Looking back! Remember, Thank People Who Made Us What We Are

Yesterday, on the way back to Kidapawan City after the commissioning of the Meat Chiller and Cold Storage in Mlang town, I dropped by the home of an ageing aunt in Barangay New Janiuay.

Iyay Mely Constantinopla is the only surviving sibling of my late father, Bernardo.

At 82, she is now confined to a wheelchair after she broke her back in a fall.

She was a teacher like my father but she was very close to us because she always kept one of us as her “bodyguard” in her distant assignments.

Her first teaching assignment was in Barangay Paradise, Banisilan town long before bridges and roads were built and it took one whole day of travel from Mlang.

My brother, Efren, was her constant companion and he enrolled in schools where Iyay Mely was assigned.

Assigned closer to home, she got married to our uncle, Tatay Oding, and bore two daughters.

Why am I telling you this story about my aunt?

It is because without her love and support, I and my brothers would not be what we are now.

In college studying in Davao City, we would run to her for our allowances when our parents had none to give.

I remember that one time she had to sell a huge turkey just to give money for my fare back to the city.

Yesterday, when I visited her I gave her a small amount for her medicines.

She was vey happy and she pinched my arm lovingly and thanked me for visiting her.

As we start our weekend rest, I ask followers of this page to take time out to remember the people who helped us through our troubles and who helped make us what we are today.

Call them, text them or even visit them to say “Thank You.”

It will give you a great feeling of joy.

Remember what Jose Rizal said?

“Ang taong hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.”

Happy and blessed weekend, everyone!

#RememberThanking!

(Photos show my aunt, Iyay Mely, and her husband, Tatay Oding.)