Tribute

EDWIN T. QUIZAN (March 8, 1938 - December 6, 2016)

My friend told me, our loved one is never gone, Lorena. For as long as there is a memory, they live in our hearts to stay.

Sang gamay pako, kung maubos ko gani ang pasensiya ni Tatay ginahanot niya ko... sang silhig nga bukog. Ang nadumduman ko nagadalagan ko para indi niya ko malab-ot kag mahanot. Ti nagalagsanay kami sa kasagingan sa likod sang balay ukon galibot-libot kami sa lamesa. Si Tita Belit masaway sa akon "Dangdang, high-bloodon gani si Tatay mo kag matumba." Ti kundi mauntat ko dalagan kag mapadakop kag mapahanot nalang. At that time, I was maybe 9 or 10 years old. I realized now that at that age, Tatay was important to me and I cared for him nga indi ko gusto may matabo nga malain sa iya.

Tatay did not tell me how to live. He lived, and let me watch him do it. He was a hard working man, aga pa naga bugtaw kag nagaasikaso sang iya talamnan kag nagapangita sang kutihon sa likod sang balay. During my elementary years, naga dul-ong ko sang iya panyaga sa talamnan sa Luyang kag sang buhi pa si Nanay Loren naga-intra man ko gabot sang humay kag naga swimming sa kahon. With steady hands he tended his farm during the day and wrote his stories at night. He strived hard from day to day and loved the things he did.

Growing up, I saw him read a book, a newspaper or magazine everyday. Reading was just part of his routine. Either mapatugon sa jeep or mapalihog pabakal sa Kabankalan sang balasahon. He led by example. I was into reading at a very young age and it really influenced me on what course to take at the university. At first nag take ko PT sa Silliman but realized indi ako mahilig kag kabudlay mag memorize. Ang masscom ya mabasa lang ko, masulat kag ma esturya, I could pass with flying colours.

Sang nag-eskwela ko sa Silliman, during my freshman year, pagpuli ko sa balay on my first semestral break - naghibi ko while nagabantay sang jeep pa Kabankalan para didto masakay sa Royal Express mapa-Dumaguete. Nagbasulay si Tatay kag si Tita sa atubangan ko nga na kay gusto mo gid sa Silliman ma eskwela nga kalayo. I remember I missed the university entrance test held in Bacolod because my permit came later than the scheduled date. Pero si Tatay mauti gid nga nagsulat sa administrative office sg Silliman agud matagaan ako liwat sang chance nga mag take kag ma honor ang nabayad ko na. Tay, in your own diligent and efficient way - you sent me to the best school and gave me one of my greatest gifts from you - quality education.

Looking back and reflecting on my life, I realized that Tatay had been a guiding force but maintained his presence on the sidelines. He never told me what to do nor what I should do with my life. He was there to nurture my skills. He encouraged me to use and maximize my potentials and cheered me on. He never opposed my undertakings but always bold with his opinions. He cried with me and for me when I was down, helped me get up and recover. He was very proud of me for my accomplishments and achievements.

Tatay is a very strong-willed person. He disliked going to the hospital for checkup and resisted surgery. He'd rather do his usual daily work, sick and all - than being admitted in the hospital. I admire his strength.  He bravely faced up to his illness, never complained that he was sick, never complained about pain - but wholeheartedly accepted that his body was old and weak. Tatay went on with his normal everyday life with all his might up to his last breath. At the end of his battle, his will had been fulfilled - for death to take him swiftly. I am just sad it was so sudden he had to go at a very unexpected moment.

I will never say goodbye to you, Tatay because I know this is not the end for us to see each other. You will only be going to a place where there's no pain nor suffering. I'm proud to say you are my father and I will forever cherish my memories of you. Your legacy will live on in my family. We will think about you always and we will talk about you often. You will never be forgotten, Tay. We will hold you close within our hearts, and there you will remain... until we meet again. 12December2016