During a recent season of serious disenchantment, deep reflection on my present life and computing life expectancy based on the national average, health history and potential achievements for the next 10 years, I was confronted with that “fork” in everybody’s road.
Do I stay the path of the familiar, try to stretch or squeeze just a little more income from life and then retire, or do I walk the path less traveled and do the things and hobbies I’ve always wanted to do?
Suddenly, I was reminded of one afternoon 32 years ago when I had the thankless task of cleaning up the stuff my father Louie Beltran left behind after his death.
I stood in front of a chest of drawers filled with boxes of tools and hobbies in original packaging that my dad intended to take up when he found the time or retired. He never did.
Confronted by my situation, I sought the advice of someone whose opinion mattered to me and in the course of our lunch time conversation, my “Why” came up. Why or how did I get into media?
I shared how I swore NEVER to be in media because that was the reason my father spent four months in detention and four years of forced unemployment under martial law. I witnessed how all our material possessions were carted out of our home and sold to make ends meet.
Yes, I finished Journalism in UP, but it was only to satisfy my father’s burden and expectations. But after graduation, most of the work I took on had nothing to do with journalism or broadcasting.
Twenty-one years later my dad was lying in state at the UP Chapel. Tuesday 6 p.m., I stood at the head of my dad’s coffin as I received and thanked people paying their respects. In line was Ms. Connie Reyes who said: “Kapatid, I feel the Lord is telling you: only you will take your father’s place.”
I assumed she meant I would now be the head of the family and thanked her for visiting. The next day, Wednesday at 6 p.m., another churchmate and actress, Ms. Princess Punzalan, paid her respects and condolences and said: “Bro, I believe the Lord is saying to you: only you will take your father’s place.”
Finally on Thursday, 6 p.m., same scenario, Mrs. Sylvia Reyes, a devout Christian and family friend, approached and told me: “Hijo, the Lord is saying unto you, only you will take your father’s place.”
I had no illusions, no ambitions, certainly no plans in media. I had a life building resorts in northern Palawan, namely Discovery Paradise and Hacienda Resort, which is now privately owned by a construction magnate.
I was living the life until the Dos Palmas terrorist kidnapping happened, sunk tourism in the area for an extended season and left me with no choice but to seek employment in Metro Manila, where I landed a job with none other than Ramon Ang before he became the legendary RSA.
Within a period of four years, I learned so much under Ramon Ang in the art of flipping and making business deals. I am quite public about my relationship and friendship with RSA because he has been a true mentor and a faithful friend in famine and in feast.
I would have caried on but once again the words spoken to me during my father’s wake reverberated and all I could say was “Please don’t make me apply for a job in media. I am too old to undergo that process.”
Soon after, small jobs in small outfits came up and to be honest, I saw them as nothing more than work and income. In fact, I questioned why the GOD of all the universe situated me in tiny outfits?
His reply: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices too see the work beginning.” – Zechariah 4: 10
Shortly after that, ABS-CBN invited me to do a pilot with Ms. Korina Sanchez and from there several other programs followed. After about seven years, the “playground” no longer had the same kind of playmates, and I eventually opted to move on.
I left on a Friday and by the next Tuesday, found myself chasing down a media executive to give him spiritual guidance on a serious matter. Unknown to me, it was then that the late Butch Raquel of GMA-7 informed Philippine STAR publisher Max Soliven that I had left ABS-CBN.
While I was busy talking to someone, Sir Max got a teaspoon, started clinking a glass goblet, got everyone’s attention and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce the newest columnist of The Philippine STAR, Cito Beltran.”
From my guestimate, it has been at least 20 years if not more since that fateful day and from one article a week, I have been blessed and “burdened” with the responsibility of writing not just a column three times a week but to submit myself to God’s leading every time I write one.
What I just shared somehow explains my “Why” and why I often share Bible verses, often express spiritual or conservative perspectives and openly communicate my Christian views.
Why? Because GOD loved me, I was forgiven and I was saved, to give glory to GOD, speak the truth, do GOD’s will and to express Christ’s love and compassion to others.
This is my “Why.”
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