ROADSIDE THRILLER
A young man together with his two little nephews went to a bakery to buy bread. He parked his van in front of the bakery not knowing that the younger nephew followed him after locking and closing the door. The key was left inside with the other boy about 5 years old.
Every thing was seemingly normal except that when the boy inside was told to open the door of the car he couldn’t. Perhaps he didn’t know how to maneuver the lock and his uncle didn’t know what to do immediately. His apprehension caught the attention of many people at the plaza including about a dozen of uniformed policemen who all gathered and peeped at the boy who was trapped inside.
Unaware of what was actually going on the boy inside began to panic. Fear was all over his face as people continued peeping at him and instructing him to do this and that. Meantime a man carrying a hard wire and a flier came to help. He inserted the wire on top of the door trying to pull the lock but it simply didn’t work. There were so much suspense and drama. It was like watching a portion of a telenovela.
Onlookers were panicky too, fearing that the boy might be suffocated or might accidentally start the car. More people gathered around the car as even moving buses stopped to watch the event. The boy in turn got more terrified while the uncle was greatly confused.
Varied suggestions were offered by various people but they only added fear to the trapped boy and more confusion to the already confused crowd. After about almost an hour the kibitzers also got tired and one by one they left. The boy inside possibly thought that the danger was over because there were no more big eyes staring at him. He leaned to the door of the back seat, pulled the lock and Eureka the door of the car was opened.
The uncle had to pause for a while. He couldn’t quickly start the car as he was trying to decipher what hit him early in the morning.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
A PRIEST FOREVER
A PRIEST FOREVER
I have long wanted to write about Priests and Priesthood but I always ended up groping in the dark. Priesthood is a profession and a vocation that entails endless sacrifice and hardship. It needed strong determination, self discipline and many extraordinary characters to attain the goal.
The life of a Parish Priest must be very difficult, I just realized after I had a casual chat with our new Parish Priest. I could imagine the difficulties he would encounter during the adjustment period. To be able to cope with the whims of thousands of supposed to be followers who have their own individual ideas on how the Church should be.
Intermingling with these regular churchgoers with irregular moods was never a walk in the woods. There are the ‘convent hangers’ who think the convent is their own house as well as other church goers with their own peculiarities in characters. There are the other religious sects, the ‘born again’, the ‘born already’ and the ‘born also’ that needed to be dealt with intelligently.
Furthermore, a Priest most of all is also human, with his own genetic traits. He too gets hungry and tired. His own emotion could also be adversely affected by unwanted incidents that occur around his life.
A little mistake or mild shortcoming is quickly magnified. He has no one to quickly turn to during moments of weakness. He also needs a shoulder-to-cry-on even while his own shoulder is still dripping with tears of others.
It is about time parishioners should pay more attention, consideration, understanding and compassion to their Parish Priest. Let us forgive them too even if they do not directly confess to us.
A Priest is a Priest forever according to the order of Melquiesedec. Let us adjust to him while he is adjusting to us without expecting perfection. Let us wear his shoes once in a while just to have a feel of how it is to be one. After all a Priest is Christ’s representative to look after us. He is as fragile as we all are because our bones and his are not different. Our flesh and his are just the same. Our blood and his are of the same color and content.
Without the cooperation and help of the parishioner a priest can actually do nothing but without the Priest that caters to our spiritual needs we all shall be damned.
I have long wanted to write about Priests and Priesthood but I always ended up groping in the dark. Priesthood is a profession and a vocation that entails endless sacrifice and hardship. It needed strong determination, self discipline and many extraordinary characters to attain the goal.
The life of a Parish Priest must be very difficult, I just realized after I had a casual chat with our new Parish Priest. I could imagine the difficulties he would encounter during the adjustment period. To be able to cope with the whims of thousands of supposed to be followers who have their own individual ideas on how the Church should be.
