By virtue of being the first one to review and edit the blog articles, I somehow, am able to really understand each batch mate featured on the blog.  I try my best to put myself in the position of the batch mate and imagine what it is that he or she wants to convey in his/her blog article.

There are times when I had to ask the batch mate if she or he would really want to reveal a particular incident or information in the blog or maybe there is a need for rewriting a certain portion of the blog article. I want to be sure that the blog is being true to the batch mates’ innermost feelings and sentiments. The blog is after all, envisioned to reflect the authentic selves of the batch mates and acceptance, understanding and humor come in along the way.

All the featured batch mates have proven to be open, honest and not at all difficult to deal with. Similar to our batch mate who we are featuring in this blog – Elisa Dimaano-Gutierrez. But more than that, Elisa’s blog is a breakthrough as it aims to speak to those of us whom we have not heard from but from whom much can be learned from.

Elisa is presently an Associate Dean of the College of Engineering, Architecture, Fine Arts and Computing Sciences (CEAFACS) of the Batangas State University (BSU). She is a Chemical Engineer, a mother of three and an active member of the church.

Elisa observes that many of us may not know her name but many also would remember her face. And it is also true, not only of Elisa but for majority of us.

Even after our grand reunion, and with our advancing, or maturing years, the same observation holds true. We may not know all the names of the batch mates but we certainly remember each others’ faces. And upon seeing each other, there is that instant recognition and the ever ready smile. Although sometimes, we hesitate or look away yet in our mind there is already that familiarity.

Reunions are generally, happy events but there would always be a pause for questions and a reluctance to reconnect. All the more reason why we need an Elisa Dimaano-Gutierrez in our midst. For she reminds us that despite the challenges of reuniting with batch mates, the immeasurable gains certainly far outweigh the oftentimes, imaginary losses.

Rosario Brenda Gonzalez

Losing her mother at an early age, she grew up in a typical Batangas village and graduated in a public school for her elementary education. Going to Saint Bridget College looked daunting but eventually she grew to enjoy the experience with her newfound friends.

Grounded in Christian values and in the belief of the importance of integrity and character, Elisa shows us what really matters in life. She practices what she preaches through her devotion to her family, her passion for teaching and her commitment to the Lord.

Below, Elisa opens up and shares with us valuable life lessons.

The person who really encouraged me to be a part of this SBC Batch ‘80 Blog is my former classmate and president of IV-Matapat – Rosario Brenda Gonzalez. During the batch’s grand reunion last May 29, I saw her holding the ring-bounded compilation (I still have it, Brenda) of the 14 blogs of our batchmates.

I consider myself a “nobody” compared to the rest of the batch who have posted their blogs here. In fact, I think that many of the members of the batch do not know me by name (by face maybe) but through this, I want to be an encouragement to the rest of the group who may also consider themselves as “unpopular” to share their stories here.

Name: ELISA DIMAANO GUTIERREZ
Age: 46
Civil Status: MARRIED
Address: SOROSORO IBABA, BATANGAS CITY
Occupation: COLLEGE PROFESSOR

I. Family

My husband is an architect by profession and he worked in the Middle East when we were not yet married. Considered to be both late-bloomers, we got married when he was 35 and I was 31 years old. (Thanks to our biological clock that still permitted us to have 3 children!)

My husband now has a small piggery and transport business. We have vans for hire.

Our three children are still young. Venus Abigail, my eldest will turn 14 this coming December. Although very shy, she excels in Mathematics (like his father) and has won several local and regional Math quiz bees. My only son Miko, a fifth grader who’s now 10 years old is not so academically-inclined like his Ate.

My boy, Miko loves to play volleyball and he really loves pets. He has a dog, chicks and birds at home. Miko is indeed blessed by God to have a normal life after having a heart surgery when he was only two years old.

Mikay, my bunso is the complete opposite of her Ate. She’s very friendly, really a “kikay” who loves to act (she always mimic the TV character Agua Bendita) and wears fashionable clothes. Because of these traits everybody in her school knows her.

My children are all enrolled at our church-owned school, the Sovereign Shepherd School of Values and Learning which are just a few meters away from our house.

II. Educational Background

Where Graduated:

1. Elementary : SOROSORO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2. High School : SBC

3. College: FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY (FEU)

Course: BS CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Post graduate (if any): MS IN CHEMISTRY (ADAMSON UNIVERSITY)
DOCTOR OF TECHNOLOGY (candidate) (BATANGAS STATE
UNIVERSITY)

III. Favorites:

I love Barry Manilow and his songs especially “I Made It Through The Rain” because I can relate its message to my life. I equally like The Carpenters and their music. I also go for gospel songs and gospel singers like Sandi Patti and Josh Groban. I do appreciate the lyrics and music of the song “Who Am I’ by Casting Crowns because it shows our unworthiness in the sight of God and it also emphasizes the shortness of our life here on earth.

For local singers, just recently, I discovered that there is a young Batangueno who really has a great singing voice — Jovit Baldivino. He’s also my husband’s favorite.

At this age, I’m no longer fond of actors and actresses and I don’t watch movies, so I can’t tell which one is a good movie or not.

IV. Personal Interests and Hobbies

I’m not a very good singer and writer (not as good as Sheila Mendez and Brenda Gonzalez!) but I do love to sing and write. I used to be a member of our church choir during my younger years. I only stopped when I became a mother because my schedule no longer allowed me to do so.

I was a member of the Sinag Scriptwriting Committee (remember that?) during my junior and senior years in high school. Some of the scripts I wrote were aired in the school’s radio program at DWAM.

My passion for writing did not stop there. At the age of 30, I was still single at that time, I had a chance to be a part of the Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC) newsletter, SIDCIKAT. I have been its news editor for the past 16 years.

SIDC is one of the most awarded cooperatives in the country and I am proud to be a part of such an institution.

V. On Childhood to Adolescence

I am still living at Sorosoro Ibaba where I spent my growing up years. It is one of Batangas City’s barangays. A typical barrio, Sorosoro Ibaba can also be considered as urbanized. It has big houses and buildings, a lot of commercial establishments and one can buy almost everything in the place even without going to the town proper.

