It was May 21, 1957 at the residence of Tiyay Abun and Tiyay Lydia at San Sebastian Street in Bacolod City. Mamang (Nellie) was due to deliver anytime that week the sixth baby in our family. I remember the four sisters playing mahjong: Tiyay Lydia, Tiyay Elpha, Tiyay Riza and Mamang. Since I had to stay close to Mamang (that's my role everytime), I overheard Tiyay Riza telling her: "If you deliver before my birthday in May 22, your baby will be my birthday gift." No wonder, Edsel has a strong resemblance to Tiyay Riza. Within hours, Mamang was rushed by Daddy (Artem) to a nearby hospital. An hour or two later, Daddy returned excitedly with a happy news that "the stork has arrived" -- their sixth child is a healthy baby boy! Edsel was named by Daddy after the lemon "Edselford" car which our father fell in love with and dreamed to own. I believe Edsel satisfied that dream.
Right after Edsel came out of the hospital, I took care of him. He slept with me together with Betsing and Labing, who were then four and two years old respectively. I spent sleepless nights in the rocking chair (devoured by mosquitoes) rocking him to sleep with lullabies especially when he was sick. Her yaya Norma took care of him when I went to school but during weekends I stayed close to his crib while spending the time reading "Hiligaynon" and "Kislap." Some folks would say it was too much for a teen to be taking care of a baby and small brothers but I never took it differently because I love them. I took care of him just like my own son until he was three and also having Betsing and Labing at the same time. I remember every time I woke up in the morning to prepare to leave for school (I was in second year high), the three of them will also wake up and start crying, so I had to hide to be able to make it to school.
Right after my high school graduation in March 1959, I left ffor Manila to enroll in Pre-med. By that time, the family moved back to Kalibo. However, due to homesickness (perhaps unconcsciously, I missed my brothers like my own children) so I did not stay long in Manila and I went home to do a semester in NVC until I decided to go back again to Manila in 1961. These were the years that I was spared of taking care of my brothers. After college in 1964, I returned to Kalibo to teach and once again took charge of my younger brothers because it's Bebot's turn to go to college in UP. This time with four more: Sonny, Boy, Jojong and Christine. With this "brood", our house was always upside down but it was never a dull moment. Daddy always spear-headed our family activities -- whether going for an excursion in Buswang beach, Christmas events and others. I recall one Christmas, Edsel was 6 years old, he asked me if there was really a Santa Claus. I said "yes" until he told me that he saw me at midnight stuffing their socks with candies and toys.
Edsel spent his elementary years at the Kalibo Pilot Elementary School. His childhood years was that of any young kid. I'm sure Labing and our other siblings closer to his age can tell you more. What was outstanding to me was Mamang was Edsel's Grade 4 teacher (all of them went though Mamang in their elementary years). Labing and him were also a member of the Boy Scout and the Kalibo Boys Choir under the tutelage of David Zorc.
Time flies, I hardly noticed that Edsel and the other "boys" were already in high school. Edsel was the quiet one and always conciliatory so oftentimes he was bullied by his classmates. One day, a classmate beat him up and when I heard this, I called Doroy (told him to bring his bolo) and we ran after those bullies and brought them to Judge Quimpo (President of NVC). Daddy presented the case and the bullies were immediately disciplined. That's Edsel -- so gentle and always kind -- not a mean bone in his body.
When Daddy got sick in Manila and Bing and I had to go, Edsel tended our grocery store with Doroy. I couldn't forget when we came home, he handed Bing a thick roll of bills "kabakeanan" sa store while we were away. We learned later that he tried to "tipid" them of food because he doesn't want to touch the money. That's Edsel when it comes to trust.
When Daddy passed away in 1973, Edsel was in high school. Like the rest, he asked me if they will be able to continue their studies. Of course, Bing and I assured them of their education as we promised our "old man." So, Edsel and Labing attended University of the East in Manila and stayed in Project 8 through the good graces of Tiyoy Poling and Tiyay Elpha. When Daddy left us, we experienced so much hardships that until now I don't know how we pulled through. With God's help, somehow we managed. The kids went to college and graduated.
After Edsel finished his B.S. in Business Administration, he started working but I can't recall where he first worked. I only knew of his job at Metro Manila Commission because everytime he comes for vacation in Kalibo, he brought home some Metro Manila T-shirts. I remember when Bing organized the Kalibo Barangay Inter Baseball and Volleyball competition, Edsel provided us with baseball and volleyball paraphernalia. He used to give me his "bonus" to help out with my heavy financial situation. One time he gave me P800 pesos which was a fortune to me that time. Everytime my brothers come home, Bing treated them to a bowling spree.
In 1981, I left for Nigeria. When I came home for vacation in 1983, Edsel introduced Alice to our family and personally asked my consent to marry Alice which we all gave wholeheartedly. According to Mamang, Edsel and Alice wedding was beautiful and we were very happy for both of them. They sent me pictures and I was very happy for my dear brother. When Edsel and Alice used to have a house in Cavite, our daughters, Con and Tine, who were in Manila to attend school, lived with them. So, Edsel was a surrogate father to our children for a number of years. They have always good things to say about their beloved Uncle Edsel. Con and Tine were devastated when they heard the terrible news about their uncle. It broke their hearts.
"Sunrise...sunset...swiftly flew the years..." as the song goes. Edsel never missed informing us about the many happy events in his life -- Like when Celine, their first baby was born, Edsel had so much joy. He told me endlesslessly during our overseas conversations about their baby girl. He told me how he used to bring her to and from school at UST. Then Karen came and later Angeline. He told me how he treasure his "Tres Marias."
But sometimes things happen. The only times I saw and heard Edsel cry was when Daddy and Mamang died. The third time was when Celine revealed that she'll be having a baby. I could just imagine how it devastated him because he had high hopes for Celine, not only being the eldest, but too young to settle down and still in cllege. Edsel told me as if the world came crashing down on him. I had to calm him down saying that things happen for a reason. With Carlo, he did not only gain a son they never had, for he is a good and caring husband to Celine, but also two lovely granddaughters --KC, who has been the "apple of his eye" and recently, another baby girl.
One exceptional thing that Edsel did was that he took care of Mamang until she passed away in 1990. Edsel used to carry the oxygen tanks when he bought them. Of course, I don't rule out Sonny, Bebot, Toto Dante and our other siblings' services to our mother.
I can say without any fear of contradiction that he was an excellent husband to Alice, an exceptional father to his three girls -- Celine, Karen and Angeline, and a wonderful Lolo to their two apos. Edsel was a loving, considerate, kind, and very accomodating brother. Above all, he is a true son of God.
The last contact I had with Edsel was two weeks ago before he died. He said to me, "I thought you and Bing will be coming home to retire." I told him, we'll be there for vacation this coming July. His last words were to me were: "Uli eon kamo ay completo pa kitang napueo." Meaning, we have to have a reunion while there's still ten of us. Then he was the first to go...
I will miss Edsel meeting me at the airport everytime I go to Manila; I will miss him talking to me across their dining table at Project 8; I will miss him taking us around especially when visiting Himlayan graveyard; I will miss his smile and embraces; I will miss his voice everytime I call home.
Rest in peace, Edsel. I am sure you'll find eternal peace in the Celestial Heavens with your Creator.
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