Photographs and memories
I barely knew my grandfather (my father’s dad). All I know is that he was a World War II veteran, eventually became part of the Philippine Army and retired as an Army Captain. I have learned more about him recently when we were “reunited” with the rest of the Bacani clan, since my uncles have spent a lot of time with him.
One thing I remember about him was that he traveled from Ilocos Sur to Cavite (around 400 plus km., and more than 10 hrs. bus ride) to visit my brother, and that he was the one who was there during my brother’s wedding in my father’s place (we were still not in good terms with my father that time). And during that time, when our family had a crisis, my grandfather GAVE me his bank book so I could withdraw his pension money EVERY MONTH and help us out financially. It was not really a huge amount but he was living off his pensions and he had to give up one of them. I guess, in a way, it is his way of compensating for having a (once) irresponsible son (sorry Papa, you know that’s true hehe).
Anyway, recent events in the family has inspired my cousin to rummage through his mom’s old photos, scanned them and posted them on Facebook. Here, I share some of the photos of my grandfather, the highly respected (but almost forgotten) Capt. Juan Bacani.
My uncle’s comment on FB: “uncle john must be in college here, enrolled at centro escolar also takin dentistry. second year college siya when WWII broke up. he was recruited. lolo hugo and dad just learned about it thru relatives. the next time they saw him was at death march. classic no?”
My uncle’s comment on FB: “i think this is in fort magsaysay, uncle john was assigned in tabak division of the army”
(Written at the back)
Dec. 31, 1966
“Scene was taken in front of Saigon Catholic Cathedral. Jeep is a PHILCAG, one driven by a Sgt. Reyes whom I requested to make the shot. It is in this vicinity where Filipinos by the hundreds meets and stroll especially after Sunday mass. Saigon”
(Written at the back)
Saigon, Vietnam Dec. 21/1967
“To Emy,
Merry X mas & a Happy New Year. Wish you all the joys for the season.
Love Daddy”
(Emy is my father’s youngest sister)
With this photo, my father’s cousin, Tito Willie recalled how Lolo Juan showed his concern for the family: “when he was long retired from the service i was asking him to give me his 45cal…this is what he told me (translated from Kapampangan to Tagalog) ‘Loko, nuong galing ako ng Vietnam nag-uwi ako ng baril, kahit gaano pa..di ko inisip na bigyan ko kayo ng baril..ngayon pa!..hindi nyo kailangan ng baril..husto na.. na ako na lang ang humawak ng baril sa mga Bacani’ (When I went back from Vietnam I brought home guns, but even then I didn’t think of giving you one. You do not need it. It is enough that I am last of the Bacani’s to hold a gun.)
(Written at the back)
“Saigon, Vietnam.
Daddy in his rugged attire. This is where I stay and live. Our billet is not seen in picture. It is very cold now. The temperature is 14F. I am wearing a sweater and a leather jacket.”
I may be biased, but hey, my grandfather IS gorgeous, isn’t he? 
=======
Thank you, Lolo Juan, for your memories. And thank you, my uncles and aunts, for sharing his memories with us!
thanks liza for a beautiful blog about uncle john. surely we will forever remember him as our second dad, a caring uncle, a loving lolo, our hero!! love you uncle john!
thanks tito, looking forward to hearing more stories about our lolo juan.
i am so proud and honored to be his granddaughter! and knowing about his character and integrity inspires me to be a better person. 
lisa! thank you for sharing those photos of your grandfather in Saigon. Very surreal to see the church in 1966. I exactly know that spot where he got that photo taken. Pag nagawi ka dito, dapat pa-picture ka rin doon.
baray
hi bri! wow, that’s a brilliant idea! i will surely do that when i get to visit vietnam. why don’t you take a photo of yourself in that spot while you’re there? and send me a copy
oks ba?
oks oks will do. same spot sans the trees in the background which has been replace by a small park with a statue of Mary.
Thanks, Lisa, for this wonderful tribute to Daddy. He’s indeed a great man for all of us: a daddy, a lolo, an uncle of everybody. when he was still alive, we would touch the lives of many. He’s a family oriented and an inner-directed man. He is a man of integrity, honesty, gentleness, humility, determination, compassion and intelligence. He would voluntarily give himself to anybody, would prudently speak for others, but would endure every pain for himself (this is a very distinct characteristic of the Bacani’s such as Uncle Oca, Uncle Orong, Bishop Ted, Kuya Pastor, Kuya Rudy, Kuya Ramon of Deped and the rest of the male clan). These are the things you might be seeing “silently” in your uncles and father (Kuya Ed, Kuya Ocay, Kuya Willie, Kuya Mon and Kuya Boyong) and hope to see in the next generation of the Bacani’s.
We miss daddy so much. We have grown having worth-remembering memories with him… but what remains is the UNCONDITIONAL LOVE that he shared with all of us. WE MISS YOU, DADDY!
i feel really sad to have not spent time with him, and i never really talked to him when he used to visit. eh takot ako mukha kasi syang strict hehe. now the only “missing piece” is knowing about lola flor, the other half of my name
tita emy, pag uwi ka kay lola pat, isama mo ko ha, hehe.
Sure, lisa. And you may also ask Mommy (your Lola Pat) about Mama Flor (your Lola Flor). She has many beautiful stories about the good Mama Flor.
oh i remember when Lola Anday (Garcia) passed away and we were having lunch at her house in Sual, Lolo Juan and Lolo Esting (Mama’s father) were there talking. And then Lolo Esting looked at me, and told me “Ang mga Lola mo, mga segunda mano” (your grandmothers are second-hand) pertaining to Lola Pat and Lola Coring who are their respective second wives. They were laughing (of course the Lolas weren’t there hehe). But since I have never known my “real” grandmothers, I really consider Lola Pat and Lola Coring as the real ones. Especially Lola Coring, who took care of me when both my parents had to leave Sual. Sigh. I would surely like to see Lola Pat soon.