Norma Castro: THE Ate

Norma Castro (seated, in white shirt) with some friends at SM MOA.

It’s wonderful to be called “Ate!” Not only does it sound better than “manang” when it is used to address you, you know a real bond exists: you either share blood ties with another person, or have had an enriching experience together, or have acted as mentor to a learner or as a guardian to a child. Yes, you are older than the other person but when the relationship is acknowledged, the age difference may be deemed as incidental.



The quintessential Ate, to my mind, is Norma Castro as she takes her title rather seriously. She is devoted to her two wards and to her younger friends at a foundation. She is deeply concerned for their welfare, infinitely proud of their achievements, and willing to make sacrifices for them. Almost like a parent would be.



A month ago, Norma texted me: “Ate, my wards were included in the honor roll.” Norma brings the two kids to school, prepares what they need for classes, helps them with their homework, and ensures they get enough sleep. The other month, Norma also texted me: “Ate, my wards performed a number in class. I helped them practice.”



During her days off, Norma visits the children at Gabay Buhay Home. Her favorite pasalubong (gift) for the kids is a large order of pancit palabok (a noodle dish with shrimp sauce). She sleeps there overnight and takes the opportunity to bond with both the staff and the children. And while she is there, Norma’s wards always text her to check if their Ate is fine and to ask whether she is returning to their Pasig home soon.



Ate Norma never takes a day off if no one will take care of her wards. She refers to them as ”mga alaga” which in the vernacular means “those I take care of.” So Norma may easily forego resting or pursuing her personal interests, putting her wards’ interests first over hers any time. (“Alaga” is different from “pinalaki”, or to raise, as the former has a nurturing component while the latter emphasizes the provision of the basic needs of an individual: food, clothing and shelter.)



Children trust their Ate Norma because her good intentions are always reflected in her actions, in the way she speaks and in how often she smiles -- which is really more often that you, me and five others combined!



Ate Norma would be a joy to be with or to work with always. And I am writing this just so that she knows that we appreciate her and acknowledge all the good that she does.

Melecia A. Velmonte: Doctor For The Barrio

Google “Melecia A.Velmonte” and you will find a long search list on her: numerous research papers, medical missions, conferences attended, lectures done, organizational memberships, etc. And Dr. Velmonte’s achievements as well as contributions to the medical profession are actually even more than the sum of your search list.


An infectious diseases specialist, Dr. Velmonte finished high school valedictorian in San Dionisio, Iloilo and studied medicine at the University of the Philippines in Manila. She has been staffed in various hospitals, both private and public, but has always managed to find the time to treat patients from the marginalized sectors for free in different provinces all over the country.


Dr. Velmonte spends her free time in Barangay Maybangkal, Morong, Rizal still treating patients and organizing medical/dental missions with the help of local barangay healthworkers. She also tends to her farm and manages a conference venue called Silungan. (Dr. Velmonte’s Silungan is a regular venue for children’s camps as well as trainings, seminars and workshops for medical practitioners, government institutions, academic groups and non-government organizations.)


I am most touched by Dr. Velmonte’s deep involvement in the lives of children affected and infected by HIV. Dr. Velmonte has already worked with generations of these children thru the Extended Care Program at San Lazaro Hospital and the Precious Jewels in Quezon City.


But best of all, Dr. Velmonte’s standards for treating all her patients as well as her concern for their welfare are equally high, regardless of stature or economic background.


Thus, we are ever so grateful that she has chosen to return to the barrio and treat patients there,where she is most needed.

(For inquiries on Silungan, please call Bob @ 09178278497.)

Live Without Regrets

How wonderful! London-based Jane Adiong-Scott, a good friend of mine from college, wrote in and shared a beautiful poem.
Jane also writes poetry herself and we both studied Anthropology in the state university a long, long time ago.


If I Had my Child To Raise Over Again

IF I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars,
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often,
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd model less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.

--Diane Loomans

Typhoon Ondoy

As of yesterday, 247,555 families have been affected by Typhoon Ondoy. Let's extend immediate assistance to our countrymen!

Please check on the link below for donation drop off points:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/lv?key=tBMVeBvbdAtYRaRB6ErFWnA&toomany=true&pli=1


Thank you, everyone!

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.