MY PERSONAL HISTORY: EARLY LOVE STORIES

by: Norberto Betita

Like most of the youths then and now, it is a joy to have early loving relationships. I started courting after graduation from high school. I first have a girl friend from our town during summer vacation immediately after graduation from high school. Then as I started college, I have another girlfriend who also was a native of our place. About a year in the college campus, I met another girl introduced by classmates, and we entered into a relationship.  I also met a young teacher and engaged ourselves in a loving relationship. However, I eventually found a woman who is a great deal different from all of my former girlfriends.

Letty during her early college days

Letty, as she was fondly called, with the real name of Letecia Bullo Sitoy, was a popular coed in the campus, a beautiful ROTC cadet sponsor. She is up-to-date in style. She looks even more beautiful and attractive with her mini-skirt and very short hair. O, how young men desired her company. We were classmates in some college subjects, but it was unlikely for me to even desire for a friendship. She is well-liked and trendy, while my personality seemed to give the impression of a straggler. In all outward aspects I am no match to her. She is widely popular in the campus. By the smartly expression of her outside loveliness, she appeared hard to get along. She was a high school mate, yet never did I have the courage even to ask her of such days gone by if only to open a friendly dialogue. But providential circumstances gave place for our roads to cross, and the unhealthy speculations I have of her personality and character all vanished.

While it is impossible to know all about the character and personality of a person in one quick look or even within an established friendship, it is always important to discover something good about somebody whom you might want to be a part of you. The good in a person generally overlie the undesirable in him. When I and Letty were in a relationship during our college days, almost all his friends except one, classmates, ROTC sponsor adviser, college instructors and her family were against it. Everything they say about is critical of me.  What they see in me are the unattractive view of my person.  They display their unsolicited objections by some kind of rhythm that at times is already hurtful.

Taken at the beach when we were already friends

I am a young man then who fashioned a long hair and beard when the prevailing style was clean-cut military look and a ‘tagalog’ cut. My rugged blue jeans looked brown from dusts for long days of wearing. I generally sport a rubber slipper on campus. Books and notebooks are not part of my off to school cargo while my classmates carried the weight of college books. A pen and scratch bond papers were found sufficient to take notes.  Those were never intended to start a youthful trend or a modern fad or fashion. It was my personal verity. In my distressed circumstances youthful contemporary styles are beyond affordability. Thanks to my dearest Letty. She looked at me from the inside-out. She saw by her unflawed vision my innate character and person, and the many good traits that deep in my heart are hidden. And, for such all the unpleasant picture of my outward looks are for her obscured.

What gratitude I have for Letty that she remained to be true despite all the critical reactions and comments thrown against me. It did not matter to her if they would laugh at her to scorn. She stood strong despite contemptible censure. Hers was indeed an external expression of an innermost commitment to our relationship. For such deep and abiding love I was truly obliged to earnestly reciprocate.

MY PERSONAL HISTORY: FORMAL EMPLOYMENTS

by: Norberto Betita

I stopped college and tried to find a job in a newly constructed Nickel Refinery in an island. It was very difficult for me because of my being inexperienced. My cousin who was then the Security Officer of the company instructed me to obtain a Social Security System Identification number by using a false birth date that would appear that I was already 20 years old. During such time the requirement of the Certificate of Live Birth was not strictly enforced, so I easily got the SSS ID. I then applied as Security Guard with endorsement from my cousin. I passed the examinations and was employed.

Generally my work as a security guard required me to perform 12 hours of duty in different areas within the company premises. At times we have to be detailed in areas where we have to be alone the whole night with only a flashlight to counter extreme darkness. The stillness of the night and the penetrating whines of night crickets created fear within my youthful heart. Yet I need to be brave enough to endure each night of fearful duty. At times the serenity of the night became a tempter for a good night sleep, notwithstanding the requirement to be always alert as a guard on duty. A liter or two of pre-mixed hot coffee in a thermos did not seem to even hold my ever tired eyelids. And, when caught sleeping while on duty, I have to suffer the punishment of a month confinement in the security barracks.

When my contract expired after about two years of employment in the company, I went back to mainland Surigao City and worked as security guard with a local security agency and was assigned to perform duties in a crashing plant in my hometown. I have been in such assignment until I married in January 23, 1974.