Intermingling with these regular churchgoers with irregular moods was never a walk in the woods. There are the ‘convent hangers’ who think the convent is their own house as well as other church goers with their own peculiarities in characters. There are the other religious sects, the ‘born again’, the ‘born already’ and the ‘born also’ that needed to be dealt with intelligently.
Furthermore, a Priest most of all is also human, with his own genetic traits. He too gets hungry and tired. His own emotion could also be adversely affected by unwanted incidents that occur around his life.
A little mistake or mild shortcoming is quickly magnified. He has no one to quickly turn to during moments of weakness. He also needs a shoulder-to-cry-on even while his own shoulder is still dripping with tears of others.
It is about time parishioners should pay more attention, consideration, understanding and compassion to their Parish Priest. Let us forgive them too even if they do not directly confess to us.
A Priest is a Priest forever according to the order of Melquiesedec. Let us adjust to him while he is adjusting to us without expecting perfection. Let us wear his shoes once in a while just to have a feel of how it is to be one. After all a Priest is Christ’s representative to look after us. He is as fragile as we all are because our bones and his are not different. Our flesh and his are just the same. Our blood and his are of the same color and content.
Without the cooperation and help of the parishioner a priest can actually do nothing but without the Priest that caters to our spiritual needs we all shall be damned.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
A HAIRLINE FROM DEATH
A HAIRLINE FROM DEATH
From the netcafe I was on my way to the school to meet our new Parish Priest. As has been my habit lately, considering my age, I was walking carefully and very slowly against the traffic along the sidewalk.
There was a normally passing passenger bus followed by a rushing motorcycle heeding towards me. I thanked God that my presence of mind and strong instinct of protection caused my reflexes to make a sway just a little bit to my left enough to avoid the oncoming motorcycle by a hairline. But I also fell down. I hurt my right wrist, my right elbow and my right flank. I immediately and successfully stood up. Again I thanked God my head didn’t hit the cemented pavement.
People quickly came to help me. As it turned out, the motorcycle driver was about to overtake the bus but it slowed down to allow passengers to get out. So, the motorcycle hit me instead.
I brought the driver to the police station to blotter the incident. I was asked if I would file a complaint against the driver. I said: “Why me? Here he is admitting that he is driving a borrowed motorcycle without a license and not wearing a helmet. They were all traffic violations that should be punished by the police”.
I also discovered that the driver was driving with a metallic right leg. I left him to the police for the necessary disposition and penalties to serve as warning to so many others who were driving like him putting passers-by at great risk.
Reflecting on what happened a day after I realized that God was probably reminding me that life was just a flash of light that could vanish instantly. That in spite of all the care in my movements I was still vulnerable. But reviewing the scene, I was convinced my Guardian Angel pushed me a hairline away from the onrushing motorcycle then same Angel supported me from falling down traumatically. It was indeed a miracle that kept me still alive.
From the netcafe I was on my way to the school to meet our new Parish Priest. As has been my habit lately, considering my age, I was walking carefully and very slowly against the traffic along the sidewalk.
There was a normally passing passenger bus followed by a rushing motorcycle heeding towards me. I thanked God that my presence of mind and strong instinct of protection caused my reflexes to make a sway just a little bit to my left enough to avoid the oncoming motorcycle by a hairline. But I also fell down. I hurt my right wrist, my right elbow and my right flank. I immediately and successfully stood up. Again I thanked God my head didn’t hit the cemented pavement.
People quickly came to help me. As it turned out, the motorcycle driver was about to overtake the bus but it slowed down to allow passengers to get out. So, the motorcycle hit me instead.
I brought the driver to the police station to blotter the incident. I was asked if I would file a complaint against the driver. I said: “Why me? Here he is admitting that he is driving a borrowed motorcycle without a license and not wearing a helmet. They were all traffic violations that should be punished by the police”.
I also discovered that the driver was driving with a metallic right leg. I left him to the police for the necessary disposition and penalties to serve as warning to so many others who were driving like him putting passers-by at great risk.
