Clarito Garcia de Francia ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Clarito Garcia de Francia

  Born in Lipit Norte, Manaoag, Pangasinan on April 5, 1958. The fourth child of Teotimo "Emong" Apilada de Francia and Godofreda "Lourdes" Flores Garcia. He is married to Rosemarie Balangue Calisen-de Francia a native of Macalong, Asingan, Pangasinan. They are blessed with 2 children: Don Carlo, born November 15, 1983 and Lovely Rose, born November 15, 1986. A self-made man from plow-and-carabao to chalk-and-pen which symbolize and epitomize him as a dreamer, hardworker and achiever.   

Dr. De Francia wins another Palanca Award

  Dr. Clarito Garcia de Francia became a second-time champion of the prestigious Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature this year as he bagged second place in the Maikling Kuwento, Filipino (Tagalog) Language Division.
  De Francia's winning piece is entitled "Mik-eng." It rekindles the extinct mummification practices and presents the tedious mummification or mik-eng processes of the earlier Ibaloy tribes in Kabayan, Benguet, Philippines. To realistically portray the tribe's customs, the expensive canao rituals are included, as well as, the conflict of religious beliefs between paganism of the elders against the doctrine of Christianity of today's youth. also included in the story is the protest against the smuggling and commericalization of mummies out of Benguet Province and the country by foreign art collectors.
  It can be recalled that De Francia won third prize Palanca Award last year with hi story "No Tallikudan Dagiti Tugot" (If Footprints Are Forgotten). This earned him a commendation by the Baguio City Council. "Mik-eng" is De Francia's second in 2003 preceded by his winning the third prize in the Premio Andel on April of the same year with his story, "Kas Iti Kitikit" (Like A Sculpture). This pictured the love story of a Pangasinense man and a Kalinga woman caught amidst the rubbles of the 1990 killer earthquake in Baguio City. These three stories confirm De Francia's interest in Cordilleran subject matter and theme to preserve the culture of the Cordillerans.
  He shares his honor with his students in Humanities students who had helped in the researches on Ibaloy Mummification. "Most importantly, I would like to share this victory with UC Chair Benjamin Jesus Salvosa and Mrs. Carmen Salvosa for challenging me to participate again in this year's contest," he added.
  De Francia holds Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, Master of Arts in Education and Doctor of Philosophy in Language Education. He has been with the University of the Cordilleras for 18 years, teaching subjects in Mass Communication, Humanities, Creative Writing, Technical and Business English, Philippine and World Literature. Although he traces his roots from Lipit Norte, Manaoag, Pangasinan, Philippines, he considers himself a Cordilleran, being married in Baguio City and has been residing there for over 27 years.[1]Alternative Newsletter, Vol. VII N. 3, September 2004, p.5.
  Here's a feature article about De Francia, included in the Filipino-American National Historical Society, Central Coast Chapter (FANHS) Book 2, entitled Tomorrow's Stories, by @Nieves Catahan Villamin, published in 2020 by ArtHouse:

  Early Beginnings in Lipit Manaoag, Pangasinan
  One unforgettable moment in Dr. Clarito De Francia's life was the time that a typhoon, which shook up and away their small bamboo hut. Rainwater leaked from the worn-out nipa roof. And on the same openings entered the deafening thunder followed by frightening lightning, scaring Larry and his trembling siblings in one corner. This kind of experience let him daydream of living in a better house. And this event had served as mind-openers for him. 
  Dr. Clarito G. De Francia (Larry to many) was born in Lipit Norte, a barrio in Manaoag, Pangasinan. His father Teotimo Apilada de Francia, a tenant farmer, and mother Godofreda Flores Garcia, a farm-produced vendor, gave birth to five siblings, two girls and three boys. Larry is the third child. Like a carpernter who builds house and yet is without a house, they farmers, who grow but oftentimes end with empty storage bins. Family togetherness during meals and prayers were part of their early upbring.
