President Rody Duterte will visit the opening of the One Mindanao Organic and Natural Expo in the SMX Hall in SM Lanang, Davao City tomorrow and since this is a Department of Agriculture-supported event, I am supposed to be there to receive him.
I have to beg off though (I know the President will understand) because tomorrow, March 17, the family will gather and honor the woman who made us all 11 boys what we are today.
Our mother, who has been bedridden because of Alzheimers for many years now, will be marking her 90th birthday, along with our oldest brother, Kuya Pat, who was born on the same day our mother marked her birthday, 66 years ago.
“Nanay” may no longer be able to sing her favorite songs the way she did many years ago during family gatherings but I am sure she would still be able to hear the songs and the laughter of her children and grandchildren who will gather tomorrow.
To honor her, my daughter, Dra. Maria Krista Piñol-Solis and her fellow doctors, will offer free clinic to relatives and neighbors of my brother Pat in his farm in Sitio San Nicolas, San Vicente, Makilala, Cotabato.
Kuya Pat raised funds for the free medicine which will be given out tomorrow.
Raising 11 boys who have all become professionals was certainly not an easy task for our Nanay, Efigenia Colloquio Fantin.
But with the help of our father,Bernardo Magbanua Piñol, who instilled discipline in all of us, Nanay was able to guide us to the right path in life.
No one among us smokes (I did but quit in 1998), no one involved with drugs and certainly no one was involved in any criminal activity.
At one time, she took pride in the fact that four of her sons occupied very high political positions – I was Governor, my brother Jun was Congressman and Efren and Joselito were Mayors of two towns in our home province.
All of the other brothers earned college degrees and leading simple but happy lives.
Of course, our brother, Pat, who is also celebrating his birthday tomorrow, rose from the ranks to become a police lieutenant colonel and is one of the very few Filipino officers to pass the rigorous Royal Marines Commando Course in England which entitles him to wear the Green Beret.
Our Kuya Pat, who is deeply involved in agriculture and gamefowl breeding, has also taken care of our mother since the day she fell ill.
Happy birthday, Nanay, and Kuya Pat.
Thank you for the gift of life Nanay and thank you Kuya Pat for taking care of our mother!
May God bless you always!
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