My Blog

                               A Tribute To Grandpa

Far from my Family who celebrated the Death anniversary of my grandpa the late Gregorio M. Quilaman I have my own way of meditating the life of a hero that God gave  us. august 5th of the year 1989 when he joined our creator at the age of 74 (I have to confirm this later since am confused if this is right) and month of august my sis Jocy is celebrating her birth on the 2nd and my aunt Emy on the 15th and this days the family are upset since lolo is on the hospital and then he died on the 5th and on the 15th it was his funeral day.

Up to this days I can still asses and say that no amount of words can compensate the tribute, thanks and appreciation to my lolo for all the things he has done to me to us, but the only thing I can say is to hide in my heart all the teachings and values he gave and use it to serve  my family and fellowmen.

Being the eldest grandchild I just want to share unforgettable memories that we shared as far as I remember.

We were in Upi Ctabato when I met him he was a farmer then and we go with him when he was attending his huge vegetable farm, I saw him also managing the palay farm (ricefield) and we have fun eating lunch and snack in the middle of the ricefield specially if it is harvest time.  Late 1960’s when they went back to Luzon and we followed early 70’s due to civil war in Upi. My Father was with us but due to unknown issues until now he left us gone back to mindanao and my mother tried her luck working abroad since she knows that tho how hard life is lolo gorio can take care of us of course with my lola teresa and my mother’s ultimate goal is to send us all in school.

Lolo Gorio was so an ever patient to us I have learned from his stories that he was a Valedictorian when he graduated from high school @ Kalinga Academy an insttitution managed by the American Missionaries @ Lubuagan, Kalinga Apayao. He was a Municipal Secretary of Sison then an appointed Vice Mayor of the town before the family left to try their luck in Mindanao. He was highly respectable man in all the places he goes. There was a time before that he don’t attend the Church for unknown reasons I remember Jerry maybe 4 years old before that when everybody goes to Church he don’t want to go with us he prefered to go with lolo in the garden but there was a time that he started going Jerry goes with him and I just saw His dedication in serving such he served as Chairman of the Church Council and at the same time a Sunday school teacher. In the Community he served as a Secretary in his own right doing some public documents or affidavit or any papers that the community needed free of charge. he was really aservant of all tho he was poor as a rat when it comes to material things but sooo rich in other aspects of life. He has lots of friends he was so witty and a brain he knows current events and political issues In the afternoon or early morning he goes for a walk in the stores nearby meet with old barangay folks and they have to exchange ideas on political issues and he was so happy with it this happened on the last few years of his life.

I remember that he was a man of few words but when he talks specially that you did something not pleasing he will just say a words and you will be embarassed and felt very sorry he got a way of saying  it he don’t use a rod to discipline imagine he got 13 siblings but the 11th sibling died in an accident when uncle bimbim was 12 years old but they were able to raise them accordingly. he always tell that whoever needs a rescue from his children there they are to be of help.

Lolo Gorio, this is my way of celebrating your 18th death anniversary away from the family but as long as I live I will tell your story too that will bring a lesson to those who are in need a lesson that the schools can’t give us but it will serve as a lesson anytime anywhere no matter what you are not with us physically but I thank you for all the great deeds shown to us through action and in words.

You are always alive in my heart. I love you and always will.