Meet Manong Lando.
Unlike so many others, he does not look down on his fellowmen. He does not drop names, he does not pull rank. He just goes about his way...

MANONG LANDO



Only one man reads my newspaper column.

Let’s be more accurate: I know of only one man who reads my newspaper column. His name is ORLANDO RAMOS. And I know he reads my column because he told me so this morning. During our breakfast date at Bangus Restaurant.

Several years ago, after my Misa de Gallo in San Juan, a gentleman about 65 years old asked me: “Father, are you from Bacolod?” “Yes”, I answered.

“Then you are the little Juni Jesena who was my neighbor in Bacolod. My name is Orlando Ramos. And I lived right next to your house in Washington Street. And your brother Rene was my good friend. And -- and when your Mother had her fatal heart attack in 1949, I was the one who ran and got the doctor. The doctor tried his best, but he could no longer help your Mother. She died so young. She was only 40 years old. A very, very good woman.”

I remembered the name ‘Lando Ramos’. And I gradually remembered the face. Half a century ago. Yes I remembered him. His picture was in our family album. Orlando Ramos. Classmate and friend of my only brother, Rene.

Being with him reminded me of my dead brother Rene. At that moment I resolved to call him Manong Lando. My Manong Lando.

We are not related by blood, but he is the cousin of Thelma Ramos Jalandoni, whom my brother Rene loved, and courted for about nine years. Kanugon, wala sila magdayunay.

Orlando Ramos made me remember the Bacolod City of my youth, 1946 to 1948, when my Mother was still alive, and when KIAMSI, the Chinese owner of the corner sari-sari store, used to amaze us little boys with his amazing feats of strength, when my haircut cost only 10 centavos, when Nanay and Tatay and I would watch the double--feature movies at Floredith, Real, and City Theaters, and when I would stand every week at the corner, waiting for the YUHUM and HILIGAYNON magazine vendor, so I could read aloud for my Lola Chong, since she was already totally blind, and she wanted so much to know the latest adventures of HAGIBIS, KENKOY, MAKABUNTOG, and DARNA.


And I thought, if my brother Rene were alive today, he would be as old as Orlando Ramos. He would probably look very much like Orlando Ramos. And I was very grateful, and I was very happy… To God. For gifting me with my key and my bridge to my dead brother Rene and to my lost and much-loved past. Thank you Lord. Thank you for my MANONG LANDO RAMOS.


Several times during the past four years I was fortunate enough to visit Manong Lando at his residence, or to have my Mass served by him in Mary the Queen Church. There is always a wonderful glow in our hearts and in our faces when we are together. For he not only reminds me of my brother, and of Bacolod City half a century ago, but I have learned to APPRECIATE HIM, and to realize that he is a very, very GOOD MAN. Although he was a University of the Philippines graduate, and although he held positions of power and authority in our government all his life, Mr. Orlando Ramos is a very simple man, a very humble man.


Unlike so many others, he does not look down on his fellowmen. He does not drop names, he does not pull rank. He just goes about his way, thinking clearly, praying much, serving the church and the People of God. Very soft-spoken, treading ever gently, one would never suspect that for many years he held the welfare and the very lives of many people in the hollow of his strong and gentle hands.


After his daily Mass, he returns to his humble home, and there he silently, prayerfully stays, until he is once again summoned to venture forth, to respond to the call of his community, his country, his Church and his God.


Orlando Ramos is a man I profoundly respect. No need to be rich, no need to be famous, his example tells us. Just be intimate with God, and listen to His voice, and live close to His heart. Just find your HOME; just find your MOTHER and FATHER
in GOD.


Then inner peace will be yours, and you will enjoy a pure conscience, for you will genuinely be in love— with God and all mankind.


I wish my only brother Rene were alive today, to walk the peaceful, prayerful, gentle path with Lando Ramos towards heaven and God. I wish the two of them would laugh again—like before.

And I wish that I, too, would have a loving, prayerful, humble heart like MR. ORLANDO RAMOS, my Manong Lando.

For in the Family of God, he is indeed my BIG BROTHER, my HERO and my FRIEND.





Juni C. Jesena