The Notebook



Tatay used to tell stories about his life.  How he ventured from Cebu to Northern Luzon.  How he persevered just to provide for his family.   I can still remember the look in his eyes, his smile, his voice, and his enthusiasm while sharing these experiences and adventures he’s been through.  He even listed all the jobs he took on a notebook.  I never saw the notebook.  Not until the day before his funeral.

On the notebook he wrote:

Farmer.
Carpenter.
Blacksmith.
Bolo maker.
Theatre Projector Operator.
Welder.
Plumber.
Utility Man.
Mimeograph Machine Operator.

Writer.
Artist.
Gardener.
Inventor.
Traveler.

Father.
Brother.
Husband.

Comrade.

The notebook, though it’s old, is indeed a treasure for us because written on its very first leaf tells everything about Tatay.  Hmmm.. although there’s one more job that Tatay may have missed to write - a great Grandfather!

Happy Birthday, Tatay!
We miss you and we love you!

Mamerto Cabreros Caballero
May 10, 1923 - March 5, 2009