Regional Winner - MOFYA 2011 Mauro Pandero's Family

Our family won the Search for Model OFW Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA) Region X. This is "An annual event of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA), MOFYA aims to give recognition to OFW’s and their families who have demonstrated steady and enduring family ties, outstanding community service and financial stability." http://www.ugnayan.com/ph/MisamisOriental/CagayandeOro/article/XPB

This is the story I sent for the said Search...

A Sacrifice Worth the Sacrificing
By Fr. Erdman B. Pandero
It has been a while since I have been thinking of writing a piece for the most sacrificing father I have known. I want to write his life – which is also our life – so that my nephews and niece will know who the father of this family is, and who made this family what it is now. It is the love of the grandfather they barely know, of the person they barely see, of the sacrifice they barely understand.
My father was born on November 30, 1947 in Gata, Clarin, Misamis Oriental. He is the youngest of a very poor family. He has 2 sisters and a brother he loves so much. When I visited his place sometime in the year 1993, I learned that my father used to sell banana leaves just for him to have money to buy rice – this he did at a very young age. He stopped schooling when he was 9 years old because lolo and lola then parted ways. He went with lolo and started to make ends meet. By then, papa told me once, he wanted to build a family that would not experience the pains and the sufferings he had gone through. Amidst all these, my father is still a very happy and bubbly person. He is well-known for his happy disposition and his sweet and sincere smiles and laughter.
When papa was growing up, he promised himself that he would marry a professional woman because he wanted to have professional children. He had a handful of relationships but none he took seriously because they were – as he said – as poor as he was. He dreamed that someday, he would have a woman who could give him professional children. Schooling was so much of an issue for papa, probably because he was an intelligent boy but had no means of going to school.
Papa travelled from almost all over Mindanao to find a living. He worked his way up in a logging company from a mere messenger to becoming a foreman. Him being unschooled was never a hindrance to his dreams. He was then assigned in Bangonay, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte. Fate had it that my mama lived in that town and was also working in the same company.
My mama, on the other hand, lived a decent life during her growing up years. In their little and remote town, they were among those who had good reputation and were stable financially. My mama was also the youngest in the family and by that time her sisters and brothers had established good business in the hometown. Mama was never used to taking her bath in the common bath – which was then on a common well. In the workplace, her brothers would normally bring water from their hometown to the barrio – an almost 7 kms. distance – just for mama to have her bath inside the rented house. Papa saw mama. He saw her as “maarte and edukada” and vowed to himself that he would marry this woman. He wanted to have children like her. He wanted to build a family with her. The courting started. Papa did not court mama, instead he courted my lola. They were married and papa brought mama to his own place.
The family lived in Trento, Agusan del Sur. They had then my eldest sister Ate Erma. Mama graduated BS in Commerce major in Accounting so she was easily accepted to work at the town in the Treasurer’s Office. It was a decent job for mama. However, papa felt that mama was earning more. He wanted to raise the family as the word husband was defined during that time – husbands were the ones to feed the family. Mama respectfully and lovingly obliged with papa. She quit the job so that papa would still be the head of the family.
After some time, the family transferred from Trento, Agusan del Sur to Davao City to San Fernando, Bukidnon. Life was difficult. Papa could not find a decent job because he was unschooled. But he kept on trying. Mama was there always by his side to support him with all his decisions. There were even times, I was told, that the family was so hard up but papa did not allow mama to go to the farm. Mama was always at home to take care of their 3 children. She had not tried to do menial works for the family. Papa was and has always been the breadwinner of the family. Papa has always been so protective and so caring with mama.
An opportunity came. Papa got a job as a janitor at CDCP – a company up in Dicklum, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. He was a janitor, a time-keeper, an all-around boy in that company – and he loved his job so much. He was also admired by his bosses. CDCP got a project contract to work in building roads in Saudi Arabia. One day, papa was so excited as he went home. He told mama that who could afford to fly to Manila could have their chance to work in Saudi Arabia. Most of the bosses in the company could not make it because they had no money for fare. They needed only some few days to prepare and off they should go. Papa wanted to join the team but we did not have any money for his fare – so papa thought! But mama, who is so good with saving-for-the-rainy-day practice, told papa that she was able to save some amount in the bank. From the meager pay papa was receiving, mama was able to save. With that money, papa’s dream was then turning into a reality.
Papa flew to Saudi Arabia in the year 1983. The family went down to Villanueva, Misamis Oriental because mama had a sister who was also living in the nearby town. At first we rented a house. But a year after, mama was able to buy 400 sq.m lot with an old nipa hut on it. Papa first came home in the year 1986 and went back to Saudi a month later. After a year, mama bought another piece of land just in front of our house. We built a bigger house and transferred there in the year 1987. Life has been good for the family. Mama bought a rice field and some other things. We all went to school and did our best to be what papa dreamed for us, to become professionals.
