THE KILLING OF A JUDGE

(Opinion)

By: Norberto Betita

In the world today there had been millions and millions of laws enacted as touching the ten commandments of God. Even the four word command “Thou shalt not kill” has continued to stimulate and arouse the faculties of hundreds of thousands and perhaps millions of brilliant minds to debate and create laws purposely to decipher and decode its meaning. Hence, for already such a long time, our halls of justice no longer transmit its intended title, because it has since become courts of law and a public square for brilliant debates of opposing thinkers and law experts from both sides of a conflicting social interest. By my generic understanding, judges sit as an arbiter, the authority upon which decisions are seriously weighed and cautiously made as to serve the call for justice, in accordance with the merits of the evidences and arguments, the rule of law, and after a very conscientious study of applicable laws and Supreme Court decisions based on constitutional mandates as are available and carefully presented. These the judges do for they know that their decisions are subject for review. However, many times they are being misunderstood by the fibs that are being feed in the public’s mind by no less than their subjects for judgment. It is even sad to note that some of the accused, especially heightened criminals, in their insatiable desire to win their cases and avoid incarceration, make their own interpretation of the law and justify their predatory instinct which sometimes results to the killing of a judge. This may have prompted an unknown author to say, “The trouble with the laws these days is that criminals know their rights better than their wrongs.”

Some news headlines continue to echo such grim reminder of the unwanted fate of some of our court judges. These few headlines resonate this forbidding reality---Pangasinan judge died in ambush; Judge handling PIATCO case murdered; RTC judge shot dead on way to court in Baler; Judge shot dead in Bulacan. These may have been only a few, but recently we again have one amongst our roster of judges, although already retired, unreasonably and cold-bloodedly killed in Surigao City while humbly wanting a simple meal for lunch in a poor man’s eatery.

During the incumbency of Honorable Judge Victor Canoy, I often saw his car passed by our home, while a bodyguard in motorcycle tailed in a short distance. He lives just about a hundred meters away from my abode. The two-bedroom house he rented was one among the original dwellings built as a low-cost housing for rank and file government employees. Until now, that low cost house which bedroom measures only 9 square meters, barely enough to accommodate a matrimonial bed, doesn’t show any major improvement as to enhance any desirable comfort that is respectably fitting for a prominent man as an honorable judge and his wife. His kind of life lead my mind somehow to wonder why he lived that long in a crowded dwelling worthy only for the common man, that even his car almost could not fit in. His most humble preference to live in a poor man’s house and his choice of a place to satisfy his want of bread on that ill-fated day when he was murdered in cold blood was such a glaring representation of prominence in lowly apparel.

I am not in any way aware of how much a judge gets for a monthly salary. While I thought that it must have been sufficiently equivalent to such a position of prominence and the high risk that they are exposed to each day as may be evidenced by a need for a bodyguard, yet I am inquisitively snooping at the simplicity of the temporal life of our judges as it was with Judge Canoy. My memory remits a very humble life of a Municipal Judge in our old neighborhood whom I often observed while I was yet in my youth, during his off duty and holidays towing a sow while piglets followed on the street immediately in front of our cottage. Perhaps my late prominent lawyer friend is right when he related to me an offer for him to become a presiding judge, but which he refused for reason of salary, which to him was much lesser than what he earns as a practicing lawyer. If this be the case and the life threats for judges and criminality increases, as again proven by the shooting of a government prosecutor a week immediately after the brutal killing of Judge Canoy, our government and society may one day end up wanting for judges and no lawyers will respond.

I know Judge Canoy early in my college days. He has a voice that touches hearts. He was the judge when I won second in an oratorical contest. His younger sister is a college classmate and a close friend of my wife. His eldest son is an acquaintance of my eldest daughter and his only daughter is a schoolmate of my second daughter. He might not have known me, but I know him as a prominent lawyer and judge. His family life had shown no elaborate demonstration of elevated social distinction. Neither his wife nor children have raised brows of arrogance and conceit. His sending his only daughter in a public high school, while most of his colleagues in the law profession have their children enrolled in expensive private schools, is reflective of his inherent humility and frugality in life.

A fellow church member described him as a singing judge, an active member of the United Church Men of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in Surigao City. He conducts the men’s choir. He had been a council chairman and during his tenure, he had introduced projects that were beneficial to the church and its members. He had been an exemplary and respected member of the UCCP.

As I reflected on the circumstances of that tragic event, when he walked alone as a retired judge, empty handed and in humblest of attire, notwithstanding existing life threats, I kind of hear the echo of Paul’s words in him: “…I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day…(2 Timothy 4:6-8).”

As we again witness the killing of a judge, we might raise the same universal question long framed by Job of old, “If a man die shall he live again?” The Apostle Paul did ask likewise, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory (1 Corinthians 15:55)?” No greater words were ever spoken than those of the angel standing before the empty tomb that first resurrection morn—“Why seek ye the living among the dead (Luke 24:5)?” “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said (Matthew 28:6).” Indeed, "death is not the end; it is putting out the candle because the dawn has come (Thomas S. Monson).”

Tomorrow, his body will be laid to rest and make the grave its mansion, while his spirit lives to sojourn in the world of waiting spirits until the resurrection day. He died a murderous death, but his blood cries vengeance from the ground which only God can repay.

May our Police force finds immediate resolve to this merciless killing that justice may be kept alive in our society.

To the bereaved family I express my deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences.

MY LIFE’S JOURNEY AT PNB

by: Norberto G. Betita

The story of my life was like an empty vessel engulfed in overflowing adversity. Poverty and destitution was an incomprehensible plight that I am used to swim. The 9th of the thirteen children in the family of a carpenter father and fish vendor/dressmaker mother, I am bereft of school gears as to be ready for the intellectual battle. In high school, notebooks were not affordable, I attended no proms not even my graduation. I went to college with rubber slippers and a lone blue jean to wear daily. I resigned my fate of earning a degree when my rubber slipper broke while joining the throng of students. I married at an early age. As my first child was born I came to realize I needed to go back to college. I studied while working as security guard in a government controlled corporation at night. I graduated with a degree in Banking and Finance and earned two civil service eligibilities. I was assured of a permanent and secured position, but before this could have been implemented a gruelling test of my integrity was placed before the hallowed table of moral agency. I was made to sign a reimbursement voucher which I am certain the expenses were not utilized for official government purposes. I vehemently declined and my stand for honesty eventually cost me my job and caused sufferings to my family.

