My late father inculcated in my young mind the value of reading. According to my father nobody can rob you of your education and knowledge. Embedded in my psyche is the love of books.
I can read at the age of six. My first reading materials were the Philippine Free Press by Teodoro Locsin Sr. and the Manila Bulletin. I enjoyed reading the editorial section, the comics of "Prince Valiant", and "The Wise sayings of the day" (Manila Bulletin). I read the sayings of Socrates, and many others.
Two of which I vividly remembered - "We only know what we know." (Socrates), and "Those who think controls, and those who control thinks." (Disraeli)
I grew up in the era of Philippine fast pace, exponential growth and progress - an economically progressive nation in the Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN). Philippines was second to Japan in terms of their GDP. Philippine is an agricultural nation, and we were the number one in rice production. We supplied rice to many Asian nations. Philippines was extremely stable during the 50's and late 60's. The Philippine currency was "not devalued", and the economy appeared recession proof. A political firestorm erupted in the 70's. On September 21, 1972, the former president Ferdinand E. Marcos declared Martial Law.
My late father succeeded in his business as a rice trader and distributor. I have three other siblings. Every Saturday, my father mandated every single one of us to report to our stores. I never knew if there was a child labor protection laws during my child-labor days. I did not mind working in my father's businesses. I learned a lot about profitability of retail business. My father paid us to work. He always reminds us that all his business holdings will be ours to manage and own someday. My father diversified his businesses. He was engaged in textile retail and distribution. My late father was also a cigarette and alcohol distributor in the city where I grew up.
My parents owned at least seventeen stores scattered all over the city (most of our stores were located inside the public or wet markets.)
My first lesson in business and political patronage - My baptismal godfather was a powerful Philippine senator, and my father's best friend in college. My late senator godfather was my father's protector and political connection.
My first lesson in power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely (Lord Acton of England) -
My late Machiavellian godfather senator was also a warlord. My godfather travels in the city and rode in bullet - proof cars, and escorted by two armored vehicles. My godfather was ambushed while in route to his city office. It happened at 8:00 in the morning, few miles away from my former grade school. My godfather survived the assassination attempt. Ten of his bodyguards were killed. Philippine politics in my childhood days was violent, and deadly to warring political factions. Organized crime protection rackets were rampant and impacted the peace and order of the city. We were untouchables because of my senator-godfather. Nobody dares to collect protection money from my late father's stores.
My first lesson in socio-economic stratification - My late father shared his challenges and struggles before he became successful.
According to my father my late maternal grandfather never liked him to marry my mother because he was poor. My maternal grandfather was a feudal landlord and a popular political figure in the Philippine island. Philippine is an island nation. There are more than 7,200+ islands. The three big islands are Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. My late maternal grandfather owned an island where the first coal mine was established, and continue to operate as of writing time. My relatives still controls the area where my late grandfather ruled.
The lessons I learned from childhood impacted my choices and decisions in life. My childhood days taught me to respect power, and authority despite what I witnessed in the society where I grew up. The love for the underdogs and the poor became an obsession. I made a promise to myself that I will always protect others who are exploited and oppressed.
"Experiences, the greatest foundation of knowledge."
- Albert Einstein
Rodolfo P.
I can read at the age of six. My first reading materials were the Philippine Free Press by Teodoro Locsin Sr. and the Manila Bulletin. I enjoyed reading the editorial section, the comics of "Prince Valiant", and "The Wise sayings of the day" (Manila Bulletin). I read the sayings of Socrates, and many others.
Two of which I vividly remembered - "We only know what we know." (Socrates), and "Those who think controls, and those who control thinks." (Disraeli)
I grew up in the era of Philippine fast pace, exponential growth and progress - an economically progressive nation in the Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN). Philippines was second to Japan in terms of their GDP. Philippine is an agricultural nation, and we were the number one in rice production. We supplied rice to many Asian nations. Philippines was extremely stable during the 50's and late 60's. The Philippine currency was "not devalued", and the economy appeared recession proof. A political firestorm erupted in the 70's. On September 21, 1972, the former president Ferdinand E. Marcos declared Martial Law.
My late father succeeded in his business as a rice trader and distributor. I have three other siblings. Every Saturday, my father mandated every single one of us to report to our stores. I never knew if there was a child labor protection laws during my child-labor days. I did not mind working in my father's businesses. I learned a lot about profitability of retail business. My father paid us to work. He always reminds us that all his business holdings will be ours to manage and own someday. My father diversified his businesses. He was engaged in textile retail and distribution. My late father was also a cigarette and alcohol distributor in the city where I grew up.
My parents owned at least seventeen stores scattered all over the city (most of our stores were located inside the public or wet markets.)
My first lesson in business and political patronage - My baptismal godfather was a powerful Philippine senator, and my father's best friend in college. My late senator godfather was my father's protector and political connection.
My first lesson in power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely (Lord Acton of England) -
My late Machiavellian godfather senator was also a warlord. My godfather travels in the city and rode in bullet - proof cars, and escorted by two armored vehicles. My godfather was ambushed while in route to his city office. It happened at 8:00 in the morning, few miles away from my former grade school. My godfather survived the assassination attempt. Ten of his bodyguards were killed. Philippine politics in my childhood days was violent, and deadly to warring political factions. Organized crime protection rackets were rampant and impacted the peace and order of the city. We were untouchables because of my senator-godfather. Nobody dares to collect protection money from my late father's stores.
My first lesson in socio-economic stratification - My late father shared his challenges and struggles before he became successful.
According to my father my late maternal grandfather never liked him to marry my mother because he was poor. My maternal grandfather was a feudal landlord and a popular political figure in the Philippine island. Philippine is an island nation. There are more than 7,200+ islands. The three big islands are Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. My late maternal grandfather owned an island where the first coal mine was established, and continue to operate as of writing time. My relatives still controls the area where my late grandfather ruled.
The lessons I learned from childhood impacted my choices and decisions in life. My childhood days taught me to respect power, and authority despite what I witnessed in the society where I grew up. The love for the underdogs and the poor became an obsession. I made a promise to myself that I will always protect others who are exploited and oppressed.
"Experiences, the greatest foundation of knowledge."
- Albert Einstein
Rodolfo P.
No comments:
Post a Comment