Friday, July 06, 2007 Adaza: Losing my voice but not my faith By Attorney Guerrero A. Adaza My Viewpoints
WHEN I was a college student in Manila from 1958 to 61 for my Bachelor of Arts course, I listened during my spare time to radio commentaries over stations of DZRH and DZPI and the known commentators then were later on Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson, Rafael Yabut and Damian Sotto.
They had hard-hitting and incisive opinions about government and public officials. I became an avid listener to commentaries and newscasts. It became an enjoyable habit. My day would not be complete without it.
And it greatly helped me to sharpen my mind and ability to reason out, plus the increase of my stock knowledge.
When I became a university debater in Silliman University together with Jovito Cagaanan, who retired recently as Commissioner of the National Labor Relations Commission, and Oswaldo Espirat from Zamboanga City, who teaches international law presently in a university in Kentucky, USA, it largely contributed to my ability to extemporize my constructive speech and our debate coach, the assistant Dean of the College of Law, Teddy Cortes looked at with disfavor such way.
But he had no choice but to allow me to do it, for I easily get the attention of the judges and audience, to his delight.
Later on when I practiced law and in my radio commentaries, I always spoke extemporaneously. Some people call it a gift of gab. And this is the very asset that God removed from me. To humble me, so I will be totally dependent upon Him, I surmise.
Sometimes the great God that I worship makes no sense for I could always be an effective witness to His glory with a voice rather than without one.
But would I quit the practice of law if I still have a voice? Would I focus my attention to what God wants me to do which is to love and serve Him and my fellow beings? Questions whose answers certainly are not easy to come by.
I am confident though that I will be able to talk again, after I'll go through a speech therapy in Manila in this month of July.
How long it will be? I was told by Dr. Arturo de la Pena that it may take one or two weeks, depending on how fast I can learn speaking through the diaphragm.
However I cannot sing anymore, my doctor told me. Gone will be the days when I could croon the songs of Frank Sinatra, Vic Damone, Perry Como, even Elvis Presley and Sammy Davis Jr.
But that would not matter at all. What is important is for me to communicate again to my wife, sons, their wives, grandchildren and the public.
Hopefully I will be able to go back to my radio program, In My Opinion, which is aired every Sunday from 6:30 to 7 p.m. over Radyo Bombo.
Momentarily my son Bong takes care of the program and my wife too, pinch hitting every now and then. My program has been on the air for the last seven years.
Do I ever regret why I took my precious voice for granted despite the long time that my hoarseness was prevailing? Yes, I do. My wife and brother Celing had insisted that I should be examined by a cancer specialist.
I ignored their suggestion and instead took up alternative medicine in Cebu City, for two years, which was more expensive than chemotherapy treatments or 42 sessions of radiation.
But that's water under the bridge. I must move on with my life confident that God will help me live longer in order to be fruitful in service to Him, to my family and my fellow beings.
What is in store for me in the future? Only God knows what really is His plan for me.
What is definite is that everyday if God allows me still to live, I will continue serving Him and His people in the Divine Mercy Hills, the United Way and other outlets.
I will continue writing my column and be back in my radio commentaries once I can talk. Life is all too short to waste it on regrets.
Life is to be lived meaningfully and fruitfully for God said that a tree that does not bear fruit must be cut down and thrown into the fire.
It matters not how long one lives. What is important is he deepens his relationship with God and be a man for others, while still alive.