My life’s journey at the Philippine National Bank (PNB) was accidental and kind of providential. I am walking home with wilted shoulders after having one of the longest---more than 30 minutes--- employment interview I ever had with Allied Bank recruitment officers. The bank was to open a new branch in Surigao City and all that they wanted to know was whether I have a businessman sponsor to obscure and defend my age disqualification---I was 29 years old then and the required age was only up to 25.

As I passed by the main door of PNB with head bowed after the long interview, I was called by the security guard, my friend and schoolmate in college, Domingo Gordonas, informing me of a National PNB qualifying examination. I applied and was qualified to take the examination scheduled sometime in August of 1981. My excitement overflowed as Mr. Mario R. Hatague then Chief L & D and Mr. Eduardo Ajero, Inspector, came to our lowly rented house where we only occupy one room, and announced that I passed and they are to conduct an investigation in preparation for my employment. I was eventually employed by the Philippine National Bank (PNB) in August 16, 1982, Employee Number – 138932, after I wrote a letter to VP Celestino Atraje informing him that I was already on the verge of disqualification from age requirement of 30 years old. My PNB appointment was to me like a conceptual beautiful rainbow that forms after a distressing storm.

PNB then was known as the highest paying employer in the Philippines and my humble employment made me sure that all my family’s needs will be provided. Gone were the anxieties about not being able to provide for my children’s needs. Forgotten were the earlier ill effects of losing a job in stand for honesty and integrity. Deleted were the sad memories of my life’s early destitution as a child and youth. With my humble employment at PNB, my children wore no rubber slippers at school but affordable shoes. They have complete gears for their intellectual battles so medals and ribbons hang about their necks and uniforms. They were at their best in proms and graduations. Four of them have tasted of being schooled in the premiere university---The University of the Philippines, although two of them resigned for a very reasonable priority. Of the two that endured, the youngest graduated Cum Laude. All five graduated with college degrees. All of these attainments should not have been affordable and conceivable without my employment at PNB. 

Although an upsetting malady surfaced while I was still new at PNB, I battled with the challenge. I was diagnosed of an unknown disease, which my doctors pronounced as a perpetual buddy of my life. My psoriasis---a long-lasting autoimmune disease characterized by patches of abnormal skin---had since made me aloof considering the exposed skin patches which I thought might be misconstrued as being a communicable disease. I had a hard time explaining to my fellow employees and bank clients about it. Not only did it derail my social life, it also deprived me of better opportunities for career advancement. I was kind of frustrated, but never totally dispirited. With a goal demanded by the PNB management I set off for a graduate course and eventually earned a Master in Business Administration from St. Paul University-Surigao. I am ever grateful to VP Julian M. Martinez of Credit Department for placing his trust in me despite my physical afflictions, by whose recommendation I was appointed as Junior Assistant Manager (JAM) of the Butuan Credit Investigation & Appraisal Unit, a position I held for years as Officer-in-charge. After being appointed as JAM in January of 2008, I retired in December of the same year at age 56 having served more than 26 years with PNB. I will never forget VP Martinez for before my retirement, he advised me to write a book for no reason at all. While I was writing blogs of inspiration, I eventually thought of his challenge. Now that I have completed my first book, I am even more grateful for his advice and encouragement.

As I thought of the humble accomplishments which I attained, I beheld in clear glimpses that most if not all are shaped and chronicled in my life’s journey at PNB. No words can ever equate my expressions of gratitude to my friends at PNB who understood and sympathized with me in my long battle with afflictions. I cherished the memories I have at PNB as to have it written ever plainly in the tablet of the heart together with my deepest and heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities it had given me if only to evermore remain until my tomorrow no longer comes.

THE DUTERTE PRESIDENCY - A TIME FOR UNIFICATION AND CHANGE

by: Norberto Betita

The pages of our national history opens anew as an unlikely candidate for President of the Republic of the Philippines zoomed imperceptibly from his humble political career as Mayor, to become the next President beating the most likely, by an overwhelming margin. Not only was this historical event made exceptional and remarkable by the overpowering support of the people, but more because this is the first time in Philippine history that a Mindanaoan leader was elected into the highest office of the land.

As this historical dawn unfolds, we see a vibrant horizon in the highest overcast beckoning a marvelous light of hope for a progressive future.

The incoming President is not the kind of politician that is being defined as one who thinks of the next election, but a statesman who is concerned of the next generation not only for Mindanao but for the whole country and all the Filipino people. His statesmanship has been long tested when he bears his integrity with conscious dignity as he goes by the political mantle of power placed upon him. His attitude of service has been an exact opposite of those borne by many in leadership position. His character illuminates an attitude of service that is motivated ‘from inside-out’ apart from the worldly norm and general motivation of ‘from outside-in.’ He has proven his worth when he served as Mayor of Davao City for many years, which recognition of prominence has been long noted not only in the Philippines but in the world. With this new overwhelming mandate from the people he is now bound by a rock-hard commitment to prove his capability to turn our country around.

I found sense in most of his developmental programs for economic growth and progress, and his earnest concern for the deprived and the destitute amongst the Filipinos. His words maybe harsh and tough, but it is definite and unbending. Some of us may differ in our interpretation of his programs and hard-wearing statements, but he has explained best the paramount intentions of his governance. He knew that slackness and softness, which characterizes the end of the glory of Rome and Greece---once known to have magnificently prevailed in a barbaric world---, do not have a place in the present kind of our political amphitheater. We need an iron fist and a steel arm to defeat and drive the enemies of law and order.

Now is no time for more critics and skeptics, but for the greater number of motivators and encouragers. This is not a time of continued bickering and contention, but a time for unification and change.

During each shift of administration there always arises the big question of whether the remains of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos be given the honor to be buried in the “Libingan Ng Mga Bayani.” It is only in this dawn of our history that we hear, even during the heights of political campaign, an unswerving declaration that President Marcos should be buried, notwithstanding intense opposition and no matter the critics. The fact that President Duterte gained an overwhelming support of his presidential candidacy proved without question that the people wanted change. Perhaps they believe in unanimity that such a change can only be fully introduced and manifestly initiated by burying this haunting image of the past and leave its remains to the dust; give him the fair chance to stand before the judgment bar of God, then let the break of the dawning day majestically rise to drive the dark night shadows away. After all, during the last thirty years after the dictatorial regime, we seemed to have proven none of the allegations against the Marcoses in our courts of law and even in the hallowed halls of justice in the United States of America in its trial of the century against the Marcoses. We as a nation could not move on much faster and farther in our quest for economic growth and development while carrying this heavy baggage of the past. Therefore, we need to unload and bury the lingering ills and burdens of the drawn-out yesteryears and press forward in rhythmic cadence with a lighter cargo of lessons learned.

