Juan S. Alano
Media
Part of The Cabletow
- Title
- Juan S. Alano
- Language
- English
- Source
- The Cabletow Volume XLIII (No. 7) July 1967
- Year
- 1967
- Rights
-
- Fulltext
- faa* S, rite** A man, a nation, were born in those days. We often used to hear him say, “My country and I were bom together" With our paths close akin in growth with each other. My birth was sudden, complete and eternal; Its birth dependent on my love fraternal. We both needed each other to grow side by side. A good life it has been whatever betide. Rizal, Aguinaldo, Mabini, del Pilar All came to my Malolos from near and from far To win independence from tyranny and strife As warriors and statesmen with pen or with knife. I saw them, I knew them, each common to my gaze. We boys have a heritage that hallows our days. Each visit to Bulacan is pregnant with scenes Of yesterday’s sacrifice—today, what it means! But life is not dormant, much less for a boy. So off to Manila with hope and with joy To win the big city, its health and its fame Is nothing for a boy who, I told you, just came From the province of greatness—the cradle of things. The Spanish were, leaving; the Americans emplanting, But this boy from Bulacan was raising the curtain On scenes and accomplishments of a great man for certain. Commerce and trade first took this boy’s fancy And reaching its climax he realized perchance he Should seek knowledge further from Santo Tomas. With an A.B. he said what he wanted he knew was At the frontiers of progress in the province of Panay — Where he apprenticed himself to the law where he could tie Himself to the fture he knew he could share In the grand scheme of greatness if only he dared. With his queen won so boldly from the barrio Bago The south soon took notice of this promising duo. Zamboanga their target soon became the home base Of a dream across the channel that time will not erase.. The land knew their labor, out-tribes their attention; Foundations were settled that today defy mention. The Bulacan boy and sweet Ba co maiden Touched the land with their lives and made it an Eden. 16 The Cabletow Their children we know, both offspring and enterprise. They’ve spread through the country benevolent and wise. He gave to his country and those close beside him A heritage non—ending, a light never dim. He was restless, unrelenting, a curious sort, Of the stuff that gets things done what’er the import. He lived for himself—yes, that may be the charge. But we are the richer for his heart. O so large. DEVELOP AND GROW OR DECAY AND DIE When one year later, then, I sat alone (In memory hearing Juan’s words so oft repeat— “Come to my home in Tairan, Bob,” and see Life in its tenderest facets to be shown.) On his veranda, broad, serene, with a tone So readable. The challenges fearlessly leap “Develop and Grow or Decay and Die” to meet My gaze and dare me take them as my own. Then bares myself to itself—it kens as true, That oft I would, but can’t lay hold Of courage to brave the unknown and sue For the better I know can be mine in measures untold. To “Develop and Grow” I must try always to hew. T<> "Decay and Die” I must never permit to take bold. (The foregoing poems arc by WB Robert Jordan, PM. They were written to commemorate the first anniversary of MWB Juan S. Alano’s death on July S., 1966. The second 'poem drew inspiration from MW Alamo’s handwritten note on a blackboard a day before he died.) TRUST Tho other day one of my managers asked me what is the most important at tribute of a leader. For a moment I paused, because the requirements of good leadersh’p consists of so many qualifications. Then suddenly all doubt passed from my mind and I answered, “Trust.” It is obv ous, that no matter how otherwise qualified a leader may be, unless his followers have trust in him, they can never respond to his leadership without some reservation of mind. Therefore, trust should be the basic quality we search for in our Masonic leaders. REW. JULY, 1967 17