The last days of October

In this take-off on the lyrics of the memory song that opens with the “last days of summer,” and another memory song that tells of “the falling (autumn) leaves of red and gold (that) drift by my window,” this Bystandering piece writes of the fast-breaking events in the last days of October this year. A year of cataclysmic natural and political events that peaked on the Ides of October, even as we consider many more.

Last Monday, an official holiday declared for our barangay elections, I first sent my helpers ahead early on to vote and locate my own voting precinct for me. But when I did go shortly before noon under the hot noontime sun, it turned out my precinct was way out at the far end of the sprawling Guadalupe Elementary School campus, the same place where I had received my little senior citizen allowance. It was reachable over the same stony, uneven way I had earlier sweated and “labored” through in my walker, I decided not to vote but go home instead! I envied the way barangay Mabolo served their senior citizens and differently-abled voters in their auditorium, and the SM malls that did a “test” serving of a trial group of 75 senior citizens and persons with disability (PWD). Media later reported that because of the difficulty and inconvenience experienced by many seniors and PWDs in other barangays, many others like me decided not to vote this time. A lesson here for the authorities?

Afternoon of the day, I attended the ninth day Mass and novena at the Redemptorist Church for my late long-term neighbor and friend Rafael “Ralph” Ferreros, attended by members of his family, friends and associates, many of whom I had not seen for some time, which bereavement usually brings together more than even fetes and celebrations.

Tuesday, I attended the ceremonial launching of November as Zonta Month in Cebu at the Cebu Country Club, by our Zonta Clubs of Cebu I and II. Guest Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama delivered his message acknowledging the outstanding social, civic and community involvement and contributions of Zonta for the welfare of our women and children. The mayor concluded his fact-filled talk with a couple of his signature songs, all of which were warmly applauded, offered floral tokens and had photos taken of.

The formal launching followed with the colorful ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the stage on which were the twin banners of Zonta Club of Cebu I, the Mother Club in Cebu, established in 1968, and Zonta Club of Cebu II, established in 1982. The formal launching marked the 45th anniversary of Zonta, to which I proudly belong. Special messages then followed with acknowledgements of our civic and community involvement and achievements for women and children. Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale spoke for the provincial government, and Councilor Nestor Archival for the City of Cebu.

Wednesday, we held the executive committee meeting of our Cebu Girl Scouts Council at our headquarters in Banilad. Part of Council President Ida Yting’s report was our sharing of relief goods with the municipality of Danao, Bohol through Mayor Nati Gonzaga for the people there affected by the Oct. 15th earthquake. In addition to the administrative reports which are a regular part of our meetings, we approved a request from the officials of the Landbank Cebu Capitol Branch, to extend their lease contract with us for another five years. Landbank has been the first and long time leasee of our original main building.

Then in the evening of the same day, I attended the wake of a long time friend and media associate, Juliet Villaflor-Banzon at the St. Peter’s Memorial Chapel on Imus Street. As late as the previous day, I learned that she had passed away after over a year as a bed-ridden invalid, living with her children in Consolacion.

I came to know Juliet years ago while I was still with radio station dyRC when she guested as a singer on my noontime program, “Campus Capers,” even as she started participating in our then numerous radio dramas. She joined us after martial law at radio station dyLA, then joined ABS-CBN, later joining a call center as an executive director. It was a eventful professional career in which she achieved so much and influenced so many in her relatively brief life. Through these we kept in touch. She then married an equally talented man, Jose “Pepe” Banzon of Danao City, who preceded her in death, leaving her with sons and a sole daughter.

At the wake for her cremated remains, I met former media colleagues, her children, and many friends, who crowded into the chapel where she lay in state. The Mass for her there was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Katubig, whose Masses I used to attend at the ALU-VIMCONTU chapel at Pier I of which he was chaplain.

Thursday, yesterday, her remains were taken to Danao City, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband at the cemetery there.

This has been a particularly eventful week starting last weekend, when I had the opportunity to meet friends and associates from way back as well as colleagues in the women’s and children’s organizations I belong to. Memories, memories.

Last night was All Hallows’ Eve or Halloween. Today, All Saints’ Day, we pray to the saints who have heard our prayers and helped us, while tomorrow, All Souls’ Day, we pray for the souls of our numerous relatives, friends and associates where their remains are in our numerous cemeteries, as their souls have moved ahead of us to the Great Beyond. May God rest them in peace.

Till next week, as always, may God continue to bless us, one and all!