Chapter 22–Ventured to Baguio City, Took Photography & Enrolled Summer Classes at St. Louis University

In November 12,1964 I went to Manila. I was thinking of going to Baguio City. About a year ago, my mother’s cousin, Modesto Bartolome who lives in Baguio City arrived in Carles. We have some talks. Nong Didong Bartolome told me. "Rudy  if ever you a have chance, you  must go to Baguio City. Baguio City is different from any city in the Philippines. It is cool. It is very clean. It is a place good  to study,   Baguio  City is the Summer capital of the country. He told me, I will learn lots  of things, if ever I visit  Baguio City.

Every  summer,  hundred thousand tourists   come to Baguio City -- professionals, students, world leaders, local and international tourists comes to Baguio City. Every summer, top leaders of the country – the President and Vice President, the Senators,   the justices of the Supreme Court including the Chief Justice come to Baguio City. Many lovely girls, who are rich from universities  in Metro Manila and the provinces, go to Baguio City to attend Summer classes.

Also, many graduating students all over the country –engineering, medicine, nurses, education, etc., go to Baguio City for a week’s stay and  some conferences. Hearing my uncle, I told myself, soon, I will go to Baguio City. He said, “You can easily find job there as a photographer. Or you can join me in Real Estate business.”

My uncle was manager of his photo shop. He was also a Real Estate Broker. “There were several hundred thousand tourists that go to Baguio every summer. Each of them is a potential customer in photography.” He gave me his Calling Card.  I looked at his address.  Modesto Bartolome. Visayan Studio, No. 77, General Luna Road, Baguio City.   I kept his Calling Card. I will need it in the near future.

On November 18, I went to Estancia. There was a ship that will sail to Manila. It was a passenger and cargo ship. It will leave at 2:00 PM. In my pocket I have P40.00. My father gave me P20.00. I have also P20.00, I kept it in my pocket. I will pay P16.00 for my boat fare. I still have P24.00 to reach Manila or Baguio City. I don’t know how much the fares from Manila to Baguio City. I don’t know what expenses I will have to pay along the way. It was quite an adventure.

Except for Nong Didong Bartolome in Baguio City, I don’t know anybody in  Baguio and Manila.  But, I am already 22 years old. Third Year college. Single.  I have  a lovely girl friend I  courted  her. She is from Ajuy, Iloilo.   Her first name is Xz.  A lovely name. A unique and  beautiful name/  I have never a girl with the same  name  in my life. But its good, and   perhaps worth  to make some new experiences in Luzon and new ventures in life.

With  P16.00 travel fare, I am entitled to 3 meals a day, with coffee in early mornings. The ship has a Miss Hall for us 3rd Class Passengers. The Second Class passengers have an AirCon wards, with 30 passengers each ward. The First Class passengers were in the private cabins.

I got my terras (bed). I put my luggage on the terras. Then , I took 3 One Fourth ( ¼ ) sheet of paper. I wrote my name on each of the  3 one fourth (¼) sheet of bond paper. I wrote my complete name and address - Rodolfo C,. Bernal,  Cawayan, Carles, Iloilo. I folded it. 

Then, I  put each piece of   the papers with my name and address inside  a small plastic envelope. One piece I put inside my wallet.  Another piece of paper, with my name and address, I put inside my right shoes.  And the 3rd piece of paper with my name and address, I put inside my bag. In case anything happened to me, say, I will get killed in the trip or got Imprisoned, the police, hopefully will know and  inform my parents as they  knew where I am. They will find way to reach me.

Then, I walked to the side of the boat. I looked at the open sea. It was at the northeastern side. I looked up to the  blue sky. We were now passed  the Gigantes Islands, moving to  Romblon.. It was clear with some little clouds. I gazed at the wide horizon. I closed my eyes.

Then, I whispered  words of  prayer. “Dear Lord, I need you to guide me. I am making this new venture in life. Please Lord, guide me. Please protect me. I don’t know any one here in the boat. And I don’t know anyone in Manila. I need somebody to tell me how to go to Manila and Baguio City. Please teach me how to get to  Tububan Bus Terminal for the trip to Baguio City. Lord, I knew you will guide me. Thank you Lord.” Then I opened my eyes. But  all were the same. The sea. The sky. The people around. All were the same before I prayed.

When I went to the left side of the boat, I saw middle aged woman  trying to stand. I saw her struggling to stand. I went to her immediately and hold her hand.  She wants to stand so she could go to the side of the ship. Perhaps, she wants to breath the sea breeze, Or looked at the sky on the southwestern side. Perhaps, she wants also to look at the horizon. She was about 50 years old, still strong. But when she sat long, it’s quite hard for her to stand. I helped her. I guided her to the side of the ship were she can hold on the side railings.