Reflecting on what happened a day after I realized that God was probably reminding me that life was just a flash of light that could vanish instantly. That in spite of all the care in my movements I was still vulnerable. But reviewing the scene, I was convinced my Guardian Angel pushed me a hairline away from the onrushing motorcycle then same Angel supported me from falling down traumatically. It was indeed a miracle that kept me still alive.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
FATHER'S DAY CONFUSION
FATHER’S DAY CONFUSION
Last Sunday, June 14, 2009, second Sunday of June, our Parish Priest, after the mass announced and greeted Happy Fathers Day to all concerned. Some newspapers also showed commercials on Father’s Day as some friends and relatives also sent to me text greetings.
All the while I knew that Father’s Day would be June 21st yet which falls on the 3rd Sunday of June. The confusion that happens yearly was probably caused by the fact that Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday of May and many thought that Father’s Day was also a second Sunday.
Came true Father’s Day, June 21st didn’t surprise me that there were only few greeters although I was expecting my wife to invite me to eat outside to celebrate my especial day. But as usual she was too busy attending to her ‘farm’ with the helpers so that I was left alone in the house to eat “bahaw” (cold rice) and salted egg with tomatoes.
Only two of my children and a son-in-law greeted me but I was not complaining because I was fully aware of the prevailing confusion. So, left alone with only my echo, may shadow and me, I felt a kind of loneliness creeping throughout my being; the lonesome feeling that was always a constant twin companion of the aging process.
I couldn’t help but think of the by-gone days, the happy moments and the memorable events. I was completely engulfed by nostalgic incidents that I found myself traveling joyfully in the past. It was a thrilling trip through the time tunnel that showed me clear pictures of happy days. After all I didn’t need a formal invitation from anybody to enjoy the occasion. It was all in my power to go anywhere I wanted to visit to experience again especial occasions that brought me excitements long before I became a father.
My mind was still so fertile and so healthy that I could still make a choice to enjoy my day. This was possibly an off shoot of the Father’s Day confusion but who cares; I was still immensely enjoying it when three high school students came by requesting my help with their assignments. One of them was my boy helper who was able to finish high school with the TESDA help. Unable to pursue a collage education he was again applying to help me with my daily chores. It was ironic that while all my children were everywhere except by my side this day, these children by other fathers were here seeking my fatherly help.
Last Sunday, June 14, 2009, second Sunday of June, our Parish Priest, after the mass announced and greeted Happy Fathers Day to all concerned. Some newspapers also showed commercials on Father’s Day as some friends and relatives also sent to me text greetings.
All the while I knew that Father’s Day would be June 21st yet which falls on the 3rd Sunday of June. The confusion that happens yearly was probably caused by the fact that Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday of May and many thought that Father’s Day was also a second Sunday.
Came true Father’s Day, June 21st didn’t surprise me that there were only few greeters although I was expecting my wife to invite me to eat outside to celebrate my especial day. But as usual she was too busy attending to her ‘farm’ with the helpers so that I was left alone in the house to eat “bahaw” (cold rice) and salted egg with tomatoes.
Only two of my children and a son-in-law greeted me but I was not complaining because I was fully aware of the prevailing confusion. So, left alone with only my echo, may shadow and me, I felt a kind of loneliness creeping throughout my being; the lonesome feeling that was always a constant twin companion of the aging process.
I couldn’t help but think of the by-gone days, the happy moments and the memorable events. I was completely engulfed by nostalgic incidents that I found myself traveling joyfully in the past. It was a thrilling trip through the time tunnel that showed me clear pictures of happy days. After all I didn’t need a formal invitation from anybody to enjoy the occasion. It was all in my power to go anywhere I wanted to visit to experience again especial occasions that brought me excitements long before I became a father.
My mind was still so fertile and so healthy that I could still make a choice to enjoy my day. This was possibly an off shoot of the Father’s Day confusion but who cares; I was still immensely enjoying it when three high school students came by requesting my help with their assignments. One of them was my boy helper who was able to finish high school with the TESDA help. Unable to pursue a collage education he was again applying to help me with my daily chores. It was ironic that while all my children were everywhere except by my side this day, these children by other fathers were here seeking my fatherly help.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Who is Responsible?