I completed my elementary education from a public school in Sorosoro. Maybe, that is the reason why I had a sort of culture shock when I first entered the gates of St. Bridget’s College. So shy and a typical taga-bukid at that time, I simply did not know how to get along with classmates who are mostly Bridgetines since elementary. Because of this, I didn’t enjoy my first few months at St Bridget’s.

But as months passed by, I met new friends like Recy Luna, Susan Chavez, Chona Escarez, Elsa In, Lilibeth Arceo and some more. I remember those days when I used to hang out at Lilibeth’s place because their house is just along M.H del Pilar, a few meters away from school.

Who could also forget the CAT days? The coming of Fridays always scares me because this means that I’ll be again asked by the CAT officer then, Reynita Ramos to squat because of lousy marching. Hu! Hu! Hu!. Really hate those days.

When it comes to high school teachers, during my first year, Ms. Zenaida (Sanny) Mendoza, my Math 1 teacher made me cry because I was really scared of her for reasons that I do not know. These memories make me smile especially when I share these to Ma’am Sanny since we’re now employed in the same university.

And who’s not afraid of Ms. Dudas who made her Chemistry students memorize all the elements’ symbols? I didn’t even imagine myself to be in the same boat because I’m now asking my students to do the same. Ha! Ha! Ha!

And who will not love Ms. Daisy Macalalad, the very kind and soft-spoken Filipino teacher? Do you know that his son who is now an engineer was my student in Chemistry?

Based on my experience of being a mentor and educator, I can advise young people not to be so shy (I used to tell this to my daughter) but try to develop their inward character. To succeed it’s not too important that you are very intelligent or really smart, what’s more important is the character and integrity that one must possess. Teachers should not scare their students but they should encourage them to excel in their own fields and be the role-model for them

VI. On the Trying Twenties to the Roaring Thirties to Mid-Life

After my BS Chemical Engineering course at FEU in 1986, I immediately applied for a teaching job at Lyceum of Batangas. Belma Almario, a former classmate was teaching then in that school. But Lyceum didn’t hire me because they told me to pass the board exam first.

After passing the board exam in 1987, I got employed in a semi-conductor company in Las Pinas as a quality control staff. I remember, I was working then in shifts and after my graveyard shift (10 pm-6 am) I would still proceed to Adamson University to pursue my MS in Chemistry so that I can go back to the academe to teach. Teaching really runs in my blood so after four and a half years of working in a company, I went back to Batangas and reapplied at Lyceum of Batangas where I taught Chemistry for seven years.

Still in the academe, I’m now connected with Batangas State University, formerly Pablo Borbon Memorial Institute of Technology. I’m the Associate Dean of the College of Engineering, Architecture, Fine Arts and Computing Sciences (CEAFACS) and concurrently the Chairman of the Chemical and Food Engineering Department. It is such a tough job because CEFACS is the biggest college of the university and engineering is actually its flagship program.

I still have a regular teaching load of nine (9) hours a week and I really have to manage my time as a professor, an administrator, a wife and the toughest role of all — as a mother of three. With God-given wisdom and help — although really very hard — my greatest fulfillment at the end of a tiring day after all the duties in school is to see my children tucked in their bedrooms, all sleeping soundly.

Ten years from now, I’ll be 56 years old, I think I am still connected with BSU since I’ve decided to grow old in this university. Maybe, by that time, my two children have finished their studies and motherhood will require less pressure than now. I can spend more time in the activities of our church like visitation and discipleship — things that I really love to do if time and schedule would permit.

I would like to be remembered as a woman who loved the Lord, a mother who cared for her children, a wife who supported her husband and a teacher who guided her students to the right path of life.

Optional

1. Is there any single personal relationship in your life (relationship with your spouse, relationship with your parent, relationship with your mentor, relationship with your sibling, relationship with your child, relationship with your best friend) that you would like to share? How did this personal relationship contributed to your development as a person? Or how did this challenged you to perform better in work or to be a better father, mother etc?

If there’s any single personal relationship that I have that is most influential, it’s my personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I came to know HIM in a more personal way during my fourth year in college in a bible study where somebody shared to me that salvation or going to heaven can only be achieved by trusting the Lord Jesus Christ and accepting HIM as my Lord and Saviour. Being raised in a Catholic home and having studied in a sectarian school, I thought all the while that it is already a passport of going to heaven. But as the bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you are saved through faith, not of yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, lest anyone should boast”. Through a simple prayer of acceptance — accepting that I am a sinner that needs forgiveness, I entrusted my life to HIM and made the Lord the center of my life.

Since then, my life has never been the same. My priorities and perspective about life totally changed. I now have a kingdom mentality — which everything here on earth will pass away, everything that we have is temporal and what we should really prepare for is life after death.

2. Do you believe in mid-life crisis? How did you address this crisis? What lessons did you learn from this experience?

I don’t believe in mid-life crisis but let’s admit the fact that as we grow older, our likes and dislikes as well as our physical well-being change. My only struggle in getting old is my health. Unlike in my younger years wherein I can stay awake even till one in the morning and be active and work the whole day even without taking a nap – these things I could no longer afford to do now. I’m already maintaining an anti-hypertensive drug and I have to lessen stressful activities.

VII. On Parenting

1. How do you describe yourself as a parent?

I consider myself neither a very strict nor a very lax mother. With young ages of 14, 10 and 7, I’m really trying my best to instill in my children Christian values like attending to their Sunday school classes, respect for the elderly and to their classmates as well and above all — to be God-fearing. But I noticed that the young generation is much different from the young people in our times. Children now are dependent on their parents, too much hooked on computers and the strong family ties are gradually being diminished.

Being a parent is easy, but being a good parent is not. It’s even harder than the daily task we have to do in our respective work. We have to exert our utmost effort to be able to rear our children the way they should be. Even if we become successful maybe in all other undertakings but if we fail as parents, then all our accomplishments will be in vain.

VIII. Write a short essay on anything you want to say about yourself.

(Below is an excerpt from a brief personal history written by Elisa.)

