JC “Toto” Tiaga-Mariano: Young Athlete with a Big Dream

JC  “Toto” Tiaga-Mariano: Young Athlete with A Big Dream

…and a staunch believer in Jesus

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

At seventeen, JC Mariano, one of the star athletes of Lyceum (General Trias) in Cavite has a big dream – to become an engineer in the field of Information Technology. During the NCAA Season 90 he garnered 3 bronze medals, and for the latest Season 91, he earned 1 silver and 2 bronze medals all in the track and field events. And, for such feat, he profusely thanks his coach, Marc Basuan. Aside from his running prowess, he also dribbles and shoots basketball ball with learned precision. He is a member of the team composed of the youth of Barangay Real Dos of Bacoor City.

 

The afternoon I found my way to the snacks counter of his mother, Arlyn Tiaga who hails from Aklan, “Toto” as JC is fondly called by his family, just arrived from a basketball practice. I was lucky as he came home early that afternoon, and got surprised by the unannounced visit. I found out that he makes it a point to go home early to lend a hand to his mother whose small business is their bread and butter. His mother confided that the snacks counter that she has been tending for more than ten years now is the only source of their financial support. Summer days bring a little more than enough money, as the most popular is “halo-halo” – fruit tidbits in milk and shaved ice, a cooling snack.

 

JC who is a full athletic scholar of Lyceum (General Trias) is in Grade 10. Unlike the other youth of his age, he has no vice and prefers to stay home when there is no practice in their school on the track or basketball at the court of the Perpetual Village 5. He is a “New Christian’ by heart and in action. He confided that Jesus has always been part of his life – his guiding Light. He is serious in his studies that not even the tempting pleasure of bumming around with his buddies could distract him. Without even saying it, his statements imply his big dream which is to lavish his mother with comfort soonest as he starts earning. Her mother from whom he and his brother learned the virtue of discipline has been raising them singlehandedly.

 

During our short talk, JC recalled that he had his first running experience when he was in Grade 6 at the Imus Pilot Elementary School. A teacher who noticed his promising athletic talent assisted him to undergo a tryout for an athletic scholarship when he was about to enter his second year high school at Lyceum (General Trias).  That tryout was impressive because a school representative visited him at home to advice that he passed it and that he was to report for enrollment and training right away. That hard-earned scholarship was the start of his interesting journey as a struggling young student with a big dream. On his third year, Marc Basuan who also has a son on athletic scholarship made him part of the school team for which he served as the official coach.

 

Before we parted, JC confided that, “all the recognition that I have received, I owe to my family and coach, and of course to Jesus…”, who is obviously guiding him while trudging along the road that leads to success. He added,” I will definitely share with others what I have learned from my mentors…that will be the time for passing on the blessing…”  The same thought was also expressed by his basketball coach, Ian Paredes-Atrero, who is likewise, a true “New Christian” by heart and action. As a young man, JC, plays hard and gives his best, but aims high for his future and beloved family….all in the name of Jesus!

 

 

Beverly Padua: Nakakabilib dahil Nakakabenta sa Internet kahit Cellphone lang ang Gamit

Beverly Padua: Nakakabilib Dahil Nakakabenta sa Internet

Kahit Cellphone lang ang Gamit

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Meet Beverly or Bevs na nakakapagbenta sa internet kahit walang laptop, i-Pad o desktop computer dahil ang gamit lang ay isang simpleng smart phone. Nakakagulat, dahil sa pagkakaalam ko, ang mga on-line sellers ay umaasa sa malalaking computer na kanilang tinututukan sa loob ng 24/7, hangga’t maaari. Nang una kong makita ang shop site niya ay bumilib na ako dahil  sa linis ng pagkagawa, hindi kalat o magulo kaya hindi nakakalito. Ginawa rin pala niya ito gamit lang ang simple niyang cellphone.