Now we are blessed of a President with malice to none, whether they be in favor or against his leadership ideals, except against the enemies of the law and state. He expects of his supporters and all the Filipinos to rally behind his government programs. He made it clear that his iron fisted type of governance is for a stronger force to implement the mandates of the law. It is not about power beyond the law, but a defining move for equality in life, justice and protection for all. He declared with emphasis in his inaugural speech a quote from an unknown author, “I have no friends to serve, I have no enemies to harm.”

His boycott of the press is not to limit our freedom of expression, but a call for a more responsible journalism. In our move forward to our destined glory as a developing nation we need truthful information and unbiased reporting; we need developmental journalism.

Killing the criminals and drug lords, and eliminating corruption in government had been his battle cry during the heights of his presidential campaign, which incited mounting opposition from human rights advocates, the Catholic Church, and other civil groups. But he moved not an inch of retraction, not even from the overriding threat of losing his bid for the presidency. His words, even after he won, remained firm and immovable.

The multi-billion peso giant of illegal drug trade, criminality and massive corruption in government is to him a Goliath to beat. And we are lucky that we now have a David who is determined to have this giant down, for our country and people to march forward in rhythmic cadence into the realms of economic prosperity and abundant life for the Filipino people.

As the morning breaks and new pages of our national history reels, let us give HIS EXECELLENCY, PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE the chance to sow the seeds of unification and change into the soil of our hearts and fertile fields of our land and assist him in the nurturing of our long deserted and battered economic landscape to make this country bloom and blossom like a rose. Let us help him feed the tiger cub that it may develop into a full-grown economic tiger.

RICE PADDIES, MUD BALLS AND MODEST GOALS

The Levie Calipon-Lisondra story

by: Norberto Betita

Levie Calipon-:Lisondra

She learned to walk on rice paddies performing alternate errands while young, delivering food for her farmer father who worked hard in the farm to provide for eight of them siblings. Her childhood was replete and abounding with wonderful memories of playing and lurching on muddy rice field, throwing mud balls, chasing speed in planting rice and enjoying the heavy rains, especially during planting season. She ate lunches with the rest of the planters while wet and trembling from the cold breeze of the rainy season. She had those memories from age seven to eleven, in the rice field cultivated by her father as a tenant.

The remote Barangay of Awasan, Tago, Surigao del Sur, where LEVIE CALIPON-LISONDRA was born on April 17, 1956, never had the appearance nor did it have any indication of brighter prospects and opportunity for personal growth and development. In her young mind was the thought that if she ever chose to stay, she will be cramped in the borders of muddy fields and her future will be restrained by the inadequacies and scanty potentials which the small farming community offers. Together with her siblings, she dreamed to move away from the muddy boundary towards a better and greener pasture, and wider open playing field of life.

Celebrating her 60th birthday & retirement from PNB

She started to follow her humble childhood vision by walking a few kilometers to Tago Elementary School to be educated. She endured despite limited school provisions and there finished grade five. She then went to stay with her elder sister at San Miguel, Surigao del Sur and worked her way to finally complete her elementary education. At an early age of thirteen, driven by her earnest dream to get away from her dismal situation, she decided to work as house help and at night studied high school at the Tago Municipal Evening High School where she eventually completed her secondary education. With high school diploma on hand she followed her other siblings to find her future in Surigao City.

She found a job at Dexter Construction and was fortunate enough to have been allowed to enroll in college. It was for her a rare and singular opportunity which provided the road on the way to her humble dream of earning a college degree. She wanted not to waste her time; hence she tried to be just as efficient and effective as she could be in doing her assigned tasks while at the same time pursuing her college education. She believed and understood that education is central to all available sources that provide access to the gate of deliverance from the borders of scarcity. She was sure that the time devoted to the pursuit of knowledge will move her away from the isolated and dreary waste of her life to the future light of noonday. With unwavering faith and courage, she finally graduated with a degree in Commerce, major in accounting in October of 1981.

With son  Edgar Vincent

Since then she had been in different jobs; from a contractual position at PACEMCO, to a casual employment at the Provincial Capitol of Surigao del Norte, and on to selling insurance, until she finally landed a job as clerk typist of the National Service Corporation (NASECO), a subsidiary of the Philippine National Bank (PNB). While in such employment she took and passed the PNB qualifying examinations. After one and a half years in NASECO she was finally absorbed as a permanent employee of PNB with initial position as Bank Clerk of Butuan Branch in July of 1987. To have been employed at PNB was to her already a fulfillment of her modest goal. By then PNB employment is one of the sought after opportunity with its salary offer highest than all other banking and government institutions. She was eventually transferred to Surigao Branch in November of 1988.

In 1989, at age 33, she was married to her longtime friend Edgardo L. Lisondra. Their marriage was blessed with three children, all boys. During the next ten years of their marital partnership they were enjoying together a humble but happy life, facing just the typical challenges common in family life. With children still on their earlier childhood their combined family income was just right to support their needs. However, in the year 2000 the tragic loose of her husband as a result of cardiac arrest occurred living her widowed at age 44. Her son Eldon Ted was only ten and on his fourth grade in elementary; Arnel Jun at eight was in grade two; and Vincent Edgar, 5-year old was in kindergarten.

With sons Eldon Ted & Arnel Jun

The sole responsibility to raise and rear her sons is now laid and embedded upon her shoulders. The daily demand of support became a burden for her alone to bear. But there was no space for escape and evasion; she needed to be just as staunch and devoted to her children, notwithstanding her singular and extraordinary familial duty of being both father and mother. She trained her boys to do household chores such as, but not limited to cooking food as to be able to help themselves while she finds enough for their provision. As a devoted Christian, she believes in the proverbs of the wise King Solomon, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). As the boys grow in years and personal needs increased, she found her income insufficient to sustain the ever mounting demands. To supplement her deficient earnings she spent her weekends selling memorial park lots and insurance. 