Since then I have been through several other employments. As I started my new family, I tried to find a better job back into the island Nickel Refinery still as a security guard and was later promoted to senior shift leader and security investigator. I had been paid a good salary of P542.00 a month, and with a four-hour overtime daily I usually get a pay of more than P1,000.00 a “quincina” (bi-monthly).  In 1977 I resigned from the Surigao Nickel Refinery, purposely to continue with my college education. It was a great sacrifice for  me and my family, because from such a good employment, I landed back to becoming a security guard again with a meagre salary of P9.80 per day in the National Irrigation Administration, a government controlled corporation. But it was a blessing for it gave me the opportunity to be able to go back to college. 

While working, I took a Non-Professional Civil Service examination and passed. I eventually graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Banking and Finance from the Northeastern Mindanao Colleges in 1979. I was then promoted to the position of Storekeeper with additional assignment as purchaser and a daily salary of P18.70 per day. After graduation, I took the Civil Service Professional Examinations and passed. Despite my employment, life had been terribly hard. Two children were added in the family and my very meagre salary could not sufficiently support our needs. There came a time when my son, Robert Sherwin was newly born, I had all my money consumed in hospital expenses and not a centavo was left. I walked early to my office with nothing left for my wife to cook for lunch. Finding myself alone in the confines of my office, I kneeled before God and offered a prayer for help. Then I felt assured that all will be well. When I went home at noon, I found good food already on the table. My mother-in-law came with food and some money to keep us through our trials, enough until our next salary is paid. 

Later in the same employment, my honesty and integrity were put to the test. It was at a time when my promotion for a permanent and secured employment was already submitted for approval. My boss submitted to me a reimbursement voucher for my signature. The amount was substantial, but as I reviewed the contents and attachments, I noted that all were spent for his personal use. Hence, I refused to sign the voucher and explained to him the reason. The voucher remained unsigned, until I was informed that the same and all its attachments were torn by my boss himself, while at the same time sending a message to the regional office for the cancellation of my appointment. For obvious reason, I tendered my voluntary resignation, and started to concentrate on my part time job as an insurance sales underwriter.

Insurance selling was difficult at that time and so I tried to find other good opportunities for a better employment. I took an examination with the Allied Bank and passed, but was denied employment due to age limit. I also took and passed the Philippine National Bank competitive examinations held in Cagayan de Oro City. I was assured employment, but it took me a year before being employed, during which time I had to earn a living to provide for the needs of my little children through vegetable gardening. I average P950.00 earnings a month from my vegetable garden, and my basic salary when I finally entered PNB was only P750.00 a month. I was employed by PNB on August 16, 1982 rising from the ranks until my retirement as bank officer in December 31, 2008.

LOVE, ROSES AND VALENTINE’S DAY

by: Norberto G. Betita

Taken during our Temple sealing at the Manila
Philippines Temple

It’s Valentine’s Day--- a day of exchange of tokens of love and affection. This is a day of love and romance. Its history is legendary and does not only involve one but several persons. Yet whatever the story behind the celebrated feast, it is good enough for lovers, friends, and families to have a good time together.

We should have much time to celebrate the day, but my wife and I choose to have a valentine laundry date giving us a little more time to talk about experiences of our 40 years of loving relationship and remembering the wonderful memories of long years of challenges. In our joint reflections on this day of love we are reminded that each child that came into our marital life was an increasing challenge and as each grew in years the struggles were magnified.  Our conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints early in our marriage had indeed made our marital journey a lot more meaningful as we understand that trials and tribulations are but part of our mortal probation. We have been directed to a clearer perspective of the future of our children and family. The gospel of Jesus Christ had become a beacon of hope along the path of mortality.

When we were sealed as a family for time and eternity our love for each other as husband and wife and our children even increased with meaningful understanding of the infinite worth of our marital and family relationships. Such love best understood became the healing balm for the pains from sorrow and distress; and the shield against the fiery darts of the adversary.  

We thought that a tender hug and sweet kisses in early dawn would be enough for the day as it is every passing day, but we realized while doing the laundry that for a long time we have never had a date with our grandchildren, hence we planned and decided to have them for a dinner date together with their parents. It’s nice to have a wonderful time together and especially to conclude the day with the usual family scripture study and family prayer.  

