We had never imagined we could live anywhere else than the house on Maria Paterno in San Juan. This is where we practically grew up and knew everyone around us. Many were relatives and classmates at our school St. John’s Academy. We would walk to the school from home, greeting people along the way, from the taho vendor to priests at the San Juan Church. It was a life that didn’t know of the word traffic. Another route we loved taking was the back road through “Little Baguio” with its twists and turns that would cause non-residents to lose their way.
It was early in January 1965 that our mother, then sick and bedridden, passed away. It took us sometime to get used to the situation of living alone in a huge house. Our relatives who lived around us slowly left to transfer to condominiums that were the craze of the times. But condo living was really not for us and we asked friends to look for a place that was akin to the house in San Juan.
After much uncertainty, we were brought for a look-see to a village called Kawilihan. The only property available for sale was one with a Sampaloc tree and nothing else. We were told the property was owned by action star Rudy Fernandez and that he was not keen on selling the place and should he decide to sell it, his only request was to spare the Sampaloc tree. Apparently, the property was the very first he had acquired after making it big in the world of showbiz. Surprisingly, however, he sold it to us.
The best thing for us about Kawilihan is that it was a xerox-copy of our old place in San Juan. It is small and friendly, founded 27 years ago, has a population of 150 households, and is nestled amidst the bustling metropolis while maintaining its rustic charm. The villagers call each other by their first names. And surprise of all surprises, it has the same twists and turns of “Little Baguio.” Immediately, we called on our architect Manolet Garcia and asked him to build a house, and we would take care of the rest. He did this and more. Manolet designed the house around the Sampaloc tree in memory of the late Rudy.
The one thing that has become a bonus for us residents of Kawilihan Village is the chapel right inside the village named La Virgen de Fatima after the patroness of Kawilihan Village. In 1989, Architect Toti de Guzman moved to Kawilihan with his family and got inspired to build a chapel there. Architect Toti teamed up with vice president Romy Roa, philanthropist-resident Ben Ang and Vicky Serrildo to help build the chapel. With little or no funds, a house-to-house campaign was organized by the tireless Kawilihan Ladies group in getting donations for the numerous items needed to complete the chapel.
Those of us who have moved to Kawilihan only recently can only appreciate the teamwork of the oldtimers. We got hold of a list needed to complete construction and residents assigned for donations. They are Mr. and Mrs. Teofilo Garcia for structural roofing; Mr. and Mrs. Meneleo Carlos for the Bell Tower; the red carpet from Mr. and Mrs. Segundo Mea; Mother Lily Macalinao for the Stations of the Cross; Mr. and Mrs. Chito Magsaho for the sound system; Ms. Eva Ang for the organ; and Sr. Ruby Galang as chapel caretaker. Today, we couldn’t be happier with our life in Kawilihan Village!
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