She found it awfully tough to be a single parent, especially with the fact that her employment in the bank required of her to stay beyond working hours. Training her three boys of proper discipline and character building needs more time with them, yet she tried to utilize her remaining time with her children’s waking hours as effectively and efficiently as possible. She felt she could not just shift the burdens and responsibility of molding her sons to the teachers in school rooms or even in the church. As the vulnerability of teenage started to influence her boys, she realized that her second son is giving in to peer pressures. She became conscious of the fact that no matter how hard her effort to train her children some will nevertheless be tempted to walk the ways of the prodigal. Yet she never gave up. She extended the same unwavering love to her prodigal; she prayed in earnest for God to light his ways; she gave him the freedom to do what pleases him, while making sure that he will not be totally lost in the dark; and she waited for the time when he will finally recognize his missteps and failures as in the parable of the prodigal son. In times of tears, stresses and traumas, she found relief and liberation in the inspirational words of Sharon Jaynes: “Successful mothers are not the ones who have never struggled. They are the ones who never give up, despite the struggles.” During periods of intensifying burdens she gathered and received strength from the Lord’s invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

On vacation in Bangkok, Thailand

Together with her humble career growth her sons had also grown enough to winning their early battles in life. She considered herself providentially blessed for having her eldest and youngest sons qualified for admission to study in a government university---Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), where the costs of tuition and fees and board and lodging are considerably affordable. Her eldest son, Eldon Ted graduated with a degree in Education major in English. He took and successfully passed the Licensure Examinations for Teachers. He is now employed as English Teacher in Bangkok, Thailand. In deepest expression of gratitude for her mother’s great sacrifices, he afforded for her a funded vacation to Bangkok, Thailand---a short respite from her weary labors. From the same university, her youngest son also graduated with a degree in Business Administration, major in Entrepreneurial Marketing. He is now awaiting a call for employment with the Philippine National Bank after passing the qualifying examinations.

In my interview with Levie at PNB, she felt very excited telling me that “Indeed God has His own timing. After much prayer, continued expressions of love and concern, and extended time of waiting and patient yearning, Arnel Jan my second son already ‘came to himself’ as in the Lord’s Parable of the Prodigal Son (see Luke 15:11-32). He is at present back to his academic journey pursuing a college degree of Bachelor of Arts in English, and is now in his second year.”

Memories with fellow Philnabankers

Reminiscing her unforgettable years of childhood, she recalls those muddy experiences---rice paddies, mud balls and her modest goals. The rice field which her father tilled as a tenant and where she enjoyed the youthful vigor of chasing speed in planting rice and eating out of flavor meals while trembling wet in the cold of rain, provided her youthful years the opportunity to see in the open horizon of her life the silver lining which motivated her to move forward and away from such a disdained and disadvantaged beginning. She slowly trailed a step at a time the route to her modest goals. Although the path she trudged was mobbed and pestered by vexing adversities, she never chilled nor constrained. She looked far into the trailing clouds where the silver lining points the way and guided her finally into reaching the heights of her humble dreams.

As she prepares for her age of seniority while still sitting in her present position as Sales and Service Officer-Assistant Manager I of PNB Gaisano Capital Branch in Surigao City, she looks forward to her compulsory retirement at age 60 comes April 2016. She will always be deeply grateful to PNB for unlocking the gate away from the frontiers of destitution and opening the door that leads to the attainment of her worthy goals. She reverenced the memory of her parents with heart overflowing with gratitude for their love and treasured encouragement and motivation for her and the rest of her siblings to leave the confines of muddy fields and find joy into the future. She expresses her love and gratitude to her sons for joining with her in battle with the challenges of life. Her heart is filled with thankfulness to God’s providential hand which in mercy and love was extended during her most trying moments.In flashes of deepest reflections, she remembers the Christian heritage which her parents bequeathed, and hears in echoes David’s Psalm of gratitude often quoted in church discourses:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalms 23).

A typical rice field in Tago, Surigao del Sur

For once she thought, “What if I had decided to be stuck on the rice paddies and muddy fields? Perhaps my children should have been exposed to the same childhood snags and strains I run through.” At retirement she wishes to visit the place of her birth and childhood and again walk on rice paddies, try once more to mold and throw mud balls and look far into the horizon beyond the open field where the trailing clouds of yesteryears provided for her the panorama of a silver lining which since then and now has conceptually bridged her way to the realization of her modest goals and her rise to the unadorned expectations and glory she once envisioned.

This is a story of no ostentations; neither does it portray the glory of superiority and sophistication. This is one kind of a humble, clear and truthful account of a Surigawnon which exemplifies that no matter the dearth of our beginnings, we can each rise above the threshold of our poverty and deprivation and on to a provident and meaningful life.

IN REVERENCE TO AN UNCOMMON HUSBAND AND FATHER

By: Norberto G. Betita

With his family

Life has always been a challenge to every living soul, not because we are meant to suffer but because it is required of us as sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. We came to earth to be tried and tested to prove our worth in the context of God’s eternal plan of happiness. Jesus Christ, the only sinless man who ever lived on earth, suffered in excruciating agony in the garden of Gethsemane and carried His cross up the hill at Calvary and there crucified. We also are subjected to the pains of our own personal Gethsemane and are each to carry the cross to our personal Calvary's hill.

The multiplicity of alluring temptations which Satan has lodged to counter our innate desires to do good so filled the borders around our personal life that we seemed to have nowhere else to run but to submit to one or the other of his glamorous invitations. The enticement to a vice or inducement to moral digression is offered by him who is in control of all evils of the earth, only for his supposed victims to experiment and try. But as one takes the bait, he adds greasing to the slides for one to freely skid into the lake of dependence. Then he holds his sure victim with a grip that is very difficult to break. The vice then which started with only a sip of enjoyment in friendly persuasions eventually becomes a cruel taskmaster, a Goliath to face in daily battle. 

With daughters

Such was the case of my good friend and neighbour of many years, Martino R. Ensomo. I knew him when I was young in government service. The government agencies we worked for were interrelated in functions. Then we became close neighbours in the same government subdivision. We also served both in the General PTA when our children were still students at the Surigao del Norte National High School. I knew him to be a good man, except that I observed him to have a vice very common to many---drunkenness. Yet in many of our meetings where wine and liquor are a permanent component of the menu, I observed him to be such a sober man even when drunken, much different from any of the rest who are in the common drinking sprees. His voice remained soft even in harsh discussions. His emotional temperance was also observed in his dealings with his family. As I compared him with many of my friends and neighbours who are in the same vicious attachments to hard drinks, I considered him an uncommon husband, father and neighbour.

Although I am two years younger than he was, we retired just a few months interval. Since then we often meet around the neighbourhood. I always observed him to be such a homely man. He is very concerned of his family’s welfare and affectionate to his wife and children. I found his alcoholism totally different from what I learned about those who are addicted to what is popularly known as “the genie on the bottle”---alcohol, which is described as pervasive and destructive of the victim and his family. I sensed that he was not meant for such a vicious habit and I felt he regretted that he ever started it. Except perhaps for his craving of the substance, he was totally aware that he has to live ever strong as to never inflict upon his children, especially his only son, the overpowering force that had put him in bondage. In his struggle to resolve his dependence he submitted to the desire of his family for therapy and treatment. It was a long battle and he returned carrying temporary relief. However, his physical system perhaps had long been inhabited by such a harmful substance that had become so difficult to emit despite long medication. 

