Originally I wanted to become an Engineer because of my experience in Kiañgan as Copatay timekeeper, but I became a lawyer instead, as per God’s will when I tossed a coin and said: Head, Law; tail, Engineering School. It was head!
Now I wanted Tony to realize my ambition to become an Engineer and so I had him enrolled in the Mapua Institute of Engineering in Manila. He also liked the course because he was good in Math.
We lived in our new quarters inside Crame not far from the Enlisted Men’s Barrio. Tony was visiting a cute, beautiful lady, Lilia Malonzo, a daughter of M/Sgt. Malonzo. He used to cut some flowers from our garden to take to her.
One day Pat heard Tony exclaiming as he shook his fist at Sgt. Malonzo: “Someday you will salute me!” I guess he got insulted by Malonzo, who was known in Crame as a “tough guy” or a “bully.”
We had a neighbor whose son was about Tony’s age and they were very close friends. They planned to go to the PMA to become officers like their fathers. Capt. Victoria was also an enlisted man who rose from the ranks, like me. I understand that his son took the PMA exam like Tony but failed.
Tony was a serious student and consistently got good grades.
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