  As a young boy, Larry spent most of his time helping with farming duties and pasturing the family's carabao after school and on weekends. All children performed assigned tasks; otherwise, they would be whipped with a thick, hard slapping bamboo stick, which they called Moises. His father, a man educated by life, gave him this advice. "Be a great farmer of people. Plant and grow seeds of your mind and heart so that you could produce more of us and for others."
  Larry obtained his elementary education from Lipit and high school in Manaoag. At age 14, he worked at nights as a service person in a gas refilling station in Baguio City. He missed a year in high school as he had to work to help the family and for himself. He was voted President of the High School Student Council in his junior year.

  College Education vs. Two-Year Vocational CourseItalic text
  Larry knew he couldn't swing a college education on his own. So, he took a two-year vocational course for Communication Technician at the Baguio Electronics Technical Institute. He learned that he could teach in a Radio School should he pass the Radio Telephone Licensure Examination. With this burning desire, he searched for a good job which could help him support himself. Fortunately, his schooling would be sponsored by his sibling Romeo, who was working with Benguet Corporation in Itogon. It would be free tuition to undergo security guard training if he could serve the company for two years. Because of this condition, he had put his mind and adapted ways that he would work only for four months after he got licensed, save his earnings to pay back his training, then, go back to Baguio City to continue pursuing his dream.
  With his license, he was immediately hired by Baguio Investigation and Security Agency. This proved to be an ideal job for him because he could study while working. It was during the quiet and scary hours of his duties at night that gave him time to read various motivational books, like How to Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, Success Secrets by Rodolfo Torres, and many more. Over and above these mind-developing resources were memorizing and writing poems by famous poets and writers.
  A good break came to Larry when he was assigned at the Baguio Colleges Foundation, where he met two people that played important roles in his life. The first one was Rosemarie Calisen, the girl he married a few years later. The second person was his classmate Noel Patrimonio, the nephew and a technician of the Dalinoc Electronic Shop, who became his close friend. During his free time, he went to Noel's shop to learn the practical side of electronics repair. And there he absorbed many ideas of lectronic repair and putting up his own shop. With Larry's experiences of hardships, he yearned not only to graduate, but dreamed to be leading people not following bosses. Finally, after two years, Larry graduated with honors. 
  Larry's first employer as an electronic technician was the Ocampo Baguio Appliance Center. He tossed away his security guard uniform for a dark blue maintenance work clothes with an embroidered nametag sewed on the left pocket. Combining his technical knowledge and actual experiences helped him become an expert on repairing TV and other home appliances. To keep up with new trends, he attended seminars hosted by Sony and Panasonic. After work, he would review and keep on reading books related to his field of work, focus on passing the RTO Licensure Examination. In addition, he enrolled and became scholar at the Data Center Philippines for Computer programming courses. And even if he was tired, he had always time to write poems.
  When the results of RTO Licensure Examiniation appeared on the newspapers, Larry's name was on top on the list of passers. This gave him a little confidence in chasing more dreams and presented him the idea that if he would just work harder, he could also attain higher goals. One day, Mr. Joaquin Tandingan, the Director of the Technical Department of Baguio Colleges Foundation, came to shop at the Ocampo's Baguio to purchase a clothes dryer. This opened a door for Larry to get a teaching post by first accepting a job as tool keeper of the Technical Department. This position accorded him the opportunity to apply what he already knew which earned him more knowledge in the electronics and electrial field.
  Although, there was uncertainty of getting a teaching position, he read, observed, and observed his colleagues. As a result, when a teaching post opened up after six months, he was so eager to get a break. Being a wide-reader and having prepared well for the job, Larry made a great impression on the Vice-President of Academics Corazon Concepcion during his teaching demonstration of radio signal transmission and reception, the panel was unanimous in hiring him. From there, he realized that if one has a burning desire to attain something, it could be achieved byh sticking hard enough, regardless of hardships and difficulties. Now, he had something to win Erlinda.