With his wife and eldest daughter

I consider his life as a lesson for everybody who is struggling to battle against the impulse and oftentimes compulsive temptation to drinking hard liquor. It was a Goliath that my good friend and neighbour had battled for years. We need to know that no matter how innately good a man is and how righteous his plans maybe, he can be trapped and be in bondage to the devil’s torment. These mammoth of alluring baits which are destructive to our body and spirits are within our daily view, which we need to be warned about. They are attractively advertised in giant television networks and produced by giant companies. I refer to cigarette, liquor and beer. They are meant to destroy and enslave people. There is an even more dangerous monster that is silently walking the streets and entering school campuses and clandestinely creeping into bars hungering for its prey. It is a multi-billion peso trade of Shabu drugs---methamphetamine---almost encompassing our country. It is a drug that can result to chronic addiction, violent behaviour, functional and molecular changes in the brain, and several other symptoms. Among its most desired victims are our innocent youth---the hope of the fatherland--- who are most vulnerable and easily lured into the experimentation of the pleasurable effects of the drug. The monsters behind these evils are tough and very clever that their agents and pushers can even penetrate inside heavily guarded prisons. Their covert intentions are to enrich themselves and destroy their victims. It is high time that we be aware for its venom might spread into the very doors of our homes and our families might be subjected to the devil’s ever tempting carrot.

His only son

I have my highest respect for my very good friend and neighbour Martino R. Ensomo for having fought his personal Goliath---a dependence on alcohol, without necessarily affecting the welfare of his family. I had seen his highest respect and greatest love for his wife. I had observed how he loved his children and how he fought for their educational battle even challenging the school’s academic rankings during high school. I am a witness of how his wife and children respected and loved him despite his enduring weakness. In view in our neighbourhood is a humble but beautiful house he and his wife built for the family---a monument to his accomplishment as a good provider. With his earnest desire to provide comfort for his family, he bought for them a second hand car. His children graduated with honors in high school; two of them earned college degrees from a premiere university---the University of the Philippines. His eldest daughter is a management graduate and his second daughter is a Certified Public Accountant. His only son, the last born, graduated from the Cebu Institute of Technology and is a licensed Chemical Engineer. The character traits of his children are living witnesses that they are rightfully raised and reared. The academic and professional accomplishments of his children will ever remain as an undying symbol of his good parenting in partnership with his beloved wife. 

As ageing weakens the body, complications took its tool. On October 25, 2015, at age 65, he was finally summoned to leave this frail existence. At his passing I heard negative comments about him, particularly about his dependence to a devil’s destructive tools. However, in my long association with him as a friend and neighbour, I will always remember and honor him as an uncommon man who fought his battle against a Goliath of adversity in his personal life while at the same time protecting his family from its destructive influence. I have my thoughts written in reverence of him as an uncommon husband and father; a worthy exemplar to emulate. I and my wife will miss that tender smile which he usually exhibited as we passed by their home. Farewell my dear friend Martin, farewell.

TEENAGE PREGNANCY: TRUE LOVE AMIDST FLAMING OPPOSITION

by: Norberto Betita

(This is an excerpt from my book)

The Francis Tom and Sheila Paredes Story

The couple Francis & Sheila Paredes

They were both deprived of patriarchal presence and guiding paternal hands. Francis lost his father at age three. Sheila was without a father since birth. They were journeying their common formidable frontiers even in earliest childhood placidly trailing the light that gleams along the dark and dreary road to the future. They were held and guided by the weary but unfailing protective hands of single mother-providers whose hearts are lined with precious rubies and courage reinforced with strongest steel.

Their teenage love story started with attraction and fondness of a 14-year old third year high school student at the Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT) and a 16-year old AB English college freshman at the Saint Paul University-Surigao (SPUS). Sheila was a student of Francis Tom’s mother. In a short time it developed into an infatuation which eventually culminated into a youthful loving relationship which their memory never failed to recall---July 23, 2003. Parents of both believed it is no love at all; they were too young to be in such a relationship that is only allowable for more mature individuals. Vigorous opposition began to mount, especially on the side of Sheila, which is not surprising considering her age of fourteen. A little later, Francis Tom’s mother expressed her clear opposition. But Francis Tom insisted that it is true love amidst everybody’s antagonism. In his young life, he remembered to have viewed and believed Sheila to be his life. He felt his being is empty for each hour that he did not have her in view.

On account of extreme opposition, especially as he was no longer allowed to visit Sheila, he went on heavy drinking and too much drunkenness. He tried to make a visit to Sheila’s apartment, but denied even more intensely by the latter’s grandmother. As a result of his continued attempts to meet with Sheila even in his drunkenness on New Year’s Eve of 2003 notwithstanding the warnings, he was eventually thrown from the motorcycle which he borrowed from his uncle, resulting to a broken front tooth and several abrasions in the body. The accident also caused injury to an old man bystander. In exasperation his mother sent him to the police which incarcerated him for three days for the injury of the old man. For a while he felt continued headaches which he attributed also to the same accident. From such actuations and eventual imprisonment, he thought he will finally be forgotten by Sheila. With his broken tooth and several injuries he imagined that Sheila will be disheartened and dismayed. But instead Sheila showed up and cared for her injuries each day until finally healed. In his final initiation with UPSILON PHI SIGMA ON February 21, 2004, Sheila still assisted her in the healing process of the physical effects of fraternity paddling. 

The family

Like many other boys his age, he has been exposed to the lure of pornography in the internet. In the vulnerability of youth, the smut and obscenity which are common in pornographic materials tempted him and triggered his desire to indulge in sexual experimentations. And their closeness together, resulted in an unwanted and irresponsible act not admissible for their age. They continued to meet, but the opposition on the side of Sheila’s mother increased. In March 2004 they eloped. However, his mother did not consent that they live together in such a very young age. Hence, with his mother’s persuasion, they returned Sheila to her mother. By his mother’s request Francis was allowed to visit Sheila. When Sheila transferred residence at Tagana-an in April of the same year, Francis still followed and visited her to prove the seriousness of his intentions. During one of his visits, driven by their closeness, another undesirable event happened which flamed the ember of opposition that had since been following their youthful relationship. In bitterness, Sheila’s mother swore no longer to allow Francis to visit or see Sheila anymore. He was considered a threat to Sheila’s future.

