Memorable Footprints in My Life Journey

At my age now, I see the truth in the saying” “Everyone is created equal.” Equal at least in terms of potential  to attain success and happiness in life. Everyone has his or her own share of pain, joy, agony, challenges,  triumphs, and failures. I myself have my own crosses to carry.

We are living on borrowed times, and this earthly time being lent to each one of us is a gift from the Almighty.

But life on earth is but a short visit. Everything is constantly passing by; everything becomes memory at the passing of just a few seconds.

Papa Inting was right in saying that “in our [life] journey, at every moment, [we shall] endeavor to engrave some footprints of kindness in the hearts of those who have less [than us]; a kind act will make your day complete.”  In the same vein, Lola Andrea Rivera always reminded me, “Sa abo ka gikan, sa abo ka mopauli (From dust you came, to dust you shall return)” – and, thus, there’s no reason whatsoever for anyone to feel superior to anyone. 

Mama Pining often told us siblings, “it pays at all times to be humble, respectful and kind at all times, because the Lord may knock at our doors at any time and we may no longer have the chance to do the good deeds that we can do.

These words of wisdom of my dear elders continue to ring in my ears. These are my guide and inspiration as I carry my crosses in my life journey. Amazingly, there has been no cross to heavy that I am not able to bear.

Looking back, there was one memorable challenge I had – when my brother Eddie asked me to run for Congress for the First District of Cebu. When Eddie first ran for public office, several years before, Mama Pining had said to me, “Dodong, if you too venture into politics like your brother, maybe it would be time to consider letting go of the University.” Mama knew that it would be very difficult to juggle between public office and private enterprise.

So I asked my brother to give me eight days to think about it. My parents were also both gone by then. In seeking guidance, I visited my parents graves. I prayed for enlightenment. I also asked myself – what if I run and lose?

In the end, I heeded my brother’s request, and lifted everything up to the Lord. I won the elections and became congressman. But I promised that it was to be for only one term.

I tried my very best. I fought for the regionalization of the payroll of DepEd’s teaching and non-teaching personnel all over the country. It was a gargantuan task lobbying for support from the upper house – a real test of patience and perseverance. My only ammunition was prayers. And, again, I won the battle – more than half million people are now enjoying the benefits of what I did.

Way back, when I was 32 years old, Papa Inting talked me into attending the monthly meetings of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU) in Manila. He saw it as an opportunity for me to meet and rub elbows with some of the greatest Filipino educators, the likes of Dr. Santi de la Cruz, Dr. Amading Dizon, Dr. Jess Jocson, Dr. Oscar Mapua, and Dr. Armand Fabella (one of those most trusted by former President Marcos).

Earlier, in 1965 when I was 31, I ventured to revive The Freeman founded by my uncle, Don Paulino Gullas.

Ambitious, my parents would say. But together with my two trusted fellows, Mr. Juanito Jabat and Balt Quinain, we pursued the cause of fair and fearless reporting of events for the Cebuano reading public.

At the time there were already existing Cebuano newspapers, like the Republic News, Daily News, and The Morning Times. The Freeman was a “Johnny come lately.” Expectedly, generating advertising revenues – the main bread-and-butter of any newspaper – was a real struggle.

As if the economic challenge confronting The Freeman was not enough of a blow, the Martial Law years posed another test: suppression of the freedom of expression. It got right in the way of our “fair and fearless” ideal.  Everything was controlled by the government.

The Freeman was not anti-Marcos. But our fair-and-fearless reporting was viewed differently by the Marcos allies. There was an order for me and Mr. Jabat to be picked up and put to jail. We were prepared to go, but with God’s grace, it never happened.

There had also been unfortunate events at The Freeman that really wounded my personal feelings. I’d been stabbed at the back by some people whom I trusted. The wounds had since healed, but there are scars to remind me of the pain of treachery.

I see it all as part of my life unfolding. This year, starting on February 22, The Freeman is celebrating its centennial year. My prayer remains for the paper to be fair, ever ready to fearlessly wade through new challenges, especially the present crisis faced by newspaper industry in today’s techo-centered world. We shall continue to champion the cause of freedom, liberty and the equality of all.

The University of the Visayas, too, recently launched its centennial-year activities, aimed at fostering deeper kinship among Visayanians all over the world, giving honor and extending gratitude to the UV founder, my father, Don Vicente Gullas, and co-founder, my mother, Dona Josefina Rivera-Gullas, whom we both hold dear in our hearts.    

With deep reverence to the Lord Almighty, with my constant companion Senior Santo Niño, with the protective arms of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the watchful eyes of Mama Mary and my brother Msgr. Teofilo Camomot, I pray that I will continue to walk farther, grow healthier and shine brighter.