  The teaching job was his first to a series of teaching successes that Larry would achieve during the ensuing years. He attributed this achievement to Erlinda, whom he had already forgotten because of distance and not seeing each other for a long time. Instead, a naive looking engineering student, with sweet innocent smile, named Rosemarie Balangue Calisen, came to Larry's life. It was this lady who touched him to write love notes again. As it was then, he revived the idea of and at least, realizing his dream of becoming an engineer.

  Life as a Business Owner
  From gas attendant, security guard, electronic technician to Radio Instructor, Larry saved some of his earnings to replace their old nipa hut into a concrete bungalow. This act made his parents proud and happy. He also allotted special time courting Rosemarie. From poems, flowers, serenades to promises, he hardly and gradually pleased the evasive lady. He tamed her witha memorized lines to welcome a poor but ambitious Pangasinense. For almost four years of engagement, Larry and Rosemarie were able to like each other's strengths and weaknesses, got closer with their families and friends as well as dreamed and planned for life.
  Larry came to like and love Rosemarie because she is faithful and believer, caring and thoughtful which he has always considered her greatest qualities. When they thought that all their stars were aligned, the decided to get married and start a family. Larry's life of poverty in Lipit was now a memory, a bitter-sweet memory which he tried to uplift a little bit. Yet, when their son was born they felt that they were being dragged by slow-moving academic employment and Rosemarie's low-paying work with the government. For Larry, there must be more, especially financial stability and a home of their own.
  And the answer to this came via a letter from his cousin Raul Godoy, who worked in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Being a worker in the Middle East during the 1980s was considered a good opportunity to enrich oneself. And Larry was so glad to take this way after weighing out the pros and cons of getting out of the country, with higher pay, but, far away from his one-year old son and young wife. Even with doubtful heart and mind, he jumped on it. he resigned formally from his teaching post and with borrowed money he flew to Riyadh with his electronic and literary books tucked between his clothes inside his suitcase. As his plane flew farther away from the blue skies of Baguio City, the reality of him starting his own business took shape. He decided to save for a tire recapping business likw what his uncle Pedro Godoy and cousin Pedro Jr had done. He saw how his uncle and cousin life prospered within a year after they had opened their respective businesses. Forgotten was the electronic shop.
  Job promotion came easily for Larry because of his academic and actual experiences as teacher, technician and electrician. With the job promotion, came the increase in his wages. Sending home some, while, saving some. Determined to raise the capital ASAP for his future tire recapping business. Instead of taking it easy on weekends, Larry worked odd jobs. He washed cars, did photography, painted houses, bought and sold some goods, anything and everything that gave him a profit. These side jobs left him no time to feel sad and mis his family. When gamblers tempted him to join, he politely declined to protect his savings. At times when homesicknexx came, Larry devoted writing letters and poems to Rosemarie, who was not a good correspondent due to her job as cartographer and mapper at the Bureau of Lands and Management and as devoted mother taking care of their son, Don Carlo.
  Larry's solitue at night and his absence bringing up his dear child made a big suffering in his heart and mind. Until one time, he was asked to fix the television of a young beautiful domestic helper in their work place. The woman in her bathrobe, just out of the shower, Larry hinted out from the lady's gestures when he found out that the TV was working well. But he kept his stand and held his self-control. He avoided being like the others who were imprisoned and punished because of accusations against Muslim law.
  After two hears of homesickness, and self-sworn promise not to ever go back to that arid land again just to earn dollars, he went back home to his family. As he arrived and met his dear siblings, palms were laying down pleading for financial help. Although he had not much, he tried sharing each one a little pinch of what he saved. Hardly had he emptied his suitcase and gifts distributed, he told his wife he was going to his cousin's house to discuss details of the tire recapping business they would set up in Cauayan, Isabela.
  Hrd work coulpled with good customer service was the winning combination for the novel entrepreneur. Out of his father's family values of honesty and hard work, his mother's hugs and kisses when down, his reading of inspiring books, his challenges and achievements and the realization of owning his business and mananging it, came to reality.
