When we were in high school, Surigao was yet a Municipality. It became a City only in 1970. But during that time the parents of SNNHS 69er AMELITA B. BIASONG were already engaged in a franchise or sole distributorship business for Singer appliances, most common product of which are different types of mechanical sewing machines, then a very popular American brand. They were distributing these appliances, not only in the Provinces of Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, but also in other neighboring provinces. It was a thriving business undertaking for the family. It is no wonder then that Amelita was one among those privileged few who are gifted with a flare of prominence.
I had seen no other chubby young woman in our batch, but Amelita. Such chubbiness is kind of a determinant of her family’s economic circumstances, although she humbly declared that their economic condition during her high school days was simply average or middle class. Her way of student life is also a show of relative abundance. But like all others of our classmates who are of prominent circumstances, she remained to be humble and kind.
By her reasonably well-heeled circumstances, college education is not a worry and she was sure to make it through her desired course. Besides, there were only two of them siblings. Therefore, upon graduation from high school, she enrolled at San Nicolas College of a course leading to Bachelor of Science in Education, major in Home Economics---an ambition she embraced even during high school. Such a goal for a noble career in teaching with home and cooking related education as her leading interest, ironically revealed her love for food. With better learning foundation, determination and sufficient financial support, she should have made it to her desired academic goals earlier. But youthful love and premature marriage which happened in the midst of her college days, on February 12, 1972, suspended her academic journey for about two years.
Such was her first misstep in her youthful journey. But love conquers all and she believed then that all other obstacles can still be defeated. She had confidence in the words of Socrates that, “Falling down is not a failure. Failure comes when you stay where you have fallen.” While thus confined in the chair of postponement of her career goals, she had always in her mind the thought that, “It is never too late to be who you might have been (George Elliot).” Consequently, she determined to stand from where she fell; pursued what she had started; returned to college and eventually graduated in the year 1975.
In their eventual quest for the family’s economic growth and development, she and her husband were constrained to chart the open horizon for a clearer vista of the doors of endless opportunities. Providence and fate ultimately landed her to a rightful place in Taguig City, Metro Manila. She started her teaching career at the Signal Elementary School and served there for 22 years and later at the Tenement Elementary School in the same City for another 12 years. After 34 years of building learning bridges for hundreds of school children, the only employment she ever had, she finally retired.
She admits that the journey of fifty years since high school graduation was filled with love, work success, joy, good health, and peace of mind. However, while these rich and satisfying experiences are in abundance, struggles, challenges and setbacks are always and ever in opposition. She realized that in every rise to success there is always an equal pressure to overcome; in every joy there is sorrow; in every attainment there must be an equivalent struggle. All along every serious and honest efforts to cross the boundary between failures and successes lies the deep marsh of countless hindrances and drawbacks that bars the way. But with optimism high and progressive, she felt deeply invested in her fight against her personal adversities and took it not as the end of her world, but a means to an end. And thus with determination and wisdom, and sincere pleadings to God, looking forward with faith and hope, she was able to find resolves and solutions to the continuum of tribulations in her life, until finally she found herself reaching the star to a glorious retirement. By then she must have realized that, “It is not on the pinnacle of success and ease where men and women grow most. It is often down in the valley of heartache and disappointment and reverses where men and women grow...(Ezra Taft Benson).”
Her marriage to Carlos E. Cartoneros, blessed the partnership with two children--- Josephine Cabrera and Cybele Baguio---all daughters and both married. It must have been hard for her to raise and nurture her daughters as a working mother, but she rejoices in the fact that both have been guided through their respective journey in the subtle and elusive avenue of life. The family’s challenges and struggles during the growing up years of their children may have been vast and varied, but she finds joy and contentment as her children now discover their own levels of success in life. Her eldest---Josephine---is now a Professor at AMA University and the youngest---Cybele---is a bank executive.
She feels happy, peaceful, motivated and personally satisfied to have been granted an extended life into retirement. She feels so sorry that her closest of friends---Remelina Espiritu---and others of our classmates did not make it. She feels fulfilled as she now treasures many happy moments with her two grandchildren--- Kyle Chirstian Baguio and Kean Christian Baguio---the priceless pearls that buds from one of her precious daughters. She feels blessed to still have the needed health and vigor as she now walks the path of seniority after finally reaching the star to a glorious retirement and enjoy life with her family. She is excited to be able to celebrate with her friends and classmates the Jubilee Year---the 50th year of their journey---from the time they leave the portals of their Alma Matter, the Surigao del Norte National High School.
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