Aurora's childhood was filled with happy memories. She was surrounded by caring relatives and household helps. Her maternal grandmother, Eusebia whom she fondly calls Bai Biao was always at her beck and call. Her aunt, Felicidad Bernas, was around together with other household helps who do the daily chores. Her mother, a public health nurse was busy doing what she was expected to do - provide health care to mothers and children, prevent disease through immunization against smallpox, provide prenatal, natal, and postnatal care. Her father, a retired Justice of the Peace, was often busy often seen talking with people who have legal problems. Looking back, Aurora's home was a social service center where the poor go for help for their legal, health, and social problems.
Aurora's father usually spend his mornings preparing feeds for his swines by slicing banana trunks with a sharp bolo. One morning Aurora was summoned by her father to "please bring me the bolo that is hanging on the wall". Aurora got the safe end of the bolo and handed the sharp end of the bolo to her father. that elicited a long lecture on "consideration of others". He said, "never hand the sharp end of a bolo to the other person. He might get hurt." Young as I was I innocently said, then I may be the one who will get hurt? He said, "it is better for you to get hurt than for the other person to get hurt. The welfare of others is more important than your own." I could not understand.But surely the lesson stuck.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Three significant factors that shaped Aurora's life
There are three significant factors that shaped Aurora's outlook in life: Religion, Education, and Relationships. Lauro Soriano was one of the first judge who embraced Protestantism. He was the only Soriano among the many Sorianos, who read the Bible and who translated his faith into action.
One morning, her half-brother Arturo approached her father. She was six years old then and they just left her on her own. Arturo started by saying, "Papa I would like to get married. But my fiancee, Martina don't want to be married to a non-Roman Catholic. She wants me to be converted to the Catholic faith." His father's response left an indelible mark on Aurora's mind. He said, "my son, religion is not going to church or being identified with a certain church. Religion is a way of life. If you are a Roman Catholic be a good one. Help others in need. Your life should manifest Christ in your life. He gave his blessings to Arturo, a budding politician, and the first graduate of law from the University of the Philippines. In due time, Arturo married his betrothed, Martina (Nena) Untalan.
Aurora recalls that the wedding was well- attended. Nena was a devotee of the Virgen Mary and she goes to church every Sunday and during days of obligation wearing a white dress with a long blue sash around her waist and with a lengthy strip of blue cloth. She was also the best dress maker in town. In today's world, she would be a couturier par excellence. After Nena became a part of the Soriano family, Aurora became one of the best dressed girls in San Carlos. Nena saw to it that Aurora has a new dress for church almost every week. She continue to grow up in an atmosphere where religion is a way of life. Ecumenism was not popularly known but she already knew what ecumenism is all about - respect for the religious beliefs of others.
Education is an important family value. Aurora' parents saw to it that every member of the family, including the cousins and household helps who were frequently around the house obtain an education. Tomas, the eldest was one of the first social workers, Arturo became a lawyer, Josefina graduated at the top of her class in the elementary, high school, and college. She graduated from the Philippine Normal School as valedictorian. Araceli also became a teacher and later on shifted to personnel management. Manuel, considered as the most intelligent among the Sorianos floated from one course to another, from a pilot to agriculturist, but later on became a chief of security at the Veterans Memorial Hospital. Laureano "Jack" Soriano graduated from the College of law, Far Eastern University and passed the bar exams with flying colors, obtaining 100% in criminal law, a signal honor which set him toward the political arena. He became a Congressman of the Second District of Pangasinan and the Mayor of San Carlos City for almost 18 years. The drive for education and the pursuit of excellence rubbed on Lauro, Jr. who became the City Fiscal of Quezon City, Dewey who became a practicing lawyer via the excellent police detective work he did, Alfonso became a medical doctor, aurora became a public health educator, and Jesus graduated from law school but found himself as the Manager of the San Carlos Water Works and Sewerage System.
Aurora grew up in an atmosphere where religion was integrated into all facets of life, reflected in love for neighbors, service to others, and the golden rule. Lauro's mantra to his children was: Do unto others what you would like others do to you. The loving and caring relationship of the children from two nuptials were blended into a seamless relationship. Religion, as a way of life, Education as a key to open doors, and Relationship based on the golden rule permeated Aurora's life and profoundly influenced her attitude towards life.
One morning, her half-brother Arturo approached her father. She was six years old then and they just left her on her own. Arturo started by saying, "Papa I would like to get married. But my fiancee, Martina don't want to be married to a non-Roman Catholic. She wants me to be converted to the Catholic faith." His father's response left an indelible mark on Aurora's mind. He said, "my son, religion is not going to church or being identified with a certain church. Religion is a way of life. If you are a Roman Catholic be a good one. Help others in need. Your life should manifest Christ in your life. He gave his blessings to Arturo, a budding politician, and the first graduate of law from the University of the Philippines. In due time, Arturo married his betrothed, Martina (Nena) Untalan.
