Ma. Elisa Catalan: Rainbows After Each Rain

daniella, lisa's daughter


lisa with son J.R., a future chef

I have never met a woman more candid, warm-hearted, thoughtful and hardworking as Lisa.

So candid, I remember that when pagers where still popularly used, I was surprised by the operator’s reply when I tried to leave a message for her.
Legaciesofgoodwill: “I wish to reach mobile unit xxxxxx.”
Operator: “You have reached the mobile unit of Lisa Catalan formerly Gutierrez. May I take your message?”

I was, of course, flabbergasted and laughing the whole day. Who else could possibly do such a thing? Hi hi hi.

Now her life story can definitely be used by Star Cinema, the perfect script for a potential blockbuster film. Her father passed away when she was very young and Lisa has many siblings. So at fourteen she was already a working student, studying high school at Arellano while working at a photo shop in Makati. Barely sixteen, she was already working abroad to help her family, sending money weekly to her mother. Upon her return to the Philippines at age eighteen, she got married and gave birth to a child.

All the more she needed to be enterprising. Lisa was (and is) the epitome of sipag at tiyaga (industry and perseverance), familiar traits currently associated with a “presidentiable.” First, she sold rice cakes door-to-door, then held Tupperware parties to sell plastic wares, then encouraged her clients to purchase insurance policies, and then sold cars! Lisa worked mornings till evenings, gave excellent service, and sold quality products to her clients because she wanted to earn enough money for her family in an honest manner.

Today, the child she gave birth to when she was just a teenager, J.R., is set to graduate from college next year. She also has a daughter, Daniella, in elementary school. Lisa rents an apartment and drives her own car.

She is a Christian, regularly attending service every Sunday morning. She encourages her children to live Christian lives as well. And they do.

Throughout the colorful, exciting events in her life, Lisa never lost faith; she actually grew stronger in time as a person and a believer, drawing strength in God to face each new challenge in the most righteous way she can.

To those interested in acquiring the rights to Lisa’s life story, it’s up for bidding.

Archimedes Cordero: A Gentleman of Faith

Mr. Cordero in red; front row: Migo, Viel and Lourdes Cordero, Brian and Jason Quimio; back row: Bambi, Gemma and Joey Cordero, Erwin and Celeste Quimio


As scheduled each week, 85-year old Mr. Cordero makes his rounds at a Makati village, giving Holy Communion to the sick and elderly. It is also an opportunity for him to visit his friends who are now mostly confined to their homes.

On some days, Mr. Cordero participates in the community’s senior citizens’ activities. He enjoys socializing and continues to appreciate new learning experiences. He wanted to know, for instance, what a home for the aged looked like and joined a field trip just to see one. Mr. Cordero likewise attends bible study sessions regularly.

A deeply religious man, Mr. Cordero was a lay minister serving the church for decades.

But each day, each cherished day, Mr. Cordero looks after his beloved wife, Lourdes. She has Alzheimer’s disease. Mr. Cordero makes sure she eats well and drinks her medication; allows her to do the things she wants to. He talks to her all the time — whenever it is possible as she now sleeps for prolonged periods of time. Mr. Cordero himself has cancer.

I have been visiting Mr. Cordero. Let me share with you some nuggets of his wisdom:
“I have accepted that I am sick but this is just really part of growing old. Anyway, I am ready for anything.
“I worked very hard for my family.
“When I was working in my first job, the owners offered me a scholarship to Berkeley. I think they did that because they found me trustworthy.
“I did not know that I placed second in the engineering board exams until I saw my photo in the newspaper while I was walking on the street. I was on my way to work then. I was shouting ‘Ako ‘yan! Ako ‘yan!’ It was very embarrassing that I just grabbed a copy and then ran as I had forgotten to pay the vendor.
“I became a working student because our family was having financial difficulties at that time. It was after the war. I wanted to help my family by being independent.
“I love going home to Alaminos, Laguna. My friends and relatives are there because I came from there.”

Mr. Cordero is much more than trustworthy. He is humble, simple, engaging, funny, hardworking (used to be) and intelligent. Now retired, he aims to pass on all the values he possibly can to his three children.

When Mr. Cordero became one of the top taxpayers in Alaminos, Laguna, everyone was so surprised. Well, at least initially. He does own a few parcels of land and derives some income from them but he is certainly not your average taipan. Eventually we realized that Mr. Cordero became a top taxpayer simply because he was simply an honest man. Now, about the other local businessmen in the area… (I leave this totally up to the readers.)

For years, Mr. Cordero worked as a college professor and saved part of his salary to put up a gas station in Manila aptly called Eureka. Archimedes, Eureka. I found it! For decades, his business’ mission was solely to provide excellent customer service. Mr. Cordero himself helped repair vehicles when the need arose.

Mr. Cordero has truly led an exemplary life as a father, husband, Filipino citizen and a man of true Catholic faith. And I have admired the values he has stood for ever since I was in grade school.