“I was barely two years old when a big problem came to our family. My mother had an intense back pain which progressed as days and months passed by. My parents consulted three doctors in Batangas but they kept on saying that it is an ordinary back pain caused by temperature change (lamig at init). Still, the pain continued for almost two years. A neighbor then suggested that we consult a doctor in Manila.

It was April of 1968 when four surgeons from Orthopedic Medical Center diagnosed my mother’s ailment to be bone tuberculosis. After a series of examination, a major operation was called for. She was taken to the operating room at around 8:45 am and after nine hours, the surgeons brought the sad news that my mother was not able to survive the operation. She died on July 13, 1968 at the age of 37 when I was only four years old.

That death has never been easy for us in the family. My father was only 42 years old, my eldest sister was 20, my elder brother was 16 and my older brother was 11. But through God’s grace, and with all of us helping one another, we were all able to finish our studies”.

Elisa Dimaano-Gutierrez

Elisa with her family: (left to right) Romy, Miko,Venus and Micah

The SBC Batch ’80 Blog started as an experimental project that is supposed to last for six months – December 2009 to May 2010. It merely wanted to drum up interest for the Batch ’80 Grand Reunion of May 2010. Since the Blog team members have committed to continue working on it, it was decided that the Blog can regularly come out again, but this time, every two months, instead of its monthly run.
Although majority of the batch mates remain hesitant to submit their answers to our Blog questionnaire, we believe that this is not an indicator of the lack of necessity for the Blog. On the contrary, we have received positive feedback on how batch mates came to have a better understanding of each other after reading the stories featured in the Blog. Many batch mates are also silently working on their answers to the Blog questionnaire and have explained to us that, not being writers; it is taking them awhile to complete their Blog articles or their answers to the Blog questionnaire. Still, two batch mates, Ester Dimayuga and Elisa Dimaano-Gutierrez are currently working on their answers to our questionnaire. We await their answers with much excitement.
The Blog has also evolved in a way when it started coming out with articles that are not limited to answers to the Blog questionnaire. It has featured an article on the nature of Philippine elections as well as an insider’s view of the Office of the President. One batch mate observed that this would make the Blog even more relevant to the times.
In the coming months, the Blog is poised to renew its original intent of preparing the way for our batch reunion in 2013. It has so far featured 14 batch mates and there is no reason why it can’t do the same for the remaining more than 200 other batch mates. Another suggestion that has been floated around is to put in book form the contents of our Blog. After all, we also did come out with a printed version of the Blog during our Grand Reunion. But only if we have completed the articles of all the 257 batch mates!
In the meantime, we continue to come up with other interesting and relevant articles in the Blog. One of these is this issue’s feature on Sr. Elenita Belardo, RGS. Sr. Elen personifies another face of the RGS sisters which is seldom known to us – the nun who tries to immerse herself on the lives of the poorest of our brethren. As National Coordinator of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, Sr. Elen works alongside the landless farmers and agricultural workers, fisher folk and indigenous peoples. Her life and story as well as the other RGS sisters, whether they are in the schools and in other places, are certainly of value to us as we spent some of the best years of our lives with them. In the final analysis, we carry in each of us, the mark of the Religious of the Good Shepherd.

Rosario Brenda Gonzalez

Sr Elen Belardo, RGS: the nun is also an advocate of farmers' rights and people's empowerment

The influence of the Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) on SBC Batch 80 and the rest of the students of SBC have been strong. The RGS sisters have always played a major part on the lives of SBC students. They are the teachers, the mentors, the coaches, the administrative support, the friends and kababayans of SBC students.
There is however, one facet of the RGS that is seldom known among the batch. The RGS sisters are also among the most involved among the religious in social concerns. Not only are they good and competent in running schools, they have also proven themselves in managing development programs among the farmers, fisher folk, urban poor, indigenous peoples and abused women.
One of them is Sr. Elenita Belardo who is the National Coordinator of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP). RMP is a non-government organization that mobilizes the religious, the professionals and students to support the peasants in their organizing, education and training and advocacy work.
Sr. Elen has also taught at SBC but only for a year. She has extensive experience in working among the farmers of Isabela and was among the more than 30 RGS sisters who at one time were all members of the Rural Missionaries.
Sr. Elen is honored to be interviewed for the SBC Batch ’80 Blog and poses a challenge to the batch in her message,
“I would like to encourage you to better understand the situation of our people. You can be our advocates for peasants’ rights and empowerment. Let your light shine. Let God and the people be your guide. Let us not distance ourselves from the people whom we wish to serve. You can visit the communities of the marginalized groups. Observe their lives and share experiences. We can then reflect on their poverty. What should we do about it? How can we help?”
SBC Batch ‘80 shall certainly reflect on these words and decide later on how to rise up to the challenge posed by Sr. Elen. In the meantime, read more of Sr. Elen’s interesting journey from her home province of Cavite to teaching at a private girls’ school and finally, finding where God wants her to be – among the poor and the disadvantaged.

Sr. Elen is from Silang, Cavite. Her father was a small landowner while her mother was a homemaker. They had 16 children but only 5 are alive today.
She studied at the Silang Elementary School and for her high school, at the Infant Jesus Academy. She got her education degree from the Philippine Normal University.

Growing Up Years and Finding a First Job

She remembers having many friends in school. She was also fond of going to the neighboring towns along with her friends. Her parents, however forbid them to do so as kidnappings were then rampant in Cavite.
She also has a “barkada” in high school and they called themselves the “jolly gang”. They would bike every Saturday and it was really fun. They were also fond of going to Tagaytay. They were a playful group but when they were at home they were also studious.
Her favorite teacher is Sr. Anunciation, ICM who taught them high school Algebra. She likes her personal approach to teaching unlike her teachers in elementary who were quite strict with the students. Sr. Anunciation was close to the students.
Her brother Nicanor influenced her the most during her growing up years. He was her older brother who died after graduation. He was then only 24 years old and a pilot who died in the line of duty.
Sr. Elen remembers him as the favorite of their father but was also very kind. He always accompanied their mother to the market and carried her basket of fish, meat and vegetables.
Sr. Elen’s first job was as a teacher at the St. Theresa’s College (STC) Manila. She taught History and English. She feels that PNU prepared them well for their jobs as teachers so it was not that difficult for her to perform her tasks.

