A Thousand Country Roads

An Honorable Man of Family

September 13, 2017 in Family, Travel

I erred when I stated in my last visit here that I would no longer speak of our month-long vacation to the Philippines. I’d forgot to share one of the most important parts of the trip, spending time with Lynndee’s maternal uncle, Inocentes. And, ironically, this is the perfect day to speak of him for it is his 81st birthday. So first off, let me say, Happy Birthday Uncle Inocentes!

I first met him on my first trip to Lynndee’s hometown back in 2009, when we met and she became my fiancé. The location of our meeting was a retreat that her cousin Marc, Inocentes’ son, had. It was located in the vast, sprawling pineapple fields of a Dole plantation, sitting at the base of an active volcano, Mount Matutum. Though active, its last eruption was in 1911. On that day, Uncle Inocentes and I clicked immediately. We discovered that we both had an immense interest in books, history, and of most importance to sports nuts, baseball.

An Honorable Man of Family

Me and Uncle Inocentes in our usual state: yacking away about things of interest.

He was a treasure trove of baseball history. He told me the tale of a wall in Manila where the home runs of Babe Ruth, Lou Gherig and Joe Dimaggio were kept track of with slash marks, a wall which actually survived the war and the almost total destruction of Manila when the city was liberated. To this day, he is still involved in Little League Baseball, teaching the game to young Filipinos though it isn’t a national sport there like here in the US.

It was during our first meeting that we sat for hours and talked baseball. But we also talked of much history. He shared with me the coming of the Japanese when they invaded the Philippines at the start of WWII, telling me the tales of how he and his father survived that tragic time. But it was during this last trip that he shared even more interesting facts with me, explaining to me just how it was that he had such a knowledge of America and its history.

An Honorable Man of Family

Uncle Inocentes and Lynndee’s Dad

One of the most fascinating facts he shared with me was about his education. In 1901, 500 young Americans, most of them recent college graduates, landed in Manila. These individuals were precursors of the Peace Corps volunteers of a later generation who had been sent to set up schools. Having arrived on a converted cattle ship, the Thomas, they later on were dubbed “Thomasites.” His mother was educated by these teachers, and the system they set up was the schooling that Uncle Inocentes received. That is why, to this day, he can recite all the American states and their capitals. He also spoke of having been taught how to sing the Star Spangled Banner, many popular tunes of the time and many religious hymns.

He grew up in interesting times under what was America’s first, and only, colonial experience, a time which many Americans are unfamiliar with the history of. For those with any interest, I recommend the reading of a great book by American journalist and historian, the late Stanley Karnow – In Our Image: America’s Empire in the Philippines. There much history and many truths in this book, unknown to many, that needs to be known by all Americans.

As for me, I can hardly wait until the next time I get to sit down with Uncle Inocentes and be educated even more about the history of a country and people that I love so much.

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About Harry

There's really nothing special to share about me. I'm a simple man who leads a simple life, still in search of knowledge and the enlightenment it gives to my still-growing mind. And I do believe in magic, for it is out there, waiting to be discovered by those whose hearts and minds are open to the possibility, and whose eyes are willing to look past the obvious and seek the realm of the mystical. As I once read in a description of my traits based on my birthdate, I'm a dreamer of dreams, a teller of tales whose mystic mind knows that truth prevails. And as the great poet Robert Frost said:
"...I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marysa says

    Sounds like a wonderful member of the family. It is great to learn about family history and the legacy that they leave behind. Times have changed so much in just a generation or so, it is very interesting.

  7. Joely Smith says

    So beautiful to be able to sit down with our elders and learn from them. I wish I had more alive to do this with. I do love his name! Happy Belated Bday to your uncle.

  11. Joyce Lia says

    I grew up listening to these stories and try to remember everything by heart.. Thank you harry for sharing about my lolo (grandpa).

    • Harry says

      Oh, you’re more than welcome. I’m just so happy that he took the time to share his life with me; an amazing man he is and I’ve been blessed to get to meet him.

  12. Sara Sahi says

    Awesome post! I love to pass time with the elders of our family. I listen carefully what they say. I learned a lot from them. You have to give time to elders because someday you will get elder! It’s the rule of nature.

  13. April says

    I have never been out of the country and have heard the Philippines is a beautiful country. What a great experience you both had! I use to love listening to my Father in Laws stories!

  15. Up Run for Life says

    That is so cool that you were able to sit down and talk for hours with him. I always loved listening to the stories my own grandpa shared about living through the depression, World War II, and hard times compared to todays modern conveniences.

  17. Angela Bethea says

    Wow I am so jealous about your visit in Philippines. I’m looking forward for my next vacation there with my husband and soon with my little one. This is worth reading!