May, 2010
Dear Justine,
We took time to attend the graduation ceremonies of Otay Ranch High School held at the Southwestern College stadium, yesterday (June 2.) It was a warm day. Traffic was heavy. And older adults such as your Grandpa and myself are not used to the screaming of friends and loved ones in the audience every time the names of the graduates are called.
In the Philippines, graduation ceremonies are so solemn that witnessing one here, especially your graduation day, makes us feel less comfortable.
But we made our way in through the thick crowd after almost emptying our gas tank in search of a parking space. We wanted to be there to witness a very significant ceremony, not only for you but for us, your grandparents. To us, education, is the most important family value. One of the speakers, Arlie Ricasa, President of the Sweetwater Union High School Board of Trustees who also handed your diploma, shared an advice she got from her parents which was also our own parent’s advise to us and which we are handing to you: “People can steal your car. They can steal your jewelries. They can break in to your home and steal all your valuable belongings but they can never steal your education!”
We are in your graduation ceremonies because we are proud of your accomplishments. We are happy to see you receive your diploma – a significant symbol of your success in acquiring basic secondary education. But this is just the first step. There are more steps ahead of you as you pursue higher education towards a meaningful lifetime career. There will be more trials and challenges that you will encounter. We are confident that you would be able to surmount all these because of the love and care being showered by your parents, brother and sisters, the spiritual nurture embedded by both your maternal and paternal grandparents, and the influence of your many cousins, aunts and uncles and even friends who continue to surround you with deep affection.
Graduation is actually a commencement towards the pursuit of higher goals and more noble ideals. You have to be clear of what you are aiming for and focus your efforts in achieving them. There will be temptations around you but strength of character, wisdom and courage that springs from your heart and mind will carry you through.
We can share with you our wisdom and experience as your grandparents who have traveled more than a thousand miles in their journey through life.
We have traveled through plains and valleys, forests and mountains and have walked through unchartered paths and tortuous terrain . We are about to reach the end of our journey which started in the Philippines fifty five years ago. There is one truth we would like to share with you: It is God and God alone that carried us through. With God all things are possible.
Press on!
Your loving grandparents,
Winlove and Aurora
Thursday, July 1, 2010
A letter to my grandson on his graduation from high school
April, 2009
Dear Joseph Winlove,
Almost seventeen years ago, I decided to come to the United States upon the invitation of your Mom who was then about to deliver her first-born baby. She wanted me to be at her bedside when she delivers you, a request that no mother can deny. So I filed a leave of absence from my job as Director of the Center of University Extension Service, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, hoping that I will be able to go back to the Philippines and resume my work after you were born.
Upon my arrival, I found many of your Mom’s friends gathered at the garage of your home. There was a surprise welcome party for me! Your Mom is fond of giving surprise parties, you know. She was so excited and tired that afternoon preparing the food and entertaining her guests. She was already full term but there she was trying her best to be a gracious host and to make me feel at home. She told me that my arrival was timely. Her baby will be due in a week’s time.
The morning after the party, I heard a commotion. Your Mom was rushed to the Sharp Memorial Hospital. You came earlier than expected. The Soriano and Cudal families were all excited to receive into this world a healthy, normal and handsome baby boy. Your Dad recorded the moment with his video camera. He was so excited. The birth of a baby boy to any Filipino family is most welcomed – they are bearers of the family’s name.
Your parents were not so creative in choosing your first names – Joseph Winlove – they just adopted the names of your two grandfathers, the Rev. Jose Soriano and Winlove Cudal. Parents often choose the names of their forebears for their children as a sign of love and respect, especially when the bearers of the name are honorable and worthy of emulation. It goes without saying that your Grandpa Jose and your Grandpa Winlove are very good and godly men. You should be proud that you bear their names.
Your grandparents took good care of you while your parents returned to the normal routine of earning a living, with a difference. They have now a reason to work harder. They have a son who will one day go to college. They have to prepare for his future. They would like him to get the best education that they can provide. Their hopes and dreams are to see their son succeed in life and college for them is the ultimate venue to build your dreams on and to prepare for life.
That time has come today as you step out of Otay Ranch High School with a diploma on hand. You will start a journey of a thousand miles to pursue a career. Your options are unlimited. But the final choice is yours. You should decide what you would like to be five years or ten years from now.
Life is a matter of choices. It is up for you to choose the right from the wrong, the good from the bad. Making choices is not easy. It takes discernment, wisdom, courage and prayer. Never underestimate the power of prayer. With God as your anchor, you will always be able to make wise decisions. You have to look into your core values which I believe you already have developed through your growing up years.
You are now on your own and you have chosen to pursue higher education in a different state – Utah. I don’t know why you have to go out of California but it was your decision and I respect that.
I love you enough to give up my prestigious job and to leave my homeland. You are the reason for my being here and I thank God that I had the opportunity to sing my sweetest lullabies for you every single night during your first eight months. Those were precious moments for me.
The future is bright for you. Go out there and pursue your dreams. We are here to cheer you on.
Happy graduation day!
