The Indefatigable Esperanza (Inday) Hilado …friend, sister, mother, secretary, Sales Executive

The Indefatigable Esperanza (Inday) Hilado

…friend, sister, mother, secretary, Sales Executive

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

For most people who know her, she was “Inday”, although, her other nickname was “Pancing”. She was a centenarian, having reached the age of 100 years last July 22, 2015, for which she was honored with a certificate given by the Quezon City government.  She died peacefully just when 2015 was bidding 2016 goodbye, particularly on January 14, at exactly, 11:15 AM. The tragic information that I received came from Gel Lagman and Mona Caburian-Pecson, former colleagues in Philippine Airlines.

 

Inday came from the well-to-do clans of Fontanilla and Hilado of Negros Occidental in the Visayas region of the Philippines. Her parents were Paz Fontanillla and Ignacio Hilado, and she came third in a brood of seven, such as, Clarita, Florita, Hermenia, Gloria, Enrique and Godofredo. Inday chose to stay single her whole life.

 

According to Tessie, Inday’s niece, who at 74, looks more like a little more than 50, she immediately came home when informed about the demise of her aunt, as she knew that with her were only her trusted caretakers, Rudy Lopez and his wife,  Muding (Modesta). Rudy was her loyal driver since 1975, and got married in 1992 to Muding who in no time treated the former like her own mother. Since the first day of her arrival, Tessie practically did everything with the help of her assistants that she brought from America, as well as, Rudy and Muding.

 

My fondest memory of Inday was our working together as part of the International Sales-Philippines (ISP) Team of Philippine Airlines (PAL) based at the S&L Building along Roxas Boulevard, in Ermita, Manila. We were under Rene Ocampo and later, Archie Lacson, as the Regional Vice-President of the Philippines and Guam Region. However, due to our well-defined function as members of the Sales Team, we were directly under Dave Lim, Assistant Vice-President of the ISP. Inday was handling the special account of manning agencies for seafarers and despite her age, being the most senior in the team, she proved to be just very effective. She reported to the office before eight in the morning, prepared her itinerary for the day and persistently made follow ups on previously requested bookings for her clients. I also used to help her with her weekly and monthly sales reports by typing them for her. She even stayed late when there were social functions to fete our clients, particularly, the travel agents and manning agencies.

 

The job of Inday was very critical as PAL fares were comparably higher than those offered by the other airlines for the seafaring segment of the airline industry. But motherly insistence and affectionate cajoling of travel agents worked almost all the time. To show her gratitude to her clients, during Christmas she would give them her own personally-purchased gifts, aside from the standard “give-away” items from our office that included calendars. Being in-charge of the Region’s administration, I would give her extra calendars and “give-away” items.

 

We were close to each other, such that we sat side by side during most of our Monday Sales Meeting. It was this literal closeness that gave her the opportunity to offer me her share of snacks served during the meeting. She was also very conscious about her health, as she ate only small portions of food during mealtime at the canteen. One time, however, during a party, I admonished her for eating plenty of “lechon” (roasted pig).

 

A terpsichorean in her own right, she would sashay with graceful cha-cha and tango moves around the dance floor during our parties. She admitted to me though, that she was really fond of ballroom dancing, and even confided the information about the pre-war public dances that she attended at Luneta (Rizal Park) every December, when she was young. Her love for life could have given her the vigor that kept her going even at an age beyond seventy which was the last time I saw her when I left Philippine Airlines.

 

Inday may no longer be around, but she left a legacy founded on love, as well as, diligence and dedication to job. She was unquestionably unselfish and indefatigable in many ways. She also proved that goodwill indeed works, as her staying “single” did not deprive her of families because of her altruistic ways. She had her colleagues in PAL, and who gave her love in return for her motherly and sisterly affection….they, who have become her family until she left the company. Rudy Kong whom she served with utmost loyalty as secretary in PAL, took her in as part of his own company when she finally left the airline. She also had Rudy Lopez, her loyal driver, and his wife, Muding, who stood by her side till she drew her last breathe. She loved them all, and they all loved her… and, just as what the popular adage says… love begets love.

