“Nalibot ko na halos ang mundo,” said Fykes, noticeably sounding not too excited about it. He’d been to Europe – England, Ireland, Germany, Portugal, and the Meditteranean; to Africa – Zaire, Johannesburg, Kenya; to Asia – China, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singaporte; to the Middle East; to the Latin American country of Brazil; to the United States, Canada, even to the freezing continent of Alaska. He’d passed by the feared “Bermuda Triangle,” but the memory of that Irish girl who spoke English on a Gallic tongue sprinkled with Welsh dialect was for posterity’s sake, worth remembering. He had been exposed to different cultures, much unlike our own, not out of choice, but as an unavoidable consequence of his past life as a Seaman for close to 18 years. But home is where his heart lies, and he smiled at the recall of that unforgettable event that put a top to his wandering.
She was a Master Teacher at the Tanay Elementary School, older by two years. He started courting her in 1979, but life at sea was like an albatross that dimmed the purity of his intentions. Partly because he was unsure yet of embracing married life and partly owing to his shy nature, he let the years rolled by. But he knew, in the eerie silence of his cabin, that the girl’s image haunted him, much unlike the passing fancies that he played on other girls. In a beautifully written letter he composed in 1987, he unburdened himself, telling her, in the King’s language, how sincere his motives are; how pure and spotless like the virgin. Twice she answered, the way a polite and decent lady should.
Yet, doubts there were, much to his chagrin. Only his personal presence will dispel her doubts. In 1988, following his return from Hongkong on a finished contract, he paid her a visit. But, except to surprise her with apples and chocolates, his timid mouth uttered nothing. On the third day, he returned and, summoning his courage, belted out: “Bukas, dadalhin ko na ang magulang ko…” while holding his breath for such highly presumptuous and totally unromantic ‘proposal.’ The silence that greeted his words meant everything that he hoped for and, true to his dare, his parents did the talking the night following. On a cool, relaxing day of December 31, 1988, only hours before the worldwide celebration of New Year, Porfirio Ipozada, 40, and Azucena Hilao, 42, exchanged vows at the Tanay Parish Church. Even now, Fykes suffers goose pimples just trying to remember the event. Nothing in his past prepared him for it. Reminiscing, his memory eddied backward.
He is the eldest of 10 children, born December 3, 1948. Finishing his Elementary at the P.J. Jarin, high school, found him a full-pledged member of SIC Class ’64. A hiatus of 2 years after graduation ended when he started work as a Machine Operator at the Riverside Mills in Rosario Pasig. He worked, too, as a construction worker at the Philcomsat, before joining Vener Astorga’s house painting jobs for a two-year stint.
In 1971, he got a job at the National Book Store where he dabbled on mouldings, spray, and doing finishing touches on artworks, later patented by the world-renowned Hallmark. The declaration of Martial Law in 1972 found him jobless and, for a hear, he simply “killed time” with his new ‘barkada’ the IYB (Indestructible Young Bachelors), which brought him into contact with Cezar Bautista who was then Personnel Manager of the Nautica Shipping Lines, the so-called ‘rebel company’ of the Madrigal Group, then managed by the late Manuel Bendana. Seeing priomising opportunities, he took an intensive two months’ course in basic seamanship, at the end of which, he was issued his Seman’s Book. That started his life at sea. In 1973, under the banner of the Nautica Shipping Company, which later went bankrupt, he sailed to different ports in Asia and the Middle East. From there, he transferred to Abacast Shipping Co. where he worked up to 1979.
It was here where he saw Europe, the United States, Canada and Alaska. The Iran-Iraq war in 1981 dealt a sudden dearth in the hiring of Seamen and it was during this time that Fykes, jobless and heavily involved with local ‘barkadas’, found himself embroiled in a ‘gang war’ between drug-crazed youths. Over time he realized his wayward drift, and intent on reforming himself; he worked to revive his Seaman’s Book. This time, he was taken in by Marine Manning Shipping Agency whose owner later stood as one of his Godparents in marriage. Determined, he started as a lowly apprentice, becoming an Oiler, Electrician fitter, 4th Engineer, 3rd Engineer, and finally rising to Licensed Second Assistant to the Chief Engineer. In all of his 9 years with the company, Fykes had been to a lot of exciting places in the world. But seamanship ranks as one of the most hazardous occupations and, on several occasions – mostly on second hand ships – he courted death. In 1995, approaching middle age, he retired. It was a decision he never regretted.
Zeny hailed from a family with a natural knack for business. Her late father co-managed the Tanay Electric System in the late 40’s, while her mother, during her prime, ran one of the thriving and well-stocked Sari-Sari Stores in the burned Tanay Public Market. At the time they got married, Zeny’s family was into the pawnshop business and, convinced of its good potentials, the young couple took the plunge with their combined savings. From their house in Lorenzo Ramos St., they established their own pawnshop. Fykes learned the trade from his brother-in-law, Federico, who was a pioneer in the venture.
Zeny retired from her teaching job and gage it intense focus, while actively involved likewise in the operation of their family’s Don Pedro Resort. Over the years, their pawnshop business has grown, providing them with both real and liquid assets in the millions. On the downside, occasioned by the need to maintain good relations, Fykes got entangled again with the neighborhood ‘barkadas’ with dubious vices. Not long after, he found himself mistakenly charged and convicted for drug use, a decision that, currently, is on appeal before higher courts. Fykes knew that his accommodating nature has exposed him to life’s extremes. A clearance from it would most certainly bring him back.
Zeny’s miscarriage on the third month of pregnancy leading to an operation for hysterectomy six months later encouraged them to adopt the day-old child of Zeny’s brother, Manny, whom they christened Ralph Lawrence. Three years after, another child – a girl this time – from the same parent, brightened their world. They named her Guada Laurel. With his loving wife and two adopted, growing children, he has no reason to dream otherwise. I sensed sincere and abiding repentance in his words during the interview, much unlike the hardened criminals that I regularly encounter in my daily court life. Perfection is beyond man’s grasp and Fykes, as most everyone, commit mistakes. Who doesn’t? The word humanity would lose its true meaning without it. The most important thing is the lesson learned after every fall. It makes us eather better or bitter…at our own choice!
NOTE: “Around the world…in search of love!“ is part of the book “FOOTPRINTS, Class ’64” written by Atty. Amadeo R. Fulgado, published in 2005.
