Brod Hermie
There are two birth dates that I never forget. You will say that this is nothing.
But if for so many years you have been greeting your sister in August when her birthday is in November, remembering two birthdates aside from your own should be a major major achievement.
Actually if I can associate anything with something that is hard to forget, I can always remember.
For instance I could never remember the real name of my friend Litlit.
But when Rafael Nadal became the world’s best tennis player, I could immediately recall that Litlit’s real name is Rafaelita (bati no?) hahaha
One of the birthdays that I never forgot was the birthday of my late wife Amie.
Her birthday fell on Christmas day.
Who can forget a day that has two significance!
The other birthday that I ever fail to recall is the birthday of my neighbor, childhood playmate and brother, Herminio C. Cortes, the two of us being two original members of Les Pionniers, one of the oldest civic organizations in Mandaue. All 26 of us were still in our teens when we organized ourselves to engage in more serious activities.
But our brotherhood made such an impact in the community, and a lot of those who were witnesses to our achievements hanker to the golden years of Les Pionniers.
This is not the reason however that I remember Dec. 24 as Brod Hermie’s birthday.
Dec. 24 was the biggest day for children in our neighborhood.
It was the day that the owners of the then Cortes Clinic—Dr. Nene Cortes and his beautiful wife, and mother to me and thousands of others Mama Naty—held the Christmas party of the medical facility, and at the same time the birthday of Brod Hermie.
The birthday party meant cake, coke and ice cream, which, again to those who were born in the era after Goldilocks, Red Ribbon and Bebong’s Bake Shop, would not believe that these food were not ordinary fare which you only get a fill of during Brod Hermie’s birthday.
The birthday party also meant games and toys, which appropriately came on Christmas eve. It was also the time for the inevitable Christmas Tableau. Guess who got the plum role of Papa Joseph?
I played the role unconstested, until I went to Manila for my college studies.
The few minutes that I spent emoting as the father of our Lord, was probably the reason that created an illusion and confidence in my mind that I was a good actor.
Brod Hermie passed away a few days ago.
He left a legacy, nay a living monument, which has touched and will continue to touch the lives of many Cebuanos—much, much more significant than the food, the toys and the fun that he shared with us during his birthdays.
Brod Hermie was the man responsible for the organization of the Emergency Rescue Foundation Inc.
I need not blow the horn of ERUF, because one column would not be enough.
Suffice it to say that those who have availed of its services can attest to the expertise, professionalism and dedication of ERUF’s staff.
Brod Hermie would not have it differently.
The roots of ERUF could very well be Brod Hermie’s Boy Scout experience. Among his peers, it was only Brod Hermie who took scouting seriously. He used to make us gather around him and teach us the different sailor’s knots.
When he was able to join the International Jamboree that was held at Los Banos, Laguna, my esteem, and I have to admit envy, of Brod Hermie grew a thousand fold.
Brod Hermie was a natural leader. In whatever group that he was found, he always becomes the natural leader. He was the second president of Les Pionniers.
I do not know whose idea was it to organize a paramedic group in Mandaue. I would not be surprised if it was Brod Hermie, knowing his inclinations.
Regardless of whose idea it was to organize RESCUE, Brod Hermie was the only person who was capable of handling such a daunting responsibility.
All went well for the group while Mayor Boy Cortes was at the helm. When Mayor Cortes ended his maximum term, the new city administration abolished and erased the expertise gained by Brod Hermie’s group over almost two decades.
Even I thought that it was going to be the end of RESCUE. Those who had this thought did not know the tenacity and determination of Brod Hermie.
Like the proverbial Phoenix, RESCUE rose from the ground and became much bigger than even Brod Hermie would have imagined from the beginning.
Mandaue’s gem became the shared jewel of all Cebuanos. ERUF Inc. has everybody as its clientele, because its motto is “We serve….. so that others may live.”
It may not be the same without Brod Hermie as its Executive Director. Any difference would not amount to much though because ERUF has been streamlined, institutionalized, and standardized and it would take a lot to shake it from its roots.
By the way, for those who do not know yet, ERUF is now where it should have been in the first place—Mandaue City.
Very few of us will have a chance to make a mark in the lives of the community where he belongs, and leave it in the service of the people.
As long as ERUF Inc. continues to exist, the name and person of Herminio C. Cortes will continue to grow bigger than life.
Goodbye Brother Hermie!
Thank you for making us a part of your life.
