Yesterday, November 23, 2013, I attended the 40th Anniversary of the Banco Santiago de Libon (formerly known as Rural Bank of Santiago de Libon) in my hometown Libon, Albay. It was a well attended affair starting with a motorcade and a holy mass officiated by Rev. Msgr. Crispin Bernarte, one time, our former pastor at the Albay Cathedral Parish, now Parish Priest of St. Rose de Lima, Bacacay, Albay and siix (6) other priests from various parishes. It was only fitting that honor and praise was offered to the Lord God Almighty for the abundant blessings the bank has received since its founding. I could not help remembering the banks modest beginning in 1973, a year after the declaration of martial law. I had started my stint with government and was about to be appointed as Statistician in a municipality of Sorsogon with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) when I was told by my late father, Itay Kikoy, that the late Manay Teling (Estelita Vasquez+) wanted me to be the Cashier of the rural bank to be founded by the Dycocos of Libon and famed Sabidos of Polangui, Albay. Being the youngest child with all my siblings married and having a family of their own, Itay did not like the idea of me going to Sorsogon, so I ended up going to Manila to attend a seminar at the Central Bank of the Philippines with the late Tata Bhran( Abraham Dycoco+), our Manager, his daughter Nene and Evelyn. We three single ladies had a marvelous time during the seminar and at the house of Tatas brother, always telling stories and enjoying endless banter in our free time. The rural bank opened to the public with farmers as foremost clients. Tata, a progressive and very industrious farmer himself would come directly from his farm to the bank even in farm clothes and sometimes even barefoot just to be able to approve loans and sign vouchers so as not to keep farmers waiting. I could remember his disarming smile to clients and subordinates. He was a man of few words but was a fast and prompt doer. Looking back, now with all hold-ups and other crime news abounding in our country, I cringe at the thought of my past travels in ordinary buses (there were no aircon buses then) from Legazpi City to Naga City via Libon after withdrawing cash from banks located in Legazpi (it was only lately that big banks opened branches in nearby towns and cities). My guardian angel must have been very busy then guarding me and the cash in my custody. After six months with the bank I received a telegram from the then Director of DAR Region V asking me to report as Accountant to their District Office in Naga City. I was hesitant to transfer and told Itay and Inay Pina+ of my predicament because I have not yet finished the one year requirement before transfer to any other office. But then Tata told me that people should not prioritize money over good relationships. He only asked that if and when I embark on marriage, I should get him as my ninong. He became our only ninong with Manay Lina Reyes, our ninang when I married Glenn in 1975 in simple Catholic rites at the Bishops Palace in Naga City.
Posted on: Sun, 24 Nov 2013 07:48:57 +0000
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