Yaon si Raul
Ni Divina Valenciano-Acker
True friendship is like sound health, the value of it is seldom
known until it be lost. - Charles Caleb Colton (1780-1832)
LONGMEADOW, MA. USA - On behalf of my family in San Felipe and
abroad, we want to extend our deepest sympathy to the Roco Family
in their time of great sorrow. Raul, as he is warmly remembered,
was a special friend of the family who never forgot his Bicol
roots. He often stopped by the house when he came home to Naga
from Manila whether on a college vacation break during his
youthful days or campaign work later on his career.
My most vivid recollection of Raul dates back to the days when he
used to visit Naga as a young congressman from Manila. There would
be a commotion at our house and when I inquired as to what the
fuss was all about, my Papa would say with a smile, “Yaon si
Raul.” Immediately thereafter, every Barangay official of San
Felipe was summoned to an impromptu meeting. My father was very
proud of this young man. Pirming ino-orgolyo si Raul. Padangat na
marhay.
Our friendship with the Rocos pre-dates my grandfather’s (Glicerio
Valenciano ) and Sulpicio Roco’s school days at the Seminario when
they fondly called each other “Primo.” Close family ties were
further strengthened when my father (Willy Valenciano) and
Sulpicio Roco were assigned the task of administering the Abella’s
and my greatgrandfather’s (Santiago Valenciano) lands.
Raul had many wonderful qualities but the one that stood out for
me was his love and respect for his parents and their friends. He
remained in contact with our family over the years. He always
remembered his father and other family members during All Soul’s
Day on the 1st day of November. As a loyal and loving son to his
parents, he would light his father’s candles or asked his brother
Cho if he was unable to be there and would even light my own
father’s candles when my brother Edgar (Gary) couldn’t be present
at the time. He frequently inquired about the family’s welfare
through Edgar. “ Tara Noy siisay nag uruli sa mga tugang mo na sa
Canada?” Raul Roco will be sorely missed.
As a true son of Bicol returning to the place of his birth, once
again, Raul will come home to his final destination, near his
father’s grave, across from my father’s and we will say once
more... “ YAON SI RAUL . “
