I must confess I was upset. For the life of me, I could not understand what provoked such disconcerting statements.
Did we misunderstand? Again? I kept hoping there was something not picked up by the microphone that could have told a different story.
Was it a bluff? God help us if someone should “call” it.
Many people I know have expressed disappointment. I ask just what were their expectations. I would hate to be one of the people tasked with cleaning up the mess.
My fear is that there will soon be too much to sweep under the rug. What then?
My grand nephew calls me a relic of colonial times. But how can I now, at my age, pretend that a break with America does not bother me?
It worries me sick. I have stared at the ceiling late into the night, my mind in a whirl wondering what would become of our lupang hinirang.
Then I ask myself: didn’t I in 1946, love that surge of passionate patriotism rising in my chest when I first saw our flag fly alone and proud? Yes I did.
But the world was different then.
Just asking
Sunday night, over delicious gambas and fabada at Mario’s, my friends and I shared our thoughts on possible repercussions. We discussed our feelings of distress and yes, embarrassment. What is our image in the international arena today? What is the world saying about us?
But wait. Am I missing something? Some say there is method in this madness. Huh?
Just asking.
I got a questionnaire from a friend.
To all “senior” parents.
*When was the last time you called the shots at home?
*When did your kids take over the wheel?
*Did you just hand over the controls? Or did you go down fighting?
*Or like many of us, don’t you know that someone else, not you, is driving your buggy?
My reply: I screamed a little. Kicked a lot. Sometimes I still do. But, I couldn’t be in better hands. I love it!
Fond memories
I was saddened when I saw the obituary of Francisco C. Delgado, prominent businessman, shipping magnate and philanthropist. He passed away Oct. 24, 2016. He was 100.
I have fond personal memories of Don Paco.
In 1999 I was commissioned by the late Vicky Quirino Gonzalez- Delgado to write her husband’s biography. For months, I spent hours by his side visiting old haunts, listening to his stories.
Then, I wrote “Tribute to a Gentle Man.”
Francisco C. Delgado was born in San Pablo, Laguna, on June 4, 1916. His parents were Dr. José Maria Delgado and Felisa Concepcion. He was the third of eight children.
Paco studied at San Beda College. He was a remarkable student and a medalist.
He started “earning a living” early and was proud to tell me he was once a limpia botas (shoe shine boy) and made eight pesos a day.
After high school he thought he wanted to be a lawyer, but moved to the College of Diplomatic Service at University of Santo Tomas to earn Bachelor of Science in Diplomatic Science.
He was religious, devout, always diplomatic, gentle-mannered, and well read in the histories of the nations. His family thought for sure he would become a priest or an ambassador.
Instead he pursued a master’s degree in political science and joined the UST faculty.
In 1941, Paco was a First Lieutenant (Reserved) in the Philippine Army. When war was declared he was called to active duty.
He was in Bataan and Corregidor, became a secretary of Vice President Sergio Osmeña and served as junior aide to President Quezon.
After the war, Paco was sent as an Army Pensionado to the Adjutant General Service School in Camp Lee Virginia and Fort Oglethorpe in Georgia. He returned with the rank of captain.
Paco and his war buddies invested in seven US Army jeeps and converted them into jeepneys. Their ideas and hard work paid off and they bought barges and tugboats with their profits. Soon they were buying ships and established General Shipping Company.
In 1947, Delgado Brothers was in charge of the arrastre and stevedoring in the ports of Manila. In 1968 they ventured into the hotel business and inaugurated the Manila Hilton with Francisco C. Delgado as chair of the board.
Don Paco was the consummate Rotarian. He became District Governor of Rotary International for District 385 in the Philippines 1960-61 and President of Rotary International 1969 to 1971.
Paco married Carmencita Chuidian in 1940. They had six children. Cita died of cancer in 1983. In 1987 he married Vicky Quirino Gonzalez, daughter of President Elpidio Quirino. Vicky died in 2006.
Epilogue
Before we ended his story, I asked Don Paco how he wanted to be remembered. We printed this part of his reply on the inner flap of the book cover.
“I hope I am remembered as a good man. I want to be remembered fondly and with kindness. I hope that when I do leave this world, people will miss me a little and speak well of me. I want my life to have counted for something noble and good.”
Rest in peace, Don Paco.