I am not a poet, neither am a writer.  But as a token of my everlasting love to my dearly beloved Letty and in exchange of her expressions of tenderness, I penned these lines:

Love, Roses and Valentine’s Day

Beautiful roses fill flowers stall

On this day of hearts prices command

Wonderful bouquets arranged for all

Lovers and friends ever willing to hand

This symbol of love on Valentine’s Day

Red roses express fondness and affection

At commercial aisles in abundant display

For everyone to choose a gift of devotion

Yet such a symbol can’t ever endure

For in a day or two the flower fades

Love is a feeling that’s forever pure

Mutual emotions for both who gives

Love is infinite, love is divine

Cherished not in one celebration

Expressions of love provides daily sunshine

A touch of the hand convey adoration

Thousands of roses never can replace

The daily doses of sincere tenderness

Not a Valentine date can take the place

The unvarying measure of kindness

For those who love in warmth transmit

Make Valentine’s Day a constant enjoyment

Your love to a dear one each day submit

Earnest appreciation a delightful enchantment

To the one I love, I give my all

My heart so full of endless devotion

Each day a hug and kiss befall

Fostering love towards eternal exaltation

To my dearest wife, children, grandchildren and friends, happy Valentine's Day!!!

MY PERSONAL HISTORY: COLLEGE EDUCATION AND PRESSURES OF POVERTY

by: Norberto G. Betita

Later in my senior years I took and passed a scholarship for agricultural engineering at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City. However, due to poverty my parents did not allow me to go, hence I enrolled in a local college for a course leading to a degree in Banking and Finance.  My elder brother, one of the twins, who works with the Paper Industries Corporation of the Philippines (PICOP), promised to support my college education, but his vices seemed to consume greater amount of his income that at times he failed to send the most needed allowance. And so I remained dependent to my parents for support. They have taught and continually encouraged us to study, because education is the only way to cut the chain of poverty in our family and our personal life.

I tried hard to be more patient of whatever meagre resources that our parents could afford to support. I persevered despite the absence of a pair of school shoes that I have to wear only a set of rubber slipper to attend classes. I kept trying patiently to go to school with my only blue jeans, which color turned brownish after a whole week of wearing. I do not bring books or a notebook which my classmates generally do. I only have in my back pocket a folded scratch bond papers and a ball pen to take notes during classes. I am a poor man and I could not afford the contemporary styles of my youthful years. As such my person seemed to be almost totally aloof from associations of classmates. Yet I tried so hard to be good at my studies, and for this I have gained good friends at the campus and respect from my instructors. I took every challenge as an opportunity for advancement and intellectual growth. When given the opportunity to be the department contestant in an oratorical contest during one of our college day celebrations, after the original contestant had withdrawn, I took the courage to memorize and practice a lengthily oratorical piece with only a week to the scheduled contest. In the middle of my discourse, in front of a vast audience of students, teachers and parents, I forgot a few parts then I captured relevant words from my own thoughts and continued, finally ending up second place.  

In classes I never felt being intimidated. I proved what I believe is right on a particular subject matter and principle, even if it would mean that I would have to engage in a debate with classmates and instructors. I read and studied my lessons and generally come to school ready and prepared for any discussions. I seldom stayed long in the campus due to my ragged look which created inferiority in me. Yet women are close to me because of my ability to promptly respond for help in their assignments.

Class excursions are generally a problem to me because instructors would require us to go. Those who were able to attend will have an incentive or plus point of 50% of our term examination. Since generally I am not able to attend I have to study even harder to have the best score.

Tuition and fees was always a very serious concern. When examinations were scheduled, my parents would have a hard time responding to my school needs, that sometimes I have to take special examinations for failure to pay my tuition and fees on time. My beloved mother, have to plead before the school president for help if only for me to be given the permit to take the examinations on time. While I was considering supporting my college education by working part-time, yet minors are prohibited by law. For two years I took that painful beat of deprivations while in college.  Always mindful, however, of the counsel of my parents to obtain the highest education possible I persevered and look towards the future with unrelenting optimism. I tried to be motivated by the thought that like the darkened clouds above the horizon, there runs a stream of flickering light which signals a brightness of hope of a possible brighter day.  However, poverty and deprivation eventually took its toll.

While I was thus joining a crowd of outgoing students at the narrow exit somebody happened to step on my rubber slipper and it broke. I was totally ashamed and embarrassed. Frustrations sunk deep into my heart as I walked limping with the broken slipper trying to salvage my remaining dignity while in company with a large crowd of students. All my optimism and wonderful dreams for a college degree seemed to crash before me, and my vision of a brighter future became blurred. I thought that my college life was not what it should have been. I needed to work to be able to provide some of my most needed personal bits and pieces.

