(9th of ‘Life’ Series)
I don’t remember ever staring into the future seriously as a kid and thinking about where I’d land. Perhaps if there was a job closest to my heart then, that would have to be as a pilot. That’s because of my Papa’s job with PAL. At the airport, I would see that the pilots had this seeming air of superiority. It was like they were the bosses, hence I looked up to them as symbols of authority.
But I mostly just moved with the flow, chasing whichever ball happened to bounce my way. Sports wasn’t just a hobby for me; sports was my security blanket. It was where I felt appreciated, and where I had a certain amount of confidence in myself. I didn’t shine at everything, but I belonged on the court, especially in basketball, where I later became a playing coach in Pisay, directing plays and barking orders like I was a big authority in the game. At the same time, I stumbled into sportswriting, scribbling quick notes on all types of sports, eager to know more about each sport, chasing stories in gyms and other athletic arenas.
The big move from Manila back to Tagbilaran after that tumultous 3rd year in Pisay wasn’t just a change in scenery, it felt like I was stepping into a new world, with a new cast of characters. My main goal upon arrival in Tagbilaran was simple: to plug myself into the local crowd; to be seen, heard and accepted; and to survive the awkward first few months in a new environment.
I found a group that seemed balanced in all the right ways. They weren’t obsessed with grades, yet they carried themselves with an easy confidence that drew attention from everyone, most especially with the girls. These guys held the leadership roles that went with their Pre-Military Training (PMT) officer positions. They could also sing beautifully to sweep the ladies off their feet; and they could turn a room into a stage. They knew how to have a good time, and they could push that line a bit sometimes because they shared a love for wine, women and song.
To fit in, I learned the unspoken dance of the crowd – I learned how to drink with them, how to sing and dance, how to ride with their jokes, how to let the night’s energy pull me along. And so I became a part of the Excalibur Club, the PMT officers group, on my 4th year in High School.
But the Excalibur would cease to exist after my graduation in High School. Hence, many among us in Excalibur would later join the Jayrabs – a special bunch of talented individuals that started out as drinking buddies and ended up being a lasting lifeline. These guys were not just great with sports, they were popular with the girls as well. And I wanted to be part of that. The Jayrabs has remained a tightly-knit group. Even now, decades later, the Jayrabs brotherhood remains strong, with the wives and kids also having parallel groups of their own.
College was pretty much uneventful, except for some occasional indiscretions I had. Mostly from drinking. Nothing really major, just enough to have one of my school professors, Prof Jose ‘Ondoy’ Rocha (who later became the Mayor of Tagbilaran) quip to me later when I was already an officer in the Army: “You know, Charly, I never thought you would amount to anything.” Jokingly, of course. But with a grain of truth in it, I’m sure.
It didn’t help that I had a step-brother, then-Captain Cesar Garcia, who was getting much attention in Tagbilaran then. Noy Cesar was the kind of person people keep in their memory – popular, admired for his undeniable solid service in the military. I watched him with a mix of awe and a little envy, wondering how I could ever match up to the high benchmark he set. Noy Cesar, a member of PMA Class of 67, carried himself with that quiet, unshakable confidence. His record made me hesitate to take the the PMA exam. I kept wondering how I’d fare, with the many success stories they kept talking about. Would I have what it takes? That was the simple truth: I hesitated to take the exam for a long time, unsure if I could pass. Or, even if I did, I was fearful of the thought that I may not live up to their expectations.
But fate likes to step in even without us nudging it. My cousin, Lingling, came to Tagbilaran from the far-off town of Talibon to take the PMA exam. Upon learning of this, my Papa barked at me to take the exams as well. I found myself taking the exam the following day.
Lucky for me, I passed. Not with fireworks, but with a quiet hurray that felt like a small door opening up for more opportunities for me. That was the huge moment – the knob that opened the door to a path I hadn’t fully imagined for myself. The military career I would later be blessed with wasn’t just a job; it would become a passion, a way to serve, to test limits, to learn discipline, and to discover who I could be. For the first time, I would be thinking of a more definite path for my life.
And that’s how my military career started – a slight push from my Papa, a hesitant step, and an uncertain yet stubborn belief that I could grow into something bigger than my fear.
Cover pic courtesy of WordPress AI, other pics courtesy of Facebook, Jayrabs Files, Boy ‘Iro’ Fabiosa, the Holgy Library. For a closer look, just click on the pics.
Color My World 