Gleanings on the personality of Mandaue's icon - II

The ordeal that Governor Sotero Cabahug went through to realize his dream of a Capitol Building - from conflicting choices of the ideal site, its acquisition, its design, the actual work and the funding - had been like long labor pains of sorts. In going through the many problems, only proved the Governor's perseverance, patience, and tenacity. And, of his persistent foresight against all oppositions. After all, the Provincial Capitol as it now stands away from crowded downtown, has been the best choice.

While listening to the lecture, Madam Anita Cabahug Trasmonte, Mandaue's piano and music whiz, and the honoree's niece, whispered an interesting anecdote… One time her Tiya Tentay, better half of Mano Terong, sent her on an errand to the Carbon Market. Since there was no other vehicle available then, except the official car of Mano Terong and, the errand urgent, her Tiya Tentay bade her use the RP-plated car. Alas, her Tiyo appeared from nowhere and asked her why was she using the car. After she nervously explained, her "Tiyo" insisted to go with her.

Such minor incident showed the honoree's sense of propriety, or his stickler for delicadeza could hardly be compromised despite instances of urgency. For someone else - besides the driver - to use his official car without him, was to Mano Terong a breach of protocol, no matter how the circumstances to justify the breach be laid.

Also a sidelight, Luping Cabahug Latonio related how her father turned out a builder, instead of fulfilling his first ambition to be an architect. Since he couldn't draw any simple figure, the frustrated architect "shifted" to being a builder: the Cebu Capitol, the TB Pavilion, the Rizal Library, the Philippine Veteran's Hospital, and the Home Economics building of Mandaue.

His tinkering interest in edifice workmanship, or his passion for creative structures, hinted Mano Terong's being a glutton for work, and no matter what, as long as his itch for work would be productive, instead of being wasted in sloth.

Perhaps, quite many admirers of Justice Cabahug have overlooked, or taken for granted that aside from humility and other values that made him great could also be his simplicity. Simplicity is often taken for humility, and vice-versa. But the two traits could be delineated separately for better appreciation with exquisite finesse.

To recall, in one's commemorative tribute to Justice Cabahug on April 22, 1977 yet, one was struck by his simple attire: "clothes that clearly had seen many changes of the season and the cycles of the fashion, complemented by an old pair of rubber sneakers… Keenly observant of every demeanor, deportment, and manner of speech, one found Mano Terong was as simple as he was humble. He did not monopolize the conversation, neither did he hug the attention as most national figures are wont to do". Such impression tallies with Luping's anecdote touching on her father's simple ways, like, carrying a "timbrera" for his lunch while overseeing the construction of the H.E. building at the Mandaue Central School .

And yet, seldom, if ever, in many accolades, has the trait of simplicity of Justice Cabahug been singled out as a singular trait that truly defines his great personality. Likewise, not many "taga-Mandaue" or people elsewhere, have realized that Mano Terong personifies to a tee the sterling tribute accorded on Mandaue as "ang dapit sa mga mabuot, ligdong ug makinaadmanon".

But the rib-tickling facet of humor and amusement as part of his personality, was Mano Terong's choice of an impish term for his circle of close friends: Club "Tikangkang". It evokes so many connotations. It's such a unique, informal, and quaint way of endearment or intimacy among friends consisting of himself, Mano Ariston Cortes, Mike Jayme, Mano Banong Seno, Judge Andoy Mendoza and his court old reliable Berting Ceniza, Cecil Samson, perhaps Ingko Gil Suico and Municipal Treasurer Agapito Salutillo. And in their old haunt at early morn in the premises of the "Presidencia", the unwritten rule was familiarity, frankness, and for the fun of it, and jokes galore. Of course, public issues and topics of the time would also be discussed as incidental thoughts, without inhibitions, like a crop of kids on the loose simply for fun.

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