leopoldo v. balayon sr. centennial bulletin

8/2/2019 Leopoldo v. Balayon Sr. Centennial Bulletin

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April 14, 2012 SPECIAL CENTENNIAL EDITION Walnut, Californ

Leopoldo Villanueva Balayon, Sr.(24 July 1912 25 November 1965)


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DadFive of us --- Lou (Rosario), Boy (Leopoldo, Jr.) and his wife Ana, Neneng (Rhodora) and I --- were in various modes

of relaxation in Nenengs living room as Ed (Nenengs husband) showed Dito (Lous husband) his recently finished

extension of the sun room that Ed worked on single handedly in the past two days; the sun room had been

converted into a playroom for Aiden, Sheyn, Luc and Izaak (Neneng and Eds grandchildren) and Ed figured that the

roof of an extension could deflect or absorb some of the summer heat. As Dawn (Phillips wife) watched over Aiden

(in the jacuzzi) and Sheyn (in the main pool), Ronald (Neneng and Eds eldest), his wife Celine, Phillip (Ed and

Nenengs third child) and Anthony (Boy and Anas youngest) brought indoors the tables and chairs that we had

used at lunch.

Neneng and Ed, both retired and living by themselves in a four-bedroom house (Ron and Celine are in Pasadena;

Leslie in Portland, Oregon; Peejay, Dawn, Aiden, and Sheyn in Corona; Liza, Richard, Luc, and Izaak in San

Francisco), have their empty nest warmed during schooldays by Sheyn while Aiden is at preschool. Ed and Nenengorganized this Sunday lunch so they could welcome me with Eds steaks; Lous stew of pork legs with cadios, and

paksiw na tuna; Nenengs tinolang manokand green salad with Italian dressing, and Anas refrigerator cake.

The night before, Ed and Neneng collected me from Los Angeles airport following my flight from San Francisco;

earlier that afternoon of March 31, Dr. Marvie M. Abesamis (a pediatric oncologist and chief of staff at East Avenue

Medical Center in Quezon City) and I had conducted a symposium on Health Care Approaches to Survivors of

Abuse in Intimate Relationships in a Tertiary Public Hospital in the Philippines at the National Conference on

Health and Domestic Violence.

My trip (the second since my visit in November 2011 to receive the Global Community Advocacy Award from Avon

Foundation for Women in New York City) was so fraught with uncertainties that Marvie and I decided to make a go

of it only eight days before our non-revenue flight (courtesy of Philippine Air Lines) at 10:30 oclock p.m. of

Wednesday, 28 March. A consequence of our

severely abbreviated preparation time was cancellation of some of Marvies appointments; in my case, I couldnt

move my presentation on Justice and Healing that had been scheduled less than seven hours before our flight.

Another consequence was the unfinished photo-copying of our presentation (despite Manang Lettys [WCCsdevoted all around office assistant] skipped lunch that Wednesday); a third consequence were missing skirts and

mismatched malongs and tops (thanks to Mamang Cookie, my self-appointed wardrobe manager) which I belatedly

discovered as I unpacked in San Franciscos Hotel Bijou.

l-r: Inday Terry at six, Neneng Rhodora at four in front o

Dad and Nonoy Leo (+) at two held by Nanny. Nonoy Le

holds a dahlia plucked from Nannys garden because he wa

scared by the red and black mantle used by photographer

at that time to cover the camera. Nanny is holding NonLeos feet which were ubshod because childrens shoes wer

not available in Tupi and Marbel. Shoes worn by Inday an

Neneng were sent by Tatay Cards all the way from Manila.

951. Daddy and Nanny pose for a picture after Toto Joses wedding.

In the midst of my (high stress) preparation, I managed to squeeze in a visit to Edmund Leo (Momon --- Dito and Lous eldest), April (his wife) and their children Eicyd Timothy (Cyd

years and 4 months old, and Eithan Theodore (Thanthan), seven months old, at the campus of International Institute for Rura l Reconstruction (IIRR) in Silang, Cavite; a remittanc

Wayne Aldrin (Toto Wayne --- Manay Vilmas only son) for her medications; instructions to Edros Michael (King --- Dito and Lous youngest) and Karen Mae Noelle (Ken, our late si

Nazareths --- Tings eldest) regarding the Apo ni Polding and Anak ni Polding t-shirts that I was to bring to L.A.; instructions for Leo Nikolai (Lai --- Nazareths youngest) to ge

appointment at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for treatment of psoriasis; phone calls to Laurence Leo ( Eboy --- Bings son) and his and Roenas son, Czar Andre R

(Andre), 2 1/2 y.o. Only when I was with Lou in Glendale that I was able to speak with Ednell Matthew (Theo), 3 y.o., Michael and Nellyns son. I wasnt able to speak with Pauline A

(Pau --- Boy and Anas only daughter), Almeera Sophia (Leo), 5 years and 6 months, and John Paul, Jr. (Lolek), 2 years and 6 months (John Paul and Jocelyns children).

