Chapter 29- Uncertain, Went to God Again!
I felt really uncertain. I could not enroll and continue my studies.That night, I sat down in the corner of my room. I went to God in prayer. I opened my heart to Him. I asked for His help. I felt He would help me. How? I did not know. I just put to God my future studies. I asked God’s help in that hard time of my life.
“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 am in Baguio City, far from home with just an uncle and her wife.. I surrender things to you. I would like to continue my studies. Not with the College of Theology anymore. But I will continue to serve You and our people in different ways. Please Lord help me. I do not know what to do today”.
I prepared for the worst. I will find work and pay my arrears at CPU. It will take 2 years working to earn P30,000 to pay arrears from CPU
A few days later, I received another letter from Iloilo City. It was from Mrs. Wanda Kelley, Dean, College of Theology. She said she was sad that I did not tell her I was leaving the College of Theology. She said, she sent a letter to Carles. She asked father why I did not enroll. She told me my father wrote to her that I went to Manila.
Mrs. Kelley 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 to Saint Louis University in Baguio City”. We sent it yesterday. You can make plans for your future studies.”
Mrs. Wanda Kelley said, she saw my potential as a pastor. “Rudy, I do not know what is God’s purpose for your life. 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. Kelley my thanks. I told her, I will remember her words and advice. I enrolled at St. Louis University Summer Class of 1964. It was a Catholic University. I just left CPU, a well-known Baptist university. St. Louis University was also a good university. I love my short stay there. It was at the top of the mountains. Very cool even in summer or dry season. And the students mostly from Northern Luzon were good and helpful.
On the other side of SLU on the top of the mountain is Baguio Cathedral, where thousands Catholics attend worship daily during their short visits to Baguio City. Going down from Baguio Cathedral to Session Road, the main commercial center of Baguio City requires 100 step stone stairs down. It was great to study in Baguio City even in the dry season. The coolness of the breeze penetrated my forehead. The cool temperature was good for study and learning.
While studying at St. Louis University, I paid my tuition and other expenses by working as an Itinerant photographer. I was in business taking pictures in the city. I accompanied my customers to different places, mostly Burnharm Park, Malacanang Palace of Baguio City, Pines Hotel, Philippine Military Academy, Mines View Park, Baguio Cathedral, La Trinidad Gardens, the Zigzag Road, UP- Baguio and other sites of Baguio City. Taking pictures and delivering it few hours later, provided me the needed income.
I often got customers, a group of them who liked to do business with me. Often times, I got 1 role of film with 72 shots for 2 or 3 customers. After I took their pictures, I immediately ran to the studio to have it developed and printed. In about two hours, I am paid P176. My capital is P2.00 cost of film and P48 cost for printing the photos.
I got a profit of P120.00 working 3 hours a day. But I still have to pay for delivering the pictures. The fare on jeepneys during that time was P0.10. And the daily wage of labor and employees was P4.00 daily. I made a good income. There were times too, when I got a couple days with no customers. I got no income if it rains the whole day or a storm comes.
Saint Louis University is a good university to pursue ones studies. Baguio City is a beautiful city to stay. It is clean with cool climate and little dust. Students were friendly. I am looking for new environment where I could meet students and professors who were top in their fields. I liked to listen and discuss with them, too.
At St. Louis University, there were some books that I could not borrow from the library. I needed 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, there were lots of mind control at Saint Louis University. I decided to return to Manila and find a school where I could learn the arts of studying and living without restrictions. I wanted to keep reading books and hopefully continue writing. I want to read, work and adventure. Manila, here I come!!
1Myrna Bernal
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Chapter 28– Baguio City Adventure With A Borrowed Camera
On November 12,1964 I went to Manila. My plan was to go to Baguio City. A year before, my mother’s cousin Modesto Bartolome who lives in Baguio City arrived in Carles. We had some talks.
Nong Didong Bartolome told me. "Rudy if ever you a have a 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 Sum… See More
Part of the series Memories - Life and Time of Pastor Rudy Bernal (chapter 56 of 71)
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