However, true love amidst flaming opposition finds its way for two hearts to be reunited. Francis clandestinely left his cellphone to Sheila and he eventually contacted her for them to meet once more. And in the same month of April of 2004, they again eloped.

Francis’ mother was so confused at the kind of affection and closeness that these teenaged possessed. While she was short of confidence that such a young love will take root, she eventually consented to help them hide from Sheila’s mother with the assistance of friends until the flame of anger subsides. Perhaps in her mind were wandering the thoughts of Francis’ being charged of kidnapping or any other criminal liability, but not Francis. The flaming opposition turned back to ember as soon as it was known that Sheila was pregnant. She had her first pre-natal check-up in May of the same year. There was nothing that the opposing parents could do but to support Sheila in her pregnancy to make sure of her safety and that of the fetus. Sheila was only 15 years of age. They could not be married in accordance with the provisions of law. Hence, they have to live together in a cohabitation relationship. 

With proud mothers and aunt

Not even his goodly mother-provider had the conviction that he would do well as a husband and father in his youthfulness. She worried that Francis did not even consider the weight of responsibility that was before him as an unemployed young man. But unlike the many young men who shunned responsibility after a mistake, Francis did not eschew his accountability and determined to stand by Sheila and their upcoming child to reciprocate the love that Sheila had shown him. While he was in the Dean’s List during his first year of college at SPUS in 2003-2004, he decided not to study until Sheila delivered the child. Despite his inadequacies as a young man, he wanted to prove that he is worth the love of his wife and forthcoming child. He wanted to drive a tricycle, but no tricycle owner would allow him because he was without a driver’s License. He applied for work at TT and Company and was employed with a daily salary of P90 equivalent to a twelve-hour duty. It was during this employment that he learned to rummage clean left-over foods from the clients of the restaurant and eat the same inside the rest room. He realized he never dreamed to be in such a condition, nor does his mother. Yet he appreciated those trying and deplorable encounters for it helped him learn the hard art of responsibility. He came to recognize the sweetness of freedom that comes with responsibility. It motivated him to do and make better his race to the future. His vision improved and his character changed.

After three months at TT & Company, he transferred to Jolibee. While in this employment their son Ranzi was given birth on November 6, 2004. Sheila was only 16 years old, a mother but not yet a wife. Francis became a father at 18, but not yet a husband. He dogged at supporting the needs of his son and Sheila all by himself. A recap of his and of Sheila’s fatherless march in their earlier life left him wanting and earnestly yearning to be a true father to Ranzi and a faithful husband to Sheila. He wanted never to repeat those sad experiences of childhood when he longed for a father’s hand and there was none to hold. He committed himself with a firm and resolute certitude that he will walk and run by Ranzi’s side as a father. He worked even harder. His efficiency and effectiveness as a worker was recognized; he was promoted and awarded as Best Station Leader. But even then, he came to a moment of deeper consciousness that no matter how hard he tried, his advancement is limited only upon the bounds of his inadequate resume and incomplete qualification. In moments of reflections he came to understand how hard life was to be a father at a very young age and unprepared. He now comprehends the value of listening and obeying parental counsels. Yet, there was no more way to escape the youthful parental responsibility, nor did he have any thought of shunning. He realized his mistake, yet he said, “I did not have any regrets, for notwithstanding my youthfulness, I am pretty sure that she was the woman for me. I love her and she loves me.”

Father and son

As Ranzi came in sight and welcomed the desirable embraces of still confused grandmothers, the remaining ember of opposition dispelled and was eventually extinguished. The fruit of the true love amidst flaming opposition healed the hearts. With better perspective, Francis requested his mother for assistance to go back to college while he tries to work part time to support their other needs. Sheila’s mother on the other hand also offered support. College at SPUS was expensive, so Francis transferred to SSCT. He shifted to a course leading to Bachelor of Science in Education major in English, while Sheila enrolled in the same school to complete her high school education.

To make sure he will have a much better resume as he prepared for future battles with life, he took every opportunity to be involved in extra-curricular activities at school. He was Vice President of the SSCT Student Supreme Government, and later as secretary. He joined Rotaract Club of Metro Surigao and became President. Sheila also joined the UPSILON fraternity and the Rotaract Club.

When the proper time and age came for them to be united in matrimony, they immediately scheduled to join the mass wedding on December 29, 2008. Their wedding was devoid of grandiosities and pretentions. They did not aspire for an elaborate wedding feast. All they wanted was to be legally bound as husband and wife for better or for worse. In love they were united and in dreams and vision for the future, they were not separated.

Francis was eventually graduated with a degree in education in 2009. In a matter of ten days after graduation he was hired to work at Chemical Alloy Corporation as a Lube Specialist and later as Account Manager for Caraga Region. For the first time, he tried to take the Licensure Examination for Teacher (LET), but failed. He was not frustrated. In 2011, he resigned and worked at the Kinglong Trucking and Barging Company (KTBC) as secretary to the General Manager. It was also the time when Sheila graduated from college. She also worked with the Kinglong Trucking to save and prepare for the LET. Together they took the LET, but both failed. That was kind of a trial for them, a test of endurance. But they determined and again saved and prepared for the 2012 LET examination. This time they are blessed as to hurdle together and so became duly licensed teachers. For a moment Francis taught college at the Siargao Island Institute of Technology. Eventually they jointly qualified and was employed at the Alegria National High School in May 2013. 

Mother and son

They were so focused on building the future of Ranzi that they seemed to forget that he is old enough at 11 to yearn for a brother or sister. But they say, it is in the plan. The same year that they started secured employments in a public school, they enrolled for the Master of Arts in Education (MAE). In the course of his master’s education he also started his research on the Sinurigaw grammar and then published his first book of “Sinurigaw: Pormada, Plastada, Tunada, Pasabot” on February 2014 which gave him the opportunity to be a presenter on the 12th Philippines Linguistics Congress at the University of the Philippines-Diliman in November 26-28, 2014 on the subject. On February 2015 his MAE thesis entitled “Impact of Mother Tongue-Based Language of Instruction in Learning English Grammar” qualified and was acknowledged during the 11th International Conference on Bilingual Studies at Chiang Kai Shek College. The same research paper also qualified during the 2nd International Sanrokan Conference on May 13-15, 2015 at the Romblon State University in partnership with UP-Diliman and NCCA.

In May of 2015, Francis and Sheila together marched with humble pride beside their mother-providers who still were mystified and choked with unbelief of their youthful journey to success, as they were together conferred the degree of Master of Arts in Education. Sheila was 27 years old, while Francis has just turned 29.

