BLESSINGS IN MY FAMILY

My parents were blessed with ten children, namely:
1. Anita – born on December 3, 1926 and died on Aug. 31, 1932
2. Salvador – born on September 29, 1928
3. Gavino – born on September 3, 1930 and died on Sept. 9, 1932
4. Luisa ( aka. Marissa Mora) – born on January 31, 1934
5. Florencio – born on October 27, 1936
6. Lourdes – born on February 20, 1938
7. Cornelio – born on December 16, 1941
8. Miguel – born on May 8, 1945 and died on Dec. 7, 2004
9. Gregorio Luis – born on August 25, 1948
10. Tito – born on January 4, 1950

In 1933 an epidemic of measles and whooping cough broke out in the town of Tuguegarao and all three of us (Anita, Salvador and Gavino) fell victims to the disease. Within a period of nine days, Anita and Gavino succumbed to this dreadful virus. God, however, enabled me to overcome the sickness and so, I was the lone survivor. Anita was barely six years old then and Gavino was about two years old. My memory tells me that Anita was a very loving sister to me and Gavino was a very handsome baby.

As of today (Aug. 15, 2004), all my other sisters and brothers are still alive. They have their respective families, except Luisa who is fondly called “Luz” or “Marissa”, who, while enjoying the state of single blessedness, has the mission to give support and assistance to anyone in the family who needs help.

Luz graduated as a nurse from the Chinese General Hospital Nursing School, She had the honor of garnering the fourth place when she took the National board exams. After some years of serving here in the Philippines, she offered her services in different hospitals in the United States and Canada where she finally ended her career. She practiced her profession until her retirement when she reached her 60th birthday. All of us in the family owe Luz a very big debt of gratitude for she constantly is present to lighten our loads with her unbounded generosity and her very happy disposition. Personally, I owe her a lot for the countless financial assistance she gave me, especially in the great responsibility of ensuring that my children finish their education at the tertiary level. I would like to give a special mention to the unlimited support she gave to my youngest son, Thomas. Practically, she treated Tom like her own son and when she succeeded in taking him to Canada, she sacrificed a lot in supporting him to finish a course in Computer Programming. Through Luz, God has shown in many ways that He is always there providing financial assistance as well as moral, emotional and psychological support.

Florencio (Enciong) finished a course in Education. After some years of teaching, he opted to serve the public at the Department of Interior & Local Government where he finally retired. He married Milagros Mabbagu and they have five children. To him the family owes the maintenance of our real estate property at Cataggaman Viejo. He has a soft heart for the poor and oftentimes would share generously whatever he has to help them. Being a person with radical views, we sometimes have conflicting viewpoints and so through Enciong, God has given me the opportunity to practice the virtue of tolerance and respect for others despite differences in opinions, views and beliefs.

Lourdes enrolled at University of Santo Tomas and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce. During her studies in Manila she stayed with me and my family at our residence in Cubao, Quezon City. She gave a helping hand in taking care of my children. After graduation, she came home to Tuguegarao, found employment at the Philippine National Bank and got married to Mr. Jose Lappay, with whom she bore four children. After her retirement at PNB, she joined her children abroad and is now gainfully employed in the government service in California, USA.

Cornelio got his training as an accountant from the Ateneo de Tuguegarao, and passed the CPA board exams. As I was then connected with the Knights of Columbus, I introduced him to Rev. Fr. George Willmann who immediately employed him as a casual worker. Recognizing his diligence and efficiency in the performance of his work, he soon became a permanent employee in the Administrative Staff of the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines. As the physical health of Father Willmann was deteriorating, Cornelio readily served him, staying with him even after office hours, ever ready to respond to his call. With his first wife, Honorata Bassig, he had three children and with his second wife, Teresita Punay, he got five children. Through Cornelio God gave me an example of how one can really extend his selfless loving services even beyond the call of duty.

Miguel (Mike) obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the Cagayan Teachers College. Later on he pursued a course in Law and passed the Bar. For several years he served as a Fiscal or Prosecutor. Recently he got an appointment as Judge in the municipality of Peñablanca. Mike begot five children with his wife, Nora Limon. Now and then, he runs into some financial difficulties due to various problems, the latest of which is the delayed release of his salaries. In these instances, he humbly seeks help from the family. Often, it is my brother Gregorio (Luging) who gives him the substantial financial support and in my own little way, I also share him whatever I can give. Through Mike, God gave me the chance to be compassionate and understanding.

Gregorio (Luging) graduated from the Philippine Military Academy, Class 1971. He served in the Philippine Army and reached the rank of a Full Fledged Colonel at the time when he opted to retire. Luging married Annabelle Liban with whom he begot three children. He is now gainfully employed in a Japanese firm as General Manager. Like Luz, Luging is endowed with a very big heart. Whenever there are appeals for financial assistance from anyone in the family, he would readily find ways and means to provide the amount that is needed, giving it “gratis et amore”. Because of his desire to help those in need, he has adopted a simple style of living minimizing even his personal expenses. Through Luging God gave me another example of a person who generously gives without expecting anything in return.

Tito likewise graduated from the Philippine Military Academy, Class 1974. He joined the PNP and is now a Full Fledged Colonel, stationed at Camp Alagar, Cagayan de Oro. Being the youngest in the family, he was barely six years old when I got married. Like anyone else, there was a time when he was rather despondent and I offered to take him to live with me at my residence in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. Residing with my family for about three months, I saw how hard working he was, voluntarily tilling our backyard and planting vegetables. He is blessed with five children with Mitzi Tomampos as his wife. A man of few words, Tito nonetheless exudes a personality that is humble and gentle, commanding respect. Through Tito, God gave me an example of a person who goes about his work with a low profile, never boasting of anything, but seeing to it that everything is done rightly and promptly.