In the year 1989, papa came home. He had some second thoughts of going back to Saudi Arabia because jobs were becoming more and more difficult. But he told mama that he had no choice, he could not have good-paying job in the Philippines. He wanted all of us to finish our studies so off he went again without any assurance that he could find another job. Mama had to feed the family from the savings she had because papa need to find job for months and months. It was just barely a year when papa landed a job when Gulf War broke out. It was then one of the most difficult years of the family. My ate was then in college taking up BS in Nursing, while me and maning Lemlem were in a private school. Slowly we were running out
of savings so mama need to sell whatever we had – the extra piece of land, the rice field and some of the things we had accumulated. It happened not because we were spending too much. It happened because it was what the situation called for. We need to sell what we had so we could still continue with our studies.
We did survive that difficulty, not with flying colors though. However, before we could barely move forward, we had to face again another trial as a family – the teenage pregnancy of my ate. We stood by her as a family. Not a single bad word came out of mama’s lips. We had to be with ate in that most trying times. But we need to keep it a secret from papa. He was so far from us and we didn’t know what his reaction would be. Ate, though she was pregnant, had to continue schooling. It was difficult for her physically and emotionally but we held on as a family. Maning and I took turns in taking care of the loveliest angel in the family – our first born nephew. Then came the day none of knew how to handle – papa’s homecoming. We didn’t know when the date would be. One day, he was there at our doorsteps. I opened the door and didn’t know what to do. Mama was at a neighbor’s house carrying Quinn2, the handsome angel of the family. Papa looked at mama carrying a baby. Mama handed the baby to papa and said, “Loy, anak ni Inday.” Papa took the baby, hugged him and asked, “nakatapos ba?” Mama said, “yes.” Papa then became an instant nanny for baby Quinn2 all of his stay at home. He loved my nephew like his own son. Ate did not hear any bad word coming from papa. My brother-in-law, manong Julius, was also accepted and was so loved by papa as his own. The incident taught us what true love is, what a family is, and what real sacrifice is all about.
My sister went to college, took up BS in Engineering but decided later on that she wanted to marry though she was not yet done with her studies. Papa and Mama consented with her plans and she got married at the age of 20. Papa is such a great father and mama is incomparable. The love that they have for us is a love that asks nothing in return. My sister shifted to BS in Education after her marriage. As siblings, we had one thing in our minds; we need to finish our studies. We felt that papa and mama sacrificed their time with each other just for all of us to get better education. Maning, as she has always been, received excellent grades all her college years. She excelled in her field, married a very good and handsome partner, manong Ian. She finished her studies, passed the board exam, and went to take Masters in Education some years later.
On my part, I entered the seminary in 1996. I knew then that papa would have difficulty accepting my decision. He wanted me to raise my own family and carry his family name. He wanted to have grandchildren of his own family name. I knew papa would want something for me but I also know that he loved me more than his dreams. I pursued the priesthood. But when I was at Xavier University, I wanted papa to be very proud of me. I graduated at the top of my class and was awarded Magna Cum Laude. I desired to give papa the honor due for what he had done to my family. I was one of the Top Ten Students of Region X for 2001. I am so inspired to do great things in life because I wanted papa to be proud of his children.
Now, I have 6 nephews and 1 niece. They are so close with mama but they know little about papa. They see how loving and caring mama is but they hardly feel much of this from
papa. The reason being he was so away from us. But every time we gather as a family, we made it a point that we talk about papa and how he sacrificed for the family. Papa spent most of his lifetime working just to give his children a better future.
Where does his sacrifice bring the family to? Ate Erma is now a Registered Nurse working as a Rural Health Nurse in our hometown. Her husband manong Julius is an Engineer at a nearby Coal-Powered Plant. She has 3 gorgeous boys and 1 fine young girl. She has her house built just a foot away from our own house. Mama would normally take her breakfast with them.
Maning Lem-lem is an educator with a Masters in Special Education. She is working as a SPED teacher at a nearby town. Her husband Manong Ian is a Business and Management graduate and is now working as a company driver at the same plant where manong Julius is working. Maning has 3 handsome boys. She built her house some 200 meters away from our own. Mama would normally take her supper with them.
I am now a priest. I am working as the Vice-Chancellor of the Archdiocese. I am staying with the Archbishop and is helping him with his paper works.
Should papa decide to be home, they will not be having any financial difficulties. Papa bought a piece of land in Cotabato and had it planted with Rubber Trees. Mama has also a piece of land inherited from her parents in her hometown. Mama has her own pension from the government and papa will also have his own pension should he decide to be home for good. After years of working, they will both grow old gracefully. They need not worry about their children and they need not pay anyone for debt. They can now live their love in their simply abode surrounded by the love of their children and their grandchildren.
We gather together as a family almost every week. We normally stay at mama’s place and talk just about anything. The family has become what papa and mama wanted it to be, simple and closely-knit family. We do have some misunderstandings once in a while but it was never a cause of our division. We have learned to accept who we are as a family and tried to love one another no matter what. We are all preparing for the day when papa will decide that he will stay with mama and retire for good.
Papa and mama sacrificed so much for this family but looking back, it was a sacrifice worth sacrificing.

