A Book To Cherish
by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM
In his lifetime, Dr. Beato A. Dela Cruz was recognized as an icon of the arts and letters. For 70 years of living a life to the fullest, he bequeathed a legacy of poems, essays, short stories and other writings to his beloved wife Josefina M. Icamina, now 92 years old.
Sharing the thoughts, aspirations and ideals of the man who died on December 31, 1982 with the people whom he loved can be the noblest example of selfishness and whole-some indulgence. The expanded Dela Cruz family through the Dr. Beato A. Dela Cruz Educational Foundation
has put out a book "This Be Our World". The book was launched on February 21, 2009 at the Museo it Akean.Some 60 guests/visitors attended. Invited speakers in the book launching delved on his consummate zeal as a journalist, essayist, author, educator and a family man. Former Assemblyman Jose Tumbokon, former Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino, Aklan SP member Plaridel Morania, former Kalibo Mayor Diego M. Luces who represented Gov. Carlito S. Marquez and SB member Mark Quimpo for Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo all spoke eloquently of the goodness in the life of Dr. Beato A. Dela Cruz.
The book has 234 pages, i ncludes 126 poems, 34 essays and feature articles, 20 short stories, a play, 16 other writings and two Aklanon literary pieces. Seminal work spanning the most productive years of the authors’ life is for the young and the old to cherish, inspire and emulate.
"I cannot be a whit
less nor a grain more," he writes. A song of yesteryears says it all in Filipino. "Ikaw Ay Tuldok Lamang." Many people especially young generation may no longer remember Dr. Dela Cruz but his memory has been engraved in the hearts of the men and women who care and have been influenced by his wartime exploits as a guerilla fighter, thinker, writer and educator. For exemplary work, unassailable cha-racter and multi-faceted life, grateful Aklanons presented to him "Outstanding Aklanon" award in the field of literature in 1979. /MP
3 comments:
If ever there is an Outstanding Aklanon in the field of Agriculture, Arts and Letters, Administration (Public) YOU'RE THE MAN!
I thank God that in many times He'd given me the opportunity to enroll in your subjects; work in government service under you, where i learned the art of writing and countless precious philosophies in life. . .
Thank you for continuously sharing your wisdom thru this Madyaas Pen. . . if ever we'll be asked who are the Aklanons to be awarded? Then thou art the MAN.
Yes Sir Vill, ikaw yon. Wala na kasi si Dr. Beato de la Cruz, who we considered as the Father of the Barangay High Schools. . .
To MADYAAS PEN:
Thank you for your feature article of my late LOLO BEATO AGUIRRE DELA CRUZ of Kalibo, Philippines.
The last time (1980)I met my Lolo Beato I was only 3 years old; and those precious memories had stayed in my heart and mind. He told me many stories during my brief vacation in Aklan.
For many years I dreamed to be an educator / teacher like my Lolo Beato; and finally I have reach that goal in my career.
Just like my two Lolos - Lolo Beato and Lolo Tansciong, I am in the field of Education and proud to be their "apo"
Thank you and best regards.
JBC - Canada
Post a Comment