In 1998, the family of Professor Gabriel
F. Fabella, late professor of history at the University of the Philippines,
known in Romblon circles as Tang Ambe, held a program. This was to
turn over his papers to the UP library. He made a name in the field
of education as founder of seven schools. He was also one-term member
of the National Assembly (unicameral) 1935-38. We, the children donated
the books in honor of his memory.
For the occasion,
four of the 6 children abroad decided to make a sentimental journey.
It was preplanned. Sister Aurora Trabert could not make it, but sent
his son Peter Trabert, a chemist; my brother Dr. Felixberto and his
wife Leah; myself, with children and wife Lumen, Ted and Beverly,
Grace F. Bulaong came alone, Alma Karlsen, and husband Tom, and grandson,
Kim Patrick.
The program was
held at the main library hall. The speakers, former students and now
professors included Aurora Roxas Lim, Diosdado Asuncion, Prof. Ma
Luisa Camagay, colleagues in the Philippine Historical Association
(he was president emeritus); Dean Santos, and Dr. Rosario Mendoza
Cortes. The University of the East delegation consisted of retired
Prof. Corona Romero, Sylvia Gozun, Julita R. Sta Romana, my colleagues
from UE history department, as well as other UE faculty members.
On this occasion, my wife Lumen and I visited NVM Gonzales at his
UP residence. It was a Sunday morning. We first heard mass at the
Church of the Holy Sacrifice. It was a preplanned visit, we called
first. My nephew Isagani Fabella Yuzon, is NVM's inaanak. We brought
in copies of THE NOVEL OF JUSTICE and GRAMMAR OF DREAMS. In Grammar,,,,,he
penned: "for the dreamer of of these images" 3/28/98 and
for Novel of Justice he wrote: "to Max and Lumen whose past,
present and future may well be in these pages" 3/28/98.
I was a student of NVM in English I grammar, in Diliman of the 50s.
I must report the conditional grade he gave me, served to urge me
on. In the class of 31, 16 were high school valedictorians. One from
Siliman U, Tarlac High, FEU boys High, and Pampanga High. Our final
exams, he brought a small cactus, placed it in the center of the table
with instructions:
Describe in no less than 100 words. Then he walked out.
I met him years later, and he asked me to fish with him, just like
he did in barrio Wasig of Paclasan (now Roxas) Or Mindoro. We both
have the Romblon and Mindoro connections. His father, Vicente to Mina
de Oro, just like Tang Ambe did. They both drove to UP Clark branch
using the university car. Tang Ambe then was the officer in charge
l.
Going back to my story, we asked Narita Gonzales what causes she was
involved in. My wife gave her dollars and she gave us a Giraffe book,
THE TITSER, a children's book. Narita, then said, "Max, at least
you brought your book to be autographed; some people come here expecting
to receive books gratis et amore." Of course, we all laughed
about it.
We were on a trip to storied Corregidor, earlier, when he autographed
a copy of LOOK STRANGER, ON THIS ISLAND NOW." The dedication:
"For Max Fabella en route Ft Drum for Corregidor" 23 February
1964. I had since joined the faculty of the University of the East,
liberal arts and sciences as a history instructor."
I communicated with him, while he was a writer in residence, at University
of California at Berkeley. He wrote short letters, still in my files,
Short meaningful but encouraging almost cryptic postcards. He recommended
a book, WRITING FROM WITHIN, which to this date, I have never found.
I found a website, a tribute to NVM by his granddaughter, Michael.
She was a graduate student in Stanford. I wrote a short e-mail to
Mike.
NVM asked me, which short stories I favored, two come to mind, WARM
HAND and THE FERRY. Warm hand was so believable. For me it was, as
we traveled by batel overtaken by inclement weather, going for temporary
shelter, in a house......which is the background of warm hand. At
least, that is how an amateur read it.
NVM jokingly said, "Max, you have an over-developed libido. And
we laughed again.
The ferry is basically, the travel from Calapan to Batangas pier and
vice versa. Of students from Mina de Oro schools to Manila. How many
times have we made those trips? The excitement, the smell of vomit,
the noisy students, the pushy stevedores, who made monies by occupying
the "tejeras" for a fee? That was my memory of the ferry.
Memories, I read somewhere, is a JOURNEY INTO THE PAST, a reminder,
that we are all wanderers....these ISLANDERS. Tang Ambe was from Banton,
the rocklike diorite island. The Islanders had to leave the small
island, if he wants to suvive and make something of himself. Tang
Ambe did, Tang Coning (Cornelio Faigao) did, the first Asi writer
who worked and walked to U P Padre Faura. Yes, I belong to the proud
FAIGAO clan. I think I have written similar things in BANTON IN MY
MIND....a solicited piece.
To the GREAT NVM, my grammar teacher.....wherever you are I salute,
thee.
From your admiring student!
***A slightly revised version was sent to Penmanila@yahoo com
