I was reading Ate Aileen’s entry about her dad’s birthday today and started crying. It’s May 19, 2008, my dad’s 21st death anniversary.
I do not know a lot about my dad except for these…
His name was Joel Cecilio Ozaraga Jose. He was born on June 3. I don’t even know what year. His parents are Perfecto Sr. and Lourdes Jose. He was the youngest among 5 siblings. He has three sisters, Gloria, Milagros, and Teresita, and one brother, Perfecto Jr.
He studied at the Ateneo de Davao High School and was in section A. He then studied at the University of the Philippines – Diliman where he took up AB Political Science. He then became affiliated with the League of Filipino Students (LFS) and stopped attending college when he became involved in the First Quarter Storm during the early Martial Law years.
He met my mother, and they married eloped on December 20, 1976 (I am not sure about the year). They then went on to become members of the CPP-NPA. From what I know, they were both logistics officers. In 1979, they had a daughter, Cecilia, and another daughter in 1982, Maria. Both daughters were left in the care of relatives.
On May 19, 1987, he died of multiple gun shot wounds. His body was recovered weeks later by an excursion composed of his sister and some friends. The exact location of his death, I have no idea of.
His favorite song was “Father and Son” by Cat Stevens. His motto was “One word is enough for a wise man.” He was a very tall man, and he loved to play chess. He made me and my sister a wooden doll house.
These are all I know. At this moment, I do not have with me any photos of him.
All I have a bits and pieces of memories, most of which are not my own.
Today is the 21st year that I continue on not knowing who my father was.
Sad. 🙁
How old were you when he died?
@Joni – I was five years old.
Can I… give you a hug?
It took me three years before I could openly tell about my mother’s death to a really close friend.
Just recently I had a really huge fight with my father, I almost left our house. My sister came, from Manila, crying saying, “Ikaw, sinisira mo ang pamilyang to. HUHUHU.” just to stop me from leaving. Nakonsensya ako sobra.
@funnysexy – BIG HUG!
@Richmond – Awww….
hi miss ria
reading your post made me remembered my dad who died in 2002. and recently was reminded of him of the people i met in law school.
Argghh… I made a comment in the scraper’s blog! Amf!
Anyway, this made me sad. Hugs.
I think they eloped a year before – 1975.
December 14, 1976 was when our lolo died of a hear attack (just in case you got your dates mixed up).
My dad died in 2005 because of Lung CA, I was about to start the second semester of my 1st year in college when things started to get ugly and sad. I know your dad is good hands up above, just like mine 😀
After college, during the last month when we were reviewing for the CPA Board Exams, my friends and I were in our all-time low. We’ve little moralle and even lower self esteem. In one of those nights when we were about to sleep, we got to talking about our fathers. There were six of us in a room. All guys. We all have living fathers. We all surprisingly shared one other thing in common, after careful consideration: we shamefully do not know much about them. We can’t share what they’re like when our fathers were young. We do not know how our parents ended up being together. It’s a shame to think back that none of us even tried to reach out and find out. Even sadder that our fathers did not find the time to reach out and let us know. It was a sad epiphany that did nothing to boost our moralle or self-esteem. Six people with different backgrounds. Whodathunk, right? I made a silent oath to never be like my father to my kids.
isang mainit na pagbati at parangal sa ika-21 pagpanaw ng iyong Papa. sa hanay ng mga kabataang moro at makabayan.
may email ako sayo. 🙂
@ping and @P365D – Hug!
@Ate Aileen – Hugs back!
@Drew – Waiiit… I think my mom graduated from college in 1974 and then they eloped on the same year. Researchiiing….
@Fritz – I know you’ll be a good dad to your children someday. 🙂
@Jun – Thanks so much! 🙂
That was sad. 🙁
So what about your mom? What happened to her?
I used to favor a motto which is a lot a like to his. I think it’s from Lao Tze. Or maybe Confucius. Gee, what a dumbass I am. Anyway, it goes “Speak only when it improves on the silence.”
@Nightdreamer – My mom and I are not on speaking terms. I’d rather not expound right now. 🙁
I know it’s been 21 years and all, but my condolences.
@Ade – Aw… Thanks Papa Ade!
Oops, I think it’s December 13, not 14. Anyway, your parents could’ve eloped in 1974 or 1975. Lolo had his first heart attack in ’75. Hmmm.
My first time to drop by here and chanced upon this very sad entry. 🙁 *hug*
Your dad’s always watching over you – wherever he may be. 🙂 Take care!
@Drew – Oh, ok. Research yielded zero information. LOL! Anyway, I think it’s an established fact that my mom was one of the causes of Lolo’s death. 🙁
@mnel – HUG BACK! 🙂
My dad left us last July 5, 2004. I was 17 years old and Carlo was about 8 or 9.
ria – it’s his birthday today! Why dont you pay him a visit at the park? Your mom left in the summer of 1974 – I was in Cebu training with Far East Bank and lolo had his first attack in dec 1975. Not fair to say she caused it
I’ll try to look for the pictures of your dad with you and the doll house