In search of my roots

I have been to Don Merto's Deli and Restaurant at Banilad Town Center twice, first during its opening and second when they had a food tasting on Australian dishes last February 6, 2006.

With a cozy ambiance, surrounded mostly with European delicatessen items which I had not gotten the chance to look closely. Nor did I peer into the photos on the walls of the restaurant until I overheard Mr. Jimmy Escaño, the owner, discussing the photos on the walls with SunStar's Pura Kintanar, mentioning about his paternal grandfather Dr. Mamerto Escaño, MD. They discussed the photo of the train in Danao which traveled to Carcar. I bolted from my seat and felt goosebumps because I realized that what I read from the family history book of my mother was indeed true - about the train and all.

I was never interested in Philippine history in my early years in school till I reached college. I was one of those who wished the bell would automatically ring before my history teacher opened the history book. When I got hold of a family history book few a years ago, my perspective in history changed.

Not only did I grow interested in my ancestor's stories, I also got curious on what the Philippines was like during their time and how rich our country was in terms of history and the great innovations that could have been preserved.

I grew up around my father's family who hails from Boljoon, Cebu, and we share a very close family tie. I did not get a chance to be with my mother's relatives because most of them live either in Zamboanga or in the US.

As far as I know, my mother, Maribel Atilano's family was all about her grandfather, Crispin Atilano.

Crispin Atilano became a Mayor in Zamboanga City and migrated to Margosatubig, having been assigned as deputy governor there. His wife was Mary Varian Atilano - who I only know as half American until I got hold of the history book talking about my great-grandmother's colourful family background.

I felt proud upon learning that my great-grandfather (the biological father of Mary Varian was William Clayton, an American soldier who fought hand in hand with the Filipino revolutionaries to oust the Spanish regime and helped bring about Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898 under the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo.

My great great grandmother Anna Flamour Varian was from Carcar, Cebu, who later married Morris Varian - also an American soldier and a descendant of Captain James Varian in the Scarsdale-White Plains-Brown Point company of the 2nd (middle) regimen during the war of the Americans against Great Britain in the 1700's. James Varian was the brother of Isaac Varian, who became the Mayor in New York City in the early 1800's.

At first, I thought I was related to the Varians, but after thorough research and with the help of a dear friend of mine, Ms. Carolyn Gutermuth of Maryland (USA), I was able to exchange emails with one of the grand daughters of Morris and Anna Varian. She is Helen Varian Davis, who is also my great grandaunt through Anna Flamour.

She informed me that my great-grandmother Mary was Anna Flamour's first child with her first husband William Clayton, who died early. Anna decided to later marry Morris Varian and he adopted Mary.

Until now, my relatives are in search of William Clayton's line, checking on the Ancestry website, and trying to get hold of the war records in Washington D.C. because he died when my great grandmother was still an infant. Based on what I have understood, being adopted and a half sister of the thirteen siblings of Morris and Anna was kept secret during the early years that's why only few knew who William Clayton was and none of my living relatives now know about him at all, except for being an American soldier in 1898.

How did my great grandmother Mary met Crispin Atilano? Well, she was attending Ebenezer School for Girls in Zamboanga City and that's how my great grandfather saw her and was smitten.

My great grandfather's story is equally interesting, tracing his roots in Brunei but I want to keep the story to myself until I get sufficient evidence that we are the descendants of Sultan Zeki.

I was amazed at how far I have gone in exploring my family tree and of their lives during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. How my relatives participated in the war and told us of the train as their means to go to Sibonga to escape the Japanese soldiers. I thought before that they were exaggerating until I saw the picture on the wall in Don Merto's Deli and Restaurant, taken by Dr. Escano of a train in Danao. I just wish my ancestors kept photos, too.

Indeed, I can call myself a true blue Cebuana from my mother and father side, tracing my descendants from Sibonga, Carcar and Boljoon. With this discovery, I got to know the core of my being. It has given me a clearer vision of what to do in the future.

I am just among those Filipinos who have stories to tell about their family history. I know there are also a lot of other interesting stories of families in the past. They don't need to be connected to great men like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo to be appreciated. Why not start today, getting in touch with your roots? You will be astounded on every discovery you will make as you flip through the pages of your family history. From there, you will grow to love not only your family but your country, as well.

With this experience, I have grown to love history and value the Filipino's sacrifices in making our country what it has become today. Let us preserve our cultural heritage. Let us support the people of the Cultural Heritage Center who have exerted efforts in nurturing the richness of our history.

Despite the political crisis we are into, it doesn't stop me from saying that the Philippines is indeed a paradise rich in history. (Comments please email Kristen Marie Atilano Sesante-Leopoldo at [email protected])