Wake-uppers:
Scene: Sylvia
Dagami-Fortich posted on Facebook about Tindogi
Tagbilaran: "If it's not worth fighting for, it's not worth much at
all." "Do not be afraid to proceed forward doing that which others
object to or doubt will work or imply that you're crazy to even imagine
accomplishing. This is an important way to pick up your cross in following
Jesus (Matt. 16:24). The only thing to fear is going against God's will by
choosing inaction. When we
Scene: Former city
councilor Anne Mariquit Derikito-Oppus also shared on Facebook her sweet memories
of the old Tagbilaran: Now, it can be
told. My love story started with a "Can I walk you home"? From a
party at Gee Garden"s Hotel, a young officer from the PMA came up to me
and asked: "Can I walk you home?" and so we did, with one of my bff's
- Grace del Rosario-Lumayag and the late Zacarias Lumayag in tow, and the
"Fall in Club" discreetly doing the same. Anyhow, a year or so later,
I gave my "YES" near the Causeway along Tagbilaran Bay, and it was
when the moon was so bright. All two separate occasions,
in the late evening and so peaceful, then. On hindsight, I ask: Can I do the
same now? Like, will I be brave enough to walk the streets of my beloved city
without fear, or will I even allow my own kids to stay late, out? To many, it’s
a resounding "NO"! Thus, I call on all Tagbilaranons to be vigilant,
and do our share. Let us, please, ensure we have a Tagbilaran, even safer than
when we found it, for our children. Until and unless we have it, then we cannot
rest!
***
 |
Erstwhile Tagbilaran City
Councilor Anne Mariquit Derikito-Oppus
with her hubby B/Gen. Louie Oppus, the director of the Firearms
and Explosives
Office
(FEO) of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Courtesy: Anne Mariquit Derikito-Oppus
|
Back
then, the students of Bohol National High School (now Dr. Cecilio Putong
National High School) called her as the “most terror” teacher in school. But parents and colleagues put their thumbs up
on her as the teacher who disciplined and molded good students and citizens
during her time as a teacher.
“She
was very passionate on her job as a teacher,” recalled Rowena Jala. “We were
well-behaved in school. She didn’t punish students even those who were naughty
at school but she taught the students to behave and respect.”
Her
students also recalled that she had a remarkable strong voice. “It was very loud and clear even without a
megaphone during a mass playground,” said Arlene Pisquera. “She had a
photographic memory. She could memorize all the family names of the students.”
Wincesa
“Wincie” Balatero Espejo Araorao has had earned the respect of her students, co-teachers
and friends.
Teacher.
Mother. Disciplinarian.
Wincie is all that — and more.
Wincie’s
four children regard her as a woman who has shown, through her honest and
earnest ways, the real essence of hard work, talent, grace, generosity,
"integrity," and most of all, faith in God.
Wincie
is the eldest child of Hilario Araro Espejo who served as Teniente del Barrio (Barangay Captain) of Cogon in the late1950s
and Josefina Mercader Balatero, valedictorian of Saint Joseph Academy (now Holy
Spirit School) in the late 1930s, who, when orphaned early, was left to care of
her two brothers, and eventually got married to Hilario.
 |
At 75, Wincesa Espejo- Araorao shows no signs of
slowing down.
As the founder of Bukang
Liwayway Dance Troupe, her favorite
dance is Binasuan.
|
Seeing
the example of modest, simple living of her parents, Wincesa grew up
understanding the value of hard work, persistence and faith in God during the
time when life in Tagbilaran was so simple and tranquil.
Graduating
from Tagbilaran City Central Elementary School and Bohol High School Class of
1956 while dabbling time between studying, helping her parents with the
carenderia at the “Pook Pantalan” and taking care of her six younger siblings,
she proceeded to take up Bachelor of Science in Education – Major in Physical
Education at the University of Southern Philippines as her fallback from the
nursing course which was her original choice that was hindered by financial
constraints.
At
USP, she was a gymnast, organizer, founder and first president of the USP
Banikanhon Dance Troupe and almost made it to the Philippine Swimming Team when
she won gold medals for breaststroke and backstroke during the regional
elimination, but she opted to be near her family in Bohol rather than go to
Manila for the swimming team.
Following
college graduation, she taught in Marawi, Mindano, then came back to her home
province to teach Physical Education at her Alma Mater, Bohol High School where
she was founder, choreographer and adviser of the Bukang Liwayway Dance Troupe (BLDT), celebrating its 35th year this
year. The BLDT, sticking to its thrust of being a folkloric group, became the
training ground for prospective members of other performing groups in Bohol
like Diwanag Dance Theater and the new breed of Physical Education teachers and
choreographers.
She
became a politician’s wife when her husband, then Philippine Banking
Corporation executive Derclo Reparatp Bongoyan Araoarao, won as Mayor of
Panglao in the 1980 elections and served as local chief executive till 1986.
One of the greatest milestones of the BLDT was becoming the grand champion of
the province-wide “Hadla nga Bol-anon” folkdance competition in December 1986
via the “Kuratsa-Kuradang” entry which she choreographed, giving the group a
chance to join the regional “Sayawit Festival” in Cebu City representing Bohol
Division, where the BLDT performers won the grand prize, besting other
contenders from Cebu City and other top-ranking school divisions.
Years
earlier, she also trained and coached Bohol male and female gymnasts who
figured in the regional level and later, sent to the Palarong Pambansa and made
it to the top three finish. In June 1987, she was Summa Cum Laude while earning
her Master of Arts degree from the University of Bohol.
By
a sudden twist of fate, she was ushered to the land of Uncle Sam to find
greener pastures.
The
performing artist in her made her join the 2nd Annual Philippine Folk Dance
Festival held at Schimmel Center for the Arts, Pace University, New York City
with her favorite “Binasuan,” a dance of skill, where she was the only solo
performer in the competition. She divided her time between earning a decent
living in NYC, spending time with family and serving as Eucharistic Minister at
Saint Ignatius of Loyola Church. At 75, she is content with God’s blessings of
love of family – her children, Fiel Angeli Gabin, Information Officer of the
City Government of Tagbilaran, with Jerome, Cielo and Renji; Reparato Anthony,
a nurse at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, with Shiela and Reesie;
United States Army Sgt. Ann Claire Young of Raleigh, North Carolina, with
Jabron, Jalen, Jayla and Jordy, and Coeli Marie, a web designer in Zephyrhills,
Florida, with Alex, Sethie and Chloe.
“The
one thing I can’t live without is prayers – communicating with God is the most
basic part of my existence,” said Wincie.
Unlike
most women, she’s not embarrassed to reveal her age—75 on Sunday, that is today
(Sept. 28), 26 years of which have been lived- and how! in educating people-
and 25 years living in the United States.
“Am
I afraid of growing old?,” asked Wincie. “I am certainly not afraid of growing
old. I am ready when the time comes that God calls for me.”
Now
75, Wincie is
enjoying her staycation between Tagbilaran and US. She can avail
of the privileges (discount in drugstores, restaurants and other places).
Even
if she doesn’t look 75, that is.
***
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