 

 

Mga Lubak at iba pa…sa Tuwid na Daan

Mga Lubak at iba pa…sa Tuwid na Daan

ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Maihahalintulad ang buhay sa binabagtas na daan

Maaring ito ay tuwid, liku-liko, paahon o palusong

Sa araw-araw nating pamumuhay sa mundong ito

Bumabagtas tayo ng daan…hindi alam saan patungo.

 

Sa pakikibaka sa buhay ay para rin tayong tumatahak

Ng daan na hindi lang baku-bako dahil sa mga lubak

Marami ring mga sagabal – mga bato at minsa’y tinik

Na kung di maiwasa’y magdudulot ng sugat…masakit.

 

Kung minsan naman, ang daang tinatahak ay liku-liko

Para ring buhay na maraming dinadaanang pagsubok

Kung minsan ay mga pasakit na pabigat sa ating balikat

Na kailangang tiising pasanin, kahi’t dusa ang kaakibat.

 

Minsan nang may taong nag-anyaya, samahan daw siya

Sa pagbagtas sa tuwid na daa’t sinabi pa niyang nakangiti

Pangako’y puno ng kaginhawahan sa buhay, animo totoo

Subali’t kalauna’y nabatid, daa’y may lambong na siphayo!

 

Ang daa’y diretso nga, nguni’t tadtad naman ng mga lubak

Marami ring bato, tinik ng mga damo, ipot, at kung ano pa

Marami na ngang sagabal, umaalingasaw pa sa kabantutan

Kaya sa pagbagtas nitong daan daw niya, sinong gaganahan?

 

Hindi na lang sana siya nangako, dahil lahat ng daa’y masukal

Maraming sagabal dahil ito ay parang buhay, hindi matiwasay

Upang makaraos, depende na sa pagkapursigido ng isang tao

Kaya, kung Diyos nga ay hindi nangangako ng tuwid na daan –

…ito pa kayang isang tao na wala pang napatunayan?

 

Ang Isyu sa Dagdag-Pensiyon at si Binay…kung suwertihin nga naman!

Ang Isyu sa Dagdag-Pensiyon at si Binay

…kung suwertehin nga naman!

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Ngayo’y may taong masaya, abot tenga ang ngiti

Dahil umaayon ang mga pagkakataon sa kanya

Hindi man siya mag-ingay o magsalita sa radyo

Tiyak lilipat ang pansin sa kanya ng mga Pilipino.

 

Ang kay tagal inasam-asam na dagdag sa pensiyon

Pag-asang hinintay at kung ilang taong pinagdasal

Na sana ay makamit dahil ito nga ay napakahalaga

Subali’t sa isang pirma lang ito ay nalusaw – nawala!

 

Si Binay ay napakasaya, si Mar nama’y natataranta

Paulit-ulit man niyang banggitin ang “daang matuwid”

Kulelat pa rin kaya nahihilo’t walang malamang gawin

Dahil mga Pilipino… sa kanya ay hindi na pumapansin!

 

Bakit o bakit, hindi man lang ito naisip ng isang tao –

Na patung-patong na ang mga kapalpakang ginawa?

Ang maliit na halagang ipinagkait sa mga pensiyonado-

Ay magiging bangungot at laging nakabuntot na multo!

 

Nakalimutan ba nila na ang alas ni Binay ay mga senyor?

Nakalimutan ba nilang may free birthday cake sa Makati?

At ito ay ibinibigay sa mga senior citizen tuwing bertdey?

Ngayon, sino baga ang naalimpungatan….?

Eh, di si Mar at may-akda ng “tuwid na daan”!

 

Ang “Taga-akay” ng Barangay Real 2, Bacoor…Jun Kamatoy

Ang “Taga-akay” ng Barangay Real 2, Bacoor
…Jun Kamatoy
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Isa siyang retiradong manager ng Philippine Airlines. Subali’t bago siya umangat sa puwestong nabanggit ay marami din siyang nilusutang mga pagsubok. Ang kanya namang ama ay isa sa mga mga naunang mekaniko ng nasabing airline. Dahil halos sapat lang sa mga pangunahing panganailangan ng pamilya ang kinikita ng kanyang ama, silang magkakapatid ay napilitang gumawa ng paraan upang makapagpatuloy ng kanilang pag-aaral.

