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Unpingco children share memories of their late father
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by Sonya Artero, KUAM News
Saturday, January 05, 2008
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Whoever comes out on top tonight when the counting of ballots for Decision 2008 is all over and done with definitely has some tough shoes to fill. The death of the late speaker and senator Tony Unpingco was the catalyst for this year's special election, so it is with bittersweet pleasure that KUAM pays tribute to this great man and remarkable leader by way of interviewing a few of his children who took time to share some of their most cherished memories of the man they say loved the people of Guam more than they will ever know.
The majority on Guam came to know Unpingco from what we saw of him in the media and what we learned from his public service, but not too many were privy to knowing what he was like as a family man. After all, Senator Unpingco raised a total of ten children, whose ages span over 21 years to become teachers, soldiers, musicians, coaches, farmers and students. Children who were proud to share treasured memories of their father.
Ray Unpingco said, "My most profound memory is the image of my dad always having a smile on his face and being a content person, at peace with himself. And that's the image I have in my head when I want to think of my dad. One of the youngest, Jerome, said, "He's taught us the core values of how to treat others and how to handle yourself in the most difficult times. That' the first thing that comes to mind when I think about Dad."
They also shared what it was like growing up in a household of ten kids, backed by the unbreakable love of their father. "So you had ten kids plus our parents and neighborhood kids all around, so a typical day was us figuring out who was sleeping where," laughed Mariza Unpingco-Peredo. So you would have bodies, people would 'shotgun couch' for a couple of days and if you lose that couch before someone else the following day, then that was your loss."
Jerome again chimed in by adding, "He always supported us and he always tried to make it to every game and event that our team was participating in, so I would say every team his kids were in were his favorite teams." Mariza added, "And he was a fan of the jitterbug; my dad loved to dance. I think more so than any particular group, what his favorite hobby was, that he loved to dance."
Because Speaker Unpingco was the longest serving senator in the history of the Guam Legislature, it comes as no surprise that his children are proud to say their father took good care of two families - theirs and the people for whom he served. "My dad had a very genuine and sincere love for public service. It was one of those things he didn't need to be paid for it if he could do it," said Ray.
Mariza continued, "He said that he felt like he needed, he said 'Riz, I'm a nationalist and if I'm going to make something better, I need to be on Guam,' which is why he came to Guam."
While the act of winning elections had its challenges, Tony's kids say it was the defeat that really took a toll on the family. Ray recalled, "In '86 he ran for lieutenant governor and in 2002 when he ran for governor and its really hard because I know that he, being my father, I knew what he was about and that he could lead and that was really hard to get past." Remembered Jerome, "I couldn't accept the fact that we lost, but at the same time it taught me that you win some and you lose some, but when you lose you have to stand back tall and you got to come back."
Mariza said, "He held the best interest of the people sincerely in his heart, he would have been the best governor that he could possibly be. I felt it was more a loss for the people of Guam." Although she says her dad identified himself as being a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Santa Rita, villagers throughout Merizo, Sinajana and Santa Rita all felt he was a native of their village. "His roots were from Merizo," she explained. "He was transplanted to Sinajana and he sowed his seed in Santa Rita, so in his whole scope of life he had to identify with all three, I mean he named me after Merizo, so ha ha!"
And then, there are those pearls of wisdom that Unpingco imparted to his children who say they're eager to pass on to theirs. Jerome said, "If there is one thing I will always be in my mind is that he taught me how to always respect others and it is something that is hard to do, but you've got to do it as it makes you a better person," with Mariza adding, "He said that he had just won an election but that didn't make any of us any better than anyone else, so that if he ever heard any of us bragging about who their dad was or anything like that, he would not be very happy.
"My dad had this saying: you give a man a fish, you feed him for one day, you teach a man to fish, you feed him for life and I think in a sense for all of us, that's how he raised us."
Asked if they could have one last opportunity to talk with their dad, what would they say to him? Older son Ray said, "Basically, God was the super to his natural and that's what made him who he was and there is no other way to explain it," with the younger Jerome adding, "Thank you for everything that you've provided me and the lessons of life that I needed to know and what it takes to live life, and thank you."
"I talk to my dad all the time in my head," Ray added, "but I always thank him and express my gratitude for everything that he's given us, not so much in material things but in how to live life and giving us that guidance and stuff I could not live without today." And Mariza said, "I thank him because I think that we will all go far and I think that we all have the ability to have our children go far and it think that's a beautiful thing."
A beautiful thing passed on by a beautiful man with a beautiful mind.
As advice to their father's successor, Tony Unpingco's children say the person should lead with their heart and with the passion for serving the people and making Guam a better place to live.
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