 

Panganay siya sa kanilang magkakapatid at ulila na sila sa ina. Ang tatay naman nila ay sakitin kaya silang magkakapatid na kumikita kahit papaano ang nag-aambagan upang makaraos ang pang-araw araw nilang pangangailangan. Kahit madalas silang kapusin sa budget ay dinadaan nila sa matinding pagtitipid ang lahat upang masambot ang kanilang pangangailangan lalo na ang mga gamot ng kanilang tatay.

 

Single mom din siya. Wala siyang hinanakit sa ama ng kanyang anak kahit na ito ay may iba nang pamilya. Kahit sa hinagap ay hindi niya naisip ang maghabol o magalit sa dating asawa, bagkus ay dinadaan na lamang niya sa pagsisikap ang lahat  upang mapalaki nang maayos ang nag-iisang anak na naging inspirasyon niya sa buhay. Sa kabila ng lahat ay hindi natinag ang kanyang malakas na pananalig sa Diyos, at sa halip ay tinutumbasan na lamang niya ng pagpapaubaya, dahil ayon sa kanya, darating din sa tamang panahon ang taong talagang nakalaan para makasama niya habang buhay.

 

Hindi siya nariringgan ng kahit kaunting hinagpis kahit may mga pangangailangan din siya para sa kanyang kalusugan bilang isang diabetic. Ilang beses na rin siyang sinumpong nang matindi dala ng kanyang sakit subalit lahat ay kayang nalampasan, kaya ang ginagawa na lamang niya ay pag-ibayuhin pa ang pag-iingat upang hindi siya atakehin uli.

 

Masidhi ang pananampalataya ni Bevs sa kapangyaarihan ng Diyos dahil ilang beses na rin daw niya itong napatunayan. Noong nakaraang taon kung kaylan patung-patong ang pangangailangan nila sa pera ay saka naman humina ang bentahan, subalit hindi siya nagpakita ng pagkainis, sa halip ay tinanggap na lang ang sa tingin niya ay isang pagsubok. Totoo ang kanyang naramdaman dahil nitong nakaraang mga araw ay nagsunud-sunod naman ang pagpasok ng mga order sa kanya.

 

Kahit ang dapat sana’y kailangan niyang i-Pad lamang upang lumaki kahit bahagya ang screen na kanyang tinututukan ay ipinagkikibit na lamang niya ng balikat. Hindi daw priority ito, kaya bibili na lamang siya kapag may ekstra siyang naipon dahil ang mahalaga ay ang pangangailangan ng kanyang anak, isa pang kapatid na nag-aaral, at amang nangangailangan ng mga gamot.

 

Hindi siya nawawalan ng lakas kahit halos magdamag kung tumutok siya sa cellphone sa paghintay ng papasok na order dahil kapag pinalampas ng kahit ilang minuto lang na hindi nasagot agad, ay lilipat na sa ibang online shopping site ang browser. At, ang sikreto daw niya sa pagkakaroon ng lakas ay ang tiwala sa Diyos na nasa likod lang niya.

 

Magandang halimbawa si Bevs sa mga nagsisikap kahit maraming kakulangan dahil kahit simpleng smart phone lang ang gamit ay kumikita, hindi tulad ng iba na nakikipag-text at tsismisan lang sa mga barkada, ang gusto ay mamahaling cellphone o i-Pad pa, at kung hindi mapagbigyan ay magtatampo sa mga magulang o di kaya ay lalayas, at kung asawa naman ay magdadabog na humahantong kung minsan sa pagpapabaya ng mga obligasyon bilang asawa at ina.

 

(For interested shoppers, please check Princessrobe O’shop and OBe Padua facebook pages.)

 

 

Do Not Feel Bad About Unfulfilled Dreams

Do Not Feel Bad

About Unfulfilled Dreams

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

There is a popular adage, “life is what we make it”. All of us have limitations, hence, it follows that the life we live is based on our best effort, but hampered by limitations. We cannot be like what others are. We can strive, yes…but the result may not be the same as what others have accomplished. The problem with some of us is that they dream to be like somebody else which is impossible. Successful people can be looked up to as models or be admired, but cannot be exactly copied.