Trip to Zamboanga!

It has been a while! I have been busy since the day I was told that ordination is close at hand. I was on a 6-day retreat last July 18-23 then went straight for Zamboanga dawn of July 24.

We left Cagayan de Oro around 5:00 in the morning. We took the longer route, via land travel. We need to pass through the cities of Iligan, Pagadian, Ipil, and Zamboanga City. Archbishop Ledesma, SJ and his driver Bossing Edwin took turns in this long drive. I volunteered myself to help them but was not given a chance, hehehe... Perhaps the Bishop knows that I don't know how to drive, hahaha!

Our first stop was around lunch time and took our lunch in the parish where Bishop Ledesma, SJ was first assigned as a new priest, at the parish of Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay. He was an assistant parish priest way back before he was assigned in the academe. We were graciously and warmly welcomed by the Fr. Larry, the most light-hearted priest I have yet to met. His positive disposition is very contagious. You cannot think of pain, problem, and suffering when you are with him.

We arrived at our destination around 4:00 in the afternoon. You can only imagine those 11 long hours sitting down and watching panoramic views passing before us. Or was it us who passed by the scenery? We arrived safe and sound at the Silsilah Oasis of Dialogue Training Center, Harmony Village, Sinunuc, Zamboanga City.

We then proceeded to thank God in the Eucharistic Celebration for the safe trip.

A Day With The Transforming Green Lanterns!

I spent my day last Sunday with my nephews Quinn2, Troy, Jboy, Badad, and King. Not seen in this photo is my niece Baby Jlou and another nephew on the way. Normally Quinn2 leads the way from our town to the city. But last Sunday, he was out early from home to join the XU-CIT Varsity try-outs. I didn't have the choice but to fetch my nephews from the city to Villanueva. They are still too young to travel to the city on their own with Troy and Badad with them.

We had pizza at BFB for our early lunch. Jboy and King were in shape to devouring the pizza. You can only imagine the six of us consuming the largest pizza they offered. And we had it cleaned out in less than 30 minutes, hahaha.