  Being new in running their own business and away from their hometown Baguio City, opened their eyes of establishing good relations with their business neighbor owners. They made it as a principle to stand by having good friends and closer ties within the business community. hence, this gave them the opportunity to expand their connections and acquaintances which opened more doors in terms of socialization, financial and spiritual activites. Their employees, customers and friends turned out fulfillment, wheile they learn and earn.
  As time passed by, Larry was so thankful for having a wife so supportive of him. First, having and raising another child whom the named Lovely Rose. Second, managing office and finances wisely while doing household chores. Third, connecting closer to God by following His words and serving the church. With their good teamwork and hard work, they were able to purchase their first home and slowly extended their hand lending money to the needy farmers friends.
  One day, out of the blue, Larry unexpectedly bought a Bannawag, an Ilocano magazine, the so-called "Bible of the North". He was so impressed by one of the short stories, "Utang" (Debt), published in that issue, which he found out that the author lived just 10 kilometers away. Although shy and feeling inferior to the author, he courageously searched and went to meet Franklin Macugay, then a chapter president of GUMIL Isabela, the Association of Ilocano writers.
  This meeting was Larry's key in refueling the sleeping writer in him. He joined the association and not long, he was elected the Secretary and layout artist of the newsletter Pangasaan (Stone sharpener). In a short time, he was writing again, and not long he was participating and winning various Ilocano writing contests. And such fate inspired him to learn more and drove him to collect literary books of famous writers.
  But soon troubles piggybacked on the heels of Larry's success. Seeing peso signs, his cousin partner decided to break out from their partnership. The tire recapping business his cousin had put up was in the same town- it didn't take long the business competition between the two, somewhat brought themselves a wall which separated them a bit apart. In addition, the lease on their shop had also expired. These concerns made them suffer, emotionally and financially.
  Larry had to transfer to another location in the same city which gave them a better hand, financially and socially. But one day, a close and neighbor friend turned to be an enemy because of children's quarrels, and this was a blessing in disguise.
  Without Larry's knowledge, Rosemarie brought her son and daughter back home in Baguio City. There, she was rehired as a geodetic engineer, with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. although Larry was earning good in Cauayan City and Rosemarie was stable in Baguio City, being away from each other, hurt them. Rosemarie searched for their connections, and again Director Joaquin Tandingan, returned to the picture of rehiring Larry that let him back to teaching.
  A Change in Direction
  Larry and Rosemarie entrusted everything to Larry's nephew Amelito Salon who helped them start and grow the recapping business. This time, Larry's priority was his family, no longer money. So, he regathered his resources and reinvested them in purchasing a housing lot and his apartment rentals in Baguio City. Having made quite an impression at Baguio Colleges Foundation, Larry's rehiring as Radio Instructor became easy. And this favor was returned by contributing betterment of the Department, like extending a helping hand to the needy students, influencing an amiable working camaraderie, winning the first ever Cheering Competition for the Department and improved the passing rate of their graduates in their RTO and GRCO exams.
  Although he was back in the academe, he countinued his writings and winnings which fueled his desire to go up further by enrolling in Mass Communication. There were times when he was feeling small because he had to comply with his co-teachers' course requirements. But he swallowed his pride. Being so, he had to spend much of his time in the library reading or writing. That was the reason he would arrive home at night feeling so tired, and so all he could only afford was a glance for his children whoo were already past asleep.
  Happily, Larry and Rosemarie's bond of sacrifices and hard work rewarded them. Finally, Larry earned his bachelor's degree. Moreover, he was winning some more in writing contests. Gradually, these accomplishments gave him courage to revive the inactive GUMIL Baguio-Benguet chapter, where he was elected president. He did not stop there, he went on to finish him MA in Education, major in English and not long, he was writing his thesis entitled, "Shape Poems, Form and Meaning". Because he did it in less than two years, his colleagues and friends were amazed and very happy for him, except a colleague who was petrified being a hopeful successor for the Department Directorship, Mr. Tandingan was about to retire.
