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| Photo taken at St. Pacratius Chapel, Paco Manila |
As the global Catholic community rejoice and celerate the Easter season as Jesus resurrected after He was crufied for the sins of mankind, may we also learn to appreciate the simple things around us that God allows each of us to enjoy.
Keep your communication with God and remain hopeful that He will grant your prayer in own His perfect time.
Be appreciative and thankful.
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.
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| Photo taken at the @Holy Cross Parish, JP Rizal, Makati during the Palm Sunday mass. |
The last two years that we are engulfed by the COVID-19 pandemic, not only our jobs and regular day-to-day life have been displaced and rearranged but also the people's way of observing our traditions.
During the first year of the pandemic, the 45-days of the lenten season which the Catholics all over the globe observed annually were suddenly put to a halt. Without warning nor signs, instantly no more observations of "Ash Wednesday, no Palm Sunday mass, no stations of the cross, no visita iglesia, and no more Easter Sunday festivities including the easter egg hunt", among others.
Last March 2, the "Ash Wednesday '' mass was a testament on how we as Catholics really missed attending to our religious tradition. Technically, the churches were eventually overwhelmed by its parishioners who flocked to hear masses, particularly this season of penance as this celebration reminds everyone that we come from dust, and to dust we will all return.
Today, Palm Sunday, we gather once more to exercise our faith and be reminded how Jesus entered the City of Jerusalem that signals the people's willingness to follow Christ as they waved palm branches to Him. Thus, the lent is a good opportunity not only to renew our faith, to get closer to the almighty but also to be more open to Him whatever your status and conditions in life you are right now.
An hour or two with God is only a small sacrifice compared to the many blessings that He bestows upon us, to your loved ones, and to humanity. Take a moment with Him this lenten week to unite with God through prayers, a little sacrifice and penance.
