Pearl

Happy Birthday RD Pearl! 

She started to use canes to keep her graceful gait, although there are times she could do without them. She had that cane on her hand while waiting for the elevator, then I ran to her to hug her goodbye, about two years back. We just concluded a conference in Vigan, which we hosted. My colleagues in the province worked very hard to make the conference as smooth and hassle-free, we did the groundwork for a week before the schedule. We hosted the event quite well. So when she hugged me back, she said, 'Proud na proud naman ako sa yo, anak.' I did not think about my reply for so long, I told her, 'You taught me well, Ma'am.'

Fact is, Mommy Pearl taught me a lot, not just about work, but about life. Hers was not really a walk in the park. Though told me only in snippets, I know that she is the woman she is now shaped by both joyful and sad events. To describe her as intelligent, hardworking and dedicated will fall short of the person she is. She is discerning, candid, practical, transparent, and self-respecting. Of all the bosses I have had the privilege of working with, she is the only one, by far who is nurturing. Having lost my mother at an early age, I have looked to her as a mother, the 'kinsintudora' kind, but she does not mince her words when she sees it fit to scold me. She always has a little something for me and Maan when we see each other, which to me is touching because that means I cross her thoughts every now and then.

Today is her birthday, and last night, her colleagues gave her a send-off. It was a formal affair, and was told that the theme was a 'debut', a coming-out celebration for a 65-year-old public servant. It is fitting that she was given that send-off, with a theme as youthful, because her heart has not really gotten old through time. It is the reverse, in fact. The older we both got each year, I meet her every now and then in national conferences, and each time she looks younger. Sometimes I am puzzled by her appearance as we all know that she has been quite sickly lately. It does not show. Her face wears this smile still sweet as ever, and she holds her head high, despite of whatever: the strain of work and her health. I will always keep her in my heart, and each time I hold my head high, despite of whatever,  I will think of her.