  On the next school year, the strict and hard-handed Vice-President for Academics, Corazon Concepcion, to transfer to the College of Arts and Sciences Department, approached Larry. He was reluctant at first for he was one of those vying for the Directorship of the Technical Department. But Larry was enlightened when VP Concepcion said that being moved to the CAS Department is a promotion by itself. And true enough, this transfer opened another door for him. This gave him more colorful and wider doors as media person and as a writer. Aside from that, he was discussing "Thinking and Writing Skills", "Humanities", "Philippine and World Literature", "News writing and Reporting, "Research", "Journalism", "Multi-media in Communication", "Drama", "Laws," etc.
  These were mind-openers and career uplifting. Best of all, he was appointed as Chair of the Mass Communication Department the following year.
  This pushed him to dream some more, such as enrolling in doctoral studies and joining the Philippines Pulitzer prize", long running Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards. Luckily, he won with his "Tugot", (Footprints) in 2003 and a recognition by the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Benjamin Salvosa who personally attended the Palanca Awarding ceremonies to congratulate, reward and challenge him, saying: "I want to see you again in this hall next year." And Larry did! with "Mik-eng" (Mummy) in 2004. Having such feat, it earned him an Outstanding Citizen of Baguio City" in 2005. 
  With these achievements, and leading his association in the literary community, he bridged the academe and the literary and mass media people, amateur and professionals to gather and hold Poetry Readings as support to the City government's annual Panagbenga Festival. He also inspired his students to become champions in visual arts againsts other universities and in national contests. And this widened his literary and social and mass media circles.
  His hard work and good deeds have been reciprocated and finally he was living his second dream. As a teacher, Larry was systematic and orderly in the presentation of his lectures, discussions and activities in his classroom being an advocate of the 5s (sort, sweep, systematize, standardize, shine) management. Like most first grade technical universities in the US, actual hands-on and demonstrations are two of the most used methods in his teaching. By being a good model, he had hopes that his students could absorb the lessons better and emulate exemplar ways that they could be appied in their respective professions and lives. 
  As a father, he saw to it that Don Carlo and Lovely Rose were doing well in their respective academic pursuits. He guided will Don Carlo in his photography and videography that related well with his course in Criminology. His advice of developing mastery in these fields had helped assure his son of a bright future in his chosen career. And Larry's words paid well, because his son brought home from national competitions and leadership assignments and opportunities. Equally, he mentored Lovely Rose in various writing, reading, encoding, driving and other extra-curricular activities which turned his daughter into a consistent honor student elementary, dean's lister in scholar in college and achiever. Larry's advice that made his children board passers and achievers is: "Dream big, plan your actions, then work hard to realize them. Focus on your work. Do not think of money." Larry made a twin of Moises, but he only used it once when Don Carlo failed in one of his courses. 
  Rosemarie's words, on the other hand, center on belief in God and the power of prayers as well as sincere dealing with friends, clients and other people regardless of their economic levels. Her sensibility plays well in dealing with parishioners, clients, friends and associates. By observing gestures and different tones of voice, she can sense how a person feels-a unique quality. She is very amiable person, winning people with her charm and smile. Whe she encounters concerns, she helps voluntarily. If something is wrong, she tries to correct it; if she couldn't, she leaves it to God.
  Such mind set had brought Larry and more responsibilities. He became an adviser of the GUMIL Baguio chapter, member of Board of Director of the natioanl affiliation, and chair of the Awards Committee of GUMIL Filipinas. In all these capacities, he led the selection and recognition of Bobby Gutierrez and other Ilocanos as well as institutions, e.g. Bombo Radio Baguio, who had contributed to literary arts. In many occasions, he was invited as contest judge, panelist in dissertation oral defenses, speaker in literary seminar-workshops held in the city and national conventions.
