The cover design for an upcoming photobiograpical book on Jaime Hernandez Jr., produced by the Instructional Media Center.
After my early retirement from an American company, I was invited to join the University family on a full time basis on July 16, 2004. Two years later, I was informed by EVP Lily Anonas that I was being appointed as Administrative Officer to assist our VP for Administration, Mr. Jaime Hernandez, Jr.
Since my high school days, when we were still “the young ones of the 60’s”in UNC, I caught a glimpse of the man who was preceded by descriptions such as strict, meticulous, disciplinarian, fearsome and fears no one, perfectionist, and a ladies’ man. To the last I strongly agree but the rest gave me a shiver to the bone. I had this perception because he was then the Administrative Officer of UNC and on some occasions we practiced our dance presentations at their residence. Anyway, I did not balk from the challenge and here I am, at peace and in love with my work, respecting and idolizing my new found father and friend.
I clearly recall on my first day, how our EVP Lily Anonas gladly took me by the hand and personally accompanied me to my boss just so I won’t make my first mistake. To my surprise, he was warm and accommodating but truly attentive to details as we speak. He made me feel comfortable and took me in like an old family friend.
As time passes by, we found striking similarities in our likes and dislikes and I even got to want to be like him. He reports for work cocked and loaded. He believes in the proper order of things. From outside the gates, to the grounds and buildings, he immediately sees anything not in their proper place, balance, or dimension, or anything new. He is a man of action who wants things done before any activity/project lose their real worth. Do not make any promise for he remembers it! He is strict when the situation requires it. He once related to me that when he was still an Administrative Officer, he climbed the gates/walls of the university just to check on security guards. When one commits an infringement, consanguinity or affinity is not a protection. Sometimes, he may be annoyed by an error or omission but instantaneously he returns to his normal happy self as if nothing had happened. He stands by the requirements he has set. Guards, and lately our majorettes, were startled when upon their entry to his office, he could immediately tell their heights. This is so because he has reference marks to measure their height on his very doorway. Honesty to him is still the best policy. He has a taste for the top of the line both in cars and other possessions. One day he invited me to see his assortment of wardrobe, belts, and cowboy boots which were rarely, if not yet, used. His travels give him the opportunity to add to these collections. His choice of perfume also wins for him a lot of close contact admiration. He wants young, humorous and lively (lovely) people around him. They stimulate the intellect and improve blood circulation. He loves music and to listen to people sing, particularly those who render Bicol and Tagalog songs. He introduced into the repertoire of the UNC Band, the “Zamboanga March”, which was their marching song during his guerilla days. Another memorable song for him is the “The Last Cup” which he related to the daily risk in life of a guerilla fighter. During his birthday last year, Ma’am Dolly together with those closest to him sang his favorite song, “I’ll be Seeing You”. I know it stirred some deep seated memories which made him smoky eyed for some duration of time. His favorite dish? Ginataang bayabas with dried fish na abo. He also goes for nilagang crab served with nilagang talong and bagoong, but only if Ma’am Natty is around to pick the crab meat for him. Fruit? Atis is his best choice.
He is a man of faith and tradition. One time, when he left for abroad without visiting the image of Dolorosa in Libmanan (which was passed on to male descendants of the Hernandez family for many decades) he became ill in a foreign land. From then on, he promised not to travel abroad without a visitation to his much adored Dolorosa. In spite of his age, he does not fail to join the procession every Wednesday and Friday of the Holy Week. I feel fortunate and blessed to be with him during these recent events.
He clings to history and made sure that good things are never forgotten. His regular presence in Libmanan is a constant reminder to Libmaneños of the part played in history by the Hernandez family. His father’s name is now etched in the history of the municipality by virtue of an executive order issued last August 8, 2007 dedicating the 1st day of July to its most accomplished son. He is a party to the renaming of the Igualdad St. of Naga City into Jaime Hernandez Avenue. He also initiated the naming of the newest building in the campus which houses the Nursing department as Dr. Dolores H. Sison Hall, in honor of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and President of the University.
Libmanan is the town and whose townsfolk he loves the most. It is the hometown of his parents whose people aided him and his comrades-at-arms during their fight against the Japanese occupation. When together, we had our first trip to Libmanan, it was cheerless because it was the interment of his long time close aide. I learned later that his special relationship with relatives and friends does not end with death. It spreads like sunshine to the rest of every family tree.
To Libmaneños, Sir Jun is their hero who kept the family blood line of heroes alive. He fought for his country but he never claimed for any benefit in exchange for such a gallant service. He was inspired by his grandfather who is one of the thirteen martyrs of Bicol during the Spanish time. His father, whose life was absorbed in public service, steered him to serve people. Through the years, he saw to it that their family will remain an integral part of Libmanan’s history. In many ways, I witnessed how he nurtured this love and respect of Libmanenos.
When he stands he has one favorite stance. If you know him you should know it by now. He folds his arms across his chest, with both feet slightly spread but solidly fixed. Eyes have an intent look, like a general studying the terrain and keeping close watch over his troops. He smiles reassuringly. Seemingly he is comfortable, yet he is in control.
An old 1976 document issued by Mariano S. Aureus, Juan Q. Miranda and Mamerto B. Sibulo, Honoring the contribution of Jaime Hernandez Sr. and citing the active participation of Jaime Hernandez Jr. in the Tangcong Vaca Guerilla Unit during the second world war.
FROM THE UNC MUSEUM
Fred Efondo, Administrative Officer of UNC, beside Jaime Hernandez Jr. at the Dr. Jaime Hernandez Monument in Libmanan, Camarines Sur, during a visit to the town.