June 13, 2009
The Health Officer-in-Charge
City Health Office
Tagaytay City
Dear Sir;
Yesterday,a septuagenarian woman, sent off her Balikbayan nephew and niece to the airport on their return trip to New York. On her way back to the province she felt somewhat sick. She passed-by Mercury Drug in Tagaytay to buy some medicines.
While waiting, she suddenly felt she needed to empty her intestines and so she asked the Manager, for the toilet. She was not at once accommodated in spite of her pleading, by giving so many flimsy excuses.
The woman wasn’t able to control her abdominal spasms and had loose bowel movement on the spot. She was feeling so sick and what happened was a greatly embarrassing situation which could have been easily avoided had she been given access to the toilet on time.
Mercury Drug is an outlet for medicines and is expected to have several sick people most of the time that are there to buy their needed medicines.
Why is it not provided with easily accessible toilet and why was it given Sanitary Permit to Operate?
In events like this who is supposed to be responsible? Is Mercury Drug in Tagaytay not violating any business permit?
Let us not allow other victims to experience something like this. I request for appropriate action.
The Health Officer-in-Charge
City Health Office
Tagaytay City
Dear Sir;
Yesterday,a septuagenarian woman, sent off her Balikbayan nephew and niece to the airport on their return trip to New York. On her way back to the province she felt somewhat sick. She passed-by Mercury Drug in Tagaytay to buy some medicines.
While waiting, she suddenly felt she needed to empty her intestines and so she asked the Manager, for the toilet. She was not at once accommodated in spite of her pleading, by giving so many flimsy excuses.
The woman wasn’t able to control her abdominal spasms and had loose bowel movement on the spot. She was feeling so sick and what happened was a greatly embarrassing situation which could have been easily avoided had she been given access to the toilet on time.
Mercury Drug is an outlet for medicines and is expected to have several sick people most of the time that are there to buy their needed medicines.
Why is it not provided with easily accessible toilet and why was it given Sanitary Permit to Operate?
In events like this who is supposed to be responsible? Is Mercury Drug in Tagaytay not violating any business permit?
Let us not allow other victims to experience something like this. I request for appropriate action.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
A Pleasant Surprise
A PLEASANT SURPRISE
She first intended to surprise everyone, because my middle daughter is fond of surprising us every now and then. But this time her parents-in-law are visiting their family in Canada so she decided to divulge the secret before they come.
She is five months pregnant with a baby boy. It is in fact a most pleasant surprise. Her elder daughter is three while her younger is about two years old. She is afraid that her in-laws might get ballistic when told the secret.
But I am sure it would be the other way around. Instead of getting ballistic, her in-laws would surely be over excited about their first coming grandson. A first grandson is always greatly awaited by grandparents.
In my case he would be my second grandson but my excitement is not in anyway diminished. It makes me feel so good that I would have two grandsons and six grand daughters. That is quite a wide range of projection. Instead of feeling old I feel even newly rejuvenated. I happily anticipate the moment when I can play with them. I am afraid I will no longer be acceptable to them as the generation, cultural and geographical gaps are already so wide but whatever… I just feel terribly happy
She first intended to surprise everyone, because my middle daughter is fond of surprising us every now and then. But this time her parents-in-law are visiting their family in Canada so she decided to divulge the secret before they come.
She is five months pregnant with a baby boy. It is in fact a most pleasant surprise. Her elder daughter is three while her younger is about two years old. She is afraid that her in-laws might get ballistic when told the secret.
But I am sure it would be the other way around. Instead of getting ballistic, her in-laws would surely be over excited about their first coming grandson. A first grandson is always greatly awaited by grandparents.