MY PERSONAL HISTORY: MEMORIES OF YOUTH AND HIGH SCHOOL DAYS

by: Norberto Betita

After graduation from elementary, I spent my summer vacation helping my mother in selling fishes and fruits. I also helped my elder siblings in harvesting rice for a share. My free days were usually spent at my maternal grandparents’ home helping fetch water and gather firewood. I was enrolled at Surigao High School, a public school which is 12 kilometers away from our hometown, for my first year in 1965. I was about 13 years old then. The devastations of the strong typhoon of 1964 were still evident at the campus. My brother Marrieto worked as a watchman in the same school and lived in a cottage within the campus. I lived with him in the cottage together with my two elder sisters who are studying college.

My high school classmates. Most of the boys including myself were not in the picture.

A week after the start of the school, a mental ability test was conducted for all first year students. Later, I was surprised to have received a basketball from my elder brother. When I asked him what the gift was for, as it was not common for a poor boy to own a standard sized basketball, he told me that I topped the mental ability test against the top students from the best schools in Surigao City. I have not actually seen the result. I don’t remember having seen it posted in the campus. It was never in my thought as a rural folk that I would attain such an achievement. Yet I believed in what my elder brother had to say. However, due to the underlying unfavourable circumstances, I have never been able to maintain serious interest in my studies.  But I maintained my place in the elite section of our class from freshman to senior years. As it was, our classrooms are makeshifts out of the salvaged materials from the ravages of the strong typhoon. Those were described by an American Peace Corps volunteer as even lower than their cow stables in America. Such learning conditions remained with little or no improvement until we graduated. My studies were also affected by my interest in basketball until I finally stopped due to injury. I do have friends who were children of prominent families in Surigao City, who liked me because of my temperate character.  We remained best of friends until our graduation from high school.  For despite my family’s indulgence to common vices of the time, I had never ventured to taste of wine or liquor and neither smoking.

I started to be acquainted with the Holy Bible which I found stacked on a shelf at my elder brother’s cottage when I was in high school. Since then I studied the Ten Commandments and more on the Book of Proverbs. It is with the latter that I learned scriptural verses which taught me to avoid the evils of wine. Up to this writing, I could still memorize the verses in Proverbs 20:1, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” In Proverbs 23: 20-23, “Be not among wine bibbers and riotous eaters of flesh. For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall clothed a man with rags.” And finally in Proverbs 23: 29-30, “Who hath wo, who hath sorrow, who hath contention, who hath babblings, who hath wounds without cause, who hath redness of eyes. They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon wine when it is red, when it changes its colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright, for at the last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder.”

During those youthful days when all are so excited about parties and dances and proms, I always stayed aloof at the sidelines for even one formal clothing I have none. I just loved to see my good friends in proms as they enjoyed youthful vigor under the craze of modern music, while I volunteered to serve prepared snacks for the events. But I loved to dance, and I used to find these opportunities only in barn and benefit dances in our town, where no formal clothing are required, and you can even dance with rubber slippers.

My high school batch 1969 during a reunion.

I loved the contemporary songs of those days as popularized by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Matt Monroe, The Bee Gees, the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Del Shannon, Cat Stevens. I learned many of their songs from my high school friends. I also participated in school singing contests.

Our subject in agriculture allowed us to learn about planting fruit trees and crops at designated areas within the campus. During our four-year stint I enjoyed the fruits of our banana plants at school. Our examinations included cutting grasses at the agricultural areas.

It was during our time that the school was renamed Surigao del Norte National High School. Our teachers were among the best in town, and we truly learned a lot from them in preparation for college education. Among them were Mr. Zoilo Rodriguez, Mr. Rustom Rodriguez and his wife, Mr. Benjamin Quinto, Mr. Rodrigo Doblas, Mr. Sarte, Mr. Fortaliza, Mrs. Durero, Ms. Carmen Silay, Mr. Behagan, Mrs. Irenneta Montinola, Ms. Elsa Eviota, Mrs. Glorina Tremedal, Mr. Guyano, Mr. Uy, 

and Ms. Lugo.

I was good at mathematics and I desired to take civil engineering in college, although I know that my parents could not surely afford. I took and passed the Mindanao State University scholarship examinations, and was offered full scholarship in Agricultural Engineering.  That was the only available scholarship examination conducted in Surigao City. The rest had to be taken either at metropolitan cities or at the university campus.

While the rest of my classmates were filled with excitements as we were qualified for graduation, I was a bit sad because I know my parents could not, during that moment, afford to buy for me a graduation outfit. As I sadly witness my classmates marched at our graduation rites while sitting on the bleacher, I am somehow happy that my name was among those called to receive a high school diploma.  