The kids were so excited of the Transforming Green Lanterns, hehehe. First, we watch Green Lantern and then transferred to the Transformers afterwards. I love spending my hours with these adorable monsters. Supposedly, we had scheduled to watch Green Lantern last week and The Transformer for this Sunday. But I was in Manila when Green Lantern was shown to theaters. So we decided to do a marathon!

After the movie marathon, they were all talking about their favorite scenes. They were like commentators of a basketball game talking all at the same time. It was a riot outside but it was just great fun. They loved the Transforming Green Lanterns!

As I was looking at them, I remembered that we used to be so small as a family. There were only 4 of us at home - my mama and my two sisters. Papa is normally out of the country for work. After 20 years, we have grown to be so large as a family. We have added 2 loving brothers-in-law, 5 noisy nephews, 1 sweet niece, and another angel on the way. Mama has to budget 2 Lechon Manoks and 3 Liempos for our dinner every time I am home.

Next stop - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2!

Provin on Sundays

Provin. Have a bite of one of the delicacies at the busy Gaston Park on Sundays. Just forget anything about health and hygiene. Have a taste of this Filipino Street Food, I'm sure you will love it.

Gaston Park is right outside the Cathedral of St. Augustine of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. On Sundays, this is one of the busiest parks in the city. Parishioners do have an all-in-one activity center in this park. They can start with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at anytime of the day. They have options as to the time they are to ahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifttend the celebration. First Mass is at 4:00 in the morning and the last Mass is at 7:45 in the evening. After the mass, they can roam around and enjoy this eco-friendly park. I'm sure people will not go hungry in this part of the city. They can choose from the variety of food this place is offering.

I love provin (spelled this way?). This afternoon I had my stomach filled with great food and paid only P40. P20 for provin (P5 each), P10 for puso (rice wrapped in a coconut leaf @P5 each) and P10 for soft drinks.

So the next time you attend the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the Cathedral of St. Augustine, please don't fail to have a taste of the street food offered outside. It goes both ways, you do have good food and a way of helping our less fortunate brothers and sisters. It does help our economy as well, hehehe.

Deacon na si Craig ug Posoi

It was such a joy to see the last lay members of the SAHA Batch ordained as Deacons at the St. Joseph's Cathedral in Tagbilaran City last June 27, 2011. The Ordaining Prelate was the Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, His Excellency Bishop Leonardo Y. Medroso, DD. The ordination was attended in by a number of priests and deacons from the Dioceses of Tagbilaran, Talibon, and from the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.

The delegates from St. John Vianney Theological Seminary were Fr. Butch Zayas, Ate Venus Guibone, and Fr. Abet Uy. Among the SAHA batch, only Fr. Junjie, Rev. James, and myself were able to free our schedules to be with Craig and Posoi. The members of the SAHA batch who didn't make it were Frs. Ricky, Arniel, and Chris.

You could only imagine how Rev. James and myself manage to discuss a lot of things all throughout the celebration. We were whispering here and there. It was just a riot.

But the celebration ran smoothly the way the Liturgists wanted it to happen. Words cannot paint the happiness that Rev. Craig and Rev. Posoi felt that day.

The long wait is over. They have come to the end of the long journey. They are now part of the Ordained Ministers.

Craig and Posoi, the best is yet to come... See you soon for our Alumni Homecoming!

A Tale 15 years in the making

It was a great day spent with long lost brothers and friends. I spent my day with Mark (kiko) and Rondie (dodo) walking around the city looking for nice t-shirts and affordable printing houses. We are the ones entrusted for the preparation of our batch reunion - the 15th year anniversary - which will be this coming July 1 - 2, 2011.

15 years ago, 26 young men from different parishes in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and the Diocese of Surigao met and lived together as brothers in the community for the Spirituality Formation Year of San Jose de Mindanao Seminary batch 1996. We started with the casual high and hellos, turned great buddies, occasional foes, drinking partners, confidante, trusted friend...

