Tata_Goloy, the Philantrophist and Poet

Tata_Goloy, the Philantrophist and Poet
by Melchor F. Cichon



I "met" him in the internet.

And in our first "meeting", we immediately sealed a bonding.

Perhaps because his interests and mine are almost the same.

He writes poetry, and so am I.

He likes to write criticisms on the state of our country. That is also my forte. But in our criticisms, we both offer alternatives or solutions.

We do not know however if our write-ups are being read by the people concerned.

Not now perhaps.

But just in case our government officials would listen to our small voice, that would be enough.

Just enough.

But there is one thing which I admire about Tata_Goloy. He is honest and frank.

And very accomodating and thoughtful.

And a Good Samaritan.

He once said to me that if only people would ask forgiveness on the things s/he commits to him, he would surely forgive him/her.

But then those people who made mistakes on him do not ask for forgiveness.

When our book, Luwa, Haiku and Other Poems by Aklanons, was being prepared for publication, there was always Tata_Goloy to give a hand.

And each time, a member of our group in the Akeanon.com does not log for a week or so, he would always "call" him/her to come back.

And indeed, they come back.

Tata_Goloy is not just a poet and essayist, he is also an artist.

He told me once that when he was still in Saudi Arabia, he was asked to design a replica of the spacecraft Columbia. Because of his artistic ability and through his leadership, he was able to finish the replica on time.

When he went to America, Tata_Goloy's artistic ability was utilized at General Motors where he works in the designing and in the modelling of cars.

Tata_Goloy was born in Badio, Numancia, Aklan, Philippines on September 12. He is the youngest among the siblings.

His name is Cirilo Castillon, Jr.

Because his father died three months before he was born, Tata_Goloy experienced growing up without seeing a father.

But his mother was a strong person. And through their cooperation, determinations and talent, Tata_Goloy was able to finish his studies while working.

One at a time.

Because he was not given the opportunity to study when he was still young, he founded a foundation that would give free tuition fees to the scholars.

So far he was able to graduate two doctors of medicine, and a CPA. He is still supporting two or three nursing students, a social worker (an Aeta from Burianga, Aklan), and some high school students.

Today, Tata_Goloy works in America together with his wife and children.