By Telly G. Ocampo
The FRIENDSHIP we have built
We lived in Tacloban for 20 years and it was in 1982 when we were able to build our house in a lot used to be owned by the late Ambassador Quintero. Practically we lived in the middle of the Quintero Compound, with the house of Ambassador Quintero to our left – and with a big Remas tree in between our two houses.
The Quinteros and the Ocampos of Juan Luna and Burgos Streets, respectively, in Tacloban City
The ambassador was Tio Dading to the Quinteros and his wife, their Tia Tarsing. I remember him as the author of our claim of the sultanate of Jolo on Sabah. The Ambassador, then, was in exile in New York after the famous payola case during the martial law years. We only came to see him during his burial as his family was allowed to bring his remains to his hometown in Tacloban city for the burial rites.
Just across the street opposite our little house was the residence of another Quintero couple: Vicente and Julieta. They had a big yard where santol, igot, and ilang-ilang grew adorned by a beautiful playhouse for their eldest daughter, Rosemarie.
Their children and my children (although the former are older than the latter), became solid playmates. Their home became the playground of both groups. My children felt very comfortable with that playground that it seemed as though it was a Bohol home for them.
The children helped in the harvest of the igot and santol when these were in season. And at times, my children were always part of the budget came merienda time. Their mother, Mana Julit, was a homebody though she worked in the MILG (now DILG). Her director then was the late Eufemio Ruiz. I remember Mana Julit as someone who makes the best moron – the ground malagkit twirl in chocolate and white. Every September when the purple cattleyas were in season, the flower box on their window was filled with the blooms – plants they have inherited from their parents.
The author (3rd from left) poses with the children of Rosemarie Quintero Morales: Michael (extreme left) the eldest; Kim (2nd from left) the youngest; the only girl, Jemarie (2nd, from right) and Kirby (extreme right), the second child
Then we came to Bohol for good. Today, their children and my children have families of their own. But when we would visit Tacloban, we would stay in their hotel near their ancestral home, in order for us to be with Mana Julit. But now that Mana Julit is gone, as soon as we will visit the place again, we will stay in my son’s place as he is currently residing there, too. But I know I will always have a place in the Quniteros’ home.
Last week they came to Bohol for a visit. The whole clan – including the grandchildren of her three children (except for Rosemarie’s), the eldest, came. Rosemarie doesn’t want to ride in the edro (airplane) or bapor. Yes, last Saturday, July 23, the whole clan was here except Rosemarie. But her children were all there. The visiting group composed of 16, stayed at BE Grand Hotel in Panglao.
The visit of the Quinteros to Bohol allowed us and our children to go back to memory lane – especially our many precious moments in Tacloban – more so, our friendship. It seemed like we had a New Year’s celebration. We had our dinner together in our house at Blue Apartelle at Taguihon, Baclayon, Bohol and dispersed before the clock sounded 12 midnight to receive the New Year. At this time before, in their home just across ours, Rosemarie would start her piano concert until the wee hours in the morning – when almost everyone was in deep slumber.
Indeed, ours is a kind of friendship built and nurtured through the years.
Dr. Vince (left) and Ino Manalo (right) with the author (middle)