 

Success is relative. The degree and kind of success varies. In this regard, to avoid getting disappointed, one should accept what he has accomplished based on his capability and just strive a little harder to be able to accomplish more. He should not feel bad, for instance, because he did not become a manager like his friend, or a physician like another friend, or a mayor, etc.

 

Those who develop grudge because of their “failure” supposedly, equate success to fame which is wrong. Others feel that just because they did not become famous like others, they have become a failure. I can say that such kind of feeling is a manifestation of jealousy which breeds grudge….nothing else. Success in life is the happiness and contentment one feels every morning as he wakes up to another day….it is the joy felt in what he does.

 

We should not be occupied with gawking at what others are doing or be jealous with what they have accomplished. Each one of us has a different kind of life to live and concerns much different from the rest. On the other hand, the jealous attitude is most often the result of unnecessary and unhealthy rivalry in offices and other work sites. This is called professional jealousy which affects the operation and atmosphere.

 

Finally, successful people may wonder why some friends have suddenly kept a distance from them for no reason at all that they know of. There is something for these shunned successful people to ponder about…jealousy developed by their friends who have the habit of comparing themselves with others. Such unnecessary feeling made them jealous resulting to grudge that time may not expunge easily. My suggestion: a change in attitude…by being positive in living one’s life….and changing it for the better.

 

Bonifacio E. Valdez: an image of hard-earned success

Bonifacio E. Valdez: an image of hard-earned success

By Apolinario Villalobos

Friends call him “Boni”, lanky and tall, though, with a sure gait when he walks. He was the Corp Commandeer of the PMT in high school, aside from being an orator, debater, athlete, and as expected, valedictorian in their high school batch of 1972. Born to a farming couple, he and his siblings were disciplined in the ways of Ilocano – thrifty and hardworking.

Life after graduating from high school was not as rosy as he expected, especially, because he had to deal with culture shock when he left Tacurong which was a typical third-class municipality at the time, to live in Manila, where he took BS General which he finished in 1976. It prepared him for a medical course which he finished in the Lyceum Northwestern University of Dagupan in 1980.

He went back to Manila in 1981 for an internship at Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center and later transferred to another hospital in Teresa, Rizal, then moved on to the Medical Center- Manila. During those years, he sold drugs on the side, the earnings from which augmented his meager allowance as an intern. Finally, he was taken in, as a company physician by the First Holdings Company, his first full-time job.

To enhance his calling, he took up Anesthesiology as a Fellow at the University of the Philippines Anesthesiologist Center for Western Pacific. His endeavor pushed him further when he got employed at the Ministry of Health, in the Sultanate of Oman where he honed his medical profession from 1987 to 1991. Another opportunity knocked at his door, this time, a better job in the United States, but he opted to go home to Tacurong where he had been dreaming to build a school.

To better prepare himself as an educator in the field of medicine, he took time to refine his skill in anesthesiology in the different hospitals of Tacurong, neighboring towns, as well as, the Davao Medical Center, now, the Southern Philippines Medical Center, a high-tech medical facility in Davao City. During his stint at the aforementioned medical center in Davao City, he sacrificed going home Tacurong on weekends to be with his family.

His struggle paid off when he finally established his school, the VMMC in 2002, with a system derived from what is currently prevailing in the United States. Initially, the VMMC trained caregivers for Canada where he had established tie-ups with healthcare agencies. The long-ranged planning of Dr. Valdez, earned for VMMC a reputation as the first institution in the province of Sultan Kudarat to offer an immediate employment abroad after several months of training. Today, the VMMC also offers basic education and TESDA courses, aside from functioning as a hospital.

In recognition for his achievements, he is currently involved in the different undertakings that pertain to education, health care, and medicine. He is the Vice-President of the Higher Education Institutions in Region 12; Chairman of the Red Cross – Sultan Kudarat Chapter; Board Member of the Mindanao Technical, Vocational and Educational Training; President of the Sultan Kudarat Association of Private and Technical Institutions; and Board Member of the Regional Technical Skills Development Council for Region 12.

