The commemorative sticker of his car's rear window is still there. The years have paled its color but one can still read its message: Diamond Jubilee of the Coronation of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, 1924 - 1999.
One afternoon in September 1999, Papa said he was going to a Mass that would never be repeated in his lifetime. It was the Mass in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee. I didn't join him to the Mass. That was how it was with him. He would invite, but not impose. Wearing long-sleeves barong, he was obviously eager to go; I was obviously nonchalant. I must have said some lame excuse for not going.
It was just one of our conversations. It was brief and forgettable. When Papa died five months later, I wondered if the conversation was foreboding of what was to happen. But every year, it becomes more meaningful and inspiring.
Knowing my father, I am sure his statement came naturally for him. What father would not share a devotion he held dearly? He would not be in the middle of processions or demand to be in the Pagoda in the name of "panata." Instead, he was eloquent in his simplicity. Telling me how important it was for him to attend the Mass was his way of leading me to what truly matters.
At the time of his death, he was a member of the Caceres Commission on Communications, the Vice-President of the Council of the Laity of the Archdiocese of Caceres. He joined the Knights of Columbus through its Virgin of Peñafrancia Council and after almost two decades, he was the interim Master of the K of C's Fourth Degree, the Faithful Navigator of its Bishop Jorge Barlin Assembly and held a position in the Luzon Jurisdiction. For 15 years or so until his death, he was a lector of the St. John Evangelist Parish. He was also a member of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Association.
If Papa were alive, he would be doing his share of the work in the renewal of our devotion to the Blessed Mother. I am sure he would work within his circles, without grand displays, but he would get the message across. He was effective in simple gestures, because he was sincere and steadfast.
When reading the Gospel became a habit, he gave 365 Days with Lord - an annual planner with the daily Gospel and reflection guide - as gifts to his employees and friends every year during Christmas. The Holy Bible was his customary gift to newlyweds. Inspired by the quotation "We are called not to be successful but to be faithful," he coined the phrase "25 years of faithful rural banking" and had it printed in passbooks and stationeries. He quoted John 10:10 often. For Papa, life was meant to be lived abundantly. And the strength of his faith led him to a full life. (Erstwhile Vox Bikol Ruben Villaluz wrote that when he complained about his health, Papa advised him to be strong spiritually so he would "gain physical strength.")
In the move for changes in the celebration of the Peñafrancia Fiesta, there is no doubt as to where Papa would have stood. And in all certainty, Vox Bikol would, just as now, echo the call for a truly spiritually-nourishing Peñafrancia Fiesta.
Papa's death was life-altering for us, his family. Coming to terms with his passing and all that happened after could be nothing else but grace. And for Vox Bikol to be circulating to this day is a blessing that only faith could explain.
In a gathering of former Vox Bikol staff - all of whom are now well-placed in their field - I learned that when they were organizing the team, they all agreed that Vox Bikol would have no sacred cows. This is evident until today, to the chagrin of those who hallucinate of infallibility. Of course, earning the ire of powers that be and the tongue-lashing of those hit - then, as it is now - come with the territory. (Jose Fernando Obias recalls being gun-butted when he was editor.)
The revival of sorts of Vox Bikol happened in September 2006. Its banner headline screamed "Commercialization of Fiesta hit." Who could have predicted that after three years, the discussion would be widespread, with some making incredibly out-of-this-world analyses and analogies in an obvious attempt to deflect a bull's eye and lick bruised egos?
Many have forgotten that headline. But like my conversation with Papa, seemingly insignificant events grow in meaning because they are anchored on truth and sincerity. The 1999 commemorative sticker will one day become just a patch of adhesive paper. But what it stands for transcends time, and that's what matters.
Like its contemporaries, Vox Bikol may one day write 30. But for now, it's doing its part to nourish and share the devotion. For Vox Bikol to be at the forefront to effect change in the way we celebrate the Fiesta, in the way we live as a community, my father, who was an ardent devotee, who was persistent and persevering in his values, who believed that God writes straight in crooked lines, would have been mighty proud.