanio G. Gaspar
Rosendo P. Abad Engr. Carlito S. Pentecostes, Jr.
1918-1921
1922-1924
1925-1927
1928-1931
1932-1940, 1945–1946
1941
1942-1945, 1948–1951, 1960–1967
1952-1955
1956-1959
1967
1968-1986
1986-1987
1987
1988
1988-1998
1998-2007
2007-2010
2010–present

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonzaga,_Cagayan

Ilyn Ross said...

Cesario Peralta
1932-1940, 1945–1946

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonzaga,_Cagayan

Ilyn Ross said...

fb pic and info

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=137191283143332&set=a.101480063381121.1073741828.100005573822495&type=1