VIRIDITAS2: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
For 21 years, from 1973 to 1994, I taught at St. Catherine School in Kapaa on Kauai. Strangely, even though that was almost 30 years ago, it felt just like yesterday when I had the opportunity to visit Kapaa again last month. Of those that I met, we all looked older, faces changed, but the relationships were the same.
At the church office I recognized Gloria Aqui and Arlene Ver. I asked Arlene how her husband was doing. She said that I was probably thinking of her dad who would have been over 100 years old if he were alive today! We shared a good laugh. It is this laughter and friendship that I treasure during my time at St. Catherine’s.
After picking up Cresencia Labuguen, I went to find Emilia Cera. Manang Emilia’s two children, Sarah and Valentine, attended St. Catherine’s School from kindergarten through eighth grade. They were very good children. At that time, all of the grade levels were taught by the Dominicans.
Manang Emilia was so good in taking care of the Sisters. Whenever we needed someone to drive us somewhere we would ask her. No matter how short or far the distance was (even to Kekaha), she happily drove us. Her older sister Manang Ining (Trinidad Delacruz) on the other hand, was one that we all looked up to and went to with any problems.
Riding up and down Kawaihau road, I turned to Manang Cres in the back seat of the car and asked where the Noguchi house was. She couldn’t remember. I saw some parked police cars and thought to stop and ask them as everyone should know Ann and Robert (who was a policeman). However, we made our way back down to the church to ask for their address and finally found their house. The Noguchis, Enokas and Atus are all cousins.
On my final drive around the school, I was delighted to see: “Father Coyle Hall” on a building. Marist Father Patrick Coyle was our former pastor. He along with Father Thomas Hughes were most beloved, very good priests.
I also was able to visit Mary Afiler who used to lead the choir. She was a good musician and let me play the piano while everyone else played guitar. I also played the trumpet and bass guitar. We played in church and even went house to house for Christmas caroling with the children accompanied by my trumpet. Sister Mariana Salmo also used to play bass guitar.
It has been 11 years since I left Hawaii. I am grateful for those I have met while teaching at: St. Elizabeth School in Aiea, St. Catherine School in Kapaa, Holy Cross School in Kalaheo and St. John the Baptist School in Kalihi before teaching in San Francisco.
After returning to the Philippines on April 25, I will be heading to my new assignment at St. Joseph School in Bugasong, Antique. In May, there will be the celebration of my 60th anniversary of religious profession along with Sister Mark Berdin and Sister Thaddeus Magtoles. Sister Aurora Tano will be celebrating her 50th anniversary.
To the people of Hawaii — and especially of Kapaa — you are a part of my life.
