by Telly Gonzaga-Ocampo
A Journey Back In Time
The legacy of our Oyong Ando and Oyang Tiva is defined with generousity extended beyond their lifetime. Oyong Ando and Oyang Tiva were childless. They continued the business of Tan Akoy which was then managed by the unmarried sister of my Lola Danday and my Lola Upe, named Graciana. In 1933 Oyong and Oyang established Baclayon Trading and incorporated it in 1946.
Oyong Ando, while still alive, invested Oyang Tiva’s inherited asset and savings in the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) in 1948. His investments then were appropriated to his side of the family, the Ramos. He suffered a massive stroke in 1968 which made him paralyzed until his death in 1977. My Oyang Tiva lovingly took care of him for 9 years. They lived frugally and simply guided by the tenets of Christianity. Mga Katolikong serado sila.
After odette, we thought of giving something to people for their damaged houses. Pero mi-ingon man si Alvie Uy nga ug ang budget mohatag ra ug 4 ka pligong sin, dili na lang tingali. We gave to Pitogo typhoon victims thru “Pagpakabuhi”.
On Oyong’s birthday, February 26, the group decided to visit and give something to those who served Baclayon Trading and to us the present generation. Most of them are already of age and have disabilities like me. We feel they are happy with our gesture. They cried with tears of happiness out of the little something we gave them.
Its our way of sharing with the next generation that generosity is not just about giving of material things. Generosity coming from our forbears includes generosity of spirit that comes from their faith in God.
On this page are some of the photos we took as we visited our dear people from Baclayon Trading.