  Even if he was occupied with so many undertakings, Larry had noticed that Rosemarie was no longer leaving their home as early as she used to. It was then that he came to know that his wife had decided to start her own real estate business encouraged by a client-friend. This started the De Francia Realty. Like the team workers that they have always been, Larry and Rosemarie steadily established their name in the realty business by helping their clients in buying and selling their properties.
  It was a great start! They eventually joined a cooperative engaged in developing housing projects. Larry was elected a board director; Rosemarie was appointed Chair of the Marketing Department. Because of this, they were encouraged to get licensed in real estate. They bought and developed properties to be sold to the low-income people of the community. Plans were drawn and actions followed, and then coming to America interevened.
  Larry and Rosemarie are givers. They share not only their knowledge or the little material they have - even more. Many times, they donated blood with the idea that they could help prolong someone else's life. They donated a life-size grotto and image of the Virgin's Well of Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Sison, Pangasinan. They donated a lot of 1,000 square meters for the Lord of Pardon in Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet. They extended financial help in the renovation of the altar and ceiling of the chapel in Lipit. Their most recent generosity was giving away of 30 Santo Nino images on January 2019, the 25th anniversary of the Filipino Catholic Society of St. John Neumann. All these were but manifestations of their kind-heartedness and belief in God.
  Larry can never thank the Creator enough for bringing him a wife who believes in God and serves Him, not only in words but more with deeds. It is this quality that he love best Rosemarie - a quality that from the very start of their courtship waver to this day.
  The Land of Opportunity
  To live in the "Land of Opportunity" never entered Larry's mind. But one day, an opportunity to visit the US was handed to him when the first GUMIL International Literary Seminar-Workshop was held in Hawaii, as it was hosted by the GUMIL Oahu chapter. Through the financial sponsorship of his sister Elvira, he was able to attend the event as one of the 23 delegates hosted by the GUMIL Oahu chapter. This gave him the realization that big things could happen out of small things. Like drops of rain which could become an ocean, his little love notes, letter, and poems, serving the GUMIL and teaching became his passport to the US.
  After the seminar, Larry flew to Santa Maria, California and visited his parents who immigrated to the United States throught chain migration via his sister's petition. He was so glad to see and hug again his parents, who were now living in the city, not rice fields. They had changed in many ways. Their burnt farmer skins were still there but no more sour sweats. The could still speak in the native language and Taglish, but with a tone of joy of tasting the American city life. Their faces shone bright and their palms softer than what they used to be in the days when they didn't have anything to eat the next mail. Being together again as a family in a better life, Larry's father thanked God for all the blessings - no longer living in a leaky hut but in a roomy house furnished with soft matresses.
  Larry was so joyful of Elvira's generosity in accommodating him. Touring California and visiting friends and relatives made good impressions for him. His month-long vacation made him dream of coming to America. His family in Santa Maria and close relatives advised him not to go back to the Philippines and try his luck in the US. He agreed to idea at first, but the principled man that he is, Larry chose to go home to his family and teaching job. He was at the tail end of his Doctorate Degree. Before he left for Hawaii, he turned in his dissertation entitled "Socio-Pragmatic Analysis of Selected Philippine Short Stories in English". The oral defense would be scheduled upon arrival. 
  In 2003, Larry finall reached the pinnacle of his educational quest at age 45. The University of the Cordillera, formerly Baguio College Foundation had awarded him the Doctor of Philosophy in Language Education, Ph.D.L.E. He was happy and to be the very first doctoral product of the institution, which in 2018 ranked No. 60 in best performing universities in the Philippines.
  His doctorate degree, coupled with his efficiency at work, earned him full professorship in the university. Again, he had driven his point to those doubting and procrastinating colleagues of his: "Stay focused in your endeavors. Hard work pays."
  Larry and Rosemarie felt it in their hearts that they had inspired their children to pursue their education and follow their dream. Carlo earned his degree in Criminology, passed the board examination, landed a job, and got introduced and married Lou Ann Pimentel, and soon in California. Their daugther Rose earned a degree in Nursing, passed her licensure examination, and went to work in Melbourne, Australia. Both Carlo and Rose are married, they had completed their Masters in Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security and Masters in Advanced Nursing, respectively.