There she can see the sky and breath fresh air with the sea breeze. We started a conversation.
She was from President Roxas, Capiz. She have relatives in Carles. Now she was residing in Makati with her 20 year old daughter. She is  a widow. Her husband, died 5 years ago. He was from Zarraga, a town 25 kms north of Iloilo City. She told me her name -- Caridad Sobremesana.

I told her my name. I told her my father was Restituto Bernal. We are living in Cawayan, Carles, Iloilo. She told me she knew my father. Just two weeks ago, she was in Cawyan, my village and visited her relatives.

She asked me where will I stay in Manila. I told her, I will go to Baguio City. I will find some work there. I want to continue my studies. She asked me when will I go to Baguio City. I said, immediately, when we I arrived. For I do not know anyone in Manila. Then she said:  "Your father is my relative. You are my nephew."

She said: "You join me at home. I have my two nephews here who will also try to find jobs in Manila. You stay with us. If you want to see other places in Manila before you go to Baguio City, I will asked my other nephew to help you. Do not worry. I will pay for your fares going around Manila."

As I listened to Nay Caring Sobremesana, I relialized God’s fast answer to my prayers. It was really fast. It was direct and immediate answer to my prayers whispered a while ago. It was all, I needed for that day. God used a woman, a relative I never met before to help me. She was God’s instrument so I could stay for a few days in Manila, before I proceed to Baguio City. She was God’s answer to my prayers.

In Makati, Nay Caring Sobremesana asked her nephew, Ernesto Blancaver who lived  with them,  to accompany me  visit some places in Manila. I heard of Manila Underpass and Luneta Park with the Statue of Jose Rizal, the Philippine National hero. I heard also of Tondo, the place with the biggest squatters in Manila. The following three days, together with Erning Blancaver, we went around Manila, Quezon City, Makati, Pasay and Tondo.

First day, we took a bus from Manila Underpass, passing Quezon Boulevard to EDSA up to the University of the Philippines in Diliman. We did not go down the bus. We paid our fairs. And
rode back to Manila Underpass. I got to familiarized myself with the different areas. Then, we took another bus. This time, we rode from Arlegue Street, near Manila Underpass, going to
Singalong, to Makati and back again to Arlegue Street.

At 4:00 PM we have gone around Metro Manila 7 times. I felt I knew a little of Manila now. I have visited Makati and reached outside Forbes Park. I have also reached Tondo and saw the
biggest squatter areas. I have visited Luneta Park and saw the Jose Rizal monument. I have seen lots of places in 4 days time

On the 5th day, Erning Blancaver accompanied me to Tutuban Bus Terminal, where I took a bus to Baguio City. I left Manila about 10:00 A.M. I took lunch about 1:00 PM in Tarlac. We arrived Baguio City at 5:00 PM

My stay in Baguio City was prepared. My uncle Modesto Bartolome and his wife told me, I will eat with them. I was given a room at the Visayan Studio, together with his assistant, the Chief Photographer. My uncle was in Real Estates and Photography business. He owns Visayan Studio in General Luna Road, Baguio City. I could be a Real Estate agent.

Or I could be an Itinerant photographer. Either, I could make a little income, if I work hard. But photography, he said was fast and easier. What with several hundred thousand local tourists that visit Baguio City during summer.

Two days later, I went to Baguio City Hall to get a license as a photographer. We were about 20 who were applying for license. I gave all the needed documents. After 2 hours the 19 applicants were given notice to report in two days time to get their license. But I was told just set and wait, until I was called. After nearly 4 hours, I was told to return two days later for my license. The police hold me about 4 hours,  while verifying my records. I have a similar name, Rodolfo Bernal, who was on their Wanted List in Baguio City.

But our MIDDLE name was different. And our Finger Prints were different. After getting my License as photographer, I tried to  start  business taking pictures of tourists. I also   visited some colleges in Baguio City to see where I will enroll for summer.

I visited University of the Philippines (UP) –Baguio City. There were lots of requirements to enrolled at UP-Baguio City. There were lots of documents needed. I went to St. Louise University and I was permitted to enroll temporarily. But before final enrollment, I will have to present my Transcript of Records and Honorable Dismissal. I don’t have these documents. .

I wrote CPU requesting for my Transcript of Records and Honorable Dismissal. I sent photo copy of my letter to Mrs. Wanda Kelly, Dean, College of Theology I need this to enroll at St. Louise University. Two weeks later, I received a letter from CPU Registrar’s Office. It said, they cannot send me my Transcript of Records and Honorable Dismissals.

