During a Christmas party years ago, he sang an old ballad before college professors and other school employees. I was there and I saw listeners whispering their approval. I even noticed misty-eyed old professors, savoring every word, perhaps remembering their own lost love.
The balladeer had been widowed for years and we could easily understand the emptiness within him. He sang of loneliness, of anguish, of unfulfilled longings. Like the others, I could sense his sadness.
Today, he has found new love.
The gentleman-balladeer is Dr. Pedro M. Marcellana, Jr., Bicol College president, who showed his more youthful side during the Christmas party. He is Pete to close friends.
Once a politician, he is today an educator, credited with making his school one of the top in the country.
In the region, only Bicol College and the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City can claim to have produced Bar topnotchers.
It has topnotchers in Criminologists and Teachers Licensure exams, not one but several every year. It continues to have a bumper crop of top graduates.
The Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation, has cited Bicol College for its increasing number of accredited programs, placing it among the top 10 schools in the country. BC is the topnotcher in Region V.
Recently, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Region 5, cited Bicol College for its topnotchers in government exams.
Several graduate school students said they prefer Bicol College to other schools because of its reputation, a lady doctoral student from Sorsogon City looks at the school as her lucky charm.
Everything goes well in her life today.
Dr. Marcellana is not content with the achievement. He has a high goal: convert Bicol College into a University. He said this dream is beginning to take shape.
He has no equal as steward of Bicol College. As a political keader, he has no equal, either. While mayor of Daraga, Albay, his town was adjudged the cleanest in the country for many years. He was undefeated mayor.
The achievement had gotten the eyes of the country’s top leaders. Urged to run as assemblyman against an Albay political kingpin in 1984, he won, dealing the highly entrenched politician his first defeat in a bruising battle.
Dr. Marcellana does not hide his very humble beginning. He was a poor butcher’s son. But he has big dreams. He wanted a place under the sun.
In his youth, he became the handsome Prince Charming of the beauteous daughter of Bicol College owner, Engr. Roque F. Tabuena, Baby, whom he married after 3-year courtship. He settled as a family man and fathered three children, a boy and two girls.
His son, Nonoy, is following his footsteps. In his last term as Daraga kagawad, he may run for a higher position in the next polls.
In his early years, he was described as destined for great things. Later events had proved his degrees and a number of specialized studies.
When journalist Elmer Bandol was forcibly taken to Ligao jail one Christmas eve years ago on a libel charge filed by an Albay governor, Pete dug deep into his pocket for Elmer’s cash bond. I was with him when he visited Elmer at Ligao jail.
He has a soft heart for journalists in distress. He was once like them, as a station manager of an Albay radio.
At past 60, he has the looks of a man just over 40.
He is still good-looking.
He seems to be perpetually young. Once, be confided to me his secret that is only for my ears. I have my own secrets and this I will share with you.
Look for something beautiful everyday…, a wild flower on a hillside, a peaceful mountain lake on sailing clouds in the sky during full moon. And laugh and make love more often.