Free Yourself

Walk in the rain,

smell flowers,

stop along the way,

build sandcastles,

go on field trips,

find out how things work,

tell stories,

say the magic words,

trust the universe.

-Bruce Williamson


Challenging moments are supposed to remind us of THE BIGGER PICTURE. Therein lies our great purpose/s in life. But we can only truly reflect upon these things if we give ourselves some time. If we give ourselves that chance.


I love what Bruce Williamson wrote (the emphasis on some of the words are mine). I hope you do, too. I hope that you would copy, print and share this with as many people as you can. You can also use this for your book markers, refrigerator magnets, journal covers, etc.

Rufina Gonzales-Gupaal: Learnings From Her

Fina, in yellow, with husband Jun and her four princesses

Fina is constantly smiling. She has such a pleasant demeanor. And I have heard countless stories of her generosity to family members, both immediate and extended. If indeed the face is the mirror of your soul, then Fina has a kind soul for sure.

I wanted to write about Fina because of the value she places in good education. With limited resources, she and her husband Jun managed to provide college education in a private university for her daughters Jasmine and Rowena.

One is only able to do this if one is willing to make great, personal sacrifices in terms of material possessions; if one can look far into the future and dream of a more comfortable life for the children; and, if one accepts the realities of life now and understands that change is possible. Change should be possible.

Fina has worked as a housekeeper at St. Luke’s Hospital in Quezon City for the last 15 years.

That her two daughters finished college is most inspiring. But Fina’s legacy to and for us is much more than the pursuit of higher education for her children. What is more valuable is our knowledge that anyone, someone like Fina, can create better lives, finding absolutely no justification to do otherwise, if you just have the biggest heart to will it to be so.

Apolinario Poldo, Jr.: Our Everyday Hero

Pol, on the right, hosting a corporate event with officemates Cris Laudenio and Beth Gutierrez.

Unconditional love is so valuable, so rare. So I will tell you all a few things about Pol, a man who has it, who feels it for his family and has given up much for them without asking anything in return.

About two decades ago, when Pol was still single, he would purchase on installment small appliances for himself: a television set, radio, single-burner stove, oven toaster, electric fan, an emergency lamp, etc. Upon his parents’ request, Pol would then send these items to Las Navas, Northern Samar, his hometown. Pol would simply purchase new ones for himself all over again. He would also regularly save a portion of his salary and then send it immediately to the province if needed.

In the mid 1990s, Pol’s family also encountered a period of great financial difficulty. They had to mortgage their parcel of land; Pol promptly took out a Social Security System (SSS) loan to help redeem the said property. For two years, he had monthly salary deductions to pay for the loan.

Pol has always been a dutiful son and brother: in thoughts, words and deeds. He has only needed one thing: the assurance that his family would have a better life.

Today, Pol works as a Sales Manager for an outdoor advertising company. He has a wife and two daughters, one already in high school. He has also invested in a house and lot in Northern Samar. The family has even begun to save up for the children’s college education.

Pol certainly deserves all the blessings life has brought him.

Pol has worked for the same company in the last twenty (20) years; while there is great value to his length of service, he is treasured primarily because of his industry, kindness and honesty. He has excellent attendance at work, even coming in early to plan his day. Pol is polite and sincere to clients, suppliers and co-employees. He acts as mentor to his subordinates, selfless in helping his department meet targets and generous in sharing his wealth of knowledge.

Pol is a devoted family man. He is a thoughtful husband, and a protective and responsible father. Pol shuns vice, preferring to channel all resources to provide his family with the basic comforts. Pol best exemplifies our ideal, modern-day dad: deeply involved in rearing his children, shares in the housework, faithful and affectionate to his wife, and always believing in and reaching for the brighter star.

Pol finished his secondary education in Las Navas, Northern Samar. He was taught trade skills in the course of his employment but learned a lot more on his own. Despite the odds, Pol clearly made his decision a long time ago to be a man of courage and goodwill.

I admire him for the man that he is and what he has accomplished thus far.

A Child Now In Heaven

There was a child who passed away last weekend. His name was Em-em.


Em-em was used by a criminal syndicate for many years. By the time he was rescued, he was already physically, mentally and emotionally damaged.


He could not even stay in a home for his own safety and security. He was always hungry and dirty. He was always looking for friendship and affection.


I cared for him. I wonder now if I did enough. But my love may have just remained in the periphery of his troubled life.


Rest in peace, my dear Em-em. I do not know how I will be relieved of my sadness and regret. But may all of our future acts of goodwill deeply touch more lives because you truly deserved to live in a much better world.

Happy Birthday to Femie Trinidad!

That's my mom on the left with her good friend, Lulu Consignado, both quite successful at upstaging Dawn Zulueta.

My mom will be celebrating her 68th birthday on September 3rd. I want to greet her for the first time on the net and thank her for loving her children: Richard, Anthony, Tom and me.