Let me introduce the seminarians of SFY -SJMS 1996. We lived in 7 different rooms, St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, St. John, St. Paul, St. John Vianney, and San Lorenzo Ruiz. These were the occupants of the old SFY house. Max Ceballos from Gusa, Roy Barros from Claveria, Jessie Namocot from NHA - CDO, Vicente Ricacho from Villanueva, Ramon Francis Burlat from Alubijid, Gino Jumawid from Villanueva, Michael Alcantara from Bugo, Rondie Felizilda from Balulang, Stephen Dacubor from Villanueva, Jimmy Duhaylungsod Jr. from Tagoloan, Tirso Lisbos from Bacuag, Surigao, Erdman Pandero from Villanueva, Rex Javier from Mahinog, Samson Abao from Mahinog, Jefferson Naraja from Gigaquit, Surigao, Philip Adran from Medina, Nicanor Saguibo from Malitbog, Brian Racines from Gusa, Hawthorne Galas from Mahinog, Mark Francisco from Macabalan, Ronan Ravelo from Gen.Luma, Surigao, Mark Anthony Zambrano from Medina, Orlando Montalban from Baliwagan, Jonel Jorta from Gigaquit, Surigao, Julian Guinit, San Juan, Siquijor (Cugman), and Jayniel Casino from Claveria.

15 years after... we have gone a long way ahead... We have taken different routes, followed branching out roads, lived different lives...

Our goal then was to end up as priests, Fr. Macky is now the Director of a School in El Salvador, Fr. Roy an Parish Administrator for Barra, Opol, Fr. Jessie the Parish Priest of Balingoan, Fr. Jong2 the Parochial vicar of Initao, Frs. Bobong and Juls Parochial Vicars of the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Augustine, Fr. Ronan the Spiritual Director of Marajao na Magbalantay Seminary, Rev. Dodong the Vice-Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Bro. Iko awaiting his letter of release from his religious congregation and be back as a diocesan seminarian.

I will have time to reconnect with the rest the next few days and share with you what happen with the rest 15 years hence.

Our batch will be spending our July 1 and 2 together, to reminisce the good old days, to relive the beautiful memories, to reconnect our lost friends, to rebuild each other, to comfort one another, and again to simply be there for each other.

I will have more about them in the next few days...

Republika ng Pilipinas - Pasaporte

I love traveling. I love backpacking. I love the seas and I love the mountains. I love seeing new places, meeting new people, sleeping in different hotels and pension houses. I traveled a lot, but only inside my beloved Philippines. Why? Well, I didn't have my passport.

I had my three years hiatus in Cebu. I worked as a Call Center Agent and as a Publishing Consultant. I had the capacity to travel that time. My wallet was thick enough to support my passion to see places but my Birth Certificate chained me and forced me to enjoy the locals instead. Most of my friends would schedule their vacations abroad and grabbed that Cebu Pacific discounted fares. I would simply wish that the local midwife in our place back in 1978 was kind enough to check if my record was really that of my parents'. Or better yet, my parents could have doubled-check it. But the truth remained, I was recorded not with the Maiden Name of my mother.

So there I was, stuck and could not file any passport. I didn't have the time to visit the NSO to make the necessary changes and applications. It did not stop me though from traveling. Up north in Luzon, I went to Baguio City, Tagaytay City, Lipa City, Manila and all other cities in between even farther down Marinduque. Down in Visayas, I traveled from Bohol, Cebu, Bacolod, Ilo-ilo, and the beautiful island of Boracay. Here in Mindanao, the only region I haven't been is the region comprising Basilan, Jolo, and Tawi-tawi. I was everywhere. Perhaps, God wants me to see and have a taste of the Philippine travels before embarking on a trip worldwide, nyaks...

And God answered my prayers. I just received today, after months of preparing for corrections and other stuff from my Birth Certificate, my PASAPORTE. It only means one thing... set back and join me... as I will have to bring you with me to my travels...

I know, it will not happen tomorrow or the next few days. But it will happen soon I tell you. And before that happens, I will content myself to revisiting the places I had been, to remember the people I met, relish the food I ate, relive the hotels I was into, the boats that took me farther from the shores, and the planes that brought to my heights.