In my case he would be my second grandson but my excitement is not in anyway diminished. It makes me feel so good that I would have two grandsons and six grand daughters. That is quite a wide range of projection. Instead of feeling old I feel even newly rejuvenated. I happily anticipate the moment when I can play with them. I am afraid I will no longer be acceptable to them as the generation, cultural and geographical gaps are already so wide but whatever… I just feel terribly happy
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Author's Response to Book Launching
TINGKORAW BOOK LAUNCHING
Author’s Response May 24, 2009
Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning… After hearing so many good words, for a while I thought we were talking about somebody else’s book. I was tremendously overwhelmed.
I am groping for enough and appropriate words to thank you. I just feel totally stunned and speechless. So, from the shy corner of my heart I thank you all.
Mrs. Aida Leyran for the unaltered National Anthem and the nostalgic Alfonso Hymn;
Rev. Fr. Gani Aviñante for the greatly inspiring Prayers;
Mayor Virgilio Varias for a most pleasant welcome address;
Hon. Cesar E.A. Virata for the interesting review of important historical events in Cavite;
Dr. Emmanuel Caliro for his wise and encouraging words.
Prof. Aquino I. Garcia for everything that you said and Ms. Teresita P. Unabia for the amazing review of the book.
If the introduction by Professor Silverio Baltasar exposed the character of the book and the Foreword by Ms. Felice Sta. Maria captured its deeper and real essence, now the review by Ms. Teresita P. Unabia unveiled completely the mystery of TINGKORW.
Possibly as interesting as the book we are launching this morning is the intriguing story behind its creation.
To begin with, I never intended to write a book. The book coming out this morning is only a result of my own brand of Parochial Patriotism.
After finishing Medicine and taking the Board Examinations in 1961, I returned to my hometown to wait for the release of the results. Since I was not yet legally allowed to practice my profession and being a law-abiding citizen, I didn’t know what to do. All the friends that I left seven years ago were gone and busy with their own individual ventures. I temporarily helped in the clinic of Dr. Rodolfo Poblete under his supervision. That way I had a chance to be with different people during house calls. I was curiously encouraged to jot down notes about interesting events that happened in my town as I heard them fresh from the mouths of old folks.
I began compiling my notes at random as I heard them. My interest was stimulated further every time I heard new important story or legend. So I started entering my compilation into a big record book. It turned out to be a valuable and import ant compilation of Alfonso’s Oral History.
With the permission of then Central School Principal Miss Juliana Stuart I incorporated earlier data gathered by the Elementary School Teachers in 1956. I also included a Tagalog Poem about Alfonso that I wrote in 1951 when I was in Second Year High School.
A Journalist friend of mine, Mrs. Evangelina Ortega Dalusag volunteered to correct my grammar, spelling, word agreement and choice of words without changing or altering the original chronology of my compilation. As it was it turned out pretty popular among students, researchers and other town mates and friends.
With the advent of the computer I was forced to take up a basic computer course to update and upgrade my compilation. It took me a lot of hours and bond papers before I was able to save in the floppy disc my treasured compilation just to realize later that files saved in a floppy disc is not a guarantee of permanency.
When the Cavite Hitorical Commission was created, one of its members, Mr. Napoleon Vidallon, borrowed my compilation, presented it to the Chairman, Prime Minister Cesar Virata for possible publication. After scrutinizing it, the Prime Minister returned it to Mr. Vidallon with valuable comments. I still have the hand written comment by Prime Minister Cesar Virata, sent on June 11, 1998 who said: “I believe the materials cannot be published as is. It will require organization, editing and additional gathering of sources and materials”. It awakened me and inspired me to work further for its improvement but as I said I was not really intending to write a book.
Came Professor Silverio Baltasar, also a member of the Cavite Historical Commission who volunteered to help me organize the book then afterwards he submitted it to the original staff of The Cavite Studies Center. I didn’t hear anything about it from them.