Highlights of Her Life

Her family is a happy family. She enjoyed being with her parents and siblings. Her mother is the disciplinarian. Since she was always with friends visiting other places, her mother would often talk to her. She was asked where she was, who were with her, what did they do in a certain place. She liked to tease her mother by saying that “ I had many companions..” to which her mother would inquire who these companions were. Sr. Elen would say “my co-passengers in the bus…..there were many of them”.
Apart from a happy family, Sr. Elen believes that her preparation for being a nun is also among the highlights of her life. The formation given to their batch is exemplary. “We were highly motivated. And it was also fun like, I remember us reciting the rosary every night. We would have a contest on who will be able to recite the rosary the fastest. Then the winner had a prize.”
As an RGS they had a community in Isabela province. Five of them, all RGS sisters studied, prayed and analyzed issues together. They also washed their clothes, cooked their meals and performed other domestic chores. It was an enlightening time for them as together, they realized why they were miseducated. They read the writings of the nationalist historian Renato Constantino. Then they would discuss with each other their insights and in the process, learned from one another.
Sr. Elen explained this as, “We understood how events were connected to each other. After reading Constantino we realized why it was useless to do memory work in History, which unfortunately was how teachers taught History, how for instance, Zaide taught History. There’s nothing to our History class then. There was colonial mentality also. Apples were better than atis. There was a premium on imported products. Then we came to understand our history better specifically the effects of years of colonialism. We were so happy then knowing the real history of our people. Then we started reading other nationalists like Amado V. Hernandez.
Even our personal lives were changed. It was simplified. We planted in our own farm. We ate rootcrops and fruits. Our prayers have become more humane and in context”

Gains and Challenges

It was from 1977 to 1983 that she spent her time with the peasants of Isabela. Bp. Miguel Puruganan was also supportive of them and even led the church to side with the marginalized farmers in their fight for land and human rights.
In the early ‘80s Sr. Elen was among seven (7) nuns who were requested by peasant leaders to be with them when their contingent of more than 1,000 peasants was blocked by government forces. Sr Elen and the other nuns did not think twice about joining the peasants who only wanted to have a dialogue with then Governor Faustino Dy Sr. She still remembers that day when they positioned themselves in front (2), in the middle (2) and in the back (3) of the farmers’ group.
“For almost eight hours, we were with them. That was from after lunch up to night time”, Sr. Elen said. They received a message from the authorities to leave but they remained with the farmers up until they dispersed peacefully.
The farmers were from the 14,000-hectare Hacienda Santa Isabel and San Antonio allegedly monopolized by the Dys and the Cojuangcos. The haciendas were planned to be converted into an agricultural-business enterprise.
At that time, the involvement of the RGS sisters with the peasantry helped them be more analytical in their work and life. They also had prayer meetings with the local community members. Many of them facilitated the RGS assemblies and they were able to revive their socio-pastoral apostolate. Sr Elen added that “During the RGS assemblies, we shared our experiences, insights and learnings…”
Sr. Elen also recalled how one of them, Sr. Julia accompanied the late Fr. Pites Bernardo along with his military captors when the latter brought the former to Manila. She never left him and was able to mobilize other sisters in Manila so that when Fr. Pites and his military guards reached Manila there were already many religious who were aware of it. Sr. Julia’s act is considered one of utmost courage and bravery and very timely because if not for her, the news of Fr. Pites’ arrest would not be known and he could have been counted as one among those who experienced enforced disappearances during the Marcos years.

The five RGS sisters in Isabela also organized the Association of Women Religious in Isabela. And the ranks of the RGS joining the Rural Missionaries (RMs) increased. This peaked when 35 of them became RMs all at the same time. Among these RGS sisters is Sr. Lydia Ebora who is now the SBC President.
Today one can see the RGS sisters in community-based programs not only in Isabela but also in the provinces of Bicol and Mindanao. They also maintain their women’s programs including counseling and residential homes.

How She Sees Herself Ten Years from Now

When asked how she sees herself ten years from now, Sr. Elen replied, “I am still strong. Continuing with propagating the values of our congregation. In Micah chapter 6, verse 8 — to do justice, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with our God…. What I am doing with the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines has no conflict with our values as Religious of the Good Shepherd since both have similar thrusts — the marginalized sectors of the peasants, fisherfok and indigenous peoples. We help in conscientizing the people especially the poor, oppressed and exploited.
I could still be supportive of the work for the poor wherever I am needed. I started with teaching the children of the rich but it was not my calling. I searched where God wanted me to be and I was brought to the Religious of the Good Shepherd”. Sr. Elen is indeed one RGS sister that all Bridgetines are most proud of.

Rosario Brenda Gonzalez

Blanca talks candidly of life in Malacanang

Blanca Ilao-Susi

Two equally enlightening and inspiring articles complete this blog’s May issue. Ma. Antonette “Logie” Cantos-Solomon and Loreto Felisa “Baby” Burog-Medrano have generously shared with us their lives as mothers, wives, sisters  and career women. Although she opted to be a full-time homemaker after years of working as an internal audit staff at the Lyceum of Batangas, Baby remains busy tending to her household. As many observers have said, if we can only quantify the amount of work that goes on inside our homes, that would be a fortune.

Logie, on the other hand, continues with her practice as a dentist apart from fulfilling her countless tasks for her family, community and of course, for our batch reunion.  Both based in Batangas, they are also curious about the world outside of their own and have travelled to other places.  They have not remained complacent in their desire to better themselves. More importantly, their personal growth and development is always for the service of their families and communities.

Thirty years after our high school graduation, we are pleased to once more get in touch with people like Logie and Baby – they who have aged gracefully and proud of it. Even if the years have been kind to them, they also paid their dues.  Their lives have been marked with the death of close family members, domestic crisis situations and personal disappointments. Despite these, not only have they retained their youthful look, they have also come to terms with life’s many surprises. Acceptance, at any age, can be a virtue especially for things that we have no control of.

