24 INDIVIDUALS WHO GREATLY INFLUENCED ME
January 15, 2009 by champoyupee
- Mr. ROMUALDO PORTES BORDEOS. My father. When I was a child, he would love to tell stories about Greek gods and goddesses, the God’s creation of men, aswang, etc. during bedtime. I admire him because he is good at painting/drawing, composing songs, and writing letters. He is the music of my life for he is really good in singing and playing guitar or other band instruments. When I grew up, I used to challenge him in debates, playing scrabble. On my fourteenth birthday, he wrote a letter to me saying ‘he loved me very much.’
- Mrs. MARY GRACE SANCHEZ-BORDEOS. My mother. Very caring and industrious. When I was a child, she would always advise us to wake up early and learn the daily household chores.
- UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, the U.P. Oblation, and the U.P. Naming Mahal Hymn. This is where I have the ‘best education.’ Each time, I saw the Oblation, I am also thinking of myself of offering it selflessly for the common good. The words in the UP Hymn are so meaningful to me.
- U.P. Professor Rolando O. Borrinaga. One of my professors in U.P. To him, I inherited the love for classic movies, reading non-fiction stories, and most of all, writing. In U.P., I always asked assistance from him in editing all my articles. He loves to give me local history books of which he is the author.
- Mr. CELEDONIO BORDEOS SALUDAGA and FAMILY. I have learned a great lesson from him that ‘opportunity knocks only at once,’ that made me to accept the scholarship from the University of the Philippines. I consider his family mine also.
- Fr. ALEJANDRE V. GALIAS, SMAHE, PhD and the Holy Family Center of Studies. I always have the inspiration to do well in everything that I do especially when I was in UP as a student because of them.
- MOTHER TERESA of Calcutta, India. She inspired me to be like her back when I was a high school student at Holy Family.
- Mrs. AIDA BORDEOS-LONGALONG. My father’s sister. From her, I have inherited the love for books. When I was a high school student, she would always give me Reader’s Digest Magazines to read.
- Mrs. LILIA BORDEOS-CABAHUG. My father’s sister. For my four years in UP, she is the one who sent my allowances.
- Dr. ROMEO O. CENIZA. Former Dean at UPM-SHS. He taught me some great lessons in life I will always be thankful to him.
- EUFEMIA PORTES-BORDEOS (+). My father’s mother. My lola must have loved me because she would always ask me to sleep beside her, brought me to novena prayers. She woke up early in the morning to pray the rosary and hear holy mass. She had deepened my faith to God.
- Mrs. AURORA BORDEOS-SALUDAGA (+). My father’s elder sister. My aunt is a woman of faith. She would bring me to prayer meetings. She also bought me school uniforms.
- Mrs. EUNILA BORDEOS-FERMIN. My father’s sister. As a child, I remember that she would always play the ABC Songs for me, when I was about to sleep.
- Dr. PERLIE PLAZA. Former Student Council Chairperson at SHS. I looked up her as my elder sister. She is courageous and she would always fight for student rights. Maybe that’s the reason why I inherited her leadership style and the concern for the students.
- Dr. CHARLIE O. TEJADA. Former Student Council Chairperson at SHS. Like Ate Pearlie, he was a role model in serving the students for those young ones in the Office of the Student Council at UPM-SHS.
- GLORIA TERESA CUTAB. Former UP Student Regent. From her, I got the inspiration to serve the students.
- JOSEPH ESTAN T. SALUDAGA. My nephew and best friend. For me, he is a genius. When I was in high school, I challenged myself to do better in school.
- Engr. QUINTIN BORDEOS SALUDAGA. My first cousin-mayor. For me, this man is great. He has a big heart for the people in Lavezares.
- Dr. ELVIRA PREJULA. One of my professors in UP. She served in the rural communities in Mindanao for the past 20 years before she left the country for greener pasture. One time, when she was telling stories about the hardships and some of her reflections, I saw myself crying.
- MICHAEL ANGELO T. SALUDAGA. My nephew’s kid and my god son. I learned from my baby love patience and the love for kids. In him, I saw the innocence of a child, I saw myself as if he is my mirror. This child is like a son to me.
- SAINT FRANCIS of Assisi, Italy. After reading his biography, I was touched by his selflessness and humbleness.
- Fr. PRISCO A. CAJES, OFM. My boss at Christ the King College. I have learned from this man to love my work more. He is very aggressive, workaholic, and strict.
- Fr. CANTIUS J. KOBAK, OFM (+). I may never have the chance to meet him in person but his research works speak much of him. His dedication and love for Samar, its people and history influenced me much to dedicate also myself to research.
- PIO BAYOG III. A friend. He thought me to value and love myself more, to love my family even more. That there are good things that will happen after each fall.