I have accounts with CPU for my tuition and fees and board and lodging in the College of Theology for 3 semester. It’s only then, I remembered that my enrollment at the College of Theology has conditions. I was given a scholarship but will have to finish my studies and work as pastor of a church in the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches for 4 years. Then, I will be free to go to other works and callings.

I felt downhearted. I cannot enroll any more. I will have to pay all my expenses in 3 semesters at the College of Theology –tuition, fees and board and lodging. I must worked. I must pay my accounts at CPU and only then, I will be able to get my Transcript of Record and Honorable Dismissal. I cannot enroll even if I have my Educational Benefits that allows me to enroll anywhere in the country. I sat down. I was forlorn. I felt defeated. I lost before i even  started.

That night, I sat down in the corner of my room. I went again before God in prayers. I opened my heart to Him. I asked Him in prayer to help me. How, I do not know. I just entrusted to God my life and future studies.

I asked God’s help. “Lord, I made a mistake leaving CPU and the College of Theology.  Yes Lord, I  made a mistake. I don’t know what to do at the moment. I will just surrender things to you. I would like to continue my studies, not any more in the College of Theology. But I will continue to serve You and our people in different ways. Please help me. I do not know what to do today. And please guide me, Lord.”

I prepared for the worst. I will work to pay my arrears at CPU. It will take, at least, 2 years working to earn about P30,000 pesos arrears from CPU. I continued praying for God’s help.  I do not know how God will answer my prayers.

A few days later, I received another letter from Iloilo City. It was from Mrs. Wanda Kelly, Dean of the College of Theology. She said, she was sad, I did not tell her I was leaving the College of Theology. She has sent me a letter in Carles, asking why I did not enroll. She said, my father wrote her I went  to Manila.

Mrs. Wanda Kelly, said. “Rudy, at first, the Scholarship Committee decided not to send your Transcripts of Records and Honorable Dismissal. I discussed with the Committee again, and after reviewing your case, and praying, we decided to send your Transcript of Records and Honorable Dismissal”.

Mrs. Kelly said, she saw my potentials as a pastor. “Rudy, I do not know what was God’s purpose for your life. I have seen your potentials as a pastor. But God may have some other plans for you. Now, you can take the course you want. But in the future, if God asked you to proceed with your study in the College of Theology, you must respond to Him. You must not hesitate to come back to CPU. I am praying for you”

I wrote Mrs. Wanda Kelly my thanks. I told her, I will remember her words and advise. I enrolled at St. Louse University Summer Class of 1964. It was a Catholic University. I just left CPU, a well-known Baptist university. St. Louise University was also a good school. I love my short stay there. It was on the top the mountain. And very cool even in summer or dry season.

On the other side of the school, is Baguio Cathedral. And going down the Cathedral requires more than 70 steps down to Session Road. It’s great to study in Baguio City . Even in summer, the air was cool and the coolness of the breeze penetrates my forehead. The temperature was good for study and learning.

While studying at St. Louis University, I paid  my tuition and other expenses by working as Itinerant photographer. I was in business taking pictures in the city. I accompany my customers to different places, mostly Burnharm Parks, Malacanang Palace of Baguio City, Pines Hotel, Philippine Military Academy, Mines View Park, Baguio Cathedral, La Trinidad Gardens, the Zigzag Roads, UP Baguio, and other sites of Baguio City. Taking pictures and delivering them a few hours later, provides me with a little business.

I often get customers, a group of them who like to do business with me. Often times, I got 1 role of film, with 72 shots for 2 or 3 customers. After shooting this, I immediately ran to the studio to have it developed and printed. In about two hour, I am paid P176. My capital is P2.00 cost of the film and P48 for printing of the photos.

I got a profit of P120.00 working 3 hours a day. The fare during that time is P0.10. And the daily wage of labor and employees was P4.00 daily. But there were times too, when I got a couple days with no customers. And also no income..

Saint Louis University is good university to pursue studies. And Baguio City is beautiful place to stay, clean, temperate climate, little dust. Student were friendly. But I am looking for new environment, where I can met students and professors who were top in their fields. I just like to listen and discuss things  too,  with them.

At St. Louise University, there were some books that I cannot borrow from the library. I need a special permit, from the University top leaders to read some books. When I borrowed a book “History of the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire”, which I have started reading at CPU but was not able to finished, I was not permitted to borrow the book. I was told by the Librarian to ask permission from the University Rector. I decided not to go and asked permission from the Rector.

I thought, their were lots of control in the university. I decided to go down to Manila and find a school where I could learn the arts of living, reading books, I want to read and work with some kind of adventures. I decided I will go down to Manila soon.