Over a simple lunch in  an Adriatico mall, Malate, Manila, we relished the happy days in the campus of the Notre Dame of Tacurong College during its struggling days. He also shared with a hearty laugh, his experience in Manila, especially, during the twilight days of the Marcos-imposed Martial Law. He was seriously engrossed in his political activities that his name got included in the “hot list” of student activists. To save his neck, he bid his comrades goodbye and went home.

The indefatigable Dr. Valdez confided that he has other plans for his beloved birthplace. It is not surprising for a guy whose dreams and struggle brought him far despite his family’s financial handicap. Being used to a simple life, he added that he is contented with his frugal lifestyle and foremost in his mind today, is on how he could share the blessings that he earned by dint of hard work. From being a farmer’s son once, he is now an educator, resource person on community leadership and holistic health, and a medical practitioner, though, with a bigger dream….and of course, with his fellow Tacurongnons still in mind.

Pangarap

Pangarap

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang pangarap ay hindi maiwawaksi ninuman

Dahil itong bahagi ng diwa’y may kahalagahan

Nagpapalakas ng loob sa maalab na pagsikhay

Lakas na kailangan, habang tayo ay nabubuhay.

May nangangarap ng buhay sa loob ng kaharian

Kunwari’y hari, sa ubod-saya niyang  kapaligiran

Sa isang ungos, mga alipi’y  ‘di magkandaugaga

Sa pagsilbi’t pagkilos, lahat ay  nagkakandarapa.

May nangangarap ng yamang hindi mapantayan

Kaya’t lahat na lang ay gagawin, ano mang paraan

Mayroong gumagamit na ng katawan, hindi talino

HIndi bale nang mabuntis, makamit lang ang gusto.

Yong ang hangad ay madaling makuhang yaman

Ang puntirya ay kahit anong  pwesto sa pamahalaan

Naisip kasi nila, saan man sa pamahalaan ay may kita

Depende sa proyektong “lalagakan” ng nakaw na pera.

Mga batang iskwater, aking nakausap naman minsan

Simpleng mga pangarap, laman ng kanilang kaisipan

May gustong maging titser, isa’y pulis, isa’y mensahero –

Mayamang kapitbahay kasi, sa Customs, yon ang trabaho!

Ang pangarap, ‘di lang umiinog sa pera o kaginhawahan

Pati rin sa esperitwal na bagay, o mga gawaing simbahan

Mga pari’y nangangarap din, sana’y dumami ang bumalik

Sa piling ng Diyos, para sa buhay na maaliwalas at tahimik.

Mangarap lang tayo, ito naman ay libre, walang kabayaran

Sa masayang pangarap ang magulong iniisip ay ating palitan

Mahirap kasing sa kaiisip natin ng problemang ubod ng bigat

Baka maikling pisi ng katinuan ay bumigay, dahil ‘di ito sapat!

On the Philippines’ Desire in Hosting International Events

On the Philippines’ Desire in

Hosting International Events

By Apolinario Villalobos

The arrogance of the Philippine government is such that it does not think twice before offering the country as host to an international event despite inadequacies that made up reports about its progress and speeches cannot hide.

The latest issue on the attempted hosting is the failed bid of the country for the FIBA tournament which China got hands down. Not even a Manny Pacquiao or a Lou Diamond Philip was able to help sway the decision of the panel in favor of the Philippines, the wooing strategy of which was pitifully hinged on the Filipinos’ traits, hospitality, tourist attractions. China simply showed the hi-tech airport, venues and absence of traffic. So without much ado, China got it!

The Philippine government must accept the fact that the country has many inadequacies though they cannot stop us from being proud as Filipinos for having beautiful beaches and other tourist attractions. But progress is not just about having beautiful countryside, caves, mountains, etc. We should stop pretending that we are on the same level with China, Japan, and even our neighboring Southeast Asian countries. I am just being honest. We should acknowledge our inadequacies and work on how they can be transformed into plus factors. Unfortunately, the government is so corrupt that even if the people are willing to do their share, their effort becomes futile.