  By this time, Larry's parents needed their son to be in Santa Maria, California because they were becoming weaker and needing assistance to care for them. They asked for him to come so they could spend some time together. Dr. Larry, then 48 years old, filed a sabbatical leave and planned for an early retirement at age 50.
  Larry went to the US to care for his parents - and he loved serving them. He enjoyed hearing from his father stories of their past - the punishing work in the field, how hard it had been to please tenants, being short of money for Elvira's tuition, Larry saying goodbye when he tried his luck to the city, Teotimo's farmer life fictionalized by Larry, and many more. They would get teary-eyed recalling their nipa hut swaying during typhoons, harvesting rice even when these are not so dried, their hard work and sacrifices. From his mother's stories, Larry was reminded of her vending around the barrio, a native basket on her head and two more on each hand as she shouted, "Isda! Gulay! Bili na kayo! (Fish, vegetables! Come and buy!)" These would bring back sad memories, and yet, these would also bring them joy, knowing they had been blessed with better lives.
  Larry had to go back to the Philippines, but he came back in a few months after his mother got sick and eventually passed away. These sad events brought unexpected changes to their life. Dr. Larry and his wife were like in a crossroad, yet they felt that whichever path they would choose would lead them to their pot of gold. They have established their profession in Baguio City. They would start a life in the US, where the land of opportunity promises not only wealth if you work hard but also freedom.
  In 2009, Dr. Larry left Baguio City for good and took permanent residency in Santa Maria, California with his wife. It was a new world for them. They didn't have acquaintances or friends, except their families. It seemed challenging and isolating at first, at first. They didn't have anybody to depend on, except themselves. And so, they made plans to better their stay in America. They knew they would succeed here, given their Isabela friendly ways and life experiences.
  Larry and Rosemarie found their sanctuary in Saint Mary of the Assumption Church. This was here when they would hear mass, join the choir, participate in retreats, and hold unto welcoming hands. There was also the Fil-Am Association, led by its president Charles Lara. They made friends with the members, joined them in the undertakings of the association, listened to their stories, and dined, sang, and danced with them. These slowly opened doors to them. They met Rosemarie Dumadara of New America Realty, who invited them to her office, guided and inspired them to be licensed real estate brokers.
  Putting to good use their knowledge and experience in Philippines' real estate ethics and learning to heart the US real estate policies and laws, Larry and Rosemarie passed the Real Estate Broker they established their own real estate business, through the initiative of Rosemarie. It was tough start - they had to begin from scratch. Larry had to employ himself with Zodiac Aerospace as quality inspector for their daily needs and room rentals.
  When Larry went back to the Philippines, he was most excited to see two of his compositions engraved in white marble tablets: the evangelization hymn "Lve and Share Christ to the World" on the wall of the chapel in their barrio and the school hymn "Saludwan Eskwelaan Elementaria Ti Lipit", in the gate of their alma mater.
  Larry is now 61, with grey hair. He has come to realize that he'll never get rich and be fulfilled - no one will ever be. Diplomas, plaques, trophies, jewelries, or money are life's trappings that can be used to measure a person. Name, dignity and honor are the finest yard stick to weigh a man.
  Rosemarie complements Larry's strengths and weaknesses. It is their long time of loving each other and learning from each other that have made their relationship sweeter and stronger. Larry used to be a serious fella. Now, he's being infected with Rosemarie's humor antics and travel wishes. With the changes in their lives, they're both praying that they may be given a longer and better life, not for themselves and family, but for others and service to the Lord.
  For them, financial fulfillment is not the center of the success. It is more important to live joyfully with beloved ones, family and friends. Happiness stems from good relationships. Happiness comes from God. God is the highest kind of richness. God is fulfillment and happiness.