Faded Photographs
Posted on Saturday, 4 March 2017
Faded Photographs
By Apolinario Villalobos
(Photos from the family library of Ed
Collado)
A picture can paint a thousand words, so
goes the line of the son, “If”. And, faded photographs can bring memories that
for the present are testimonies of how successful people struggled in the past.
Faces exude aura of innocence…with their eyes that eagerly stared at the
camera, unwary of what the future held for them.
Ed Collado’s mother was among the pioneer
teachers of Tacurong Pilot Elementary School while his father was the District
Supervisor who painstakingly visited schools in the barrios connected to the
town of Tacurong by foot trails winding through rice, corn, and sugar cane
fields. Other teachers I could recall during their time were, Mr. and Mrs. Jordan,
Mr. and Mrs. Gatumbato, Mrs. Domider, Mrs. Paradero, Mrs. Sucaldito, Mrs.
Ramos, Mrs. Lechonsito, Mrs. Del Campo, Mr. Barber, Ms. Davala, Ms. Paclibar,
Ms. Ines, Ms. Paragas, Mrs. Lucentales, Mr. Palencia, while the Principal was
Mr. Ben Nicolo. According to Ed, her mother took the pains in keeping photos
taken during her time in Tacurong Pilot School.
Children of prominent families went to the
school in slippers and shoes with socks, while the rest were barefooted. Free
snacks consisted of gruel made from yellow corn grits. Those who failed to
bring cups or bowls ate their share using pad paper folded origami style in the
shape of a cap. If there were extra bags
brought by the Peace Corp Volunteers, the grits were distributed among the
pupils to be brought home. Aside from yellow corn, those that were regularly
donated to the school was bulgur wheat, oat meal, and powdered milk.
When I was in Grade Four, Ikea Seki comet
appeared which became visible at dawn for almost a week. I could vividly recall
the event as the appearance happened during our Boy Scout camping on the track
and field of the school. During the time, we almost lost a good friend,
Baltazar Subando when he fell from the “monkey bridge” built for the contest
among the troops. Among the schoolmates I could recall were, Febe and Lilieth
Ancheta, Betty Cu, Rodina Ballena, Ninfa Loot, Gloria Sangke, Catalino Ines,
Nonito Bacus, Jaime Bides, Angel Collado, Apolonio de la Peἧa,
Cornelio Alegre, Jaime Mariἧas, Elsie Dajay, Homero Palatolon, Hernanie
Baclaan, Domingo Cargo, Eleanor Fajardo, the late Chrito Lacanaria, Rey
Mijares, Julius Lechonsito, Jimmy Uy, Dani Pendatun, the late Reynaldo
Mosqueda…(more names to be added as recalled).
In High School, we became Notre Damians who
wore khaki pants with green stripe on the side.
On very special occasions, the Dominican Sisters of the Girls’
Department allowed joint activities with the Boys’ Department during which the
musical talents of the students from both departments were exhibited. Ed
Collado, Ted Lapuz, and Virgilio Guillermo provided music to the dancing girls,
such as Rodina Ballena, Ninfa Loot, and others.
Debating Club was among the most popular
organizations in the Boys’ campus aside from the Choreographers’ Club. The
members of the Debating Club such Jovino Morte, Cirilo Baldonado, Andres Jordan
Jr., Rommel Angel, Nonie Amar, Antonio Hojilla, Eduardo Palomado, Rodolfo
Gallega, Virgilio Guillermo, Ed Collado, Felizardo Lazado, Leo Villalobos, Jose
Lim III, a certain Cabico, were coached by Mr. Gabertan. The Choreographers’
Club on the other hand had Mrs. Ching Romero and former Ms. Leonor Palabricas
as advisers, with the members such as, Dominador Barnachea, Homero Palatolon,
Cirilo Baldonado, Ruel Lucentales, Domingo Cargo, Hernanie Baclaan, Eddie
Travilla, a certain Nanales, and Ed Collado. The Choreographers’ Club had one
successful fund-raising show, the “Rainbow of Rhythmn”.
Today, those caught in the historic frame
of time are successful in their chosen fields. Some are entrepreneurs, overseas
professionals, military officers, engineers, nurses, and educators.
Discussion