His popularity and prominence kept pace when he attended a linguistics conference held at the University of Southeast Philippines-Davao, on August 2015 as a presenter on the topic “Language Use by SSG Candidates in 2015 Miting de Avance: English or Mother Tongue.” He is also scheduled on September 23-27, 2015 to present his paper on “Sinurigao: Pormada, Plastada, Tunada, Pasabot at the 9th Free Linguistics Conference organized by the Linguistics Society of the Philippines and De La Salle University in Manila. He will be with his dearly beloved mother-provider, to let her feel that she is not a failure in all her sacrifices for him. Francis is a member of the Linguistics Society of the Philippines and the Linguistics Society of Mindanao.

As a teacher by profession, he definitely submits to the wisdom of what former President Elpidio Quirino had to say: “Teachers, as leaders in each community, you should spread light. Go beyond the present horizon. See if you can dig up something which will interest the people and make them follow you as their confirmed leaders." He had this posted on his Facebook timeline. 

The teenage couple with their son

He believes that there is no limit to what man can attain and achieve even after a desperate and reckless mistake and subsequent failures. Success comes by diligent effort and unwavering determination to rise from every fall and move forward with unflinching courage and faith.

In their desire to share their love story, especially to the Filipino youth who is now bothered by the statistics that one in ten young Filipino women age 15-19 has begun childbearing and one in five (19 percent) young adult Filipino women age 18 to 24 years had initiated their sexual activity before age 18 according to the results of the 2013 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), Francis has this advice: “It is very nice to love and be loved. But it is best to wait for the proper time, proper circumstance and proper relationship before deciding to marry. To you young men please avoid the ever tempting invitation of pornography and the seductive lure of sexual experimentation; it can be an expensive, dangerous and destructive vice. Wait for the best and proper time to use your procreative powers. To you young women, don’t ever be tempted and persuaded by the lustful offensives of young men your age. There will eventually come in the proper time of your life the best man who will offer his most sincere love and walk with you in a wondrous march to the most sacred altar of matrimony. Sheila and I have made a serious mistake as teenagers and our journey to recovery had never been easy. Good that our puppy love turned mature even at an early age that we had learned to fight our battles and win. I am likewise lucky that Sheila in her teenage must have been looking for the love of a father and perhaps she found it in me, and unexpectedly she loved me without equivocation to be the father of his child and the best husband for her. But it only happens in a million. Young men and young women beware.” 

On their wedding day

The once dark horizon is now gleaming with light beckoning a brilliant and happier future for Francis, Sheila and Ranzi. Their story of true love amidst flaming opposition had become their bridge across the formidable frontiers which to them unmasked early in life. Opposition is no longer an issue, but respect---with both mother-providers now ever confident that their story of true love did and will eventually weather the storms along their longwinded journey to the future. The grandmothers of the teenaged-borne grandson--- Ranzi---are now waiting with eagerness for a new grandchild that will be born in maturity. Francis and Sheila, still young adults as they remain, are now appreciating the memories of teenage pregnancy and motherhood, and teenage fatherhood, while in constant nurturing of their true love and savoring their exultant accomplishments with better and definite visions to the distant but blooming future.

THE FURNITURE MAKER AND THE BOILED YOUNG CORN

The Lope M. Codilla, Sr. Story

by: Norberto Betita

(Excerpts from my book)

The furniture maker-Lope U. Cudilla, Sr. 

Even in moments when he is carried at the brink of that cavernous and gloomy void, receiving several bags of blood for transfusion, he still can afford to do his brand of being a man of humor. In the depths of his miserable and almost hopeless condition at the hospital he nevertheless crafts pranks that generate a smile from his compassionate visitors and blood donors. This joyful character remains in his lifetime as an antidote of every suffering that he has encountered in his life. Even his children and friends after witnessing his condition of needing several bags of blood for transfusion thought that he will not live long, but he pulled himself away from that sure pathway to his ominous and foreboding fate. He was sustained by his enduring faith in God and his continuing belief that laughter is indeed the best medicine to every misery and woe.

Whenever he felt sad and lonely he calls for relief by doing some jokes that would attract attention of those who are truly concerned of his welfare. Once, while viewing the General Conference rebroadcast at church my wife noticed him drinking water from a wine bottle which still carried the label and name of the brand. My wife visited him and requested him never to do such an appearance of evil in a solemn spiritual assembly. He just laughed and expressed gratitude that he was recognized. He felt that there are still people who are most concerned of his spiritual welfare. He swore never again to do the same. 

With wife Laurencia

Lope’s early life had been such a story of continued drowning into the depths of life’s whirlpools and swimming vigorously against the powerful adverse currents for survival. He is a native of Leyte. During his youthful years, life has been very difficult in their place. Nowhere could he find work to earn for a living. He heard about employment opportunities at Aras-asan, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur where a lumber company was regularly hiring employees. Moved by his passionate desire to find work, he wanted to try his luck and so he travelled from Leyte to Cebu and then to Tandag, Surigao del Sur. While aboard a pump boat from Tandag to Aras-asan the boat capsized and he was left floating in the sea. He was rescued by a man named Efren who brought him to Lianga, Surigao del Sur. He served with Efren’s family as house help, doing errands and household chores. In order to earn he went into amateur boxing. But he realized it has not done anything good for him. He felt frustrated by the turn of events in his life. He started to miss his family and he wanted to go home.

His eldest Lolita with children

There came a time in his life when he felt encircled in complete darkness and all his hope vanished. The pragmatic hardnosed experiences of life’s dismal contests and grapple with hardest times somehow compiled thoughts that derailed the mind. While his capability and training was only for a four-round in boxing, he took the challenge of fighting for six rounds, wanting to be knocked down and die. But he won instead.

He requested his rescuer Efren to allow him to leave back home. But he was held back until a replacement arrives. While he had the excitement of having the opportunity to go home, when his replacement Laurencia---the younger sister of Efren came, he lost his every desire to be reunited to his family. He said, “When I saw her, I felt we had long since known each other.” He felt reinvigorated and thought that life was may be just like a joke. And from such short attraction their love story and eventual marital journey began.

He stopped his boxing career and instead trained in furniture making in Efren’s shop. For a while they lived and served together in his brother-in-law’s household. But when his wife became pregnant of their first born, they decided to return to Cebu. There he continued working as a carpenter and furniture maker and eventually became and expert craftsman. While in Cebu, their first born Lolita was given birth. At first life was a little easier. However as four other children---Lope, Jr, Letecia, Lorito, and Leonardo, came into the family, life again became harder and harder. In consequence of poverty two of their children died in infancy. That was such a very painful experience. He felt being pulled back again into the whirlpool of life. Yet he swam his way back against the resurging current of adversity and continued to fight his battle for survival. 

