by Keziah G. Huelar

The life of Tatay Cyril reminds us that beyond success, a man of good character is more worthy of praise. In Photo: Tatay Cyril together with James Estinico, Head, Grounds Department, returning the lost cell phone to its owner, Leo Torres, a CPU BS BABM student.

Despite being 64, the only crease one can see in Tatay Cyril’s face is a friendly smile, greeting teachers and students in the campus. One could always see him cleaning the College of Engineering Building, even the Big Field. Simple these tasks of cleaning the school campus may be, but they have contributed to CPU being named as one of the most beautiful campuses in the country by www.buzzfeed.com in 2015.

Tatay Cryil started serving Central Philippine University in 1985 as one of its grounds personnel. For 33 years, Central Philippine University became his second home. Here, he labored for the dreams for his children and for his love for Christ, believing that all things work together for good to those who love God and to those who work according to his purpose.

“Una ko di nga ubra sa CPU pamanday, ilis sang mga sin sang atop, pang- lawn mower,” Tatay Cyril shares. According to him, he chose to work at CPU because the University was known to be a good employer: “Ang mga opisyales sa CPU mahapos isturyahon. Gapasalamat guid ko okay anom ko ka bata diri nag-graduate sa CPU. Biskan ang apo ko gani diri na naga-eskwela.”

As part of the ground personnel, he has seen how students would be negligent in throwing their garbage: “Hambal ko gani sa mga upod ko dapat malipay kita kay tungod gapang-haboy ang mga estudyante. Amo na nga may ubra kita. Pero dapat man nga maging responsabli kita sa kung ano nahaboy ta.”

Of his six children, three graduated from the College of Hospitality Management, two from the College of Business of Management, and one from the College of Education. Tatay Cyril shares that he wanted his children to study in CPU because of the high standard of education and the free-tuition program CPU has allotted for its faculty and staff.

After his wife died in 2001, Tatay Cyril raised his children alone: “Sang 2001, nabungguan sang jeep akon asawa. Dala niya to ang amon agot sang gin-bongguan siya, pero nabuhi ya ang amon agot kay gin-pahigad siya sang asawa ko.”

Tatay Cyril met his wife in Iloilo in the 80s. She was working as a manicurist when they fell in-love: “Ga-manicure siya sa isa aka parlor. Suki niya na day Ma’am Libo-on kag Ma’am Padernilla.”

He never married again, sharing that after his wife died, he decided to focus all his time and effort to raise their children: “Siguro kung nang-asawa ko liwat, wala ko guid napatapos ang akon mga kabataan.”

 When asked how he managed to have the strength to persevere despite the many challenges he faced in life, Tatay Cyril shares that praying and reading the Bible has been a source of encouragement and faith: “Ga-pangamuyo ko sa Diyos tapos gabasa Bibliya. Kag dapat indi mo lang pag-basahon. Kilanlan ubrahon mo man kung ano ang naka-butang. ”

 In the first week of October 2018, Tatay Cyril returned a cell phone left at the SMILE Hill on the Half-Moon Drive. After getting the said phone, he gave it to the office of Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, Director of the CPU Communications Office and his former chaplain in the Grounds Department: “Pag-kita ko sa cell phone, basa siya, tapos low-battery ti gin-charge ko anay. Tapos gin-hatag ko sa Information Office sa kay Pastor Jalando-on para mabutang sa Link kag makita kung sin-o ang tag-iya.”

 Tatay Cyril shares that it is common to find lost things when cleaning the campus. It has been a protocol in their office to post a lost & found announcement at their office as a commitment to be honest in all their affairs: “Halin sang una, kapin pa kung may event, may kadula gid kag gaka-bilin nga mga gamit. Ga-butang na kami announcement sa office kung may makita kami tapos gina-hatag sa Information Center.”

On October 29, Tatay Cyril will be turning 65. As for his birthday wish, he prays for good health and success for his children. Retiring next year, he hopes to study automotive through a TESDA program and to see his four grandchildren grow in faith and prayer.