MY PERSONAL HISTORY: CHILDHOOD AND EARLY TEENS

by: Norberto Betita

We lived very near the seashore. The beach is of pebbles which even made the sea water shining clear and very inviting for children. I learned to swim when I was probably between five to six years old. Nobody taught me how, but I learned by just going into the seashore with a bamboo trunk or a wood board to hold on while trying to use my feet to float until I finally learned to float alone. Many of my childhood contemporaries did the same.  During my childhood I enjoyed diving and fishing with friends using a harpoon or a spear made from scrapped parts of an umbrella.

The beach at our coastal town of Anao-aon (now San Francisco) where I was born and spent
my childhood. On the picture is my son Robert Sherwin and my grandson Travis.

I started school at age 7. In my elementary years, I was not good at school from grades one to five. I am somewhat affected by our poverty that oftentimes I have to be absent from school to go with my mother selling fish and fruits. At times we have to work together as siblings in planting and harvesting rice for a share. Oftentimes in my boyhood I have to sleep in an open shed at the seashore with other children in the neighbourhood to wait for the fishermen who usually arrived from fishing at early dawn and to do some labours for a piece or two of fishes to be sold for our school allowance. When at school, I used to go with friends swimming in deep river or at sea during recess. Because of so much enjoyment we sometimes forgot our class and return late, and were usually subjected to physical punishment, which was not yet prohibited at that time.

During the first three grading periods in grade six, my grades were within an average level of 70 to 80 percent. I realized that I needed to change. I started to be serious in my studies by ‘burning the midnight candle’. From the fourth grading period my grades have gone up to the level of 85-95%. My teachers were so surprised at my performance.  Before our sixth grading, which is to be the final grade for graduation, I was already groomed to be the first honors (valedictorian), and was assigned the lead role as “young graduate” in our graduation pageant. I tried to memorize and recite my pieces with conviction and boldness during each of our practice to show that I was really worth the honors. Then the biggest frustration of my young  life came, a few weeks before the graduation a directive was received changing the grading system from averaging to cumulative, where the average from first grading to the sixth should be made the final grade. My very low grades during the first semester had greatly affected my final grades. Hence, I ended up third honourable mention, or sitxh honors. I was so frustrated and discouraged.  My family were angry of the final outcome. I no longer attended our pageant practices. Nobody would want to accept my role due to the very limited time left to memorize. Good that my aunt who is a teacher explained to my parents and my siblings about the nature of the directive. My aunt convinced my parents to allow me to go back to practice and to participate in the graduation, which I willingly conceded.

My grandsons Travis and Rulon Asher enjoying at the beach of my childhood hometown.
It was low tide when the picture was taken.

At graduation time, I performed my part as young graduate more splendidly that my parents, siblings and friends were so proud of me. A priest, who was our commencement speaker, also extended his congratulations. A few days after our graduation, the same Catholic priest came to our home and convinced my parents to allow me to study to become a priest. My parents told him that it would be up to me if I so desire. For some reasons not so clearly understandable of my young mind, I vehemently refused. Three times was I visited and encouraged to study seminary, but the thought of a future family, which is deprived of a Catholic priest, made me restate with certainty my contradiction. Later, as I observed my relative and others in our town who were studying to be priests engaging in vices such as, drinking liquor and smoking at a young age, which I thought not to be worthy of an aspiring servant of God, I realized it was right for me to have not gone to the Catholic seminary.

My talent in singing was developed early in my childhood. In our town, I usually participated in singing contests and had been undefeated champion in amateur singing of my age level. I also sing in School and church choir, during my elementary grades.

I usually spent my weekends at my maternal grandparents to help them fetch water and gather and cut firewood. I love my grandparents and they always enjoyed my helpfulness. They were already very old when I was in my early teens. My grandfather used to teach me correct principles. He would tell me about his personal experiences. He always encouraged me to obtain the highest education possible. He would tell me that during his time, they would have to have their classes under the shade of a mango tree. They paid for their education a sack of rice. Their teachers according to him are very strict. But he tried to endure for him to learn to read and write and do arithmetic. He was an expert gambler, but he discouraged me from engaging in any vices, especially gambling and drunkenness. My childhood life was spent entirely in our remote hometown.

