A Tribute to a Bosom Friend

Instead of my regular commentary column, allow me to share an eulogy to a bosom friend, Rufo “Tuts” Tuy, Jr. who recently crossed the Great Beyond and whose remains were laid to rest this morning. Tuts was for a long time an editorial staff of the Bicol mail. I quote:

“At the outset, let me extend on my own behalf and that of my spouse Minda, our daughters Pinky and Gigi and our entire family our sincere and most profound condolence to Sis Nora and the rest of the family of my friend Tuts. Indeed, today is a sad day for me and my family. Today, I bid goodbye to a dear friend whose friendship I nurtured and treasured for so many decades, dating back from our high school days at the Ateneo de Naga University from 1951 to 1954. It was the Golden Years of the Ateneo de Naga where the school shone in all events- from the military parade during Penafrancia fiesta to elocution contests with other schools in Naga. Tuts was in the Honor Section of the high school class where Latin was a required subject. I was in Section A where Latin was not a compulsory subject as in all other sections. Tuts was a consistent honor student up to our graduation in l954.

What I remember most about Tuts was his being a sort of a “spy” of the school. It was the school policy then that no student should speak the Bicol dialect within the campus. But then unknown to most of us, Tuts would jot down the names of those he heard speaking the dialect and submitted them to the Prefect of Discipline.Thus, most of us were surprised when, just before the class dismissal, then Mr. Benavides would call out the names listed by Tuts and as a disciplinary action we were required to go to the jog room where we were asked to write a five (500) hundred word-essay on a given topic, and for similar subsequent offenses we were asked to report to school on a Saturday to suffer the stiffer penalty “post” on the school grounds under the scorching heat ofthe sun.

Years later, Tuts and I found each other’s company once again after my passing the Bar examination in 1961, when I returned back to Naga and was employed as Company Attorney at the then A.L.Amen Transportation Company (ALATCO). After coming from our office in Iriga, I would while away my idle time at the Bicol Mail in downtown Naga where Tuts was working as staff/editorial writer. It was then that I saw the personal qualities of Tuts as a sincere, loyal, constant, frank and highly principled person. Always true to his word, we would be together almost always that when some friends would look for me, those in the know would readily say “just look for Tuts and you will find Fronying.” Tuts did not drink alcoholic beverages, and whenever I was with drinking buddies, Tuts would be around patiently waiting for me and sharing his own stories to the group.

It was through my association with Tuts that I learned that Minda was his good friend. Days before that, I saw Minda at the Municipal Health Office of Tinambac which was just adjacent to the Municipal Trial Court where I appeared as counsel for an accused. I learned that Minda was staying, whenever in Tinambac, at the residence of Judge Gliceria Barbin-Cruz who was then the Presiding Judge of the Municipal Trial Court. It was through my friend Tuts that I was formally introduced to Minda. And the rest is history and even in our married life, Tuts was always a part of many meaningful events.

As I bid goodbye to my dear friend Tuts, and his physical presence I can no longer enjoy, the memory of his friendship will linger and give solace to the grief and loss that I feel. So long my friend, the Lord awaits you with open arms.”

TRIVIA:

Congratulations and greetings to Rev. Fr. Felipe Culvera on the occasion of his Sacerdotal Anniversary last September 26. Greetings to Rev. Fr. Luan Jarcia, Parish Priest of the Parish of Prompt Soccer. Together with Rev. Fr. Mario “Yoyong” Gaite of the Rosary Holy Minor Seminary, they are the singing sensation/troubadour of the Archdiocese of Caceres.

Through this column, allow me on my own behalf and that of my spouse Minda to extend our profound condolences to the family of Ms. Vangie Pontejos who recently passed away. Vangie is my “inaanak sa kasal”.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“SO LONG AS THE MEMORY OF GOOD BELOVED FRIENDS LIVE IN MY HEART, I SHALL SAY THAT LIFE IS GOOD” - HELEN KELLER

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“IF WE LIVE WE LIVE FOR THE LORD, AND IF WE DIE WE DIE FOR THE LORD” -ROMANS 14:8