Wednesday, October 03, 2007 Ariola: Baguio City revisited By Jose Paolo Ariola I Still Walk the Line
(First of two parts)
I first visited Baguio City way back in 1989. After 18 years, I made it back to the world-famous "City of Pines" last week. Had it not been for the Metropolitan Trial Court and City Judges Association of the Philippines 9th Annual Convention, I wouldn't have been able to make it back to "Summer Capital of the Philippines" being the homebody that I am.
Apart from our convention, the trip was an emotional pilgrimage for me as I got to personally meet the Sotero/Tavares Family with whom I forged a unique bond of friendship all because of a pair of cowboy boots.
I've always been fascinated with "cowboy stuff" because of my love for country and western music. Thus, when I went to Baguio City in 1989 I came to know that they've got shoe shops there that make cowboy boots because the "katutubo" (native Igorots) like to wear them up in the mountain trails.
A taxi driver was kind enough to direct me to where the shoe shops are located--Gen. Luna Road.
The very first shop that I went into was Footjoy Shoemaker owned by Mr. And Mrs. Jose Sotero. And I was able to buy my first pair of cowboy boots there for about P800.
Sometime in 1995, I wrote that shop's owner (I did not know them yet personally) that I'd like to order a new pair and that I'm willing to pay 50% down payment and the balance as soon as I receive my new pair of boots. To prove to them I was a satisfied customer of theirs because of the craftsmanship and durability of their boots, I enclosed a photograph of that pair I bought from them in 1989.
To my surprise, Mrs. Aurora Sotero (I still have her letter) responded that they'd be happy to accommodate me. Thus, a relationship was forged between me and the Sotero Family. Why they even taught me how to take foot measurements. Every year thereafter, I would order at least two pairs of cowboy boots--one for my birthday and the other for Christmas.
Once in a while, I'd also order a pair at the end of each semester as what I call my "Katas UNO-R" - a product of my teaching stint at my alma mater, the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos. Back then, I would leaf over magazines for different styles and makes of cowboy boots. With the advent of the internet, it became much easier for me to surf for new designs. But the craftmanship of Mr. Jose Sotero never wavered nor faltered.
Whatever design I'd send, they can copy with utmost precision for detail. And Mr. Sotero, I was told by his daughter Irene, would always insist that he'd be the one to make my boots even when his fingers were already wracked with arthritis until he passed away sometime this year.
For over 18 years, I've accumulated a collection of 25 pairs of cowboy boots made by Footjoy Shoemaker. And since 1995 when I first placed an order for a new pair, the only means of communication I had with the Sotero Family was via telephone through their daughter Irene. Whenever I would place an order for a new pair, I'd just call Irene and tell her that I've sent my new design through LBC and my down payment by means of telegraphic transfer. And the rest is history.
Funny but while I never met them personally before, yet, I somehow felt that I was able to forge a deep friendship with the Soteros only through the telephone.
Since then our bond has transcended the mundane, so much so that we'd share family tragedies and triumphs. All because of a pair of cowboy boots.
Well, I finally got to meet the Soteros last week. My only regret is that just when I finally made it back to Baguio City, my tocayo - the master shoemaker Mr. Jose Sotero had long since crossed the great beyond.
While his wife, Mrs. Aurora Sotero, is seriously ill that I did not get the chance to meet her personally. But I ultimately met their daughter Irene and her kids Jaiza, Nonong, and Jenica, and her nephew, Darren. And how. So there I was on board a taxi late in the afternoon under a heavy Baguio downpour when I made it to their shop at No. 30 Gen. Luna Road.
As I entered their shop and introduced myself, the entire staff stopped at what they were doing and stared at me as if they saw a ghost. The whole shop practically froze for a while at the sight of me as if to say - so finally here is our "suki" from Bacolod in the flesh, big as life.
But after I broke the ice, there was an indescribable emotion inside of me that made me feel as if I was in the presence of family. Then I shook the hands of the entire staff, from Elsa the cashier down to the last shoemaker. I felt really good.
In my three-day stay at Baguio, I was treated as if I were royalty by Irene and the kids. Each night we had dinner (on them; they won't allow me to pay) at fine restaurants. So lavish was their hospitality and generosity that when it was time for me to go back home, they provided me with one dozen strawberry jams from the God Shepherd Nuns and a box of assorted Baguio goodies.
Of course, I had with me my brand new pair of custom made cowboy boots by Footjoy Shoemaker at the same price when I first ordered a pair in 1995. How much? Well, that's a top secret privilege for me. And for that I will always forever be grateful to the Sotero Family of Baguio City. It was a fulfilling experience I had in Baguio City with the Soteros - Irene, Jaiza, Nonong, Jenica, and Darren. I will always be grateful for their hospitality and kindness while I was their guest. Oh and by the way, those Baguio dinners were really great.
There is nothing like them in Bacolod. But if ever the Soteros can drop by Bacolod, I'm sure they will salivate with our chicken inasal and our own Negrense cuisine. How about it Darren? Our Masskara Festival has just begun, you know.
