(4th of a series)
The conviction of Mayor Sanchez and his men brought relief to the members of STAMPERS and to the family of “Tahimik” and Romy himself because at last, justice is served. Romy continued working peacefully at IRRI while serving his Barangay as Chairman and performing his obligation and duties to his family. All his children were studying so he had to work extra hard to make both ends meet. Most of the time he had to do the laundry because Nelia was in school teaching.
One time he met a freak accident inside IRRI where he sustained a large open wound in his head. His supervisor and co-workers wanted to bring him to the Dispensary for treatment but he refused. Instead of going to the nearby clinic or hospital, he wrapped his head with his shirt and went home to San Pablo. As he rushed to his house to change his clothes, he was met by his middle child Rouselle (Ruth) who requested him to wash his school uniform, “Tatay, paki-laba, may pasok lang po ako”, without knowing that his father’s head was bleeding profusely. He washed the uniform as requested before proceeding to the hospital for suturing of his wound. This scary incident later became a part of family jokes.
Romy had a lot of funny anecdotes to tell that happened in his real life which he shared to others during seminars, workshops and leadership training. Some he shared thru his columns in the form of short stories and poems or during informal gatherings of friends. Here’s one funny story I heard many times from his neighbors and compadres in ‘Labak”: One sunny day in April, while he was washing all their soiled clothes before going to work in a night shift at IRRI, a group of young hecklers passed by and upon seeing him wrapped in a towel from waist down exclaimed “Aling Romy, Aling Romy, anong sabon ang gamit n’yo?” That was obviously a joke but he took it as an insult and challenged the hecklers into a fight while holding a bolo. “Eto ang sabon na gamit ko!
During that time, Romy was a very loyal follower and supporter of former San Pablo City Mayor Zacarias A. Ticzon – a kind of loyalty that impressed then aspiring City Mayor Vicente B. Amante. He was invited by Amante to join his turf but Romy graciously declined the invitation because of a promise he made to his Ma Caring (Ticzon) that he would never leave him. “I am a poor man but I treasure my words.” Having palabra de honor is one of his good characteristics. If he said he would come, that’s a promise he would surely fulfill rain or shine.
When Ma Caring Ticzon retired from politics, he eventually joined the Amantes because that was a vow he made to then ABC President Gener B. Amante, the elder brother of Vicente. It was the beginning of another chapter of his colorful life.
(To be continued)
Melinda Bagsic Evangelista
I was born to write and I believe that’s my calling. I love writing because it brings me to the realm exclusively of mine. It is also my opinion that “immortality” can be achieved not by searching for the Holy Grail and drinking from it but by living your life worth-writing or writing something worth-reading. Since I cannot promise you a life worth-writing, I keep myself busy writing something worth-reading. I am thankful to God for giving me the talent and skill to see life in different perspectives not seen by many and the courage to share it to my readers. This first ever Tutubi Digital News Magazine is a perfect avenue to bring you the many facets of life that you can ponder upon in this time of the pandemic. Enjoy reading all the articles.
