I never forget the cousin of my mother, Wilhelmino “Willy” Saldua, elder brother of Rev. Soc Saldua. He stayed in our house when I was a toddler.
He influenced me in some mischiefs. He was charming and a ladies’ man. He won the hearts of some single ladies in our neighborhood, and a few married ones.
But the only thing that strikes me now is that he had a prophetic foresight. In the early ‘80s, he opened a kiosk, convenience store, or sari-sari store, call it what you like, in the vicinity of Kawasan Falls.
It was a very lonely, desolate place at that time. People in Matutinao called him crazy.
He suffered all indignities and humiliation from both friends and enemies while staying there.
His store was washed away by flood waters caused by typhoon “Nitang” in 1984. But he found means somehow to rebuild it and start all over again.
Now, about 40 years later, Kawasan has become a tourist haven. It became a source of income and business opportunities for residents of Matutinao and Badian.
Thanks to Wilhelmino Saldua, the pioneer of Kawasan.
It’s ironic, however, that a man’s good contribution to society is rarely recognized. Not usually in his lifetime.
Willy died after Valentine’s Day 2018 at the age of 70-something. He should be acknowledged as “The Hero of Kawasan.” The Badian government must do something to perpetuate his name. Maybe a road named after him.