Dad was born on January 22, 1922. That was the time before the refrigerator, the TV, air-conditioning, and a lot of things that many of us now consider essential. His father was Dr. Gregorio Limjoco, a physician-surgeon and his mother was Felicidad Arguelles, a homemaker and the matriarch of the family. He was born the middle child among eleven, namely: Gregorio II, Jose, Francisco, Lydia, Ramon, Cesar (my father), Amparo, Evangelina, Elvira, Aurora and Milagros. He is survived by his remaining siblings: Ramon, Amparo, Evangelina, Aurora and Milagros, who is here with us. He was in his teens when WWII broke out and the land and the town where he grew up suddenly was under siege. The family hastily fled, but left my father to temporarily look after their home and ice factory. Thus, he became a man. After the war, he and his siblings were some of the fortunate ones sent to the States for their college education. Dad went to Columbia University in NYC and later attended the University of San Francisco. He was one of the brightest students in his class but he had to return home before graduating due to the death of his father.
I would like to read a correspondence from one of his professors at USF. The professor wrote to Papa’s father not knowing at that time that my grandfather had already passed away. I quote,
Dear Dr. Limjoco,
Your son, Cesar, came to me with the sad message that you are ill and that he would be returning to your home to cheer and comfort you, as a faithful and devoted son would…As one of your son’s professors, and as one who has become fond of Cesar, I thought I would write to tell you that Cesar, whose record with us is excellent, will be able to graduate with his class even though…he will not be able to attend the university for the short time remaining before he would normally have completed his courses with us…I happen to be teaching the more difficult courses in advanced economic theory, business cycles, and public finance…I am pleased to tell you that he is an unusually capable student, one of my very best, as his straight A record with me indicates. But even more, besides being an excellent student, he is a young man of excellent character, intelligent and modest, industrious and yet very kind, congenial and considerate of others. (End of quote)
His career first started in journalism. Shortly thereafter, he married my mom. He was in his last semester of law school when I made the scene and he decided that it was time to stop going to school. It seems that there was always something that hindered my father from completing his studies. First, it was the death of his father. Later, it was the birth of his son. As first-born, Mama would tell me stories of how Papa would rub baby oil all over me after my baths. This is why my skin is so smooth and silky to this day. (For reference -- you can ask my wife.)
Soon afterwards, he switched careers to banking with an offer from some dear friends who were starting a new bank. The rest of his career saw him retire in banking, where he rose to be one of the respected, admired and loved executives.
Dad had set high standards for me as he did for himself. I was in awe of him, especially when he gave speeches at the height of his career. I often wondered if I could ever rise to his level of professionalism and charisma. He wrote and coached me on my grade school valedictory speech. Dad was beaming after I gave that speech. I’ve never seen him ever so proud of me. (It was all downhill for me after that.)
I have received numerous e-mails from cousins recounting their memories of him – of how loyal and giving he was to his family, and how warm and affable and smart he was. Our cousin, Tata Medado, wrote in an e-mail,
Sorry to miss your call. I would have loved to talk to you especially at this time when we lost such a wonderful person, your Dad. Mike and I have truly adored him. He was and will always be our model, the person we looked up to as Mike and I pursued our careers and brought up our family. Moreover, his humanitarian ideas and practice have always been worth emulating. And to this day, we celebrate his life and live by it.
Dad was all of that and more. But, I also would like to take this moment to celebrate Mama. Mom had stood by his side through thick and thin and she really is a shoo-in for sainthood or superwomanhood. They don’t make women like my mom and Tita Mila or any of our Titas anymore.
It was hard for me to see Dad physically and mentally deteriorate these past few years. But, somehow through it all, he managed to show a glint of what he had been. In the last years, he would reminisce and talk about each and everyone of you. He truly loved us all dearly. In turn, let us go out and celebrate his life and live by it.
- Cesar M. Limjoco, M.D.