Of what use is hosting international events, if majority of the population is wallowing in almost all kinds of misery? How can we be proud of the crowded premier airports of Manila? How can we be proud of the slums that the tourists see along the way to their hotels from the airport? How can we be proud of the perpetual traffic along all thoroughfares of Manila and even major cities of the country? How can we be proud of the shameful and antiquated mass transit systems? How can we be proud of the opportunistic taxi drivers at the airport terminals of Manila? How can we be proud of the waterways that overflow with garbage resulting to floods even during a short rainfall? How can the Filipinos be proud of their government’s habit to borrow money and spend some of it in hosting international events, instead of their basic needs?

The government should stop this kind of arrogance as it just emphasizes the sickening corruption that eats up its system! It must wake up from daydreaming and bravely face the hurting reality! Hosting international “lively” events cannot hide its failures if that is its objective.

Dreams and Premonitions

Dreams and Premonitions

By Apolinario Villalobos

I have second thoughts about sharing the following experiences as their absurdities shall definitely make a bad impression on the state of my mind. I am taking the risk anyway, with a hope that others have similar experiences, so that I will finally free myself from the nagging thought that I am alone in this weird situation.

When I was about six years old, while playing at the town plaza, just across the street from our house, I saw a guy giving something to my elder sister who was standing outside our gate. Suddenly the face of another elder sister who was in Manila in the care of our aunt entered my mind. My familiarity with her was limited to the picture hung on our wall, in which she was wearing the “mestiza” dress that she modeled for a fashion school in our town. She went to Manila while I was much younger, then. When I went home for a drink, I found everybody crying – my elder sister in Manila was dead, and what was handed to my other elder sister by the guy was a telegram.

Still on that same year, when I and my younger sister were left at home, I saw a long-haired lady in our dining area who was smiling while staring at me. I was not afraid as I thought she was one of our relatives sent by our parents to check on us. As she turned to go inside a small room where dirty clothes for washing were kept, she suddenly vanished into thin air.

When I started going to school, I usually wake up to a light and cold touch every dawn, and as I turn to check who did it, I would find the same long-haired lady who then, would leave the room as I opened my eyes, just in time to see her vanish while going out the door. I would then, check my brothers who soundly slept with me in the same room. On a table in the corner of our room was a small kerosene lamp that was kept lighted the whole night.

When I was in Grade Six, I dreamed about old folks with unfamiliar faces and with them was my father who was sick during the time. A month later, he died. Months after, when I was in first year high school, I dreamed that I was talking to him, innocently asking him why he was still around, to which he answered that he missed us, adding still that he was waiting for someone. My mother during the time was also sick. One afternoon, while I was on my way home from school, I suddenly felt sick and weak.  As I entered our gate, I found many neighbors in our yard, with some of them crying. When I went up our house, I saw my mother lying on the bed in our sala – dead!

When I was in third year college, I always dreamed that I was working on a typewriter. During the time, I was a student assistant in our school and my job was to clean the rooms of the elementary department, as well as, its grounds. Before the end of the first semester I was called to the Mayor’s office where a guy told me that he was interested in hiring me based on the recommendation of the people he asked at the town hall. He was Mr. Claudio Estante who just opened the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) Office in our town. On the spot, I accepted the job but with a request that I be made to report only on Saturdays and Sundays during which I would be free from my classes, but with a promise to work till late in the evening. He consented so that from then on, I worked in the office finalizing lists of evacuees, pounding their names on the keyboard of the typewriter using my forefingers and thumbs. Later, together with a few of my classmates, I learned the rudiments of “real” typing from Mrs. Emma Jamorabon who patiently taught us the skill in the Conference Room of our school, as an optional subject for our Bachelor of Arts course.

