Nostalgic thoughts

It was really a Love Day for me on Valentine's Day.

I was at my Alma Mater, the University of San Agustin in Iloilo for its First San Agustin Campus Press Award where I delivered an inspirational message to the student editors.

I was very happy with the love the University gave me. It named an award after me, Primo Esleyer Journalism Award. I was very honored.

Two years ago I was also given a Centennial Award during the Centennial Year of the University. When you get awards from your school in your senior years, it gives you a reason to age gracefully.

In 2003 my high school Alma Mater, the Iloilo City High School named me one of the six Outstanding Alumni on its 60th year.

It was announced by both John Iremil Teodoro and Jigger Latoza, both top officials of the University publications and approved by University President Fr. Manuel Vergara, O.S.S. that starting next year, the University will give a Primo Esleyer Journalism Award to an outstanding college editor in West Visayas.

Teodoro and Latoza are recognized multi-awarded national writers and outstanding editors of The Augustinian Mirror themselves during their time. Latoza is from Victorias, Neg. Occ. and his family lives in Bacolod.

* * *

I was seized with nostalgic thoughts of the good old days at San Agustin more than half a century ago and the life of student editors at that time.

That was the time when the school which was a former all-boys school became co-educational and boys could not mingle with the girls inside the campus and even in the big auditorium the boys were on one side and the girls were on the other side.

Of course, this was up to the gate only. After the gate it was another matter, knowing we always want to do against something forbidden.

We went around with my grandsons Stevenzon who is this year's managing editor of "The Mirror" and his elder brother Primo III who is a junior in medicine in the West Visayas State University and the flood of memories came rushing back.

Poet Thomas Moore put it better, "You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will,/ But the scent of the rose will hang around still." The old buildings were gone, there were new ones and the picture was different. But the reminiscent scent of the era was still there.

* * *

The student writers were regaled by my recollection of the good old days, the matching of wits between advisers or moderators and student editors, most memorable of which was Fr. Victor del Fueyo, OSA, a lovable Spanish priest with lots of antics.

Ms Anita Delfin Bellosillo, my contemporary was there still working for the publication. She was a campus beauty during our time.

Fr. del Fueyo censored all articles and didn't like poems or stories of love. But he would read only the first and second paragraphs, crossed it when he didn't like it and checked it when okay.

We devised a means. The first and second paragraphs would pay tribute to Virgin Mary or Sta. Monica, St. Augustine's mother. But actually the poem or story would be about a lovely girl.

One time Fr. del Fueyo asked what was the word in the dialect when you don't like a thing. One staffer said, "Yoots". The articles he did not like he crossed saying loudly "Yoots." And many "yoots."

The following day he came and told me I should be fired for teaching him a bad word. What is the bad word, Father? I asked. He would not utter it. He was appeased when told by everyone it was not a bad word.

It just meant "bad". He accepted the explanation. It was my turn to shout after he left, "Yoots!"

* * *

In the 80s I met now Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez who was editor ahead of me. "How did you find Fr. del Fueyo?" he asked. I said, he was okay. He said, he left San Agustin and went to UST to finish his law because of Fr. del Fueyo.

The audience agreed with me when I said, at that time Raul Gonzalez was already hard-headed. And probably more hard-headed now.

There's one lesson I learned. Love your school and your school will love you.

***

I'm calling on members of the Rotary Club of Bacolod. Tonight's guest is Revenue District Director Mansueta "Sweet" Rios of Revenue District of Bacolod.

Ms Rios will talk on important aspects of taxation. Don't miss it.

***

We sat down yesterday at lunch with my three British friends Neil Honeyman, Ken Reader, and Jerry Kort with Nene Leonardia.

I always enjoy discussing with foreigner friends to learn new ideas from them. And yesterday we dwelt on very many subjects but spent more time on the system of government, parliamentary or presidential.

The inclination was toward parliamentary which is more flexible but everybody agreed that in any form of government, the secret is still the leader. That the one that is best administered is best.*

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