It was while I was packing tubs of ubeng halaya (made by Good Shepherd sisters) --- the preferred poison of diabetic Rey Rivera (who owns our preferred shelter in New York City --

apartment along 16th Street East, between 6th and posh 5th Avenues) that the idea came to me: maximize my visit with Neneng, Boy, and Lou in Los Angeles and Bing in New Me

with a commemoration of Daddys birth centennial on July 24 with a soft launch in April .

As we sat there, mindful that Manay Vilma was in Iloilo, Bing in New Mexico, and Jo

Paul in Quezon City, we firmed up plans for the launch: (1) on April 14, a gathering

(in Neneng and Eds home at Trotter Court) of Dajays and Bugantes (Nannys cous

--- Auntie Virgie, Inday Ron, Auntie Cel, Uncle Oscar and his wife, Auntie Juliet);

additional Sino-Cruzes (Les flying in from Portland) and Naridos (Liza, Rich, Luc, a

Izaak driving down from San Francisco); and Balayons (Bing coming by train from

New Mexico; and Leo III, Judy, and Abby driving from Cerritos); (2) recollections

through a video and a photoessay leading to a possible event in Tupi, South Cotaba

on Dads 100th birthday --- Tuesday, 24 July 2012.

Expectedly, we reminisced about Dad: his forthrightness; his being a single parent

after Nanny passed away on 6 September 1955 (until his marriage to Nene Ling in

June 1963); his demise on 25 November 1965 at age 53 after a three-year battle w

liver and lung cancer. Our reminiscences brought us to the realization that all of u

outlived Dad by more than three years (Lou, the youngest among us gathered, is 56

but none of us could out-score him in his self-defined delicadeza (sensitivity to

shared ethics and values) and sentido comon (common sense) --- traits that were

hallmarks of his moral and intellectual standards.

Dad, this one is for you from all of us:

Inday Terry [for Inday Vilma, Neneng, Nonoy Leo (+), Nenet Bing, Nonoy Boy, Nen

Lou, Nene Ting (+), and Toto Suerte]

Wednesday, 4 April 2012

Trotter Court, Walnut

California


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[Type a quotMy Memories of Dad

Although Ting and I did not grow up with Dad the way Nonoy Boy, Nenet Bing, Neneng, and Inday did, I am

certain that Ting and I were Daddys favorites.

I can vividly remember how a bus (of Cotabato Bus Company) would stop in front of our house along

national highway in Bo. Dajay in Surallah, South Cotabato. [The house that I considered our house was ow

by Lola Tali (Catalina Mosquera Figueroa) and Lolo Ano (Laureano Miranda Dajay),Nannys parents. A

would come down the bus, leave a loaf of American bread (pan Americano, Lola Tali called it) or a box of Al

evaporated milk, and leave again with the bus. At first, Ting and I wondered who the man was because

stopping of the bus with the man who left bread and a box of Alpine milk happened many times, as ofte

twice or thrice a month sometimes.

Pressed for answers, Lola told us the man was si Daddy ninyo. Eventually, Ting and I would watch out fo

CBC buses and look forward to when a bus would stop; we would run down the house because Daddy w

surely leave us PAN AMERICANO and Alpine milk again. When Lola and Lolo explained that Daddy

English for Tatay, Ting and I felt very sad by then because we were old enough to realize this meant that

and Lola were not our parents.

When we were in Grade Three, Daddy would visit us during weekends; Ting and I would show off wha

learned from school. I loved it when he praised me, for the nice butterfly I could draw in the sand or fo

songs that Ting and I learned from school. One song goes: may gamay nga damang saka kag panaog sa sa

pag-abot sang ulan Dad was also amused by our mastery of Kinaray-a, the vernacular that Ting and I lea

from Lolo and Lola. Kamaan tamon ni Ting mag karay-a; tanda, indi, hay man, Hiligaynon tanda. Dad wa

only amused, he was amazed by how Ting and I would speak Kinaray-a fluently.

I remember occasions when, upon Daddys request, Tatay Cards (Ricardo F. Dajay, Nannys younger brot

would fetch us from Bo. Dajay and take us to Tupi where a big party to which many relatives were inv

awaited us. Ting and I later realized that the occasions were to mark our birthday as well as the anniversa

Nannys death. We were born on Sunday, September 4, 1955 and Nan died two days later.

