Family Ties: Antonio Grecia Mozar

Antonio Grecia Mozar

(as the first mayor of Mainit)

My Lolo Tonio, is the only grandfather that I got to know. He was a no nonsense man, an intellectual who knew a lot of things and about life, a great leader who had a very strong presence. He was a man who commanded respect and focus. There was something about him that exuded power and greatness. He had an air of authority about him and he was always fighting for what is right, just and fair. He was always known to be very strict and a strong disciplinarian. His children, all have the tales to share, all the things they had to endure under his corporal "Katsila(Castilian?)" style of raising his family. He was pretty hard with them that if his method be applied to kids nowadays, I'm pretty sure he'd be reported to Bantay Bata.

However, to us, his grandchildren, he was the gentlest and the sweetest! He was a great storyteller. I remember how as a young kid, I would sit on his lap and listen to bible stories, legends and his stories about the old days, as a young boy being a sacristan for Spanish friars who were also his teachers, his exploits as a young man, being an A-athlete (softball) in Mindanao, his travels to Davao, Agusan, Manila etc. and travails, the war, his guerilla days and how he got that bullet wound on his foot, as a young politician, his family, bothers, sisters, life in Mainit in early times, during the "logging"period , the "gold" period and so on and so forth. It was amazing to hear his stories. I wish I had some kind of a voice recorder during those times.

He was also deeply religious. He would lead us in praying the rosary at 4 or 5 in the morning, everyday(complete with singing of hymns, with Lola Pasting doing the "second voice"). At meals, he would assign one of the grandkids to lead us in saying grace before and after! On Sundays we always had to get up early and put on our Sunday's bests for the Lord's day. The whole family would all walk up to the church at the same time. So no sleeping in on Sundays and no one is to tarry and be late for the mass.

He was a wide reader and newsradio avid follower. He would be today's equivalent of a news and political junkie. He always had his transistor radio next to him and always tuned in to news and political commentaries. Auntie Leby and Auntie Elma supplied him with newspapers, Newsweek(or was it Asiaweek?), and Time magazines. He also read other books but mostly the Bible constantly. I remember him having this very old old bible(I think he gave it to Auntie Leby before he died) and also a New Testament in the Mamanwa language.

He also loved to debate and encouraged us to do so. At times, he would discuss social issues, and politics with me (he was fond of the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino). I was required to discuss it with him in English. He didn't care if it was "Carabao English," as long as I talk to him using that language. He was also fluent in Spanish and Mamanwa languages. He loved public speaking. We did not see him speak a lot in public anymore, as he was well into his retirement when we we're growing up. But even when he was already retired, young politicians would often consult him on speeches(aside from seeking his advice on political strategies). He took pleasure in coaching us how to deliver speeches and enthrall audiences. So at a very young age, I would be a "debater" or "speaker" with my Lolo. My Lolo Tonio was the very first person who opened my eyes to the world of analytical thinking. He was the very first person to make me voice out and speak up. He made me the opinionated person that I am today.

He was a people-person, the consummate politician(in the truest sense of the word). He was at his brightest and happiest when he was around a lot of people. People from all walks of life. He was just as comfortable when he was surrounded by Mamanwas (visiting his house bringing him gifts, ; my Lolo was revered as some kind of a champion of the tribe's welfare and recognition) as when he was with religious leaders or big-time politicians (I remember, the late Gov. Roling Geotina, for one) who always made it a point to pay him respect and visit him when they're in Mainit, even when Lolo was already retired from politics.

Above, all he was a loving Lolo. He lavished us with his immeasurable love and care, that it would be impossible to enumerate and describe all those loving moments and memories here. Suffice it to say that we never lacked in reminders and lessons on honesty and integrity; respect for other human beings even if they're of different color, religion, poltical belief, economic or political status; respect for elders; excellence in whatever you do; value for education; love of parents; love of country; simplicity and humility; sharing; fairness; love of nature.

As an aside, when my older siblings were still small, Lolo Tonio took them out to our backyard in our old home and with them planted each a coconut tree for all three of them. He told them that the trees will remind them of him even when he is already long gone. The coconut trees have grown big and to this day still stand witness to his love and always remind us how special our Lolo was and what a foresight he had!

When I was 8 years old, my Lolo Tonio, passed on to the next life. I cried a lot at the hospital in Surigao City where he had his last breath. It was a great loss for the whole family. And I remember the whole of Mainit mourned for his passing too. Personally, it was hard to lose a loving grandfather who has made so much impression to me and my siblings. But, I guess it was time for him to go. He was 86(?) years old. But I'm glad I had the chance to get to know my Lolo. It is a great honor and privelege to be his apo. I am truly proud to be a descendant of Antonio Grecia Mozar. I feel lucky to have his genes in me, knowing that I have a bit of my Lolo's greatness in me.