Today, I would like to pay tribute to a good man, Manuel Mediavilla Sr. "Tatay '' as we call him, and like any father, Tatay was far from being perfect. However, as a person he was truly a good man and a friend.
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| Manuel Mediavilla Sr., January 1, 1949 - April 3, 2000. |
To his five legitimate children, tatay was a disciplinarian, with high regard on conduct and ethical behavior. He did not finish elementary education, but was determined to have a good life. The main reason why he went to Manila all by himself.
Despite his inability to speak Tagalog/Filipino language as he was a native of Alegre, Oton, Iloilo, and the only thing he can write about then was his full name. But tatay never undermines his own potential.
In fact, Tatay used his skills in sports to find a decent and permanent job at the Society of Jesus (SJ). Tatay Manuel played as one of the practice players for the Ateneo Basketball Team in the early 70s, after which he entered the Xavier House Office as a driver-utility staff that he served for roughly 25 years until his early retirement in 1995.
Tatay met Nanay in Road 2 Fabie Estate also in Sta. Ana. A native of Bantayan, Mangaldan, Pangasinan, Nanay Grace came to Manila to study chemical engineering at the Feati University. Nanay was then staying with her oldest sister Norma, a registered midwife at the Philippine General Hospital. Incidentally, Tatay and Nanay were neighbors, and my dear father became a passipnate suitor who would frequently visit Nanay from the gate of the school and accompany her home. Tatay was then staying with his uncle and cousins who were also from Iloilo Province.
Nanay was fortunate to have a good family background, as Lola Esperanza Edic was a former elementary school principal and Lolo Eulalio de Vera, a farmer. On Tatay's side Lolo Nicasio was said to be a Spanish-Filipino fisherman who married the native Lola Amada, my lola.
When Nanay Grace married Tatay Manuel in 1972, Nanay became Tatay's tutor. She patiently taught him how to write and read and do a little arithmetic. Later on Tatay learned to speak English well because of his exposure to foreign members of the Jesuit community.
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| Manuel Sr. with his young daighter Asumpcion, at their Road 2 house in Fabie, Sta. Ana, Manila |
Tatay died of cardiac arrest following his second stroke on April 3, 2000. I remember it was also lenten season when he bid us goodbye. While so many things had happened that almost tore our familiy apart back then, but hearing the people talk highly of him during the necrological service that these people organized for him, and the outpouring of donations was indeed an awakening for all of us.
Tatay may have introduced to us his strict and disciplinarian side as a father, but outside our house he was a compassionate friend, a good adviser and a listener, and always a helping hand.
And as I once more remember the sacrifices of Jesus for mankind this lenten season, I also can't help but reminisce the love for me, my siblings and my mother of my earthly father, Manuel to whom my skills in sports, artistry and discipline, I owe him so much.
Remembering you always, Tatay Manny.