Kuya Pedring: Federico I. Villamayor
Editor's Note: We have listed at least 35 Infantahin families now residing in Texas. In our continuing efforts to feature our kababayans around the world, we would like to highlight the achievements of Kuya Pedring (as he is known fondly among friends) Villamayor and his family. We featured him and his family in the September 1996 issue of the Metro Infanta News.
Kuya Pedring, 82, was born in Mauban, Quezon. Ate Nora, his wife of more than 60 years, first came to the United States in 1971, and Kuya Pedring followed in 1978. The Villamayors are very active in the Filipino American Socitey of Texas, which recognized their contributions to the organization with the "Founders' Award," for Kuya Pedring, and the "Mother of the Year Award" for Ate Nora in 1994.
Their children -- Louella, Jesse, Ed, Arnulfo, Antonio, and Rosalinda -- are also residing in the United States.
Kuya Pedring recalls that as a new immigrant in 1978, "I was very truthful (while looking for a job) in stating my educational qualifications, and administrative experiences. For several months, no one seemed interested in hiring me. Then Nanding Orquia, a kababayan, told me to put "high school graduate," in my application and asked me to apply with the Park Police of Houston, which I did. I applied on Friday, and was on the job on Monday as a park ranger with the Houston's Park and Recreation Department, of which Nanding was the controller.
Kuya Pedring considers himself a "self-made man." "Having been an orphan at an early age," said Kuya Pdring, "I learned to live under some of the most difficult conditions -- living with other people who supported my education in exchange for my household services for them when I was in high school. Then the war came and I was called to the colors. I was with the death march and became a POW (prisoner of war). After my release, I joined the Resistance Movement. After the war, and with a growing family to support, I still had the courage and stamina to study at night and work by day. These sacrifices culminated in my A.A., B.S.E., LL.B., and MA (in education) -- an achievement of which I am most proud.
What does he miss about the PHilippines? "I miss the smell of wet perspiration of fellow passengers inside an overcrowded bus/jeepney running erratically in the streets of Manila. I also miss the company of friends tossing glasses of lambanog after office hours in the afternooons."
His advise to new immigrants: "Whoever you are, wherever you are, and whatever you do, always try to do and be the best, and bring honor and glory to yourself, your family, your community and your country.