There was a time when Daddy took us with him to Tupi without Lola Tali or Lolo Ano. Ting and I enjoyed

trip with him but night time would be a disaster because we would ask for Lola and Lolo. And that meant

children crying throughout the night. To appease us, Daddy would promise us something the following day

would bring us to the national highway, the busiest (!) part of town. One day he took u s to Mr. Quirinos ba

shop for a haircut (bob cut) then bought us halo- halo at Lacsamanas place. Everything would be okay du

the day, but again, night time would be another disaster. Now that I have my own kids, I can imagine how

it was for Dad then.

On our fourth grade, we transferred to Tupi Central School where Dad was the Principal. I always wanted hibe proud of me, so one Monday morning my class adviser (Miss Mayor) asked me to lead the Pana

Makabayan. I never recited it at home, so Dad was surprised to see me lead the Patriotic Pledge. When I w

to see him at recess time, he hugged me and said, Ti ngaa waay ka gid magsiling nga ikaw gali ang ma -lead

Panatang Makabayan? Kanami gid sang pag-lead mo. Haaaaaay, how I loved to hear that from Dad.

Of all of us, Ting and I spent the shortest time with Dad.

Nene Lou, a.k.a Maria Rosario Balayon-Rico

2462 Bywood Drive

Glendale, California

13 April 2012


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My Dads JuniorMy recollections of Dad are the only ones I know of parental and filial relationships

because I was only 15 months old when Nanny passed away in 1955.

In a photograph after the funeral Mass for Nanny, Dad can be seen holding me in his

arms; it is an image I conjured often when, growing up after Dad, too, passed away

in 1965 when I was eleven, I needed to feel safe and secure. Today, as a grandfather

to Abby, I hold her in my arms as I think Dad held me: sitting (or lying) on the crook

of my left arm, Abby has the added security of my right arm on her back as I hold her

close to my heart.

I was asthmatic as a child so from family lore, I learned how Dad would stay up all

night holding me and singing lumabay-labay nga daw asuor eres tan pura nina

hermosa --- songs that he also sang to my elder sisters --- Inday Terry, Neneng

Rhodora, and Nenet Bing, during their time. In my minds eye, I could see Dad on his

custom made, oversized rattan rocking chair reading the days newspapers, a lighted

Tabacalera cigar dangling from his lips. It was from his rocking chair that he would

call me, Noooooooy, or Nenet Bing, Neneeeeeeet if he had errands for one of

us. (Nenet Bing and I are the Hansel and Gretel of another time and another tale.)

When I was in Grade 1, I took a fancy to my classmate, Winnie Javier, whose right

index finger I slashed with a Gilette razor blade that I had filched from Dads shaving

kit. As Winnie screamed over his bleeding finger while being treated at the school

clinic, I decided to run away and hide in our farm in Tabul, a good two kilometers

away from Tupi Elementary School where Dad was principal.

My escape involved traversing the national highway which, when unaccompanied by

an adult, was off limits to us kids living on the street (now named in Dads honor) in

front of the school. Before long, I realized that my crime must have been discovered

because in no time at all, the long arm of Dads law, which meant Dad himself, was

about to catch up with me. There he was, all 200 pounds of him, huffing and

puffing along the highway, shouting Noooooooy, Noooooooy, diin ka Noooooooy?

Si Daddy ini Noooooooy. Pauli na Noooooooy. (Where are you, Noy? This is Daddy,

Noy. Come home, Noy.) By then, I was hiding under the house of one of Dads

friends. [I found out later that people (Dads friends --- because

practically everyone in Tupi knew our family and were Dads friends, indeed

who saw me running toward the highway, reported the matter to Dad.] Alth

was afraid, I came out of my hiding place crying, Ari ako Daaaaaaad! (I am

Dad!) because I could sense distress, not anger (of which I was very scared) in

Dads voice. When he saw me, he gathered me in his arms and hugged me t

saying, Palangga ko gid ikaw Noy, indi mo ako panagu-an. (I love you, No

dont hide from me.)

On weekends, Dad would require us to clean the yard or plant flowers an

trees. Ever the teacher, he was concerned that Nenet Bing has not master

maths so one weekend, when Dad decided to teach her about feet and i

With a ruler and trowels in Dads hands and papaya seeds in a can in min

three of us went to the front hedge. Dad told Nenet Bing and me to dig

three feet and six inches apart. I must have done my measurements right b

Dads attention was on Nenet Bing. After a while, exasperated, he storme

into the house telling me, Ikaw tudlo sa magulang mo! (You teach you

sister!).

