Ninong Eddie

A cheerful man. That’s my first impression of my uncle and godfather, Edgardo “Ninong Eddie” Samaniego. Since a child, I have seen him crack jokes during family reunions to the enjoyment of everyone. There was no dull moment with him!

He also ‘created’ words that would surely confound anyone hearing it the first time. Hence, “tuwalya” (towel) becomes “dwalakaluk”, “tanim” (plant) changes to “nemtes”, “pera” (money) transforms to “raspis”, “katulong” (housemaid) turns into “longkatus”, and “kainan” (eating) converts to “eskus”. Incidentally, he calls his wife “durleng” (darling)!

This jolliness isn’t superficial though. It is not confined only in jokes and coined words. This happiness goes deeper into Ninong Eddie’s persona. His “pagkamagarbo” (lavishness) and compassion to others would attest to this. My siblings and I are indebted to him and Ninang Aida (his beloved wife) for becoming our surrogate father and mother when our parents went abroad. Apart from that, their tandem has always made any family reunion held in their house (when they were still in Kawit, Cavite) a success. For indeed, how can one be really generous and compassionate if one isn’t happy at all?

I am deeply touched by the stories related to me as to how he helped his parents earn a living. Times have been tough then, yet these didn’t deter him from pursuing his dreams. By being industrious and focused, he managed to face challenges head-on. I would like to think that the inner happiness he has in his heart inspired him to surmount what may seem insurmountable. For how can someone have the passion to pursue dreams if he isn’t happy to do so?

Ninong Eddie can be strict at times. When he wants you to stop being silly, he won’t utter a word. Just a look from him should be enough to warn you. He can also be impulsive like what happened many years ago when Philip (his youngest) and I lost the money change when we bought some hot bowling (that’s the shape of the bread hence the name) in a nearby bakery. When he learned about this, he was cursing which brought many tears to me and Philip. Yet before the night ended, he humbly approached us to apologise. He even hugged us (which drew more tears from our eyes; Ninong Eddie’s included). That made me respect him more. Which made me think: A happy man is a humble man! Eventually, as a Dominican priest once said in his homily, a happy man is a holy man!

Heartfelt greetings on your 80th birthday today, Ninong Eddie! Thank you for being such a loving uncle to us, for providing that father-image when we needed it, for being such a cheerful person whose happiness has surely been passed on to the many lives you have touched! Stay happy!

May God bless you always!