MY PERSONAL HISTORY: ANCESTRY AND ORIGIN

by: Norberto Betita

I was motivated by the article about award-winning blogger Ree Drummond, known as “The pioneer woman” who encouraged her audience to use blog to physically document the life of a family, and likening blogs to journals and diaries. I felt her suggestion really made sense, especially with my constant desire to leave for my children and posterity a record of my family as far as my personal knowledge and family history research can provide.

The Story of my life is one of poverty and deprivations, of painful struggles and survival. I was born on August 25, 1952, in Anao-aon, Surigao del Norte in a family of a poor carpenter father, Millian Guhiting Betita and a dressmaker and fish vendor mother Francisca Mangle Gasta Betita.  Fourteen of us were born in such a marriage, one still-birth and one a special child. We are seven boys and six girls. From our eldest Senecia followed Flordeliza, Ismaelita, Marrieto, the twins Carlito and Manolito, Virginia, Janedina, myself, Clemente, Millian Jr., Arnold and Bernadette, the special child. I was the ninth to have been born. Twelve of us siblings have reached grown-up years.

My mother, as I was told, married when she was sixteen years old, which was the reason perhaps that the family have grown so large in number.  I was told in later years by my grandmother, Tecla Mangle, Gasta, that during the time that I was born my mother contacted a serious illness and was brought to a hospital in Surigao. There was no bottle feeding at that time and so I have to share with a cousin Robita Gesta Gasta, who was born the same month for a breast feeding from my aunt Elvira Gesta Gasta. My mother eventually recovered.

During my infancy I was afflicted with severe illness which according to my maternal grandmother almost claimed my life. There was very dim chance of survival. My Maternal grandfather Porferio Marqueda Gasta, a known quack doctor in our place have to go to a river bank and talked with evil spirits whom he believes to have caused my sufferings. There was no doctor in town during those years and there was very limited opportunity for modern medical treatment. However, with the help of herbal medicines which my grandfather initiated and prescribed for my illness, I eventually recovered and survived. My maternal grandparents had also a large family---my uncles Felicisimo, Pancrasio, and Fermin; and my aunts Mercedes, Policronia, and Lolang, and my mother, Francisca.

When I was born my paternal grandparents where already dead, hence, I did not have enough information about them. But I later learned from my father that my grandfather came from Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, and originally bear the family name of Arreza. However, after they came to Anao-aon, Surigao del Norte, my grandfather changed his family name and thus came to be known as Jose Betita. He married Nieves Guhiting from Anao-aon from whose marriage was born my uncle Ricardo Guhiting Betita and my father, Millian.

I grew up in the family of gamblers and wine bibbers both from my paternal and maternal ancestry. But early in life I was taught by my maternal grandfather to refrain from following such unhealthy vices and habits. He always reminded me of his own failures even as an expert gambler. He even showed me his gambling tricks, while telling me of his ups and downs and eventual disappointments.  During weekends I usually go to my grandfather’s house to do some household chores for them. At times he would give me chicken for a pet. He loved pets. When my aunt Policronia Mangle Gasta decided to renovate the house, he got angry because the cats could no longer get inside the house and sleep on cushioned chairs. He would say to me that the cats are the only animals who wished that their master would have an abundant life, because they always desire a place of comfort.

My maternal grandfather always read the Holy Bible. He has his Bible always on the center table inside their living room. He knows of many varieties of medicinal plants and many of the populace in our town go always to him for medical help. Many times, while at their home, I witnessed him preparing to cook some kind of fish which are at times poisonous. Before he prepared to cook the fish, he always made sure that an herbal antidote for poison is ready. And he would even allow me to it assuring that it is safe.

I remembered my maternal grandmother as a very good woman. I never heard her complain about my grandfather. She is such a simple little woman, but very industrious. She could not just sit with nothing to do.

They both love fruit trees and so their backyard was filled with trees of different varieties, so they always have something to offer for their grandchildren to enjoy during family visits. They always have animals at home.

In 1964 when I was twelve years old, a very strong typhoon hit our place. We immediately went for shelter at our grandparents’ house which is one of the few strongest buildings in our town. Many cousins my age were kept at the room of grandfather. Later, during the strongest fury of the typhoon, he came over and covered us with a strong mat and just as he finished and went out, the window glasses broke and feel upon us. We were all saved from possible serious injuries, because of the inspiration that he received to cover us at the right moment in safety.

My maternal grandfather died at age 113 as estimated by my aunts.  A few years after his death, my grandmother also died at age of more than 100 years.

Despite our poverty and limited education, our parents tried to encourage us to go to school and obtain the highest possible education that they could possibly afford to support with their meager earnings.