Palawan
Lipa
A.1.20 With Danda, the experience I had with Don appeared to have been reversed, where at St. James School in Tandang Sora, Quezon City I would be required to go upstage interminably to put medals and necklaces of honors prompting me to say to myself “Yes Lord, thank you for answering my prayers”;
A.1.21 When she transferred, however, to the Holy Spirit Quezon City and then to Assumption for her tertiary course the long range aspiration that she would consistently receive honors has not reappeared where I would say to myself then: “Lord, hindi pala lasting”.;
A.1.22 At present, she is now the Director for Publishing and Manager for Strategic Partnerships and Business Development of the REX Group and is known for her resiliency and objectivity in resolving matters affecting the business and even family interrelationships;
A.1. 23 As narrated above, both Don and Danda are late bloomers and admittedly played pivotal roles in the present-day survival and success of the Rex Group;
A.1.24 Notwithstanding the heretofore challenges both of Don and Danda, they have learned the value of saving which had been inculcated during the early years where likened to the Rockefeller style Don would have special ledger of his personal accounts to ascertain his current financial position until now;
A.1.25 They learned to survive with meager school allowances and would even venture to initiate businesses to enhance their financial situation where they suffer frustrations as their father during the early years was not constantly present as he would be out in the field selling and promoting books while Cynthia was likewise not predisposed to spoil them with fat allowances;
A.1.26 Cynthia would even scold Danda for reminding her at the middle of the night of her “utang” where Cynthia would say “ang tindi ninyo nananalaytay talaga ang dugong Buhain sa inyo sa pagkamakunat”;
A.1.27 Thus though the foregoing experiences could be harsh where stinginess prevailed and togetherness between father and children was missing, the circumstance nevertheless could have strengthened their resolve to improve themselves financially leading to financial independence allowing them to have the capability to finance this big event if only to manifest their love and respect to their father notwithstanding the latter’s imperfections;
A.1.28 Thank you Don and Danda for deciding to hold this prestigious event to honor your father;
A.1.29 Thank you for being articulate and/or talkative (due to the pig’s sexual organs placed in your respective rooms by Grandmother Deling during your respective births) and unafraid to talk and interact with people not only with people below but people of high caliber and proven authority thus not being afraid to meet the challenges of the business allowing us to survive at this point in time in this competitive world;
A.1.30 Thank you Cynthia for begetting these two (2) children Don and Danda;
A.1.31 Thank you Don on your pronouncements during the death of your mother” Thank you Mom for allowing Dad to fly” followed by the conciliatory pronouncement ”Dad, do not worry we will take care of you”;
B. From my perspective, there were certain experiences also which were already cited elsewhere which were blessings in disguise for a person like me whose capability are at the mediocre level to move forward and to seek a place in the sun;
B.1 Due to my desire to improve my financial situation I even decided to do an exclusive caroling devoid of a group thus the savings would be for my benefit exclusively and that I am thankful to have preserved the caroling instrument made of flattened soft drink covers and a sliced piece of bamboo as evidentiary proof of this seemingly selfish move to enrich oneself;
B,2 Duringthe death of my father I heard vividly my neighbor ”Ano kaya mangyayari sa mga batang ito?
B.3 Despite the meager financial situation of my widowed mother with three (3) children, she courageously enrolled us at the prestigious San Beda College;
B.4 One of my classmates at San Beda made the following remark”Akala ko mayaman kayo dahil ang ganda ng kotse (Buick 57) pinanghahatid sundo sa San Beda pero ang liit pala ng inyong bahay’;
Note: I am proud to announce to my mother and the classmate who made the remark that I was given the Distinguished Bedan Alumni Awards on two (2) occasions “Bedan Achiever Award” and “The Most Distinguished Bedan Award”, “First Icon of SBC-GSB Entrepreneurship”, a Professorial Room in my name and other honors and exclusively the “Hall of Fame Award” during 2013;
I am also honored to announce the venerable Father Benabarre OSB whose age is approaching one hundred (100) years old chose Rex as his publisher and printer in his present day writings including his new book “My First Hundred Years” which will be released on the occasion of his birthday;
At this juncture, may I give recognition to Father Benabarre, Fr. Abbot Alaras, Father Rector Aloysisus Maranan, my classmates at San Beda Class ‘61 with Valedictorian Baby De Leon, Major General Art Carillo, Past BDO President Exequiel Villarcorta, Ambassador Wilfrido Villacorta, Business Magnates Francis Tiu Laurel, Richie Cuerva, Oscar Contreras, Cesar Corquera among others), directors of the San Beda Alumni Association under the incumbent President Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, San Beda Alumni Foundation under former Secretary of Health Jaime Galvez Tan for instilling in me the virtue of ora et labore or pray and work;
Recently I was invited in my capacity as President and Chairman of the Rex Book Store by the Dean of San Beda College of Law, ACCRA President and the incoming ASEAN Lawyer’s Association President Ave Cruz to serve as Co-Chairman of the ASEAN Law Forum on proposed new law subjects;
May I give recognition to Atty. Ave Cruz?;
B.4.1 Though my stay at the De La Salle College where I completed Bachelor of Science in Business Administration did not earn much recognition I am nevertheless thankful I received the following Citation for Being Silver Jubilarian and the PECASA Award (which presently is nowhere to be found) with Ambassador to the USA Cuisia, Atty. Rene Saguisag and Makati Business Association Mr. Ramon Del Rosario as similar awardees and lately a Certificate of Appreciation from De La Salle Lipa was awarded to Rex Book Store for sponsoring the formation of their law library;
B.5 One of the members of the barkada would state “Huwag na natin isama sa party si Buhain wala namang pera yan!”
B.6 When I was about to get married to Cynthia, a relative from Bulacan inquired from my mother “May lupa rin ba kayo? My mother just smiled where I spoke silently to myself “Marami, sa paso”;
Note: Despite my absence of familiarity yet with many members of the famous Bulakena Club I have been chosen to succeed the leadership of President Cabochan. At this juncture, may I therefore give recognition to my friends at Bulakena Club with Engineer and Lydia Reyes as the Founders for the trust reposed;
