“SANDRA”

By: Norberto Betita

Before I started to write this story, I listened to the music video of Barry Manilow’s song of the same title. I could not hold back my tears that I even have a runny nose. It reminds me of my own mother who is willing to give her all for her thirteen (13) children and her family. The lyrics seemed to speak for itself:

She's a great little housewife
Though sometimes she talks like a fool
But she helps at the store in the holiday rush
And she picks up the kids after school

And she puts down the phone when her husband comes home
And she changes from mother to wife
'Til she feels the words hanging between them
And she hangs by her words to her life

(Refrain)
She says, I swear I love my husband, I love my kids
I wanted to be like my mother
But if I hadn't done it as soon as I did
Oh, there might have been time to be me for myself, for myself

There's so many things that she wishes
She don't even know what she's missin'
And that's how she knows that she missed

And she's a sweetheart, except when she's moody
It's hard to get through to her then
Depressed for a while when the youngest was born
Oh, but that happens now and again

She might take a drink with the housework
Or when Michael's kept late at the shop
A martini or two before dinner
But she always knows when to stop

(Refrain II)
She says, God I love my husband, I love my kids
I wanted to be like my mother
But if I hadn't done it as soon as I did
Oh, there might have been time to be me for myself, for myself

There's so many things that she wishes
She don't even know what she's missin'
And that's how she knows that she missed

Oh, they used to hold hands at the movies
Now it's seldom if ever they go
Once you've paid for the sitter and parkin' the car
There's no money left for the show

She was doing the dishes
When a glass fell and broke on the tile
And she cut her wrist quite by mistake
It was real touch and go for a while

(Repeat  refrain II)
(Enoch Anderson/Barry Manilow)

However, I am not writing about “Sandra” the song, I am putting in e-pen the story of a living Sandra---SNNHS ‘69er SANDRA REVECHO, whose true to life story as a mother and homemaker appeared to exactly correspond to the message of the song. Her story comes as a fitting account that gives meaning to the mother portrayed in such an inspired musical composition. Sandra is that one beautiful young woman in high school adored by so many young men but of whom none seemed to catch her eyes. She possesses the combination of beauty and brains. Her potential for a vibrant future gleams in luster from each spark of her loveliness. The prospect of a very promising career was obviously evident even during those teenaged days. No one doubted that she would one day be in the limelight of career women. 

Soon after graduation from the Surigao del Norte National High School she enrolled at San Nicolas College (now St. Paul University-Surigao) and eventually graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Management. She had her first exciting job as assistant secretary in an Engineering Department of the Department of the Highways in Surigao City. After two years of experience, she tried to find a promising future in Manila and worked in a Real Estate Housing. While thus working in the accounting section of the Company, she tied her knot with the man---Paul Frias whose personality and music had long since touched her heart. In her six (6) years stint in the Real Estate Housing, she had successfully given birth to three children and established a house of their own. She never thought that within such period she would be offered an early retirement. Perhaps when the offer did come she might have exclaimed in prayer, O, “God, I love my husband and I love my kids. And though I wanted to be like my mother, but if I hadn't done it as soon as I did…” please give me that honor. And, a loving Heavenly Father did give her the honor. 

After only eight years as a career woman, the young Sandra closed the worldly limelight of her life to take the divine role of motherhood. Each day she would take the noblest role of mother and wife and carry the load of multiple tasks as primary teacher, school guide, treasurer, nurse, event planner, vacation guide, cook, housekeeper, counselor, etc. Gone were her youthful fantasies as her vision shifted to a more paramount aspirations for a happy and contented family life. She never desired to look for her own needs and wants, but finds comfort to satisfy the longings and demands of children and husband. In her divine role as a mother and homemaker she finds deeper meaning on the words of Daniel Webster: “If we work upon marble, it will perish; if we work upon brass, time will efface it; but if we work upon immortal minds, if we imbue them with principles and the just fear of God and love of our fellowman, we engrave upon those tablets something that will brighten through all eternity.” (The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, ed. Clyde J. Williams (1996), 461.)

Even more difficult to her was when she had to take the role of both father and mother as her husband works abroad to fill the financial voids and increasing needs of a growing family. Mutual and abiding trust in each other as husband and wife made their marital bonds even stronger despite the distance divided by islands and seas. She understood well that married life is not a bed of roses. It always had the thorns that are attached to the stem. She learned the many ups and downs of family life, and she understood very well the overriding significance of rising up every time she falls. All her struggles and challenges she laid before God with complete trust that He would help lift her burdens. She takes the Lord at the center of her family as she continually expressed gratitude for the blessings and gift of life. 

She did raise her three children in love, righteousness and virtue, a noble and remarkable contribution to society. Her family has grown with the joyful addition of two grandchildren. The joy and happiness she enjoyed in her matriarchy are manifestly exhibited in the mirror of her countenance. Surely her influence will leave for her family a legacy that will forever remain from generation to generation.

She may not have the luxuries which are part of the world’s idea of happiness. However, she had established a kingdom where she keeps her priceless treasures which worldly wealth can’t match---her children, her husband and her home.

Comes 2019 SNNHS ‘69ers Golden Jubilee, Sandra will probably receive the best actress award in the role she played in this gigantic stage of the play entitled mortality.