A woman called “Inday Pining”

The other day was the 29th death anniversary of Mrs. Josefina R. Gullas or Inday Pining to UV populace, the mother of former congressmen Eduardo R. Gullas and Jose R. Gullas and of Mrs. Gliceria G. Lucero. In 1970, with the passing away of University of the Visayas founder Don Vicente Gullas, Mrs. Gullas took over the presidency of the school and for thirteen years spearheaded its growth and development in terms of infrastructure expansion, curriculum enrichment and values instruction.

Having been one of the leaders in private education in Central Visayas, Inday Pining therefore deserves to be remembered not only as an educator but also as a person whose character traits are worthy of emulation. What kind of a woman was she? The following testimonies give the answer.

His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal (Cebu Archbishop Emeritus)

•She was very generous and never backed out of a problem. For example, during my inauguration (as Archbishop of Cebu) she offered the UV gym as venue. Also when we had to put up grills in the convent to safeguard our belongings, she offered to underwrite the entire expenses. Early on upon my arrival at the cathedral, I found out that there was not a single kitchen ware left, nor beds and sala sets. When Ms. Gullas learned about this, she donated boxes of these stuffs—plates, spoon, cups and what have you for our own use.

•In later years, after I became the Archbishop of Cebu, her terms as parish council president had ended. But she told me: “Anything you need just call me… do not hesitate to ask…” There were of course many things the Cebu bishopric needed so from time to time I would visit the Gullas family in their small house in Manalili street and during these visits she would not fail to serve me a merienda consisting of “puto” paired with the famous “tableya” of Doña Andrea, her mother, also as a church benefactor.

The late Atty. Lorenzo A. Paradiang (former Cebu City Judge)

•Thus, for the countless persons who were, and have been fortunate beneficiaries of the love and benevolence of the Gullases, let me speak for them. I am referring to the horde of scholars—the academic, the athletic, and other extra—curricular scholars, and the plain “UV Strivers” whom Inday Pining held closest to her heart. Their talents might have had gone to naught without the opportunity to blossom, and perhaps, would have had gone wasted in utter frustration, if not for the kindness of Inday Pining and her beloved husband and their children.

Atty. Paterno Acabodillo (Head, UV Alumni Office).

•Nine months after that wonderful experience, I was called to see her at the Accounting Office of the school. It was then after my wife Sally gave birth to our first child, by Caesarean operation. When I was at the Accounting Office, Mrs Gullas asked me: “Komusta si Inday? Human naman kaha operahe, komusta ang bata?” Early morning of the next day, I was called by a clerk of the Accounting Department instructing me to immediately proceed to Mrs. Gullas at the said office. I immediately went there as directed where Mrs. Gullas handed me an envelope with her remark: “Balik sa hospital aron maka-uli na si Inday ug ang bata.” I received the envelope with my hands trembling and I almost cried for joy.

•Mons. Jose Tajanlangit (Parish Priest, Christ the King Parish, Mandaue City)

•She started the practice of public recitation of the Angelus. Through her initiative this was launched in Fuente Osmeña sometime in 1983 with Ricardo Cardinal Vidal leading the ceremony. With the help of radio stations, the Angelus started to be recited throughout the city—in stores, in the homes, and in schools, including the UV , of course. Now it has become the practice in the various malls in Cebu City to air the recitation of the Angelus among their employees and customers at six o’clock everyday.

•Transformational education—this could be the most important legacy of Mrs. Gullas. She told me on one occasion that a person could be a degree holder yet remain uneducated. Education to her is not just a matter of intellectual learning but of character enrichment or behavioral change. This explains why the UV concerns itself during and after her presidency of  values development among its teaching and service personnel and among the students most especially.