Ang unang trabaho ni Jun sa Philippine Airlines ay sa departamento ng Catering. Napasabak siya sa mga trabaho sa kusina bilang katulong ng mga chef. Dahil sa pagtitiyaga ay nalipat si Jun sa ibang trabaho hanggang makarating sa Flight Operations, kung saan ay nagkaroon ng responsibilidad sa paggawa ng iskedyul ng mga Flight Attendants, piloto, at mismong mga eroplano. Hindi kalaunan ay naging manager siya sa nasabing Departamento, hanggang sa abutin siya dito ng retirement.

Nang mapatira sa Perpetual Village 5 ng Barangay Real 2, sa lunsod ng Bacoor, napansin agad ang hindi niya pagiging palakibo. Matipid sa salita subalit hindi nagkulang sa pakisama, na animo ay nananantiya o nakikiramdam sa bago niyang komunidad. Nang maging kampante, napahinuhod siyang maging presidente ng Homeowners’ Association. Naging aktibo rin siyang maging Lay Minister ng simbahan ng parukya ng San Martin de Porres at miyembro ng Crusaders of the Holy Face of Jesus, kasama ang kanyang asawa.

Lingid sa kaalaman ng kanyang mga kaibigan, may mga unti-unting naaakay si Jun tungo sa landas na kanyang tinatahak. Ang isa sa kanila ay may sakit na epilepsy at madalas hindi maunawaan ng mga kapitbahay dahil naging bugnutin at naging mapili ng pinagkakatiwalaan. Dahil sa sakit na epilepsy, kung minsan ay basta na lang ito nahihilo at natutumba. At dahil sa kalagayan ay madalas na lang din itong mag-isa sa pag-alala na baka abutin ng pagkahilo sa mga alanganing lugar.

Hindi inalintana ni Jun Kamatoy ang mga hadlang sa kanyang balak na bandang huli ay naging matagumpay dahil sa pamamagitan niya ay nabigyan ng pagkakataon ang inaakay niyang tao upang maging isang Lay Minister. Sa tuwa ng mga nakaalam, may mga nagbigay sa inaakay na tao, ng mga kailangang itim na pantalon, puting damit, at sapatos. Nitong huling mga araw halos hindi na inaatake ang nasabing tao ng epilepsy, at dahil natuwa sa mga pangyayari ang mga kapitbahay, tinatawag nila ito kung may ipapagawa sa kanilang bahay.

Ang isa pang inakay ni Jun Kamatoy ay barkada niya na dina-dialysis sa kasalukuyan. Matagal na panahon ding hindi nakakapagsimba ang nasabing tao. Subalit marami pa rin ang nakaalala na ang taong ito at ang kanyang asawa ang nag-donate ng isang religious item na ginagamit sa chapel ng Real 2. May isa silang kabarkada na naging pastor ng born again Christian group, subalit nabigong magpabago sa sinasabi kong taong nalihis ang landas. Nang si Jun Kamatoy na ang sumubok sa pag-akay, buong pagpakumbabang nakinig sa kanya ang kanyang barkada.

Si Jun Kamatoy ay nagpapagaling din sa sakit na kanser sa colon…stage four. Inoperahan siya upang matanggal ang tumor. Dahil positibo ang kanyang pananaw at hindi pinanghinaan ng loob, marami ang nakakapansing mabilis ang kanyang paggaling. Subali’t para kay Jun, may sakit man siya o wala, nagpapagaling man o hindi, tuloy pa rin ang paghanap niya ng mga taong maaakay niya patungo sa tamang daan. At, sa kabila ng kanyang sitwasyon, umako rin siya ng responsibilidad bilang Auditor ng Seniors Citizens organization ng Barangay Real 2.

Sana marami pang tao, Katoliko man o hindi ang tumulad sa kanya.

