I was known as Daddy’s girl, not because I was spoiled, but because I was always near him, accompanying him, whether on trips or just to the office. I just loved seeing him in action, observing his style, listening to his words of wisdom, asking him about issues and even debating with him. I wanted to follow in his footsteps.
Daddy was definitely born a leader. When I was small, I used to ask him what he wanted to become when he was young. He said he dreamed of becoming president of the Philippines. That was typical of Dad. He always taught us to reach for the highest possible goals in everything we did. As a student in Torres High School and later on in the Lyceum of the Philippines, he joined various organizations and activities and became one of the student leaders of his time. As a sophomore in Lyceum, he even won the student council presidency over two aspiring seniors. While still studying law, he became very active in the Office of the Senate and later on was tapped to work with the BTTI, (later known as the Department of Tourism). That was when his passion for tourism began, a passion that would last a lifetime. Although it was not to be his destiny to become president of the Philippines, he did become a well-respected figure in the Philippine tourism industry. More importantly, he lived life to the fullest. He received the highest presidential tourism award, the Kalakbay Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. In the past two years, he also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from SKAL and APPCEOS, two prestigious organizations in the industry.
When we were young, we mostly saw Dad as a very busy man. He and Mommy made the business flourish. Today, Rajah Tours Philippines, Rajah Travel Corporation, Philippine Congress Organizing Center, and Trans-Inter from the Rajah Group of Companies covering the entire spectrum of the tourism industry. To this day, I can still remember Daddy teaching us about three important values – simplicity, sincerity and integrity. These likewise served as the spirit of all our companies.
Being a very active man, he was devastated when he suffered a stroke in 1985 and his left hand was paralyzed. He was only 52 years old. This was when we saw his determination to live and the faith he had in God as he worked hard to overcome his paralysis through years of physical therapy. Although never recovering fully, he learned to live with his physical limitations and was able to live life as normally as he could.
His trials in life did not begin and end there. In 1996, he was kidnapped and spent two terror-filled days blindfolded by his kidnappers. He was released in a street somewhere in Metro Manila minus his wallet, his eyeglasses and his cane. He had to make his way home by himself.
Three years ago, another trial came when his doctor said he had to start undergoing dialysis due to kidney failure. A year-and-a-half later, Dad underwent a kidney transplant, a risky operation at his age and in his condition. But our strong-willed dad never hesitated for a minute. This gave us two more years with him, during which he was able to fulfill his dream of making a pilgrimage to Rome and Lourdes.
Although we grieve for his passing, we thank the Lord for the extra years He gave us to be with our dad.
Kuya Jojo remembers Daddy’s frugal nature and how it has rubbed off on him. As children, they received far lower allowances than their classmates did at La Salle. He always wondered why that was so and could not understand it. However, as he grew up he finally saw that Dad was just teaching the children not to be spoiled and that some people had to do with less than what they had. This valuable lesson has stayed with all of us to this day.
Kuya Jojo also recalls the time he would stay with Dad in the hospital during his recovery and physical therapy after his first stroke in 1985. There were times when Daddy could be so masungit yet there were times when he could see that Daddy needed moral support and help. It was a strange situation because it was always Daddy who was there to help and be there for us. Now, it was the other way around; it was our turn to take care of him.
When Kuya Jojo and Nona decided to get married, they asked Dad’s permission. It turned out that Dad was more excited about the whole thing and he was wild about the prospect of having grandchildren. During Nona’s pregnancy, it was even Daddy who would bring home fruits for her.
Nona is really grateful to have a father-in-law like him, who was always helpful and encouraging. In fact, Daddy even helped them start their wedding shop by giving them money to invest in the business, and even suggested strategies for its success. I am sure that he would have been proud that C&C Creative Concepts is now a leading wedding specialist and event organizer today.
Kuya Alex remembers our first time in San Francisco. We were staying at this hotel near Fisherman’s Wharf. It was around 6 a.m. and we were all fast asleep. "Dad asked me to wake up and get dressed because we were going out. I was one never to question my father. Since it was beginning to sound like an adventure, I put on my clothes and followed him out of the room.
"I remember walking an endless distance, but I went back to that place several years later and found that it was only four blocks. But to a child, the early morning always seemed, to stretch forever. Then my Dad opened a glass door and we entered a diner. We sat on the stools and Dad handed me a menu. Finally, the waitress came over. Dad had taught me that when in doubt, fake it. So when he said that he would have bacon and eggs, I said I would have the same when it was my turn. The waitress then asked what he wanted to drink and he said coffee and juice. Then, I simply said, "Coffee", because my yayas had always given us coffee for breakfast, even though it was drowned in Alaska cream and lots of white sugar. She told Daddy. "Did you hear what your son just said – he said he wanted coffee...", my Dad simply looked at her and said these words that have stayed with me: "He wants coffee, so give him coffee." And so she did. And I had my first steaming cup of coffee in San Francisco with my dad in some nameless diner near Fisherman’s Wharf.
"To this very day, I don’t know why he woke only me and why for the next three days, it was only him and me and breakfast in a diner."
Marilen also relates her special memory of Daddy. "It was when Dad danced with me during my 18th birthday celebration. I can still see it in my mind: As the waltz music started to play, there he was, half-paralyzed for five years already, yet setting down his cane, limping towards the dance floor and managing to dance a waltz with me. Although it was not the most graceful waltz, it was the most beautiful waltz in the world for me. And even though I’ll never get to dance with my Daddy on my wedding day, I will always have this memory to treasure in my heart."
I recall my high school graduation. Everytime they called my name to receive a medal, it was Mommy who would go up the stage. Since it would take Daddy too long, he would walk to the side of the stage and just clap. Finally, my teacher said, "Go to him, it’s okay." When I went to him, I hugged him and we just cried for the next minute. Time seemed suspended. And no one minded the moment.
During his last few years he was blessed with two grandchildren, JC and Jen-Jen. While they may not remember their lolo, they would be heartened that they gave joy to their lolo with their morning ritual of waking him up and their evening "goodnights."
While the industry remembers Jose S. Clemente Jr. as "The Grand Old Man of Tourism," we will always remember him as a loving, hardworking and strong-willed daddy.