One Sabath Day with the whole family

When Lope heard of a hiring for furniture makers, he applied and was hired to work in Surigao City. After a year working with Willy’s furniture shop, he was hired by a prominent furniture businessman, Mr. Kang. He felt secured with a salary of twenty pesos per day. However, another tragedy came into their family life when their son Leonardo died by drowning. In moments of reflection, as to why these things were happening to him and his wife, he again thought of life as being just a joke and he must have to press on.

His wife Laurencia was a full-time mother. While trying to make both ends meet from that meagre income of twenty pesos a day, another child was born---Lucresio. He was happy that in his circle of life, God was returning back one that was lost. But the whirlpool of adversity seemed not to surrender on him and another misfortune came when Lope was diagnosed with Hernia---a protrusion of an organ that descended into the scrotum. He was treated and was advised to rest for six months. There were no benefits for daily waged personnel during those times and that was real disaster for them. 

Son Lucresio and family

His wife Laurencia decided to start buying and selling corn from out of the very little assistance that Lope’s employer had given for them to survive. All that Lope could help was to cook the boiled young corn for Laurencia to peddle around the city, walking a total of six kilometres to and from downtown Surigao City, carrying the heavy basin full of corn for sale. When Lope’s condition began to improve, he started going with his wife in buying and selling young corn, while the elder children would watch the youngest son. For six months they lived solely from the little earnings that they have.

When Lope resumed work his wife continued to do buying and selling young corn to supplement his income. For a while they were able to support their needs, but two other children came into the family---Aleja and Louie. As these children came in succession, he always felt that God was slowly returning back all that were lost from him. Still he thought that life is a joke. When the two elder children begun school, their wallet became regularly empty. But they strived to meet their growing needs. They do not want their children to be deprived of their only hope for relief from the bondage of poverty. They wanted them to be educated for their future.

Then the most devastating pull from the whirlpool of life came. His employer closed business and he was left without a job. He was doomed to hopelessness. The wonderful visions for his children’s future became fogged and obscured. Being without a job while family needs were increasing was truly overwhelming. He and his family suffered the excruciating pain of extreme poverty. But with his guts to laugh even against the tearful experiences of their pitiable circumstance, he arose back with greater determination and profound conviction to win his battle together with his wife. He kind of heard a voice, “You can start over again and change your course from a downward, twisting, disappointing path to a superhighway to peace and happiness” (Richard G. Scott). Hence, he did not dread the winds of adversity against them but faced it with more courage and faith. 

Daughter Aleja with husband

He had nowhere to go but to join with his wife in the boiled young corn peddling. In the early dawn while the children are asleep, they would ride a bus to buy young corns from farmers and back home boiled them for peddling. Together they walked daily under the heat of the rising sun into the city proper, carrying over their heads the basins filled with boiled-young-corn. They did not send their children into the streets to beg, but to the schools to learn and educate.

He joined hands with his wife in the work which by then was their only hope for survival. He continued accepting occasional carpentry jobs, but not for long. Peddling boiled young corn became their regular source of income until their children went to high school and even through college. While others in their neighbourhood yielded in their battle with difficulties by employing their children into the same lowly occupation, Lope and Laurencia did not give up on the education of their children. He could not afford to have his children go hungry and stop schooling. He knew that education is the only way for his children to rise above poverty. It matters not to him if he and his wife have to continue swimming in the whirlpool of life, for as long as their children are safe in the shores to walk with backpacks full of provisions to confront their own challenges in life.

They planned their family life so as to make sure that their little income could provide all their needs. They were taught to live within their means and they obeyed. They tried to obey the Lord’s economic law, and they were blessed. There were times when they have to raise a pig or two for fattening and chickens to cover enrolments of their college students. In all his battles, his humorous character had helped him overcome stresses and defeating circumstances. 

Son Louie and family

The road that he and his wife tracked together with their five living children was never comfortable, but to him it was worthwhile. He knew pretty well then that he and his wife will not be able to rise above their circumstances, but they labored hard to equip their children and their posterity with battle gears to conquer life’s adversities unto triumph and victory. They built in their children’s life the necessary foundations that will prepare them to hold strong when challenges of their own will be blown against their road towards growth and progress.

He and his beloved wife first experience the joy of victory when their eldest daughter graduated with a degree in Science Education and passed the Teacher’s Licensure Examination. Greater joy and gladness came when all their children graduated from college. All their five children earned baccalaureate degrees---three with bachelor’s degrees and two with vocational courses. Their eldest is now in the United States of America; the second also a teacher by profession is now a college instructor; the third, the kind of a straggler and adventurer earned a degree in computer science and is now in business; the fourth a two-year courser was married to an American and is now preparing for her Visa; the youngest, although was earlier strangled in the vulnerability of youth, also finished two years in college. All their children were already married and they have eight grandchildren. 

Son Lope, Jr with his son

If he would be asked what is meant by the Lord’s promise that He “will pour out blessings where there shall not be room enough to receive”, he probably would joke that with all his five children now married and have children of their own, he really has no room enough to accommodate them.

Even when their children where already gainfully employed the furniture maker turned boiled young corn peddler with his beloved wife continued to enjoy the very humble trade they loved the most which prepared their children for future provident life enough to fight their personal battles with adversity and contribute to the good of society in which they live. Lope and Laurencia vowed to live together as one amidst hardships and misfortunes and the spinning whirlpool of life. In the dispersed twilight of their lives they sealed their marital covenants in a most sacred setting to live together not only for time but throughout all eternity.

They celebrated just this year 2015 their 50th wedding anniversary. Lope is now weak and feeble, deteriorated by long years of hard labor and ageing. While in the hospital he asked my daughter, “Kinsa man ka?” (Who are you?). My daughter surprised introduced herself and reminded that he knew her very well. He replied, “Wala man ko kaila nimo?” (I do not know you?) When he observed that my daughter was so worried about his condition, he told her “Ayaw’g banha sa uban, wala pa ko nawadan ug buot.” (Don’t tell others, I have not yet lost my memory). Even in his worst condition after a surgery, he still carried the thought that life is just a joke. The humorous optimism of the furniture maker turned boiled young corn peddler sustained him in his “walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” He still lives to tell his story to inspire his posterity and others who might have the opportunity to read the chronicle of his life.