I have many more anecdotes about Dad, about how he always introduced

My junior, but like my s isters who wept as they wrote down their reminisc

I am overcome by repressed emotions. I would like to be

15-month old boy held by Dad in his arms again; I would li

feel the safety and security of Dads embrace.

Nonoy Boy

a.k.a Leopoldo Dajay Balayon, Jr.

Miramar, Los Angeles

13 April 2012


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Daddys Little Girl Grows Up:Special Moments with Dad

When I was a junior at the General Paulino Santos Memorial Institute in Tupi, South Cotabato,, I represented my clas

in a declamation contest with my piece, Rizpah. I hadbeen staying with Nonoy Gener and Auntie Lillian that week of o

schools Foundation Day celebrations because Dad was in Dadiangas, (now General Santos) for some teache

conference. The night before the declamation contest, there was a cadets ball where I was cadet sponsor to Perry Sale

I half expected Dad to be back for the declamation contest but I guarded myself against disappointment so I focused o

the competition for which Dad prepared me through nightly practice: walking in and out of an imaginary stage, delivering m

piece with the proper stance and posture (not too stiff, not dowdy); correct phrasing and pronunciation; stage presence.

Before I delivered my declamation piece, I scanned the audience and to my surprise and delight, I saw Dad standin

by the hollow block fence at the schools entrance. From my vantage point on stage, I could also see the tall bita tree t

marked the spot of Nannys tomb at Tupis public cemetery. Inspired and challenged by Dads presence and Nannmemory (in my imagination, I had wanted her to watch me as I declaimed), I gave it my best and won first place. (I wo

first place since sophomore until senior year; during my freshman year, Inday Terry, a senior, won first .)

Dad was nowhere in sight when I received my prize so I hurried home to share my happiness with Dad. As my sister

brother, and I were wont to do when we got home, I called Dad as soon as I reached the door; not finding him in h

rocking chair in the sala downstairs, I rushed to his room upstairs where he was resting. When I asked him why he le

early, he said he was confident I would win so he went home after hearing me declaim because he was tired after th

conference. .

As I kissed Dad good night, he said he was so proud of me and that I can be the best of what I wanted to be in th

future. It was one of many occasions when Dad made me feel so loved and so special. Dads coaching to make m

prize winning declaimer gave me the confidence that I carried with me even when times were hard during my growing u

years.

Looking back now, I know Dad is waiting for me at home somewhere and I hope I make him proud not only

with the family I raised, but also because my brothers, sisters, and I have remained as close as he and Nanny

wanted us to be.

Neneng Rhodora, a.k.a Dordie Balayon Sino-Cruz

778 Trotter Court

Walnut, California

13 April 2012

Dads PrincessMy vanity was inspired and supported by DAD, ha!ha!ha!

Dad ALWAYS made me feel I am a Princess. Needless to say, I ALWAYS believed him!

When Dad, courtesy of Toto Lening, took me to V. Luna Medical Center for surgery of congenital hemangioma on my

left leg, he said, "Be brave. You will be given the best medical attention here. After your operation, I will buy you a beautiful

dress. Nenet, he told me, you will always be my Princess!

In one of our trips to Manila (from Tupi, South Cotabato), the boat stopped over at Cebu City. We went to White Gold

department store where I wanted Dad to buy me a petticoat .. .ha ha ha. I was 9 years old then. Dad said to me,

Petticoats are not nice for girls like you. Instead, he bought me a pair of red overalls and another pair for my cousin, Nene

Grace Dajay Benzonan, who is a year younger than me

When I was in 4rth grade, I asked Dad if I could lead the singing of the National Anthem during the morning flag

ceremony. Ha, ha, ha, ha! Dad told me, Net,sa flag retreat ka lang karon sa hapon. .And I DID!. During flag retreat, ti,

naka beat guid ako That was all I needed to make me self-confident!

Dad made me a strong person. When I formed keloid on my lip after

Boy pushed me down the stairs at our home in Tupi, his mantra to mewas:. Indi ka guid mahuya sang imo SAMBIL kag sa scar sa imo legs!

PALANGGA KO GUID IKAW, NENET! BE GOOD! Ha!ha!ha! The keloid

on my left leg failed to prevent me from wearing mini- skirts. The scarred

leg and the "sambil" took me to Cambridge University in England . . . and

beyond.

When Dad got very ill, he told me to be BRAVE, to be SMART, not to

be afraid to face people and to be confident. Most especially, Dad told

me to always THINK ABOUT NONOY! I was twelve years old. To this

day, more than four decades later, Dads exhortations remain with me.

Where ever I am I always act as if I am Dads Princess: brave, smart,

confident and always thinking about NONOY!!!!

Bing

Navajo, New Mexico

April 2012


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