Nobody cheered Viloria's
victory over Mexican contender

Hardly anybody, including some of our sports writers, came out boisterously cheering for Brian Viloria who triumphed by points over Mexican challenger Jose Antonio Aguirre Sunday in Las Vegas.

Yes, he is a Fil-American. But remember that this was a fighter who did not hesitate to pay tribute to his Filipino ancestry. That makes his victory sweeter and worth more plaudits than that of Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao.

Cheers for a Fil-American boxer who earned honors for his country.

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We grieved with the St. Bernard, Southern Leyte, the death of so many villagers, including the so-called math wizards of the Guinsaogon village. It seems that the local teachers had devoted themselves to upgrading their pupils knowledge of mathematics and the sciences.

That makes their deaths more tragic. But the loss of so many gifted children makes it more imperative that we give a chance to develop more children to hone their skills in math and the sciences.

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There are moments in the life of a journalist when he gets a lift from the reaction of a reader. And in this particular case, I am reproducing herewith the letter from Joe Ma. Torres, a friend in the way, who paid tribute to the late Manila Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing for a hitherto unknown Christian gesture which bore fruit. And such a wonderful fruit.

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Dear Rolly,

I read with mixed feelings your column on Mayor Bagatsing ( I always call him Mayor!) and I thank you for remembering a very warm, helpful and sensitive person. Thirty four years ago, right after my graduation from the College of Law, I was faced with the problem of not being able to take the bar exams for financial reasons! Your friend, Tutay Kilayko (another guy to whom I owe so much and who has just celebrated his 80th birthday last February 13) suggested that I talk with Mayor Bagatsing who was then in town and discuss my problem.

I went to the Lady of Mercy Hospital where he was then billeted. When I was called in to his room, he asked me what he can do. I told him about my problem. He got my name and address and told me that he will arrange it. That was it. In less than fifteen minutes, he dismissed me and my problem.

I was wary and confused! I was not sure. I was thinking that this may be a case of another broken promise by a politician. After all, the only common link between him and me was that we were both graduates of NOHS (him in 1934 and me in 1962) which I did not miss to mention knowing as I do his great love for his alma mater, the Negros Occidental High School.

Almost two months passed and I was worried. The bar review will soon open and I have not heard from Mayor Bagatsing. Until one day I received a telegram telling me that I was already enrolled at the San Beda College of Law Review and that all my fees were already paid and that a member of his staff will fetch me at the pier when I arrived in Manila. Very few moments and events can equal the happiness and joy I felt at that time.

From then on I knew that the Lord wanted me to take the bar exams and pass it. When I did pass the bar, I went back to him and he was very glad. He offered me a job in his office but I politely told him that I was already working with the law office of Attys. Digoy Montalvo and Fedor Bernabe. I thanked him his help and told him that I will always be in his debt. And then he said, quietly and with a smile: "Just pass it on."

Needless to state, Mayor Bagatsing's kindness and love for a stranger had been passed on many times over. I always thank God for being privileged to share the love and kindness of this man, who unmindful of his own hurt and suffering, extended a helping hand to a complete stranger. This incident clearly defined my legal practice. His love and generosity is deeply ingrained in my heart. Indeed, love begets love.

I cannot eulogize him any better than you did. I wrote this letter to share with you the joy of a Christian passage. Life, death, life. You lost a friend and 'compadre' and I lost a benefactor but we should be happy because we both gained an angel. Thanks be to God!

Thank you and warmest regards to your loved ones and to the members of your community.

Your friend in the way,

Joetor
Atty. Jose Ma. B . Torres
Cattleya Road, Mansilingan
Bacolod City, Philippines 6100
Tel. No. +6334-4463673

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