SHORT CUTS’ young life was never all sorrows. It was intermittently followed with a ‘bed of roses’.
It was during Short Cuts’ second year studies in the College of Liberal Arts at then Rafael Palma College when the first green light appeared in his educational journey.
He was offered to work in an editorial office of a weekly newspaper.
No less than the publisher and editor-in-chief of the weekly newspaper called and offered him the job. (In that particular year, Short Cuts was then the Associate Editor of the school publication, with the late Erico B. Aumentado as the Editor-In-Chief. It was also in that specific year that his best friend, Erico B. Aumentado, joined the staff of a pioneering weekly newspaper.
For reasons only known to Him, Short Cuts chose to remain as a working student of the college.
Earlier in that school year, however, Short Cuts tried his political journey as a student politician. True, indeed, he was elected Senator of the Junior Republic of the college, and ultimately, he was elected Senate President of the student government. A year later, Short Cuts was elected Vice-President of the student republic.
And, now in Short Cuts’ love-life . . . .
It was in the ending month of the first semester of Short Cuts’ second year college work when his love-life began. It was filled with thrills. His ups and downs were easily identified.
As a poor boy from a barangay in his hometown of Valencia, he had to choose an equally poor lady. But she must have with brains.
With the easily identified “ups”, Short Cuts easily got the former lady from Bilar, Bohol – the late Lilia Ancog.
And the “downs” identified in the relationship?
“Dionisio, (referring to Short Cuts) makapaka-on ba ka ni Lilia kon ma-asawa nimo siya?” were the words, “the DOWNS” uttered by Short Cuts’ and Lilia’s former boss in the Office of the Registrar of the college they were working.
Silence was Short Cuts only answer to the very sarcastic and humiliating query addressed to him.
The following Sunday after the incident, Short Cuts was terribly surprised while at home at Cansibao, Valencia.
Both Lilia’s and Short Cuts’ boss unexpectedly visited Short Cuts’ barangay residence!
Did she ever enter the poor household?
No way.
With wide and scrutinizing eyes, she went around the poor barangay household and investigated every nook and corner of the same.
Maybe discouraged of what she had seen, she left the residence without even saying, “Salamat ug mo-uli na ko”.
Despite the odds and the DOWNS, Short Cuts married Lilia.
Two years later, however, Short Cuts had to visit his former boss.
For what?
He had to deliver to her former boss a sack of milled rice harvested from Short Cuts’ freshly acquired rice land!
And, her reaction to the milled rice?
She just smiled and said, “Thank you, Dionisio.”
But, the worst “DOWNS” that Short Cuts experienced in his lifetime happened in the Summer Term of 1962.
It was in one of the late afternoons of May, 1962 . . . .
Short Cuts was alone in the office when the Director of the College hastily entered the Office of the Registrar and said: “Dionisio, asa ang imong amo?” Surprised by the sudden entry of the Director, Short Cuts had this to say: “Wala siya mo-report karon, Sir”
“Hala tapoka ang tanang records ining oipisinaha unya palit ug gasolina dayon sunoga ang tanang mga papeles APIL KA,” shouted the School Director.
Short Cuts had only to look down in silence. He was offensively touched to hear the words. There was no previous incident that could justify such an event to happen. It was so sudden that it caused Short Cuts’ initial posture to stop schooling.
“I have to stop”, silently screamed Short Cuts.
As a poor boy, however, Short Cuts had to change his mind after the storm. He was silently convinced “nga magpaubos ra laman ta” otherwise Short Cuts’ dream to become a lawyer will never happen.
But, the incident narrated in the immediately preceding paragraphs were, however, rewarded years later. The “DOWNS” suddenly turned “UPS” in Short Cuts’ life.
In what way?
And, this is the story . . . .
Short Cuts was already in the sophomore class in the College of Law in the same institution. After experiencing so many unwarranted and uncalled for reprimands from her boss despite honest and scholarly performance in the office, Short Cuts had to tender his resignation to the School Director.
It was a matter of coincidence that Short Cuts received in the same period an offer to become the registrar of a newly organized college in the city.
Maybe surprised by the resignation letter, the School Director requested for Short Cuts’ appearance in his office a week after the resignation letter.
“Dionisio, balik sa atong eskwelahan”, was the first statement uttered by the School Director when Short Cuts appeared before him.
Short Cuts was speechless to hear the words.
Minutes later, Short Cuts had to explain. “Kon mobalik ko Sir, asa man ko nimo ibutang nga dili na man ko gusto sa Registrar’s Office kay dili na man ko gusto nga ma under pa sa maong registrar?”
“Ikaw ang mahimong registrar,” was the School Director’s quick answer.
“Unya ang incumbent nga registrar Sir, asa na man siya ibutang”, was Short Cuts’ reminder.
“Himoon ko siyang School Principal sa Elementary Department”, was the School Director’s quick response.
“Apan unsaon man nako pagbalik Sir, nga naka report na man ko sa laing eskwelahan so-ud sa usa ka semana?
For about ten minutes, the School Director remained silent.
After he regained composure, the School Director had this to say: “Sigue, padayon na lamang sa bag-o nimong trabaho. Apan kon dili na kamo magkasinabot sa imong bag-ong amo, balik diri sa atong eskwelahan”.
Then, we parted ways.
The UPS and DOWNS in Short Cuts’ life are truly part of history.