Come May 29, we have control of what will happen to our batch reunion. Thanks to the long-term planning initiated by our batch mates, we know what our activities shall be. But we don’t know what exactly to expect. Shall we be recognized easily in spite of our graying hair and added weight?  Will our best friends from high school show up? Shall our beloved teachers be there to share with us this memorable day? Hopefully we will go to our reunion armed with some knowledge and insightful lessons from batch mates whom we read about in our blog. We will remember their stories, which by then, we shall have embraced as also our own. For collectively the story of SBC Batch ’80 is truly worth the wait.

Rosario Brenda Gonzalez

Logie wih her husband Luis and daughter Liebling

Dr. Logie Cantos-Solomon: Making SMILEs through the Years

As a mother and dentist I create beautiful smiles for the people around me. Reconnect with me as I share a beaming SMILE in my journal entry.

MY STORY

I was the first princess my parents had as I only come second to my Kuya Pong. It was a Wednesday, July 11, 1962 when my mother Matilde Dilay Cantos gave birth to me. I was given the name Ma. Antonette Cantos (from my great grandmother Antonina) but I am fondly called “Logie”. Ninang Olga gave that nickname to me because my father Oscar Perfecto Cantos is fond of cockpits.

Diplomacy and service runs in my family. My great grandfather was former Vice Mayor Senando Ferriols and my grandfathers are former Vice Mayor Santos Dilay and former 2^nd District Congressman Dr. Olegario Cantos. My uncle Olegario F. Cantos Jr. also ventured into politics as a councilor and board member. However, my five siblings and I entered the field of medicine. My late older brother Ferdinand Justine took a two-year Marine course. Currently, all my brothers work abroad. Rico and Jerome are nurses in Australia and Canada respectively while Joseph is an optometrist in Qatar. My sisters Erlinda and Michelle reside here in the country. Erlinda, a medical technologist, is a product manager in Pfizer Philippines while Michelle is a clinical instructor in Lyceum of the Philippines University as she graduated with degrees in Respiratory Therapy and Nursing and earned a Master’s in the latter. She now pursues a doctorate. As for me, I am a dentist.

Now at the age of 47, I am married to Luis P. Solomon, a German citizen who works as a nurse in Germany. Our lone daughter, Lou Marion C. Solomon or “Liebling” (German word for Darling) is fourteen years old and is an incoming third year high school student in SBC. Despite her shy nature, she has excelled with leadership skills being class president and vice president in her first two years respectively in high school.

Liebling reminds me of my childhood.  When I was her age, I also took ballet and piano lessons. I had my education in St. Scholastica’s Academy in Marikina from Grade 1 to 7 up to 1^st year high school. Then, I transferred to SBC until I graduated in high school. I was a cheer dancer in St. Scholastica and I continued to become a cheerleader in SBC when I was in 2^nd year.

MY MEMORIES

Like Halo-halo that my siblings and I made and sold in one of our summers, my life is packed with different ingredients. Even if one memory and experience vary from the other, they are all sweet.

One sweet memory that I can look back to is the day that created a great impact on my life especially my career. It was not my choice to become a dentist. My aunt who is a dentist advised my mommy to encourage me to take up Dentistry. After graduating in high school, I still have no idea on what to take up in College. Being an obedient daughter, I just followed my parent’s advice. We went to Manila and the first school we went to was University of the East (UE). We applied in their College of Arts and Sciences for Pre-Dentistry. Upon seeing my report card and my NCEE result, I was admitted immediately after exempting me from the entrance exam. We did not look for another school but when I was about to enrol, I did not like their environment. Therefore, I applied in nearby Centro Escolar University (CEU).

I did not apply in UE proper until I finished my degree and passed the board exam. I describe my College life as fun. This was because of having a peer group. We joined the different highlight activities of our College like, the Disco Dentistry. We would dress up and attend disco in the Westin Philippine Plaza and other five star hotels. We also went out of town by participating in student seminars of PDSA (Philippine Dental School Association).

Community Service is in my heart ever since I’ve been a dentist. I join free clinics and in this way I can share my blessings with the less fortunate. Presently, I am a member of the SBC Centennial Committee on Outreach Program. We have been extending our help to the needy.

MY INTERESTS

I occupy my free time by playing badminton and swimming with my family to keep a healthy and active lifestyle. I have also developed a soft spot for the visual arts as I am into photography. I also engage in embroidery and gardening.

I was able to keep my cheerleading and performing skills in high school since I also sing, dance and perform with my fellow dentists in the Batangas City Dental Chapter (BCDC) in our programs and activities. I’m also proud to say that I’ve been an officer and past president of BCDC and even in Philippine Dental Association (PDA), our mother organization.

I like to travel here and abroad to spend time with my family and see places around the world. We have been to Puerto Galera, Tagaytay, Manaoag, Cebu, Baguio, Ilocos, Quezon, Laguna, Subic, Angeles, Leyte, and Boracay. The reason why I enjoy travelling is that it reunites me with my family. In 1995, I travelled to Hongkong with my husband and in 1996 I went to Singapore with my daughter and my sister Babylyn. With my cousins and daughter, we went to Australia in 1998. We flew to LA, California in 2001 and in Las Vegas in 2005, to visit my mom and my dad. We also met up with my husband who is from Germany.

In 2007, my family went on its first travel together in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Singapore.  If God wills, I would like to travel more. It is not the souvenirs and the sceneries that keep me on the move. It is self-growth and gaining of knowledge that drives me to travel more.

MY LESSONS

I had a great dream. I was playing with a little boy in black shorts and polo. His complexion was pale white and his straight hair was black. We were frolicking alone in a beautiful garden with lush green grass and full of colourful flowers. It was such a blissful scene.

All of a sudden, I saw my daughter Liebling, on the other side of the garden. I went towards her. Then, I woke up.

I was crying in the recovery room. It was while I was undergoing the drainage and curettage that I dozed off and was brought to that paradise where I played with my little boy. I cannot help myself but cry until I was brought into my room because of the heavy dose of anaesthesia. My body was still asleep but my mind was wide awake. I can hear my relatives and friends around the room but I cannot move. I heard the voice of my daughter say “Don’t worry Mama, May Liebling ka na.”

