50 taon ng pag-ibig at pakikibaka
These
are some of the pic
tures we’ve
scanned from Ka Bel and Ka Osang’s photo albums. We also scanned some of the letters Ka wrote and send to his wife and children, and to officials of government such as former President Ferdinand Marcos.
Unknown to many,Ka Bel is a very good writer, and he has the energy for writing long letters and essays. One of these days I will encode his letters (and include them in the book we’re trying to write about him and his life).
It’s almost 2 am and am still up.
Actually, am barely keeping myself awake. Tomorrow - I mean, later– we will be holding the celebration for Ka Bel’s 50th wedding anniversary. So many preparations on top of everything else.
I am compelled to write this: Ka Bel has so much love for his wife and family that it’s heartbreaking in a happy way. His letters to them are so full of love even as he gently chides his children (now in their 40s) and his wife (whom he married when she was only 14 and he himself 23) and reminds them that they should strive hard at school and home, and to help one another.
Reading his letters brings tears to my eyes, and I feel a very strong twinge around the regions of my heart. He has always been a good father and a loving husband first; the Movement made him a better man, and thus a better father and more than just a husband to Ka Osang — a comrade.
Ka Bel spoils Ka Osang; and Ka Osang relies too much on Ka Bel. They admit this, both of them. But for all the problems and troubles they’ve been through, underneath it all is this: a deep love tempered by love for the Movement. Weaknesses in their relationship caused by personal failings they’ve battled long and hard and continue to battle every day: Ka Bel and Ka Osang may have aged outwardly, but to each other, they will always be 23 and 14.
Am so sleepy
