My father lost an uncle this week. I barely knew the man personally -- I only met him a few times and at a very young age. What I know of him is very limited. I know that he was Baguio City's longest serving elected mayor. And my memory tells me that Lolo Luis had a very strong personality. He had a strong voice and would dominate the room at family gatherings. I remember thinking of him as a boulder that can talk.
It amazes me how strong the Filipino men of Lolo Luis' generation are. Having lived through World War II and Japanese occupation must have forged him, and my grandfathers into men of strength and character.
I wish I knew him better. Unfortunately, the distance from here to the Philippines is too great and I never got the chance. But I know that he was a big influence on my father, and from that I can extrapolate that Lolo Luis was a good man.
Posted by glenn at November 3, 2004 09:01 AM