CROSSING THE BOUNDARIES OF TIME
by: Ericson J. Eduardo & Sarah Jane R. Vergara
“ Ang ALS ay maikukumpara ko sa tatlong bagay na maaaring sumimbolo dito – ang parola, ang salbabida, at ang piko…” –such symbolism, a statement with depth enough to inspire us, words uttered by “Mang Totoy” also known as Sir Totoy to others.
Petronio R. Del Rosario, is a native Novo Ecijano who was born on March 17, 1926 and presently residing at Brgy. Sta. Rita, Jaen, Nueva Ecija, a far flung place more than 20-kms away from the town proper, with his better half Feliciana Casipi. If you have your childhood superhero then, it’s time for you to know our very own superhero of Alternative Learning System (ALS) Jaen District, definitely he’s not a figment of someone’s imagination but rather a person who was able to cross the boundaries of time – ang aming “Mang Totoy”.
We were hooked, can’t refrain from being curious – well, who could do that upon seeing an old man sitting and listening, with such longing on his eyes beyond those eyeglasses, as though he will never tire on learning more and more each session, with so much hunger for knowledge. What was the reason behind those gestures? Why that ardent need to be there? What pushed him to?
As we had the chance to unravel the mystery that made him this way, we were privileged to listen in his stories during our interview with him, from there, we found out that Mang Totoy was able to finish his Grade 7 during the American occupation period in our country, that he was able then to work on a company and last there for 30 years in service as a utility man and later on turned as a chemical operator, that on his retirement days he found his new path to walk through – being a “help” to those who are in need.
“A help to those who are in need” – doesn’t cover that vast generosity of a person as others may think, in his very own special way, Mang Totoy rendered help to our barangay youth, especially those who were studying, he became their volunteer tutor, assisting them and teaching them on some of their lessons and assignments. At this path taken by Mang Totoy, one particular instance left a mar on his being…
“Sino ba yang Ka Totoy na yan, eh wala naman ding pinagtapusan yan!” said by one of the people in the community, this statement left Mang Totoy dumbfounded, realization came to him like the rushing flow of river, “Kahit pala nakakatulong ako at nakakapagturo ako, wala pa rin akong maipagmamalaki..” as he said to us then, “iba talaga ang may diploma..” as he quoted, which within ourselves we can’t help but to agree with his words, this particular instance made him an enthusiastic achiever instead of being a bitter looser.
An enthusiastic achiever no matter what, he will never be discouraged, hindrances will just fire-up his enthusiasm, a dot of hope is enough for him to press on toward the goal, that same thing happened to our hero by that particular statement thus, when he happened to see the banner of ALS A&E Program posted at Malabon-Kaingin Elementary School, he started hoping for the day to meet the people behind it and should be able to join that said program.
Figure it out, Mang Totoy on his bike coming early to school, each session there he is, sitting and listening attentively, if not, you will see him standing and sharing his ideas and experiences, he never loses that energy to keep going, whoever his teacher might be – Ma’am Marlyn, Sir Dennis or Sir Eric, these attitudes made him able to pass the ALS A&E Examination held on October 19, 2008 at NENHS, with so much joy, he attended the graduation and received his diploma on June 5, 2009 at San Isidro, Nueva Ecija -is this his final moment?
No, it’s not, after reaching the boundary of his path through ALS, he is just too willing to cross beyond the boundaries of each path that he has to take, and in his journey he is not alone, along with him are the people that comprises ALS Jaen District, Sir Reden, Ma’am Flavie, Ma’am Tita, Ma’am Julian, the rest of the staff, and support from LGU headed by Mayor Santy ang Governor Oyie.
As for now, Mang Totoy in his chosen field of vocation, served as a volunteer ALS tutor, still, he is on line of helping and assisting ALS students by becoming their home tutor, so as well he also helps in the program itself specially the ALS Mobile Teacher.
Once I had this opportunity to ask Mang Totoy: “Ano po ang nag-motivate sa inyo para sumali sa ALS?”, he then gave me this reply: “Gusto ko kasing magkaroon ng diploma na masasabi kong ako’y nakapagtapos kahit sa high-school lang, mahalaga kasi pala talaga na may natapos kang pinag-aralan.”
“Ano po ang pinakamagandang bagay na naidulot o nagawa para sa inyo ng ALS?” and with a smile he answered: “Ginawa akong KUMPLETO ng ALS, at nagkaroon ako ng higit na tiwala sa sarili pagdating sa pagtulong sa pagtuturo ng mga aralin sa mga bata, kasi may natapos na ako kahit high school lang.” so finally, Mang Totoy found the missing piece of the puzzle, that served as a key that opens up and boosts his self-confidence in teaching and helping pupils and learners, that high school diploma made our hero powerful at the age of 84!
“Ano po ngayon ang layunin n’yo after all these?” with hopeful look in his eyes he said: “Wala na kong iba pang magiging layunin kundi ang makatulong sa ating mga kabataan, ang hikayatin silang mag-aral kundi man sa pormal na edukasyon ay sa ALS na siyang pinanggalingan ko, ibig kong malaman nila na sa edukasyon ay walang nauuna at walang nahuhuli..”
