THE LIFE OF A MAN - JOSE ACU CAROLINO by Rey Q. Carolino

On October 24, 1924, Jose Acu Carolino began his life. He worked his way to
school and was a big help to his parents, Leonardo Carolino and Dominga Acu.
He never obtained a university degree, but through self education he
acquired a vast amount of knowledge, skills and expertise.

As a man, he was a "jack of all trade". He did not posses the
entrepreneurial training of a commerce graduate but he managed not one but
several businesses smoothly and successfully. His knowledge of electronics,
which he acquired through correspondence courses and lots of readings,
allowed him to build and manage a transistor radio shop- branding his radios
with the names of his children (Reytone, Emiltone, etc.). He knew
photography and was, for a time, a threat to his town's professional
photographers. The services rendered by a car mechanic is useless to a
person like him because he was very good in troubleshooting car problems.

He hated politics but, impelled by the desire to serve his townmates, he ran
and was elected as a councilor in Paete, Laguna. It was through his
initiative that gave rise to today's well-established Paete Lumber and
Hardware Company. He devoted much of his working life at Interwood (a
logging company owned by the Cojuangcos). He served this company so well
that when he tendered his resignation, the owners tried hard to convince him
to reverse his decision. But he had made up his mind, he wanted to engage in
business, not just for its financial rewards, but mainly because he wanted
to help other people by providing them with employment opportunities. Unlike
other businessmen, he did not believe in "trade secrets". He helped others
establish their own business even if they competed with his.

His first love was agriculture. He never had much time to devote into it
but it was his prime dream to spend the rest of his life in a place which he
had loved so much- up there in the mountain. A place where hunger has no
place, where polution is irrelevant, and where the need for money is of no
importance. Sad to say, this dream is now a mere dream, far from reality.

As a husband, he was a "Romeo of his time". Married to the former Lourdes
D. Quesada on New Year's Day of 1955, he was the kind of man any woman would
have a hard time to say no for a lifetime partner: honest and sincere,
loving and sweet, understanding and kind, thoughtful and responsible, good
looking and manly.

As a brother, he was a dear one, not only to his brothers and sisters but
also to his in-laws and other relatives.

As a friend, he was darling to all and had lived up to their expectations.
He knew no enemy and had loved everybody without discrimination: rich and
poor, young and old, good-looking and homely.

As a family head, he was a perfect father. His involvement in business and
many civic organizations did not prevent him from fulfilling his obligations
to his family. He is the best father a child could ever have. He was the
cheermaster, showering them with joy and happiness and trying hard not to
share with them his problems and sufferings. With his leadership and
guidance, his family was beyond doubt, one of the happiest and most
fortunate family ever. It would have remained that way if not for March 27,
1974.

All good things must end. Man is mortal and whether he likes it or not, he
must soon end his existence on earth- either to return to his Creator or to
take the other way towards the fire of hell... and on March 27, 1974, JOSE
ACU CAROLINO ended his life at such an early age of 49. God knew his good
works on earth was more than enough and He wanted him to continue those
works in a place that suits him best, a place like heaven.

Truly, indeed, his obligations for his existence had been accomplished- he
had served his parents throughout his life, he had been a responsible
husband and a wonderful father, and he had loved his neighbors with all his
heart. But his death was premature- he still has to see the obligations to
him by those whom he had raised and reared be fulfilled.

The "black day" started on March 20, 1974. This was a day after the burial
of a relative, Dr. Eugenio Quesada, at Loyola Memorial Park which he
attended. Early in the morning of that day, despite his weariness from an
almost sleepless night when he stayed on watch to Dr. Quesada's body, he
went back to Manila for a business trip. When he came back home at around
8:00 pm he suffered a stroke. He started vomiting and mumbled words which
can not be understood. He became unconscious. It was Dr. Manuel Karunungan
who first attended to him that night. Then, following the doctor's advice,
he was transferred to Dr. Romeo Adea's clinic. He was still in coma and
remained in that condition up to his death. The following day he was
fetched by an ambulance and was brought to the Manila Medical Center where
the doctors, led by Dr. Yolando Sulit (a family relative) confirmed that
only miracle can save him from dying.

The hope for a miracle vanished seven days after his stroke- he died at 4:15
P.M. of March 27, 1974. For two nights (March 27 and 28), his body was
placed for viewing at the Caloocan Bethel Temple where his brother-in-law
was the Pastor. Early in the morning of March 29, his body was transferred
to his hometown in Paete, Laguna and was met by countless friends and
relatives. Four days after his death (Sunday, March 31), his body was
brought to the Town Hall for a memorial service. Town Mayor Cornelio P.
Calabig, a good friend and classmate, recalled the help and assistance this
man had given him in handling and managing town affairs. Former mayor
Severino Villarin, in whose administration he served as a councilor, also
shared some memories he had with the man. Several other colleagues,
including his best friend, Amador Roque, delivered touching eulogies. Col.
Jeremias Carolino, his younger brother, responded in behalf of the family.
A very meaningful funeral ceremony was performed by the Masons, an
organization where, like any organizations he happened to belong, he devoted
his mind and body wholeheartedly and with vigor.

.... Here was the body of a man who knew nothing but love......whose only
desire was to bring that message of love to his family, friends and
relatives......and whose only fault was to keep his sufferings and sorrows
all by himself.

After the tearful memorial service at the Town Hall, his body was brought
across the Roman Catholic Church for the final blessings, accompanied by the
solemn music being played by a military band.

.... And so here was his body-- in a place strange to him (he was raised
a Protestant), yet he had learned to love and embrace during his life. The
final blessing was given by a relative, Fr. Benny Baisas.

About 11 A.M., the final journey that would take the body of the man to his
permanent resting place started. The road towards the cemetery was long and
winding and the sun was at its might during that moment, but hundreds of
people insisted in accompanying the man on this final trip. Four or five
people are enough to carry his coffin to the cemetery but many insisted in
doing for him this final favor. Members of the Bolero Club, an organization
where he was a very active member, were there to bid him goodbye.

For a final look of the man, the coffin was opened for the last time in the
cemetery. Tears flooded the place as the song "Nearer to Thee" was rendered
by the angelic voices of the nuns from the Sienna Convent, led by another
relative, Sister Exaltacion Quesada.

.... "All things must pass, none of life's strings will last, so I'll be on
my way".. so goes a line in a song, and so goes his body on his way to
eternity... a final glimpse and a hard spoken "GOODBYE, JOE. YOU'VE BEEN A
WONDERFUL MAN!!!" from his dear friends....