It didn’t bother me at all but then a daughter of mine secretly submitted it to the Ayala Foundation for review and possible publication. It was indeed thoroughly reviewed and many suggestions were offered but following all the suggestions would result to a book very far from my original compilation while I also felt that I was old enough to do more research, so, I just kept my compilation on my desk.
It was very perplexing that so many people were more eager to publish my compilation than I was. One U.P. student offered himself to request the University of the Philippines to publish it. At the same time another Ateneo student also made a similar offer. Again as I said I was not really intending to write a book so I just kept it as it was until Rev. Fr. Nestor Isagani Avinante discussed it with the New Staff of The Cavite Studies Center.
The New Staff composed of Professor Garcia, Professor Lubang and others came one day to see my compilation. They offered their help to do everything to make my compilation worth publishing in the form of a book with the final editing by Prof. Neriza Villanueva and the untiring and endless help of Mylene B. Delatado. When they told me that Ms. Felice Sta. Maria agreed to write the Foreword I knew I got the ‘imprimatur’ for the publication of the book.
The book TINKORAW: Alfonso’s History and Legend which is coming out this morning is not actually my book. It is your book…Prime Minister Cesar Virata, De La Salle Brothers, Staff of Cavite Study Center, Rev. Fr. Isagani Avinante, Mayor Ver Varias, Congeressman Roilo Golez, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrocio Makalintal, Mr. and Mrs. Vic Ortega…
And yes, Ladies and Gentlemen… this is your book…
At this point it is interesting to note how ironic it was that because of my original crude compilation I was awarded as the Town’s Historian during the celebration of Alfonso Day 2007. I felt too shy to accept the award.
Now am offering a truckload of gratitude to all the sponsors who jointly supported t he realization of this Launching:
The De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
The Cavite Studies Center
The Cavite Historical Commission
The Local Government of Alfonso
Thank you all so much.
Before I finish I would like to specially acknowledge the encouragement, support, patience and understanding of my wife, the former Teresita Costa of Indang, Cavite. Allow me to offer to her the first copy of the book as I also share with you the secret of our longevity as partners.
Pag nanaig ang pag –ibig,
Ang ibigi’y sakdal tamis.
At matamis lalo ito
Sa dalawang pilas-dibdib.
Ang dinibdib na pagkasing
Magkatugo’t magkabigkis,
Pag binigkis ng damdami’y
Mahirap ng magkawaglit.
Kung mawaglit yaong isa’y
Hinahanap na masugid,
Ng masugid na kasuyong
Dati-rati ay kaniig.
Magkainiig na pagliyag
Pag tunay na magka-pintig,
Ipipintig ay ligayang
Sa suyua’y walang patid.
Ang pagpatid ng panahon
Sa sumpaa’y di matamis,
Ang matamis ay bayaang
Pag-ibig din ang manaig.
In this tiny book that I am now holding is a little bit of history, a little bit of legend and much about Alfonso that anybody will learn to love after reading TINGKORAW.
With it goes a little bit of my mind, a little bit of my heart, a little bit of my strength and a little bit of my soul. Fifty years in the making. In as far as I am concerned this is unique and this is priceless. I want to offer my first copy to my wife becasue in as far as I am concerned she is also unique and she is also priceless. That is why I love her so much.
At this point I like to intruduce my 5 month old youngest grand daughter, Chiara Veronica together with her mother, my youngest daughter, Madora Joliveth and her husband Raffy Kapunan Ortega. At the moment I think Chiara Veronica is the only patriotic projection of my clan. My other children and grand children are scattered to the different parts of the world. But it is interesting to note that all my absentee Children are now represented by their in-laws . My Son Pau-David, based in Australia is supposed to be represented by her Mother-in-law, Mrs. Angie Almeda Policarpio but her father is seriously ill and she was not able to come; My Daughter, Belina-Judith who is now in Bohol with her family and Mother-in-law, is now represented by her Father–in-law, Congressman Roilo Golez who flew all the way from Bacolod early this morning to catch up this event; My Daughter, Brinna-Zita , who is based in Canada with her family is represened by her Parents-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrocio Makalintal; My youngest, Peter-Jonathan is also based in Australia and still single. He is represented by so many who love him. Thank You.