“Ano ang legacy na maiiwan ninyo sa isipan ng ating mga kabataan sa ngayon?” –“Ang pinakamahalagang bagay na maipapasa ko sa kabataan ay ang karunungan.. sa isang mahirap na katulad ko ang tanging yaman ay ang karunungan – at sana ang karunungang ito ay malinang kundi man sa pormal na paaralan ay sa mga programang katulad ng ALS, kasi balewala ang karunungan kung ‘di mo pagyayamanin at ‘di magagamit ng wasto, magiging makabuluhan lang ito kung mag-aaral ka o magkakaroon ng sapat na edukasyon.”
“..ginawa akong KUMPLETO…”, “…sa edukasyon WALANG NAUUNA AT WALANG NAHUHULI..”,”..KARUNUNGAN –magiging makabuluhan kung may SAPAT NA EDUKASYON..”, these statements are enough to give us the key to open the door that will lead us onto the threshold of success leading to one’s self-fulfillment.
When finally I asked him what is ALS for him, he answered me with such confidence – “parola”; “salbabida” at “piko”, ALS is a “parola” that guides the ship towards right direction during stormy night; ALS is a “salbabida” that saves a drowning passenger of a sinking ship; and ALS is a “piko” a tool used to create a hole that made way for a ray of light to pass through a ruin, this ray of light is enough to flicker-up the will to survive amidst the darkness…this is how Mang Totoy ends it up - two things vividly seen, “hope in a hopeless situation”, ALS served that way for the out-of-school youths whose dreams were broken, a chance for them to survive and have a better future.
MANG TOTOY – upon hearing his name, I can’t help but have a lopsided smile on my lips and frown my brows, because he will make me turn back the sands of time by reminiscing the history of the past before and after the world war, I’ll be hearing lots about world history, endlessly and unstoppable, these are the facts associated when you hear his name, but after a while I will have that one single nod- and that sum it up all, Mang Totoy is more than what we can see and hear, he is certainly one of a kind…
Just as he has given us those symbolic words to ponder about ALS, that inspires us the most, it is now our turn to say who and what “Mang Totoy” is for us: “Kagaya ng isang kawayan na tumubo sa isang lugar na ‘di mo alintana, sa dawag ng siit ay sumipot na pilit, sa takdang panahon ay kinuha upang gamitin, kinayas, biniyak at isinugpong sa balon ng tubig, doon nagsimula na maging daluyan ng tubig na pumatid sa uhaw ng mga pananim..” that is exactly what Mang Totoy is for us, he served as a channel of flowing knowledge to us.
He is a missionary in his own journey of life, ever ready to lend a hand, share his views and insights, impart knowledge, a missionary who will help building our youth’s future, a missionary who will leave a mark, a legacy to live with -his passion to gain more knowledge and his deep value on education, he will surely touch and change lives!
If only our youth will possess this kind of desire as Mang Totoy has, if only our youth will have this willingness to learn more each day just like what Mang Totoy did, if only our youth will have the strength of that determination seen on Mang Totoy, if only our youth will have that value for education the way Mang Totoy does…indeed there is a bright future!
In a changing society like what we had this days, as youth of our nation, we should learn to value life more than ourselves, make the best out of us, we should never be discouraged by hindrances nor be influenced by unknown forces, we should strive hard to shape our future, takes every opportunity, treasure the legacy which cannot be taken away from us – our education.
As I wave good-bye to “Mang Totoy” as he rode on his – motorbike not a bike anymore, and followed him by my eyes, I remembered the poem written by Robert Frost: “The Road Not Taken”, which was written to help contribute on changing the society for the better, and perhaps it does, and allow me to borrow some lines from it..
Two roads diverged in a wood and I-,
I took the one less traveled by
And that made all the Difference.
Yes, our “Mang Totoy” was able to cross the boundaries of time, despite his old age he never stopped on the boundary bounded by time, he kept on pursuing his goal, he was able to choose between two roads -took the one less traveled by and he…he made the difference! If you were to choose, which road will you take? Would you dare to cross the boundaries of time? Would you be courageous enough to make a difference? It’s a choice you have to make!
For more info about Mang Totoy, just visit www.alsjaen.blogspot.com
DepEd Jaen District ALS Staff (Jaen, Nueva Ecija):
Ericson J. Eduardo, District ALS Coordinator, cp# 09204146546, www.alsjaen@yahoo.com
Dennis T. Cruz, Mobile Teacher, cp# 09273255307, www.dennis_cruz1028@yahoo.com
Raymond D. Daquiz, Instructional Manager
As a sign of gratitude for how my husband was saved from ALS, i decided to reach out to those still suffering from this.
ReplyDeleteMy husband was diagnosed of ALS in 2013 and it was really tough and heartbreaking for me because he was my all and the symptoms were terrible, he always have trouble swallowing , and he always complain of Weakness of the body . we tried various therapies prescribed by our neurologist but none could cure him. I searched for a cure and i saw a testimony by someone who was cured and so many other with similar body problem, and he left the contact of the doctor who had the cure to ALS. I never imagined ALS has a natural cure not until i contacted him and he assured me my husband will be fine. I got the herbal medication he recommended and my husband used it and in one months he was fully okay even up till this moment he is so full of life. ALS has a cure and it is a herbal cure contact the doctor for more info on drwilliams098675@gmail.com on how to get the medication. Thanks for reading my testimony.