The “tapok-tapok” sa Davao 2015 (02 February 2015)

The Tapok-tapok sa Davao 2015 ( 02February 2015)
By Apolinario Villalobos

After three absences from the reunions, I finally made it when it was scheduled at daytime. I was having second thoughts about attending until I took a flight to Davao six days before the event. Of all people, Tita Manabat was my seatmate on the flight! Because of long absence of contact, we had an animated conversation about the last reunion that I attended held at the North Palm Hotel and Garden in Lanang. She resolutely reminded me about the February 2 “tapok” at the residence of Boy Jolampong.

Being excited, I was the first to arrive at the venue, exactly at 1:20 PM, although the schedule was at 2PM. The comfortable venue was the family’s gym on the second floor. The humble host, Boy Jolampong was assisted by his mestiza and pretty wife, Beth and daughter. As if the Almighty was happy about the eventful day’s “tapok”, it was blessed with intermittent drizzle.

Before 3PM, the Mindanao PALers who filled the gym were James Hannen, Deo Escarilla who came with his wife Vilma, Art Balaga, Tita Manabat, Bernie Fernandez, Delfin and Minda Talattad, Horace Abear, Vic Ruperto, Nonoy Banzuelo, Sonny Cruz, Jun Dizon, Joe Jimenez, and Amading Solistrino. Some retirees who initially confirmed their coming and really tried their best to attend but failed due to unavoidable circumstances were Atty. Doming Duerme who got stranded at M’lang, Bong Velasco, Punay and Phraim Fernandez, as well as, Ludy Bagares and Archie Batu who were both on duty at the airport. As expected, the stars of the show because of their jokes were Horace Abear, Sonny Cruz, Art Balaga and Deo Escarilla.

Incindentally, the reunion was made more significant because of the birthday of the two members – Ding Talattad (February 1) and the host, Boy Jolampong, though belated (January 26).

The PALers, as usual are thankful to the selfless effort of Deo Escarilla in coordinating among the members and as always, too, the spirit behind the reunion events. It has been his advocacy aside from being an active text evangelist. He is ably supported literally, by his pretty and ever smiling wife Vilma who also acts as the photographer.

(Note: “tapok-tapok” is the Visayan word for “get together” or “reunion”)

The Hopeless Saving Effort of the Poor Filipinos

The Hopeless Saving Effort of the Poor Filipinos
By Apolinario Villalobos

The Philippines as a country that belongs to the third world, has nothing to be proud of when it comes to the self-sufficiency of its people. There are strong indications that the Filipinos are far from gaining just a foothold on the edge of this aspiration. While there is an effort on the part of some hardworking Filipinos to become self-made entrepreneur even of the lowest category, external factors are just not on their side. The best investment that a few thousand pesos can give to the aspirant is a round and flat bamboo tray (bilao) of girlie accessories. The aspiring entrepreneur is also constantly haunted by sidewalk clearing agents of the government who drive him away from roadsides and street corners, and whose effort is enhanced by the threat of fine or arrest. The few pesos earned for the day is not even enough to buy three decent meals for a family of four which is the standard size of the Filipino family.

With small-time entrepreneurship out of question, here comes the encouragement of the government to save money in the bank. Some banks even entice kids to start their own savings purportedly, for a “bright future”. In advertisement, the call is very attractive, full of promises. The banks also zero-in to the sector of retirees to-be because of their separation pays in lump sum that sometimes amount to millions of pesos. Lucky are those who bit the bait five or more years ago due to sufficient return in interest , because, today, such topic does not deserve any serious discussion for lack of financial luster.

Today, if one puts a million pesos in a time deposit scheme of five years, it will not even earn one thousand pesos per month. As if the dismal interest is not enough, bank managers, exert much effort in selling the insurance programs of “sister” insurance companies which do not allow approration of dividend. The client must wait until the placement matures after three years or five years or whatever length of coverage.

For the retirees who have been looking forward to live on their savings’ interest in the bank,it is as if the world has closed in on them. A retiree cannot even rely on the interest of a five- million peso time deposit that was long-planned to be used to buy health supplements and regular physical check- ups.Worst, the social security pension, especially, of those who belong to the minimum level is barely enough to cover monthly household expenses.

The poor retiree is left with no recourse, but to spend the hard-earned savings with much cautious calculation so that they will last until the dayhe draws his last breath.