SUNNY Junior, my favorite eldest brother, (that’s how I jokingly describe him; he being the only one who fits that description) celebrated his 70th birthday a few days ago.
He was so happy as more than 60 of his classmates and schoolmates from Baguio Chinese Patriotic School came to celebrate with him. It was a great reunion of old friends, many of whom traveled from out of town on a short two to three day notice.
Actually, he was born in 1949, but it is customary for most Chinese to count the date of birth as one’s first year of life; one’s life in the womb of the mother is counted as a year. It makes sense. This custom gives support to Pro-Life advocates.
Earlier, on New Year ’s Eve, he distributed a bundle of books to each of the 14 grandchildren of our late parents, Sunny and Betty del Rosario.
What were these books?
Three history books about Baguio, a book by Mother Teresa, a book on how to live life, and a book I had written in 2005, “My Dearest Children”.
Let me describe Junior using 4 H’s
1. HERITAGE and HISTORY Conscious
Without asking why, I knew the reason why he included the 3 books about Baguio and its founders – HERITAGE!
My grandparents on my father and mother’s sides were all OCW. They came over from China as Overseas Chinese Workers, much like our current OFWs, who have gone overseas in search of a better financial future. In the early 1900’s, the Philippines was a distant country reachable only by sea, but reputedly a country with great opportunities to start a new life. Thus, it was paradise compared to a then rural and economically backwards China.
Our grandparents were considered pioneers and old-timers in the City of Baguio. My grandfather on my father side, came over as a carpenter and helped in the building of Kennon Road. Later on, he contributed to the economic progress of Baguio and the mining towns nearby. My other grandfather was a restaurateur and put up the iconic “Taimong Restaurant” located near the corner of Gen. Luna and Magsaysay Ave., where Metrobank now stands.
My father started from zero financially, as everything was lost in the war. With hard work, perseverance and a vision, he put up Sunshine Bakery and Grocery in the late 1940’s. With his bare hands and a handful of workers, he put up one of Baguio’s earlier brick ovens for baking. He personally hauled up stones from Kennon on a small jeep to build the structure of the bakery. He then branched out with a Sunny’s Grocery in the city market; a second store at the very site where McDonald’s Centermall now stands; and a third one beside Taimong Restaurant. He also put up branches in the mines and set up Hotel De Luxe, where the current Hotel Veniz Burnham now operates.
However, in the 60’s things went bad. The stores in the mines did not do well anymore, a fire burned down one store, floods inundated the Abanao store 4 times. He was practically wiped out financially. It was only after Junior reached college in the late 60’s and spent a lot of time helping out, that my dad’s business started to recover.
Thank you, Junior. Thank you for overseeing the grocery and helping turn the business around. Dennis, my late brother, helped out, too. Then I also worked full time in the family busines, after college.
Junior keeps on reminding us, that knowing one’s history, specially the trials and challenges faced, teaches us many lessons. It is a gateway to the other H’s.
As the Filipino saying goes. “Ang taong hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.”
2. HUMBLE
Sunny Jr., like my late father, goes to work in a T-shirt. Unlike my father who always wore a plain white T-shirt, usually with a hole or two under his armpits, Junior wore free complimentary T-shirts with names of grocery or bakery suppliers printed on them. He promoted “Alaska”, “Del Monte”, “Wellington Flour”, among many brands!
Over 10 years ago, he founded the SUNSHINE FIRE VOLUNTEERS (SFV) group. From one rescue truck, he added 4 fire trucks and 5 water support trucks. The selfless group, under his leadership, has helped many people involved in accidents, and has been at the forefront in countless fire incidents, saving lives and properties within the city and its suburbs.
Today, he frequently wears the Sunshine Fire Volunteers T-shirt, together with over 50 SFV fire volunteers, who support our city’s fire department, in times of fire, accidents, and calamities.
Through it all, he constantly reminds all of us to stay humble. And he truly leads by good example.
For the last 25 years, he has been riding in his rundown 1990 red Corolla, which we kiddingly call his Red Ferrari. As the Ferrari is about to give up on him, he recently got himself a second hand car. Success has not tainted him with pride and the desire for luxurious things in life.
3. Sense of HUMOR
No day passes without Junior and I exchanging jokes, usually self-deprecating ones, about each other, and about our family’s traits and habits. We laugh about our work and spending habits and attitudes.
We usually see the lighter side of life, and laugh at ourselves, especially when we make wrong decisions and judgment calls.
He has led our family in laughing through the many difficult challenges we had and continue to face in life.
A good sense of humor is truly a major trait of his.
4. HARMONY builder
He has maintained good relationships with people from all walks of life. He is the generous, down- to- earth boss and friend of many. He has a special space in his heart for the visually impaired, many of whom visit him at his office on a daily basis.
If our family is close to one another, and has remained united together, he is one major reason for it all. He preaches harmonious living and lives in harmony with everyone. He is selfless and sacrifices for all of us.
MY DEAREST CHILDREN, NEPHEWS AND NIECES,
Emulate your Uncle Junior in many ways. His love for our heritage and our traditions is worth developing.
Live simply and humbly.
Proverbs 13:7 says, “A showy and pretentious life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.”
Maintain harmony among yourselves. He has led us by his good example.
Pray for wisdom that your Uncle has been gifted with.
He knows how true wealth is measured: by a good name, having good friends, and a strong personal relationship with the Lord that involves actually doing His will.
Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is better than great riches, to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
Let us continue to pray for a long and happy, healthy life for him; and continue the legacy he has set for us to follow.