Aurora recalls that the wedding was well- attended. Nena was a devotee of the Virgen Mary and she goes to church every Sunday and during days of obligation wearing a white dress with a long blue sash around her waist and with a lengthy strip of blue cloth. She was also the best dress maker in town. In today's world, she would be a couturier par excellence. After Nena became a part of the Soriano family, Aurora became one of the best dressed girls in San Carlos. Nena saw to it that Aurora has a new dress for church almost every week. She continue to grow up in an atmosphere where religion is a way of life. Ecumenism was not popularly known but she already knew what ecumenism is all about - respect for the religious beliefs of others.
Education is an important family value. Aurora' parents saw to it that every member of the family, including the cousins and household helps who were frequently around the house obtain an education. Tomas, the eldest was one of the first social workers, Arturo became a lawyer, Josefina graduated at the top of her class in the elementary, high school, and college. She graduated from the Philippine Normal School as valedictorian. Araceli also became a teacher and later on shifted to personnel management. Manuel, considered as the most intelligent among the Sorianos floated from one course to another, from a pilot to agriculturist, but later on became a chief of security at the Veterans Memorial Hospital. Laureano "Jack" Soriano graduated from the College of law, Far Eastern University and passed the bar exams with flying colors, obtaining 100% in criminal law, a signal honor which set him toward the political arena. He became a Congressman of the Second District of Pangasinan and the Mayor of San Carlos City for almost 18 years. The drive for education and the pursuit of excellence rubbed on Lauro, Jr. who became the City Fiscal of Quezon City, Dewey who became a practicing lawyer via the excellent police detective work he did, Alfonso became a medical doctor, aurora became a public health educator, and Jesus graduated from law school but found himself as the Manager of the San Carlos Water Works and Sewerage System.
Aurora grew up in an atmosphere where religion was integrated into all facets of life, reflected in love for neighbors, service to others, and the golden rule. Lauro's mantra to his children was: Do unto others what you would like others do to you. The loving and caring relationship of the children from two nuptials were blended into a seamless relationship. Religion, as a way of life, Education as a key to open doors, and Relationship based on the golden rule permeated Aurora's life and profoundly influenced her attitude towards life.
My Journey Through Life
I started my journey in San Carlos, Pangasinan, Philippines on July 12, 1933. My father, Lauro G. Soriano, the first Justice of the Peace of my hometown and my mother, Andrea Tizon Guzman, one of the first public health nurses, gave me the name, Aurora. I was born early dawn and when my father heard the first cry of the new baby, he opened the window and saw the aurora borealis twinkling brightly in the sky. He said to himself, Aurora is a beautiful name. It will be my daughter's name.
Aurora grew up in a busy home atmosphere. She was the only girl among three older brothers: Lauro, Jr., George Dewey, and Alfonso. After her came Jesus Priscillano. Her father, a widower and twenty years my mother's senior, brought into their marriage six children, Tomas, Josefina, Arturo, Araceli, Manuel and Laureano "Jack".
When she was growing up, Aurora felt like a queen. She was the cynosure of her family's eye. All the members of the family showered her with love and attention. She was brought to social functions and public meetings at a very early age. She was encouraged to attend kindergarten and Sunday School in the Methodist Church. One day, a teacher-cousin, invited her to attend her grade one class as a "visitor". She was only five years old so Aurora dutifully tagged along every morning.
When her teacher gives a test, she also took the test. At the end of the school year, her teacher found out that she performed better than most of her classmates. So she was promoted to the second grade. This begun her path to a challenging and fulfilling journey in pursuit of a career. Aurora graduated from the University of the Philippines at the age of 18 with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Got married at the age of 21 with her campus sweetheart. Pursued a specialized course in Public Health at the Institute of Public Health while she was heavy with her second daughter, Aurora Hygeia and carrying in her arms her eldest daughter, Mary Ann. Yes, Aurora Soriano Cudal was a mother of two charming girls and a career woman at the young age of 23. Thus began her journey through life.
Aurora grew up in a busy home atmosphere. She was the only girl among three older brothers: Lauro, Jr., George Dewey, and Alfonso. After her came Jesus Priscillano. Her father, a widower and twenty years my mother's senior, brought into their marriage six children, Tomas, Josefina, Arturo, Araceli, Manuel and Laureano "Jack".
When she was growing up, Aurora felt like a queen. She was the cynosure of her family's eye. All the members of the family showered her with love and attention. She was brought to social functions and public meetings at a very early age. She was encouraged to attend kindergarten and Sunday School in the Methodist Church. One day, a teacher-cousin, invited her to attend her grade one class as a "visitor". She was only five years old so Aurora dutifully tagged along every morning.
When her teacher gives a test, she also took the test. At the end of the school year, her teacher found out that she performed better than most of her classmates. So she was promoted to the second grade. This begun her path to a challenging and fulfilling journey in pursuit of a career. Aurora graduated from the University of the Philippines at the age of 18 with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Got married at the age of 21 with her campus sweetheart. Pursued a specialized course in Public Health at the Institute of Public Health while she was heavy with her second daughter, Aurora Hygeia and carrying in her arms her eldest daughter, Mary Ann. Yes, Aurora Soriano Cudal was a mother of two charming girls and a career woman at the young age of 23. Thus began her journey through life.
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