“The case of ‘missing street’ in Quezon City”
By Willie Jose
The above title is more than about a missing street; it’s the story of a simple farmer and an ordinary, hardworking housewife who generously gave their utmost—in their little way—to help their small barangay in Quezon City.
In recognition of the commendable generosity of this couple, in the 16th City Councilor Council in Quezon City, an ordinance “naming the first and second street along Philand Drive from the corner of Tandang Sora Avenue in Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City, as Fernando P. Eugenio Street and Juanaria P. Eugenio Street, respectively.”
“Whereas the proposed names of the said unnamed streets are derived from the names of the late spouses Fernando P.Eugenio and Juanaria P.Eugenio who generously donated the parcel of land where the present Barangay Hall of Barangay Pasong Tamo is located.”
In addition to this parcel of land freely given for the barangay hall, they also donated the land now occupied by the San Isidro Church in Philand Drive.
On the wall of the church, there is a plaque with the following inscription: “Construction of the parish church was made possible with the generosity of its parishioners, notably was Juanaria Pedro vda de Eugenio or Lola Kayang, who donated one-half of the 2,000 sq meter land on which the church now stands.”
I can’t forget the kindness of this family, who extended their hands to our little community.
So, when I learned that J.P. Eugenio’s street sign was missing, possibly because of the massive construction of houses in the area, I thought the QC officials must take action.
I know this family because when I was a teen in Pasong Tamo, I would always see this farmer, Mang Fernando, wearing short pants and towing his carabao. Sometimes, especially during the rainy season, I would see him wearing ”salakot”, a native hat and a little raincoat made of nipa leaves.
Nena, the youngest of the four siblings, said that she and her Mom, Nanay Kayang, would often go to these markets in Blumentritt, Balintawak, and Marikina to buy dry goods such as dresses, shoes, furniture, groceries, and even fresh fish, vegetables, and other saleable stuff. That is why our store in Pasong Tamo was the place to go by the people in the community.
“Nanay Kayang was into buying and selling of all kinds,” she added.
In most of our years as seniors, what comes to mind are the most memorable and impressive acts we have seen and experienced. I have witnessed the kindness of this couple, who helped the community they lived in.
The lesson is this: we don’t have to be very rich to give our share to the community; whatever our station in life, we can offer our share to keep making our community beautiful.
The spirit of our Katipunera Tandang Sora was also with J.P. Eugenio, known to many people as Nanay Kayang and Tatay Fernando, as shown by their generous example of helping the community they loved most.
Pasong Tamo is a small barangay in Quezon City where the extended families of Tandang Sora still live. That is why the common surnames in the area are Apo, Eugenio, Cleofas, Pedro, Agbada, and Fabre. Most of them are related to each other because of intermarriages.
Although today’s generation couldn’t care less, whether the street names are there or not in their community, we all must be grateful and show respect to these people who have given their all without expecting anything in return to make our place livable.
Nena remembers that in the early years of her marriage, she, with her sister, Ondette, attended a formal ceremony naming those streets after their parents.” I remember a councillor participated in that ceremony,” she said,
“My fear is that what had happened to the street sign named after my mother would also happen to the post where my father street sign is located because massive constructions going on in the area”, she said.
Let’s hope the officials at City Hall will address this issue soon.
This story is a simple case of rendering to some people what is due them—it’s what we call justice.