Dear Joseph Winlove,
Almost seventeen years ago, I decided to come to the United States upon the invitation of your Mom who was then about to deliver her first-born baby. She wanted me to be at her bedside when she delivers you, a request that no mother can deny. So I filed a leave of absence from my job as Director of the Center of University Extension Service, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, hoping that I will be able to go back to the Philippines and resume my work after you were born.
Upon my arrival, I found many of your Mom’s friends gathered at the garage of your home. There was a surprise welcome party for me! Your Mom is fond of giving surprise parties, you know. She was so excited and tired that afternoon preparing the food and entertaining her guests. She was already full term but there she was trying her best to be a gracious host and to make me feel at home. She told me that my arrival was timely. Her baby will be due in a week’s time.
The morning after the party, I heard a commotion. Your Mom was rushed to the Sharp Memorial Hospital. You came earlier than expected. The Soriano and Cudal families were all excited to receive into this world a healthy, normal and handsome baby boy. Your Dad recorded the moment with his video camera. He was so excited. The birth of a baby boy to any Filipino family is most welcomed – they are bearers of the family’s name.
Your parents were not so creative in choosing your first names – Joseph Winlove – they just adopted the names of your two grandfathers, the Rev. Jose Soriano and Winlove Cudal. Parents often choose the names of their forebears for their children as a sign of love and respect, especially when the bearers of the name are honorable and worthy of emulation. It goes without saying that your Grandpa Jose and your Grandpa Winlove are very good and godly men. You should be proud that you bear their names.
Your grandparents took good care of you while your parents returned to the normal routine of earning a living, with a difference. They have now a reason to work harder. They have a son who will one day go to college. They have to prepare for his future. They would like him to get the best education that they can provide. Their hopes and dreams are to see their son succeed in life and college for them is the ultimate venue to build your dreams on and to prepare for life.
That time has come today as you step out of Otay Ranch High School with a diploma on hand. You will start a journey of a thousand miles to pursue a career. Your options are unlimited. But the final choice is yours. You should decide what you would like to be five years or ten years from now.
Life is a matter of choices. It is up for you to choose the right from the wrong, the good from the bad. Making choices is not easy. It takes discernment, wisdom, courage and prayer. Never underestimate the power of prayer. With God as your anchor, you will always be able to make wise decisions. You have to look into your core values which I believe you already have developed through your growing up years.
You are now on your own and you have chosen to pursue higher education in a different state – Utah. I don’t know why you have to go out of California but it was your decision and I respect that.
I love you enough to give up my prestigious job and to leave my homeland. You are the reason for my being here and I thank God that I had the opportunity to sing my sweetest lullabies for you every single night during your first eight months. Those were precious moments for me.
The future is bright for you. Go out there and pursue your dreams. We are here to cheer you on.
Happy graduation day!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Thoughts about the father of my children on Father's Day!
I met Winlove Abello Cudal when I was 16 years old and a gangling physical education student at the University of the Philippines. I met him in a very unusual way. There I was dressed in my gym suit with my long legs on display. I was about to enter the P.E. library when my attention was caught by an announcement on the bulletin board, "Track and Field athletes report for practice." I stopped to read and check out the list, asking myself, "whom do I know in this list". I checked the names from A to C, then came the name WINLOVE. I swooned over the name, "What a beautiful name. Is his face as nice as his name? Winlove, Winlove, I hope I can meet you, Winlove, what a beautiful name!" The gymnasium was noisy and I thought I was just speaking to myself. Then a man emerged from behind the bulletin board. He extended his right hand and said, "I am Winlove Cudal, how do you do?" I was so embarrassed. I did not shake his hand. Instead, I ran away as fast as I can, wishing the earth would open and swallow me up. The embarrassment was compounded by the fact that this was the man who payed for my bus fare a week ago. I didn't know him from Adam and there he was smiling and paying for the 10 cent fare to the Halili bus driver. I was wondering who the man was and now here he appears smiling ad introducing himself!
Fast forward, fifty five years later. Our marital journey brought forth eight bundles of joy. One, Lovejoy, died in infancy. Seven have their own career and families. I was trying to find words to best describe him as a person, then I found 1 Corinthians 13. Winlove is patient, generous and kind. Winlove is not rude. He is not boastful. He makes no record of wrongs. he has always been there for me with faith, hope and love. But the greatest of this is LOVE.
Fast forward, fifty five years later. Our marital journey brought forth eight bundles of joy. One, Lovejoy, died in infancy. Seven have their own career and families. I was trying to find words to best describe him as a person, then I found 1 Corinthians 13. Winlove is patient, generous and kind. Winlove is not rude. He is not boastful. He makes no record of wrongs. he has always been there for me with faith, hope and love. But the greatest of this is LOVE.
Remembering My Father On Father's Day
The celebration of Father’s Day always evoke fond memories about my father. He was the first Justice of the Peace in my hometown, San Carlos, Pangasinan, (Philippines). He held the position for thirty years. He was a firm disciplinarian but he was a caring and compassionate father. My father was a widower with six children when he married my mother, a public health nurse. He was then 45 years old while my mother was 21 years old. His second marriage produced eight children but three died in infancy. My father saw to it that the relationship between his two sets of children was seamless. He often reminded his children, “all of you have the same family name, you are all my children. You should love one another, help each other and take care of each other at all times. True enough, eleven children grew up harmoniously under one roof until they were able to pursue a career and have families of their own. He was able to bring up four lawyers, a medical doctor, a social worker, three teachers and two management experts.