Nine years after giving birth to Liebling, I became pregnant again. Unluckily, I lost my baby after three months because of hyperthyroidism.

I had faced a lot of trials in my life. In 1983, our house was burnt down and the fire ate everything that we had. It took only our material properties. But two years after, a life was taken from us. A gunshot ended my Kuya Pong’s life.

Six years ago, my family underwent a crisis. The marriage of one of my siblings was on the rocks. Being the eldest, I had to support them. In addition, I had to face issues with the BIR. There were a lot of stress in my life then that my health was at stake. I was confined to the hospital twice and my body weight collapsed. I thought it was my end since I was diagnosed with toxic goiter. I prayed hard because I worried about my very young daughter and my sister and nephew who lived with us then.

“God please help me!” I called. It is faith that kept me alive. I also believe that you have to simply forget yourself long enough to lend a helping hand. In return, a hand offers its help too. I have also testified to the cliché that friends come and go but your family will always be here for you.

MY ENDING (to this entry)

Every good thing must come to an end. Every good thing comes to an end. Every good thing has an end. Whichever way you say it, there would always be a “good thing” and an “end”.

For all the good things that happened to me, I would like to thank the Lord for giving me my wonderful parents, my doting husband Luis, Liebling, my brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, friends and relatives. I am most gratified of the trust and belief given to me by my patients despite my weariness in work.

In the midst of all these good things, I would also like to ask for apologies first of all to our dear Lord, then to all the people whom I have offended.

I am contented and grateful with what I have achieved through the years. In the “end”, I have realized that the sunshine brought by a smile was worth living for.

Thank you for taking time to read my story, reminisce with me, show interest in my interests and listen to my lessons until I come to my journal entry’s ending.

Ma. Antonette Cantos-Solomon.

Loreto with her children

Loreto Felisa Burog-Medrano: Retaining our Most Vivid Memory of Her – Cute Girl with a Terrific Sense of Humor

Hers is one of the most likeable faces ever for that smile she so lovingly gives to old friends and new acquaintances. How could one not remember that wisp of a girl whom we all love to tease and trade jokes with. And now that her face is among that of the many batch mates appearing in our yahoo group, we always are fast to say, “She’s Loreto!”

She has hardly changed and if at all, it is merely to acquire that more mature look that would only be natural for she is now a fulfilled mother of three and wife to a loving husband. Opting to become a fulltime homemaker, Loreto looks back to a happy childhood spent in the familiar streets of Batangas City – M.H. del Pilar, P. Gomez, P. Zamora as well as in Macatangay Subdivision and in Cuta. She likewise reminisces about her high school days wherein batch mates would frequently go to Majestic House to eat siopao and drink Coke.

Loreto’s trip down memory lane is smooth and refreshing, yet marred by some life changing events. But like our most vivid memory of her, she has retained her positive outlook and sense of humor even as she comes face-to-face with life’s challenges. For more of Loreto and her boundless sense of generosity, below is her account of her life, so far – as reflected by her answers to our blog’s questionnaire.

Name:                    Loreto Felisa Burog-Medrano

Age:                      46

Civil Status:          Married

Address:                Brgy. Sto. Domingo, Bauan Batangas

Occupation:           Homemaker

I. Family

Name of Spouse:   Rogelio D. Medrano

Occupation:           OCW

Name and Age of Children:

1)  Kristine Robelle  -  18 year old, 2^nd year college taking up BS Information Technology at the  Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas City. She’s a typical teenager slowly maturing into a young woman, a loving and an adorable daughter, and an obedient one, too.

2)  Katrine Rochelle -  17 years.old, she’s my ever special gift from God. She’s a very loving and adorable daughter.  Physically, she looks like a lovely teenage girl but has a limited scope of maturity. She is also loved by everyone she meets.

3) Kristian Rogelio  -  15 years.old, he’s my youngest, a  4^th year high school student and so active in extracurricular activities. A simple, conservative blooming teenager, but a responsible one. He’s always the one in charge of us especially when his father is away for work.

II. Educational Background

Where Graduated:

Elementary  -   St. Bridget’s College

High School  -  St. Bridget’s College

College          -  Lyceum of Batangas  now Lyceum of the Philippines University

Course           -  Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accounting

Post graduate (if any) –  earned 12 units in Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Batangas State University (BSU)

III. Favorites:

1. Song/s:   Faithfully – Jovit Baldivino (originally Journey)

Why is it your favorite song/s?

I’m so in love with the lyrics, so full of love especially when it was

rendered by none other than the great Batangueno, Jovit.

1. Singers/Musical Groups:  Journey, Bryan Adams, Kenny Rogers, Air Supply

Why would they be your favorite singers/musical groups?

Because I like their music – it is so romantic and full of meaning.

1. Movie/s:

Avatar, Shrek 1-3, all Disney movies. Comedies

Why are these movies your favorite movies?

Because I feel so calm, so vibrant and relaxed every time I watch them.

1. Movie Actor/Actress:

Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Whoopy Goldberg and all the Comedians

Why?

They act so naturally and make me laugh always. I feel so young every time I

watch them.

1. Sports:  Indoor games, swimming, badminton and bowling

Why?

Just enjoy doing them

III. Personal Interests and Hobbies

Singing, playing badminton, swimming, walking and running, biking, travelling, reading, gardening, being involved in church activities, and visiting relatives and friends.

1. How did you get involved in this hobby?

I and my family enjoy doing all of this, we share all these interests.

2. How serious are you in pursuing these?

We engage in these personal interests and hobbies every time we have the chance, the time and the means.

IV. Passion and Causes

1. 1. What are you most passionate about? Why?

I have a passion for cooking, especially for my family and friends. I love seeing them, enjoying every food I prepare.

I also have a passion for travelling because I have been dreaming of visiting all the beautiful places here in our country and after that, to travel around the world. Hope to experience all of these.

2. What are your personal causes/social/community involvements? Please describe your engagement in these.

I try to take part in every activity in our barangay, and participate in almost all church events.