Jett e. Avinante, m.d.
Author’s Response May 24, 2009
Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning… After hearing so many good words, for a while I thought we were talking about somebody else’s book. I was tremendously overwhelmed.
I am groping for enough and appropriate words to thank you. I just feel totally stunned and speechless. So, from the shy corner of my heart I thank you all.
Mrs. Aida Leyran for the unaltered National Anthem and the nostalgic Alfonso Hymn;
Rev. Fr. Gani Aviñante for the greatly inspiring Prayers;
Mayor Virgilio Varias for a most pleasant welcome address;
Hon. Cesar E.A. Virata for the interesting review of important historical events in Cavite;
Dr. Emmanuel Caliro for his wise and encouraging words.
Prof. Aquino I. Garcia for everything that you said and Ms. Teresita P. Unabia for the amazing review of the book.
If the introduction by Professor Silverio Baltasar exposed the character of the book and the Foreword by Ms. Felice Sta. Maria captured its deeper and real essence, now the review by Ms. Teresita P. Unabia unveiled completely the mystery of TINGKORW.
Possibly as interesting as the book we are launching this morning is the intriguing story behind its creation.
To begin with, I never intended to write a book. The book coming out this morning is only a result of my own brand of Parochial Patriotism.
After finishing Medicine and taking the Board Examinations in 1961, I returned to my hometown to wait for the release of the results. Since I was not yet legally allowed to practice my profession and being a law-abiding citizen, I didn’t know what to do. All the friends that I left seven years ago were gone and busy with their own individual ventures. I temporarily helped in the clinic of Dr. Rodolfo Poblete under his supervision. That way I had a chance to be with different people during house calls. I was curiously encouraged to jot down notes about interesting events that happened in my town as I heard them fresh from the mouths of old folks.
I began compiling my notes at random as I heard them. My interest was stimulated further every time I heard new important story or legend. So I started entering my compilation into a big record book. It turned out to be a valuable and import ant compilation of Alfonso’s Oral History.
With the permission of then Central School Principal Miss Juliana Stuart I incorporated earlier data gathered by the Elementary School Teachers in 1956. I also included a Tagalog Poem about Alfonso that I wrote in 1951 when I was in Second Year High School.
A Journalist friend of mine, Mrs. Evangelina Ortega Dalusag volunteered to correct my grammar, spelling, word agreement and choice of words without changing or altering the original chronology of my compilation. As it was it turned out pretty popular among students, researchers and other town mates and friends.
With the advent of the computer I was forced to take up a basic computer course to update and upgrade my compilation. It took me a lot of hours and bond papers before I was able to save in the floppy disc my treasured compilation just to realize later that files saved in a floppy disc is not a guarantee of permanency.
When the Cavite Hitorical Commission was created, one of its members, Mr. Napoleon Vidallon, borrowed my compilation, presented it to the Chairman, Prime Minister Cesar Virata for possible publication. After scrutinizing it, the Prime Minister returned it to Mr. Vidallon with valuable comments. I still have the hand written comment by Prime Minister Cesar Virata, sent on June 11, 1998 who said: “I believe the materials cannot be published as is. It will require organization, editing and additional gathering of sources and materials”. It awakened me and inspired me to work further for its improvement but as I said I was not really intending to write a book.
Came Professor Silverio Baltasar, also a member of the Cavite Historical Commission who volunteered to help me organize the book then afterwards he submitted it to the original staff of The Cavite Studies Center. I didn’t hear anything about it from them.
It didn’t bother me at all but then a daughter of mine secretly submitted it to the Ayala Foundation for review and possible publication. It was indeed thoroughly reviewed and many suggestions were offered but following all the suggestions would result to a book very far from my original compilation while I also felt that I was old enough to do more research, so, I just kept my compilation on my desk.