When my father was weakened by tuberculosis (which I now realized was emphysema) , he confined himself to his room with only the Holy Bible as his reading material. He had the book at his side up to the day he died.
I spent many hours by his side, feeding him, massaging his back and serving as his human air conditioner. I continuously fanned him especially when it was warm and he had difficulty of breathing. In between those hours of discomfort, I read the Bible for him. His favorite books are the Book of Psalms, the Book of Proverbs and the Book of Ecclesiastes.
It was through my father that I have learned to appreciate and read the Holy Bible. I found the Book of Psalms as the source of songs of praise and prayers of lament and for vindication against enemies, and hymns celebrating God’s steadfast love. My father encouraged me to recite from memory, Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
My father inculcated so many lessons about life from the Book of Proverbs, the most practical and down-to-earth book in the Bible. The insights I got served as my guide for daily living and relationships. One of the lessons I often put into practice: “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow when you now have it with you.” (Proverbs 5:27-28)
The Book of Ecclesiastes is a book of mixed messages. “The Teacher” tried to explore the meaning and purpose of life. He pursued pleasure, achievement and riches but ultimately he came to the conclusion that the purpose of life is to “Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man.”
I remember my father saying to me, “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” I later found out his expectations of me as a woman, when I read Proverbs 31:10-31. I tried my best to meet his expectations but it seems I’ve fallen short. However, I am still trying even at this stage of my life.
Thank you, Papa. That was a long time ago, but I still can see you in my mind’s eye. Kind, loving and patient. It is my fervent desire that my four sons would be as good as their grandfather, as I wish all of them “Happy Father’s Day”.
When my father was weakened by tuberculosis (which I now realized was emphysema) , he confined himself to his room with only the Holy Bible as his reading material. He had the book at his side up to the day he died.
I spent many hours by his side, feeding him, massaging his back and serving as his human air conditioner. I continuously fanned him especially when it was warm and he had difficulty of breathing. In between those hours of discomfort, I read the Bible for him. His favorite books are the Book of Psalms, the Book of Proverbs and the Book of Ecclesiastes.
It was through my father that I have learned to appreciate and read the Holy Bible. I found the Book of Psalms as the source of songs of praise and prayers of lament and for vindication against enemies, and hymns celebrating God’s steadfast love. My father encouraged me to recite from memory, Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
My father inculcated so many lessons about life from the Book of Proverbs, the most practical and down-to-earth book in the Bible. The insights I got served as my guide for daily living and relationships. One of the lessons I often put into practice: “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow when you now have it with you.” (Proverbs 5:27-28)
The Book of Ecclesiastes is a book of mixed messages. “The Teacher” tried to explore the meaning and purpose of life. He pursued pleasure, achievement and riches but ultimately he came to the conclusion that the purpose of life is to “Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man.”
I remember my father saying to me, “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” I later found out his expectations of me as a woman, when I read Proverbs 31:10-31. I tried my best to meet his expectations but it seems I’ve fallen short. However, I am still trying even at this stage of my life.
Thank you, Papa. That was a long time ago, but I still can see you in my mind’s eye. Kind, loving and patient. It is my fervent desire that my four sons would be as good as their grandfather, as I wish all of them “Happy Father’s Day”.
Family Influences and Values
Aurora grew up in a very formal yet caring environment. Her parents - Lauro Palisoc Soriano and Andrea T. Guzman Soriano saw to it that their children are neat at all times,dressed appropriately, eat together as a family - breakfast and dinner, say or sing a prayer before meals, hold healthy conversation while eating, share positive experiences,and friends are always welcome to dine with the family. The children have to go to school on weekdays (no absences or truancy), work at home on Saturdays and go to church on Sundays. Although, responding to invitations and attending social gatherings was mandatory. "It is an honor to be invited. It is a social obligation to attend." One has to be appropriately dressed as a way of honoring your host. The Soriano family was not financially well-off, but there was an ambiance of formality and professionalism within the family and yet one can feel a common bond of love and respect towards each other.
Nurtured by a retired Justice of the Peace and a pro-active public health nurse, Aurora grew up in an atmosphere where helping others was a way of life. Social justice was a common household word. Health for all and democracy for all were not slogans but action words that prodded her parents to work and serve others even beyond retirement. The pursuit of college education was a MUST in the family. Hence, every member of the family graduated from college and all of them were in the "helping" profession.
Nurtured by a retired Justice of the Peace and a pro-active public health nurse, Aurora grew up in an atmosphere where helping others was a way of life. Social justice was a common household word. Health for all and democracy for all were not slogans but action words that prodded her parents to work and serve others even beyond retirement. The pursuit of college education was a MUST in the family. Hence, every member of the family graduated from college and all of them were in the "helping" profession.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Early Childhood
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
