Sunday, May 11, 2008

Friday, May 9, 2008

EXCERPT FROM THE LIFE SKETCH OF MRS. ROSA G. ACUŇA (1902-1969)



EMA (refers to Eulogio G. Acuňa) and I are from the same town (Alfonso, Cavite) but not ve
ry familiar with each other till we met in the Indang Rural High School where we were both teaching, We were married in June 13, 1929 and after the marriage we left for Bunawan, Agusan because Ema was transferred to as principal in Bunawan Agri. School.

My happiest days were my married days and they were spent in Bunawan, Agusan.

We were happy after marriage because of the following: Compatibility, mutual understanding, consideration and highest respect for each other.

Even after marriage we continued admiring each other. Here are some of the traits that I admire in him: Loving and kind winning and strong personality, high mental capacity, thoughtfulness, courage and firmness. He also admired most of the desirable traits that I possessed. Here are some of them: common sense, simplicity, and humbleness, industry, strong, honest pride, foresight and economy.

We stayed in Bunawan, Agusan for 8 years. Both of us were teaching, Ema was the principal and I was a classroom teacher in the elementary grades. I tried to be simple and humble and the help of God we were able to save a little.

It was also during our stay in Bunawan that Ema was able to pass the Teacher’s Examination with a rating of 76+. He was the third highest.

Four of our children were born in Agusan; two in Butuan Public Hospital.

After 8 years stay in Bunawan, Agusan, Ema was transferred to Bukidnon Agricultural High School. Bukidnon was a nice place but I did not enjoy much there as I did in Bunawan, Agusan. The nearest school where I taught was 6 kilometers from the Agricultural High School. I have to rent a house near that school and stay there for a week with the children who were schooling. I suffered much in Bukidnon. Ema kept the small kids with him in the Agri School. He had two nieces with him.

Ema worked hard to improve the Bukidnon Agri. High School. Two and half years after the director of Education, Salvador visited the school. After his visit B.A.H.S. bacame an insular school Dr. Felipe Cevallos became the superintendent.

Just after the assignment of Dr. Caballos, Ema was transferred to Catarman Agri. High School. It was the middle of school year when Ema was transferred.

Catarman was a nice place, transportation was easy, food stuff was cheap and I was near Manila. Nearly all daily needs were available.

Principal’s cottage was very spacious and the yard was big enough to have a poultry house, a pig pen, and vegetable garden.

There was electric light in the house; the artesian well was just near the kitchen. We enjoyed much during our first year in Catarman.

During our second year stay an Agri Fair was held in the school campus. The division personnel as well as officials from different towns went to Catarman. There were exhibits from the different schools of the province. Many different towns participated in this fair. I was just a sort of the small carnival.

Teachers, students and visitors enjoyed during the fair. There was auditorium and dance was held for three successive nights.

The principal cottage was just a small dormitory. The two bedrooms were both occupied and the porch which quite spacious was filled up with beds, all occupied too.

We had visitors for nearly a week. We really enjoyed much during those days. My brother and sister in-law were also there enjoying with us.

But now I began to realize that when there is enjoyment lamentation will follow.

The war broke out on Dec. 8, 1924. All teachers with their families evacuated to the farm houses. We stayed in the evacuation place for nearly six months.

When the Japanese landed in Catarman, the division superintendent ordered all the teachers and their families to surrender. While we were in the campus, the commander of the Japanese Imperial force in Catarman asked palay. Ema being the head of the school have to give the palay. Ema was going to granary with three students and one house boy to get the palay, when he was captured by several men. Some said they were member of the USAFE (USAFFE - anciano) although it was no longer existing at that time. It happened on August 7, 1942.

I was left alone in the school campus with my seven children ad two nieces of Ema. All the other teachers left the campus. My suffering was more than I can bear. I have never experienced that in all my life.

Our clothes and other belongings and several cavans of our palay were stolen.

We stayed in the barrio of Cawayan, one kilometer away from the campus after we have been left alone.

After a few weeks stay in Cawayan, I managed to come home to our native town with my children and two nieces of Ema. My youngest child was five month old when we left Catarman. We rode on the Parao from Catarman to Guiniangan, Tayabas. We were twenty one days on the sea. Our trip was nearly a month. I was a very lonely trip; there was not a night when I did not shade tears. We stayed in Guiniangan for two days. From there we took the truck for Manila. With the help of God we arrived home safely.