May 8, 2019, limawix
64 Years Ago Today
In mother’s own words… “After I graduated from CKS College in Manila, I was asked by five of my friends – they came together to my house – to go and teach at the Chinese School in Surigao. Although I majored in education, but my heart was in business. At first, I did not want to go. But after persistent urging by my friends, I decided to give it a try. We went together to the school in Surigao. With my major in education, I was assigned multiple tasks in addition to teaching classes. This included counseling the students, teaching Physical Education and coaching the sports team. I was also involved in the drama club organized by Mr. Wu Chong Mu, who was a movie director from Hong Kong. While I was busy adjusting to a new life away from home, I also came to know Johnny. He was one of the teachers at school. He loved literature and he loved photography. Young but without a penny to his name, he started the courtship of dating me. My family opposed the courtship, saying that I was too young. But our feelings for each other grew, and I could not find it in my heart to reject him. After two years of knowing each other, and with my family’s exhortation: “Think clearly.” I was determined to marry Johnny in 1955. “
Close to My Heart
All Things Must Pass, says George Harrison. That is very easy to say, but in reality, passing and ending do not and will never be easy. Saying goodbye is always the hardest thing to do. By the time you know you have to say goodbye, you already built up memories — lots and lots of fun and sad memories. Harder yet is when you have a lifetime of memories as it is with parents. How then do we let go? I do not know. Perhaps I just do not wish to let go. At this point, I choose to keep them Close to My Heart.
John and Jane
A few days ago, coming home from school, John-John peeked into my screen and asked “Who is Jane?” I did not have an immediate answer. And then yesterday, Abby asked, “Who is Jane?”
Some 40 years ago, one of our family lawyer friend, Florio Arguillas, started with the name — Jane. He was the one responsible in calling Mama, Jane instead of Juana. He said the name Jane is more ‘class’ sounding, over the very pinoy-sounding Juana. I remember a few friends, during her active days with the Lions International, call her by the nice name — Jane. Juana is her birthname. Her nickname is Sui-Ha (not sweetheart as singer Jai Lynn would say her name.) 🙂
John on the other hand is easy. Father’s name, Johnny, gave credence to the John names for his next generation. Our brother Wishing-John. First grandson, John Joshua, Windell’s Matthew John, and of course our favorite John or John John. But, do you know, Johnny was also called Eng Chi? How about his birth name, Ha Seng. And Mama, always calls him Ah-Huan, or Hua-Na.
For this project, I would simply call them John and Jane.
The Ballad of John and Jane
I wanted to give some thoughtful memories of Papa and Mama to my children, the very meaning of “parents’ unconditional love.” This love I have hundreds and thousand times received from them both. This is a story about love for each other, about love for their children, and about love for their children’s children.
After completing the words and a few chords to the song last week, Rene commented, it should have been titled “The Ballad of Jane and John.” Hmmm, sorry, its been structured, worded and rhymed. Jane, pain, gain, rain, again, etc.. I reached out to my friend, Elliot Sheridan to complete the tune. I presented the chords I wanted, yet Elliot made changes, and did it his way. It was slightly different from what I wanted. But – yes, it worked like magic. Thank you Elliot!
So here you go…
Penniless, underprivileged, dirty down and out.
Homeless boy of the east, down China’s south.
Sailing across the Pearly Orient seas,
To the mountains, to the oceans and islands of thousand trees. (1)
No adversities can stop this stubborn dreamer,
This 4th grade boy became a modest school teacher. (2)
Then seated behind the desk of an old classroom,
Was a gorgeous lovely girl, what a beauty in bloom. (3)
This is the story of how John and Jane begun,
Of fate and destiny, or was it “Thy will be done?”
Young love and silly hearts. Oh no — they say,
Soon one will weep, and the other will stray. (4)
A dazzling morning in May, 8th O’ Fifty Five.
The vows and the bells, come bright and alive.
Plowing through fields, each armed with a vision,
Hardships are but nothing to a solid mission. (5)
Peddling in the crowded Manila streets,
Catch a breather in Hong Kong’s market beats.
Small town vendors in Redondo swap meet,
And jewelry merchants in LA’s 7th street. (6)
So, this is the story of how John and Jane begun,
Through thick and thin, endurance — second to none.
A father’s kindness, higher than the highest mountains,
My mother’s love, deeper than the deepest oceans. (7)
Many years passed, hair now thin and white,
Still the family love so brand new, oh, so bright.
Satisfaction in giving unconditional love,
Truly selfless, ever endless and all of the above.
Living just past the 62nd candle light.
John sailed the seas on a cold November night.
Up up and away, Mama’s September flight, (8)
Above the clouds, and unto the light.
This is the ballad of our John and Jane,
An inspirational story of no pain, no gain.
For in the end, love with no reservations
Perfect love in all and any conditions.
This is the story of our own John and Jane
For the love they give, is the love we gain.
And in the end, its countless like rain,
Endless blessings, time and again.
Yes, this is the ballad of John and Jane,
For the love they give, all the love we gain.
And in the end, its all for their children
And in the very end, for their children’s children. (9)
Song Meaning
(1) On June 21, 1948, Papa with $100 dollars in his pocket, at 20 years old, left his hometown, Jin Jiang, Fujian, China. Sailing south towards the Philippines. He arrived in Manila and later to Bacolod. Not a word of English nor Tagalog.
(2) Even at this state of extreme difficulties, Papa was determined to succeed. As he later said in his autobiography, ” I am duty-bound to chart my riches and honor. The challenge and struggle led me to uphold my self-respect, and with my vow and commitment I must work harder to achieve my life’s goals. This entirely new life that I come face-to-face with was a turning point of my life. ”
(3) Mama was a fresh education graduate in 1954 from the CKS College. Shortly after graduation, she received an offer to teach in Surigao. Mama have never traveled outside of Manila. In a day’s notice to her father, she decided to accept the job and sailed south 1,000 kilometers to an old school to be a teacher.
(4) Young love and silly hearts. Oh no — they say. Deciding against advises from all her friends and her family, Mama decided to marry Papa.
(5) On May 8, 1955. They were married. Mama with her battalion of friends, and the entire family attending. While poor Papa, with no family. The reception was held at the Ramon Lee Panciteria. As I would imagine, all paid for by Mama’s family. Perhaps it was love, or maybe Mama’s pride of proving her family and friends wrong. She was as determined as Papa in making it in life.
(6) They were willing to do anything to make things work. Selling in Manila and all over the country, until finally moving to Hong Kong around 1985, then to Los Angeles by 1990. It was quite a struggle to make ends meet. As we hear stories of whole day work at the Redondo Swap Meet, and even selling jewelries in a small booth at the St Vincent, 7th Street.
(7) Endurance, second to none. Truly, they were pushed way past their limits. Yet, through it all, they endured.
(8) After a simple 62nd anniversary celebration at home (6th). Papa passed on Nov-21, 2016. Mama followed on Sep-25, 2017 — 10 Months and 4 days after Papa’s passing.
(9) Their story truly was an inspirational one to tell and share with their children, and their children’s children…
Happy Anniversary, Dear Papa and Mama
May 9, 2019. Elliot Sheridan wrote:
“Hi Walden, I have just watched your incredibly moving Youtube video and I feel so privileged to be welcomed as part of your lovely family! Kindest Regards, Elliot“