Two months before my graduation from college, a guy from Koronadal, a neighboring town, visited his friend, Tito Esoy, who was my officemate in DSW. The PAL guy was Virgilio Manocdoc, who was connected with General Santos station. Jokingly, I asked if there was a vacancy to which I received a hanging reply. From then on, I kept on dreaming about the PAL guy who seemed to be giving me instructions. Three weeks before my graduation, he sent me a telegram saying that I must report for an interview the following day which was a Saturday. I immediately sought the permission of our boss at DSW, and the following day I left for the PAL office in General Santos City, where I was interviewed by the then, Supervisor, Mr. Francisco Abiera and his assistant, Mr. Maning Vega. Four of us, with me at the last line of interviewees, bested the more than 80 applicants.

I again dreamed that I was going up the stairs of an airplane and was waving to a long-haired lady who was among the crowd outside the fence of the runway. Just days after our graduation which I did not attend, I passed the PAL senior panel interview in Davao City, conducted by Mr. James Hannen, the Mindanao Area Director, Mr. Ricardo Paloma, Regional VP, and Mr. Ed Guatelara, Supervisor of Standards and Coordinations who came all the way from Manila. The following day, I was sent together with three others to Manila for our medical check- up and training. In my small bag were two extra shirts, three underwear, two denim pants, and a toothbrush. I was in the company of Boy Asistido, Fred Derequito, and Abet Yu. We were escorted by the late, Bud Aseoche, a supervisor of Davao station.

Many years later, while I was driving along a highway in Cavite, I saw a truck speeding towards me on my lane. I panicked and turned the wheel suddenly. I saw nothing for a few seconds after that, and when I recovered my senses, I found myself still clinging to the wheel – unhurt, but my wristwatch and shoes found their way to the passenger’s seat behind me. I was told later by bystanders that the car with me inside, turned turtle in mid-air and was thrown 6 meters away from the highway, landing upright in a rice field with knee-deep muddy water, so they thought I was dead. In front of me, I found the rosary which Celso Dapo gave me as a present from Holy Land still swinging from where I hung it. That rosary had a “defect” for having an extra bead in one of its decade – for one extra Hail Mary. The beads were made of olive wood. I gave the rosary to an old woman I befriended in Divisoria, and whose job was a “barker/dispatcher” in a jeepney terminal. Any of the parked jeepneys became her “sleeping quarter” at night. I gave the rosary to the old woman, with a hope that it would protect her, too.

Four times lately, I dreamed about a big cross tumbling down a hill. Another dream is about big ocean waves that deface an island causing coconut trees to topple down. There are many more dreams that even give me chills as I wake up heavily sweating, and which I find unpleasant to share….or, perhaps, some other time, just to unburden me of such thoughts.

Ang Ulap at Pangarap

Ang  Ulap at Pangarap

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Sa kalawakan, nakakatuwa silang masdan

Lumulutang, animo bulak, iba’t- ibang anyo

Sa isang iglap ay napakabilis ng pagbabago

Bigay ay ligaya sa nakakaramdan ng siphayo.

Sa kalawakang maaliwalas at kulay bughaw

Animo ay mga gasa at mangilan-ngilan lang

Kaya’t sa kanilang kalat-kalat na kanipisan –

Langit ay mistulang hubad kung pagmasdan.

Mga puting ulap, minsan ay nagkukulay abo

Badya ay masamang panahon, bagyo’t ulan

Sa kapal, kalawakan nama’y nalalambungan

Na nagdudulot ng pagkulimlim sa kalupaan.

Ganyan din ang buhay, mayroong mga ulap –

Sila’y pangarap, maraming hugis, kaaya-aya

Silang sa buhay natin, ang dulot ay pag-asa

At sa bawa’t tao, mga hugis nila ay magkaiba.

Subali’t kung mamalasin ang isang nangarap

Ang magandang hugis nito’t kulay ay nag-iiba

Nagiging abo, nalulusaw, hanggang mawala –

Na sa kalooban ng iba, ang dulot ay panghihina.

Subali’t hindi dapat manimdim ang nakaranas

Dahil may kasabihang sa kabila nitong mga ulap

Ay may pag-asang nakalaan para sa ating lahat –

Basta magtiyaga upang matamo ang pangarap!