On her 107th birthday

The other day, March 13th, was the 107th birth anniversary of Mrs. Josefina (Inday Pining) Rivera Gullas, former president of the University of the Visayas. As usual, requiem masses were celebrated in several churches as well as in the UV itself where scores of elementary school children took their first communion.

A devout Catholic, Mrs. Gullas was deeply concerned with religious instruction and other activities relative to the spiritual growth of students. This explains why the present leadership of the school under congressman Eduardo R. Gullas and former congressman Jose R. Gullas has seen to it that their mother’s church oriented initiatives are conscientiously observed. This explains too why the UV continues to share its resources in the maintenance and upgrading of two Cebu City’s major churches – the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and the Basilica del Santo Niño. More significant than these is the revitalization of various devotional groups in these churches, especially the ones Mrs. Gullas used to head.

The life story of Inday Pining can be summed up in one word: “Giving.” Whether in terms of personal resources or in the form of personal advice, or just a seemingly an ordinary gesture of service (such as personally standing as sponsor in a wedding rite) – she generously gave and gave.

It was not surprising therefore that she was instrumental in enhancing the quality of life of countless individuals, particularly with regard to their educational needs. Professionals these people have become and as such they have joined the mainstream as assets in their respective communities. More significant, however, was the feat of breaking the poverty fetters and becoming economically provided for.

This writer was one of the beneficiaries of Inday Pining’s goodness. In 1955 I was an academic scholar in the pre-law course of the UV, but since I was not sure of maintaining my tuition free privilege, I approached Mrs. Gullas and requested her to consider me an applicant for the position of a working student. At first, she seemed uninterested in my request, but when she learned that my parents could not afford to pay my tuition, she appeared sympathetic. Then she called for the person in-charge of the working students and when the fellow showed up he was told that I was his new ward. But accepting me was not the end of Mrs. Gullas’ help. A few days after that she had me fitted for a new ROTC type A uniform, and still later she sent me a complete type B outfit.

Four years later I graduated from an education course. But how come I started with pre-law and ended up with a BSE? The reason was Mrs. Gullas. Here’s what happened.

At one time, Mrs. Gullas remarked to me: “Diokno (she always called me so), I heard that you are taking up pre-law!”

“Yes Ma’am,” I answered.

She looked at me disapproving and said: “You want to be a lawyer? You should take up Education, instead. It’s good to be a teacher.”

At that time I was already having second thoughts about pursuing a law course. Law books were (and even now) expensive, and I had no money.

With Mrs. Gullas’ advice I realized I had to change course. And I did just that the following semester – I shifted to BSE. This was how I became a teacher, and years later, one of the high DepEd officials in Central Visayas.

Reflecting on this incident now, I realized that Mrs. Gullas had a keen insight on a person’s character. Had I pursued law, I might have become a lawyer, but a lousy one probably because the nature of the profession demands an attitudinal pattern quite different from my own.

As the Visayanian community remember the birth date of Inday Pining, many of them recall the many acts of charity she had shown during her lifetime to countless individuals, more especially the less privileged in life. And as they do so they inevitably raise their hearts to the Lord and pray that their lady benefactor would savor the joy and peace in His blessed realm.