It was very perplexing that so many people were more eager to publish my compilation than I was. One U.P. student offered himself to request the University of the Philippines to publish it. At the same time another Ateneo student also made a similar offer. Again as I said I was not really intending to write a book so I just kept it as it was until Rev. Fr. Nestor Isagani Avinante discussed it with the New Staff of The Cavite Studies Center.
The New Staff composed of Professor Garcia, Professor Lubang and others came one day to see my compilation. They offered their help to do everything to make my compilation worth publishing in the form of a book with the final editing by Prof. Neriza Villanueva and the untiring and endless help of Mylene B. Delatado. When they told me that Ms. Felice Sta. Maria agreed to write the Foreword I knew I got the ‘imprimatur’ for the publication of the book.
The book TINKORAW: Alfonso’s History and Legend which is coming out this morning is not actually my book. It is your book…Prime Minister Cesar Virata, De La Salle Brothers, Staff of Cavite Study Center, Rev. Fr. Isagani Avinante, Mayor Ver Varias, Congeressman Roilo Golez, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrocio Makalintal, Mr. and Mrs. Vic Ortega…
And yes, Ladies and Gentlemen… this is your book…
At this point it is interesting to note how ironic it was that because of my original crude compilation I was awarded as the Town’s Historian during the celebration of Alfonso Day 2007. I felt too shy to accept the award.
Now am offering a truckload of gratitude to all the sponsors who jointly supported t he realization of this Launching:
The De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
The Cavite Studies Center
The Cavite Historical Commission
The Local Government of Alfonso
Thank you all so much.
Before I finish I would like to specially acknowledge the encouragement, support, patience and understanding of my wife, the former Teresita Costa of Indang, Cavite. Allow me to offer to her the first copy of the book as I also share with you the secret of our longevity as partners.
Pag nanaig ang pag –ibig,
Ang ibigi’y sakdal tamis.
At matamis lalo ito
Sa dalawang pilas-dibdib.
Ang dinibdib na pagkasing
Magkatugo’t magkabigkis,
Pag binigkis ng damdami’y
Mahirap ng magkawaglit.
Kung mawaglit yaong isa’y
Hinahanap na masugid,
Ng masugid na kasuyong
Dati-rati ay kaniig.
Magkainiig na pagliyag
Pag tunay na magka-pintig,
Ipipintig ay ligayang
Sa suyua’y walang patid.
Ang pagpatid ng panahon
Sa sumpaa’y di matamis,
Ang matamis ay bayaang
Pag-ibig din ang manaig.
In this tiny book that I am now holding is a little bit of history, a little bit of legend and much about Alfonso that anybody will learn to love after reading TINGKORAW.
With it goes a little bit of my mind, a little bit of my heart, a little bit of my strength and a little bit of my soul. Fifty years in the making. In as far as I am concerned this is unique and this is priceless. I want to offer my first copy to my wife becasue in as far as I am concerned she is also unique and she is also priceless. That is why I love her so much.
At this point I like to intruduce my 5 month old youngest grand daughter, Chiara Veronica together with her mother, my youngest daughter, Madora Joliveth and her husband Raffy Kapunan Ortega. At the moment I think Chiara Veronica is the only patriotic projection of my clan. My other children and grand children are scattered to the different parts of the world. But it is interesting to note that all my absentee Children are now represented by their in-laws . My Son Pau-David, based in Australia is supposed to be represented by her Mother-in-law, Mrs. Angie Almeda Policarpio but her father is seriously ill and she was not able to come; My Daughter, Belina-Judith who is now in Bohol with her family and Mother-in-law, is now represented by her Father–in-law, Congressman Roilo Golez who flew all the way from Bacolod early this morning to catch up this event; My Daughter, Brinna-Zita , who is based in Canada with her family is represened by her Parents-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrocio Makalintal; My youngest, Peter-Jonathan is also based in Australia and still single. He is represented by so many who love him. Thank You.
Jett e. Avinante, m.d.
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