THIS month of July I am reminded of four persons, three of whom I considered to be “fathers” to me and the other one is my mother. These are Most Rev. Bishop Antonio Fortich, Fr. Loreto Dacanay, Capt. Eduardo Legaspi, and Carmen Legaspi. What is common with these three men? They all died in the month of July. These three men had greatly influenced my behavior, attitude, and values. Carmen, whose birthday falls on the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, is my mother. She brought me to this world and raised me to who I am today.
Let me start with the woman who had introduced me to this world. My mom was simple. She wished to be a doctor but ended loving biology and later became a teacher of Biology at UNO-Recoletos and La Carlota City College. She loved plants and animals. She was a woman of both science and faith. As a mother, she would always prepare us every Sunday for the Mass and would cook sumptuous lunch for the family. I enjoyed Sundays at home, especially at the dining table where we share a lot of things. I loved to hear stories from her about her childhood days at Hacienda Guadalupe. At the latter part of her life, she experienced difficulty physically and financially. In the early 90’s, she had a stroke because of complications with her diabetes. She could barely walk but her will to survive brought her even to the year 2008. Because of her strong faith in God, she fought hard the challenges the world brought her. She never complained but she clung to her faith until her last breath.
Eddie is my father. He dreamt of becoming a military officer. He became one but for the reserved force. He was given the rank of captain. He was a self-made man. As a young boy, he helped his mother sell textiles in Silay public market. He worked in the streets. He went to school and graduated BS in Commerce. He was an officer of the Reserved Officers Training Course (ROTC). He soon became a government employee and later was appointed assistant warden of the Negros Occidental Provincial Jail. He died as acting warden of the Jail in 2000. He was a religious man. He had devotion to San Vicente Ferrer in Talisay. He attended the early morning mass and never missed to have the “palapak.” He was not a perfect husband or father, but he never forgot his obligation to us. His experience in looking for a day’s earning sailed us through difficult times. He had solutions to the most complicated problems of life. His principle was simple, “take it one step at a time.” He left ahead of mom on July 9, 2000.
Bishop Antonio Y. Fortich, DD was a very influential person. He left a vivid impression to everyone he met. I salute the good bishop who really transformed the lives of many, especially the poor. He was a tall figure with a pipe or tobacco. He changed the course of the local ecclesiastical history. He became the bishop of the poor. He was the voice of the voiceless and the strength of the weak. He often jokes with people but his jokes would hit people to the heart. The good bishop really influenced me a lot. His philosophy was very simple; one could not enjoy without also giving joy to others. Could we be happy and joyful while we see other people in misery?
Lastly, the pious Recollect missionary friar who spent most of his ministry in the jungles of the Amazon, Fr. Loreto Dacanay. He lived in a river boathouse and evangelized the natives of Brazil. He turned away the luxuries of life and chose to be in the luxury of poverty. He was a silent but holy man, actually his presence radiated holiness. His wisdom and relationship with God were beyond compare. He spoke with respect and solidarity with others. He never gossiped or destroyed other people’s reputation. In short, he was really good. Fr. Loreto Dacanay, OAR has taught me to go with the tide but be sure the current leads you to God and nowhere else. He left us on July 4, 2016.
The marks of these persons will forever be in the lives of those whom they have touched. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and let Perpetual Light shine upon them. Amen.