My Altruistic Classmate....story of Dominador Barnachea/NDTCBoys'70
Posted on Monday, 8 December 2014
My
Altruistic Classmate
(…story
of Dominador Barnachea/NDTCBoys’70)
By Apolinario Villalobos
Nowadays, the humanity drifts in the ocean
of survival. The human instinct is dictated by self-preservation. However,
unusual circumstances can cause the “hidden” trait in man that directs him to
extend a hand to somebody in times of dire need. These circumstances make man
forget his own interests which are overwhelmed by the needs of others.
Altruism is unselfishness. This is an
endowment from God, albeit, manifested or put into practice by only a few as it
entails a lot of sacrifice for the sake of others. It is embedded in our heart.
On the other hand, its opposite, egotism, is embedded in the mind, swathed by
reason. While altruism is instinctively manifested in times of need, egotism
dawdles with hesitance due to choices provided by reason.
The current and so-called “people’s pope”,
Francis has repeatedly made a call to practice this virtue, but uses
“compassion” in sending across his message. Simply, he is calling for care,
kindness, concern, sympathy, consideration for others. His call is timely, as
it is only by being compassionate that we can have that utmost desire to share
without hesitance – the real need of mankind at this time. In this regard,
sharing can be done directly or indirectly, and also comes in different kinds
or forms, such as money, food, clothing, or time.
When I was in high school, a classmate
would conspicuously just sit in a corner during our breaks, read or do his
assignments, while the rest of us wet our shirts with sweat doing shenanigans
to the consternation even of our principal. The guy was bright and I even expected
him to receive a medal during our graduation, but he did not. He excelled in
Pilipino, Mathematics and History. He was also among the topnotch achievers in
our NDEA evaluation tests. After graduation, I did not hear anything about him,
while I struggled my way through college. During high school reunions, his name
would be mentioned, and since nobody knew where he was and how he fared, he
soon faded from our mind.
While checking my blogs one day, I was surprised
to see a familiar name that preceded a comment on one of my blogs posted in our
school’s alumni site. I found out that the guy was the one we had been looking
for….Dominador Barnachea. The reason why we failed to trace him was that he
used “Ming” as his first name, while we knew him during our high school days as
“Ador” or “Dor”
He shared through private messages that
after graduating from high school, he “rested” for two years, so that his
younger siblings can have the chance to make use of their meager family
finances through their high school studies. It also gave him the opportunity to
take care of their ailing mother, adding that he also tended their farm until
he was able to earn enough for his first year in college in Davao City. He
seized the job opportunities offered by the city, so that in no time, he was
able to land one, to further his college studies. He practically missed meals most
of the time when short of cash, and walked his way to school, scrimping on his
hard earned and meager wage until he was able to finally earn a degree in
accountancy.
Steeled by challenges that he was able to
hurdle, he was able to land a job that fitted his course. His mind was set on
helping his family, and this determination cost him his love life as his long-
time girlfriend left him. It was a
devastating emotional experience according to him, but his family has been
foremost in his mind.
After gaining experience, he applied for a
job in the Middle East. While earning a much bigger wage that time, his hard
work was still coupled with sacrifice, as he was sending practically all his
wage to his family back home, leaving just enough for his Spartan subsistence. His
sacrifice paid off as he was able to send several nephews and nieces through
college, bought a simple condo and a house, and developed their farm.
He was not yet through his sacrifice,
however, for today, he spends most of his time giving solace to distressed countrymen in the Middle
East. He is their financial and spiritual counselor. His help is not limited in
counsels, though, as most often he would shell out cash. He speaks in
gatherings to share inspiring messages based mostly on his experience and also
untiringly represents them as necessary in government consular offices.
His habit of walking his way to the office
until today makes him fit, although, he confided that foremost in his mind is
to save the fare, so that the stashed extra cash can be shared if problems may
unexpectedly crop up in the homes of his extended family.
Evidently, Ming’s altruistic trait has
become part of his system that he thinks and acts it…. practically, breathing
it!
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