V. On Childhood to Adolescence

1. Where did you spend your growing up years? Please describe the most important features of the place where you grew up. (Is it more of an urban center or is it a rural village?)

I spent my growing up years in an urban center, the busy streets of Batangas City, especially M.H.del Pilar St. and neighboring streets namely, P. Gomez, P. Zamora, in Macatangay Subdivision and Cuta. I’ve spent almost three fourths of my life there — my most enjoyable years, so peaceful, you can always feel so secure and safe even when playing out late at night.  It is because we are familiar with everyone and know every resident there, although that was before.

2.Who were the persons who influenced you the most when you were in elementary and high school?  Why?

My loving parents, my great nanay (lola), my siblings, my childhood friends/barkadas, my cousins, my crushes and all those who became part of my younger years . They have been so loving, considerate of all my weaknesses and always there for me.

3.Who were your best friends among your classmates? Please cite your memorable moments with your best friends.

As to my best friends, I’m very grateful that I have so many to count on and still counting till now.  During my grade school days, my closest friends are still my classmates and at the same time my friendly neighbors too, in Calero, because we used to play after school and during weekends, share some secrets and crushes, and organize and attend parties within our area.

And my high school years, were just as colorful, because of my newfound friends, my classmates, in addition to my grade school ones. We were so close to each other, you won’t feel out of place. This applies to my friends in all the other sections. That’s why, am so grateful to be one of the Batch 80.

I remember our eating place after school, the MAJESTIC HOUSE. It seems to be the meeting place for us, since we share the same craving for siopao and Coke, plus the chikahans and kulitans.

4.Who were your favorite teachers and why?

My favorite teacher is Miss Aguirre, our P.E. teacher. She’s so friendly and approachable.

5.On hindsight (and based on your experience) what would be your recommendations to today’s teachers of young children and adolescents?

Be considerate, be sensible enough to understand every need of the child. Explain lessons in the easiest manner and just continue to love your chosen profession.

VI. On the Trying Twenties to the Roaring Thirties to Mid-Life

1.      What was your first job? What were the challenges and problems that you had to face then and how did you address them?

I finished my degree, BSC-Accounting, ahead of our batch mates since I took advance and summer classes. Then I took the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) board exam after reviewing but unfortunately I didn’t make it.

My dream was shattered. It was really painful but because of   my parents’ love and understanding, I learned to accept it and moved on to a new phase of my life.

I had my first job in Manila. I was so nervous since it was my first time to be away from my family, promdi ba ga? Imagine  I had been crying every night for almost half a year. I did not enjoy my stay, away from my Tatay, kasi I’m a Tatay’s girl. But since Manila nga is a busy and noisy city with lots of pasyalan and shopping centers, I began to like it na, plus having some makulit na suitors pa, enjoy na rin.

I stayed and worked there for almost six years. I just decided to transfer here in Batangas when I got married and had my first child. Every problem I encountered during those days was accepted wholeheartedly and solved peacefully — that’s my parent’s greatest advice.

2.      What is your current job? What do you consider as your achievements and on the other hand, what else do you need to improve on, in terms of getting better/performing better in your work?

I have been working for almost sixteen years, six years in Manila and ten fruitful years here in Batangas, in Lyceum of Batangas. I worked as an internal audit staff here. I enjoyed my work given its many challenges and the advancement I’ve earned professionally.   My greatest achievements are having worked fulltime, being a loving mother to my children and an energetic wife to my loving husband.

I should have improved my craft in internal audit if I stayed longer, but unfortunately, my husband and I decided to cut short my career, because I chose to take full care of my special child, since she really is our treasure.

3.      How do you see yourself ten years from now?

I am having of course, my grandchildren but not so soon, and having toured almost half of the world with my husband and my successful children. And looking forward to another successful reunion with all the members of Batch 80.

4.      How do you like to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as a simple, jolly, cute (pa rin?) BFF (best friend forever) to everyone.

5.      Is there any single personal relationship in your life (relationship with your spouse, relationship with your parent, relationship with your mentor, relationship with your sibling, relationship with your child, relationship with your best friend)  that you would like to share? How did this personal relationship contributed to your development as a person? Or how did this challenged you to perform better in work or to be a better father, mother etc?

It is my marriage to my beloved husband that has given me tremendous joy. I experienced unforgettable changes in life and has gained full maturity because of our union.

We had a long engagement period – ten years. That is already an achievement. During that time we shared almost all our precious time together. We shared each other’s secrets, games, tantrums and family problems. We also shared our successes in life.

When we settled down we were able to show everyone that we were responsible and mature enough to have our own family even if we were not yet financially ready. We then had our first child.  That has been my great pride and joy.

The coming of our second child has been another blessing. She is a special gift to us. And finally, we have our third and youngest child. I feel so blessed for having a wonderful family. I enjoy every minute of a lifetime spent with them.

6. Do you believe in mid-life crisis? If yes, please check the nature of crisis that you experienced in mid-life (generally set at age 30-50). Please explain the nature of this crisis.

It was the sudden death of my brother that has affected me most. Having no family of his own, he took care of my kids, especially when I was still working. He died due to cardiac arrest and I was beside him during his last hour. It was so painful for me and so hard to accept.

He was so helpful before that tragic moment, since it was my Inay’s first death anniversary. And our grief was followed again by my father’s death.

That was after my brother’s first death anniversary. It is so painful to remember but I have to be strong for my own family.

7.How did you address this crisis? What lessons did you learn from this experience?

I just accept it wholeheartedly. I always think of all the blessings that I have been showered with.   And up to now I continue to receive such tremendous blessings in life.

From all these crises, I have learned to show and give my love freely without conditions. To be considerate and sensitive to the needs of others. And most especially to enjoy everything I have and not to aspire for the things I cannot have.

VII. On Parenting

1.      How do you describe yourself as a parent?

As to my self assessment, I have been loving my children above myself, giving them all there is to give and continue loving and understanding them for the rest of my life.

2.      What are the challenges of parenting that you have so far experienced and how did you address them?

The most challenging part of being a parent is accepting the case of my second child. I always try to find out the cause of her being a special one. There came a time when I blamed myself. I did not have all the time to take care of her when she was a baby because I was working.

