This Be Our World

"This Be Our World" is a 230 – page book written by Dr. Beato A. Dela Cruz which will be off the press soon. Beato A. Dela Cruz is known as Aklan’s Literacy Legend and Educator.

"This be our World," is a compilation of poems, short stories and other writings from 1928 to 1975 which reflect the author’s struggles and achievements as a revolutionary fighter, writer, historian, educator, poet, world traveler and most importantly, a family man.

Dela Cruz believed that life is not an apple served on a gilded platter. He once said, "life must be lived and felt. And only those who have seen tears roll down smiling cheeks understand the bitter-sweetness of life."

Twenty-five years after his demise in 1982, his grateful family honors this man, who was once declared as Father of the Year by the University of the Philippines, with the publication of this book for he was "a jar of pickles-hot, sweet, sour, cool-which must have its own humble place on every man’s petal board."

A prolific writer and intellectual of his era, he took higher studies at Far Eastern University, Centro Escolar University and Victoria University in Manchester, England. Rising from the ranks, Dela Cruz held the distinction as the first Kalibonhon to become the Schools Division Superintendent of Aklan.

Just like the ancient Egyptians who scratched their achievements on the papyrus, Dela Cruz was eager to translate on paper the voices within him, making him one of the exceptional writers of the Philippines in the 20th century.

In his Foreword, lawyer-journalist and former Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino stressed that Dela Cruz "was the man close to the hearts of many people, he being an educator all his life." He belonged to a breed of few who dared to accept the challenge and intrepidly conquered the odds and led a noble and candid way of life.

"While this book is intended primarily as a gift for his beloved wife, Josefina Mirasol Icamina, a compassionate woman who finds strength in the mighty libretto of her beloved significant other, I would also consider this as a perpetual bequest for all people who find the beauty and meaning of animation in Dr. Beato’s mythical prowess," Tolentino added.

Dr. Beato’s union with Josefina was blessed with "seven jewels" – Advers Zita C. Evensen, Gualterio Zola, Josefina Aida Celeste C. Constantino, the late Aloysius Pacelli, Grazia Athena C. Zaulda, Beato Amiel Vinci, and John Guidon Macciri.

Dela Cruz was not just a writer; he was also an icon of pluckiness. He was one of three Aklanons whose literary works have been included in Guerilla Flower, an anthology of war time creative writings. He was a propagandist whose puissant pen proved eloquence in the birth of Kalibo War Bulletin, a World War II guerillla paper which came out after Pearl Harbor and which in the words of Teodoro Agoncillo in his book History of the Filipino People "had the widest circulation in the entire island of Panay."

In the language of his brother, the late Dean of Aklan Journalists, Roman A. Dela Cruz, he "had shown great love and proficiency as literary writer and a scholar on studies of educational system."

He was 22 years old when his poem "Kalamigan Falls" find space in pre-war Philippine Magazine. From then on, his works were also reprinted in anthologies and school study books not to mention his countless materials which find publication in the Philippine Prose and Poetry, Philippine Journal of Education, Saturday Evening News Magazine, The Sunday Post Magzine, Graphic Magazine and Philippine Outlook.

Even 25 years after his demise, the author’s legacy continue to shine in the hearts of the folks touched and gratified by his lines of wisdom.

The book will be launched on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 21, 2009 at the Museao It Akean, Archbishop Reyes Street, Kalibo, Aklan /MP