A LEGACY FROM MY FATHER
I remember my father. His love for leaning is unquenchable. He loved to read books that enriched his mind. He had volumes of books related to auto mechanics – diesel and gas engines, travel, the Holy Bible. He had books and magazines on sawmill operations, timber and logging managements, etc. As young man he worked as an “engineer” in a steamboat hauling logs in Basilan and Ulotanga islands in Southern Mindanao. Papa can take either gas or diesel engine apart and put them together again – good as new. He was good also at servicing a steam engine as as magnet driven engine. He was a genius at all kinds of engine.
Papa studied thoroughly his work before doing it. He was an excellent millwright. He was not really an “engineer,” but built bridges spanning two ravines which were seemingly “unbridgeable.” He can tell stories of his many exciting travels as if he were really there. Had he been to Alaska? To Kilimanjaro’s diamond mines? To the Great Walls of China? You bit. He was there.And in my young mind I wonder if I can ever go to those places. I spent many idle hours retracing my father’s exciting journeys and travel. When I grow up I shall travel and see the world also.
Papa was a fluent story teller. Together we siblings listened enthralled by the adventures of Robin Hood, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, The Tale of the Twin Cities, The Way of the Cross, etc. Thus we while away long weary hours of the night during the war years. He can tell the same story over and over as if it happened very recently. I just dropped off to sleep continuing his story with my own adventures.
Papa’s retelling of the saga of a famous Suluan Datu Durugadi (sic) is a classic in Suluan literature. Datu Durugadi fought against the United States scouts and the fledgling Philippine Scouts. His cleverness and courage in battle won many Suluans to fight with him. The Americans branded him an outlaw. To the Suluans he was a hero. He was invinsible. Papa described the process of becoming a huramentado. A huramentado was devout follower of his chief. He will obey and follow the task ordered by his chief. He cannot fail. He will pursue his task. He will die rather than fail. Durogadi was finally captured and beheaded by the soldiers.
“Nonoy, when I die, I have no wealth for you and your sisters and brother to inherit.I do not want you to go back to Iloilo to claim portions of properties of my parents and your mother’s parents. The only inheritance your mother and I can bestow to you are what you have stored in your hearts and minds.” He always encouraged us to buy books that enriches the minds and souls. His room was full of book cabinets. “Read. Read. Fill your minds with wisdom. Nobody can take away from you what you in have in your hearts and minds. And where ever you go and whatever you do always remember to pray to the LORD for protection and guidance.”Papa was not a religious person in the sense that he spent much time doing church. He read and know his Bible well. He loved God and encouraged us to always pray to God and to trust always in Him. Perhaps it was his closeness and understanding of God that made him to reach out to needy people. His influence on me to seek wisdom and the blessings of God has left a legible imprint in my mind and soul. His religion was not for show, but a lifestyle.