I also had a serious talk with my husband. I explained to him her special situation and eventually convinced him that we should accept this wholeheartedly. It was a delicate matter. We cried and comforted each other.

But being so close to God, we have surpassed it all and hopefully, all the other problems and challenges that shall come our way.  Just believe and be yourself.

Loreto Felisa Burog-Medrano

As Filipinos are poised to elect their 15^th President into power come May 10, the conduct of its elections remains largely unchanged. Since the time when Manuel L. Quezon became the first Philippine President by virtue of national elections in 1944 by beating Emilio Aguinaldo and Gregorio Aglipay, key issues that affect the majority of Filipinos have not been seriously addressed. Once in a while, not-so-popular candidates would start the discourse on national sovereignty and agrarian reform, two major issues facing the only predominantly Roman Catholic nation in Asia. But these were never picked up by opposing camps, ignored by campaign strategists and bypassed by the mainstream press.

Low Level of Discourse

In the current race for the country’s Presidency, much of the debate is focused on personalities rather than on issues. Personal attributes are given priority over the candidate’s stand and track record on issues that made life good and bad for the constituents. Campaign sorties are reduced to entertainment fare that hardly encourages critical thinking among the voters.

There are of course, occasional television shows that feature more in-depth discussion of the elections as well as similar articles in the printed press. But these are the exceptions to the rule.

Violence Personify Elections

Another glaring feature that has characterized Philippine elections is the violence that it has spawned among clans, families and political groups. The Ampatuan massacre, for one is election-related and has resulted in the death of 57 including 32 journalists.

Buluan town Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu was set to file a certificate of candidacy for the governorship of Maguindanao province when their group of relatives, journalists and supporters were allegedly attacked by about 100 fully armed men led by Datu Unsay town mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr who is now facing multiple murder charges. His father, Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. is likewise charged and is reportedly believed to be the mastermind of the massacre. His family plans to have Andal Ampatuan Jr. run as Maguindanao governor as the senior Ampatuan has already been governor for three terms.

Andal Ampauan Sr. leads the clan in their rule of Maguindanao with 18 of their members being incumbent mayors. In the 2007 senatorial elections, the administration candidates won 12-0 in Maguindanao and in 2004, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo won overwhelmingly in this province by garnering almost 70% of the total votes.

Dominance of Wealth and Power

While the Ampatuans are politically powerful, there is also no question that they have amassed massive wealth as evidenced by their palatial houses, fleet of expensive cars and millions of pesos allegedly found in the raid of one of their houses. Senator Aquilino Pimentel has called for an investigation on this matter. About P400 to P600 million was said to be discovered along with ballot boxes in one of the Ampatuans’ mansions. Although authorities deny this, there is no doubt that the clan has been loaded with cash.

This unfortunate tale of a political clan is repeated elsewhere in this country of 7,107 islands. Every region, every province and every town is witness to the rule of political clans and interest groups, each backed either by big business, vast landholdings, government resources, illegal gambling and drug lords’ money and of late, celebrity spouses.

The IBON Foundation, an independent think tank estimates that a presidential candidate would have to spend P2 to P6 billion, a senator P200 to P600 million, and a congressman P15 to P100 million to finance an election campaign. Congressman Mikey Arroyo would want people to believe that given this, one can still accumulate wealth from political donations. (His other reason for an increase in his officially stated income is the gifts from his wedding sponsors.)

The common belief that Philippine election is marked by “guns, goons and gold” continue to hold sway. Elections as the exercise of one’s democratic rights then becomes the paradox that either makes people insist on it or boycott it. For many, it remains that one sacred moment to safeguard the ballot, be it equivalent to losing one’s life or one’s peace of mind. For the others, it means a lack of freedom to vote as an atmosphere of inane festivities, violent political battles and mindless economic spending becomes apparent.

POSTSCRIPT:

Acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra absolved suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Zaldy Ampatuan and his cousin, Mamasapano town mayor Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan Sr. of multiple murder raps on Friday, April 17.  The following Monday, the Chief State Prosecutor Claro Arellano read a statement requesting Sec. Agra to reconsider his decision.

Rosario Brenda Gonzalez

Arthur Abiera revealed the corporate culture, and eventually life as an entrepreneur. Ma. Cecile Cayetano-Angelia, Evelyn Montealto-Guno and Melissa Montalbo-Bae opened up their hearts to share how they were able to confront past pains and difficulties and emerged the better for these. Heidylyne Manigbas-Pastor and Blanca Ilao-Susi both had to deal with death in their families and we now know how grief made them stronger.

In this issue of our blog, we are welcomed into the lives of a teacher, a civil servant and a surgeon.

Sheila Mendez. Ma. Cecilia Bigornia-Saldonido. Roy Berberabe.

Sheila has gone on to many parts of the world “gyrating to music” only to realize that home is the classroom, that minefield of learning and wisdom. She has chosen to join a most noble profession, and is now on the path to further enhance her craft and vocation.

Ma. Cecilia Bigornia-Saldonido is a civil servant who has just been recently promoted. She has always been guided by the values and principles instilled in her by her parents, and have never wavered despite the many problems and challenges at work.

Roy Berberabe is a surgeon who dreams of  having  a primary health care section in the General Surgery program of the Batangas Regional Hospital. He wants to see that day when surgeons would reach out to communities beyond their operating rooms and be able to change the lives of more people.

Sheila, Cecille and Roy – Their diverse lives once crossed at a time of bliss and innocence.  It was also a time of adolescent uncertainties and difficult life adjustments. On their way to adulthood, they were together and we were with them – 257 of us. Our lives are intertwined. Forever.

In this issue of our blog, we once again revisit that time through the eyes of Sheila,Cecille and Roy. What has become of them is not only what they have done to themselves. It is also what others have done to them.

It is particularly heartwarming that they each mentioned their close friends in high school and although time and distance might not allow them to mention your name, we all know where we stand in their estimation. Happy reading then, and we look forward to many more memories from the other batch mates.  Rosario Brenda Gonzalez