Young Robert in Silicon Valley
Reveal not the inner password that
Operates the system of beliefs.
Beneath the charmed windows-cut
Exchanged, engineered and equipped,
Results which rest in virus-quest -
Technical expertise in the world of net.
You move beyond the hard-disc drawn
Not which erases the memory flown,
Acquiring wealth of foreign drives
Risks you took, in surf of life.
Ergo…what runs – burns, re-writes
Sends – an edifying electronic message which
Just as the little science in Robert exists
Re-boots one, to grow and succeed.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, USA – Not too long ago, last August 30, 2003, I wrote a birthday poem for Robert. I remembered writing this poem inside the Canadian Martyrs Church (Inglis St., Halifax), penned it for 10 minutes as I was inspired by Robert’s employment in the US. He had the rare chance of working in Silicon Valley (California, USA), where the world’s best in information and communication technologies harbour. Robert happens to be one of these “high tech” guys, whose talent is recognized worldwide. Although I have had a brief fortune to meet with him and Dennis, another friend from my hometown (Binangonan, Rizal) last December 2004, I did not get the chance to see Silicon Valley, until now.
Feeling a bit depressed with life in general and with my dissertation writing in particular, I decided to seek a place of refuge away from Halifax. I know that I need to be in a different environment to rediscover my life’s reason for having the opportunity of studying PhD (Sociology) in Canada. I chose to combat my disappointment by spending time with someone whom I considered one of my truest friends – Robert.
I have known Robert during our high school days at the Binangonan Catholic High School (BCHS). Early on I noticed his leadership potential coupled by charming charisma, which is best expressed by his sense of calmness. We were together in an environmental group we formed in 1992 with a bunch of talented BCHS students, the PUNLA: Kabataan Para sa Kalikasan (Youth for Environment). PUNLA was active until 1998. Time and the differences of our chosen fields did not permit us to continue the projects of our organization. Robert went to the computer world while I stayed immersed in the social world. He became an engineer and I turned into a sociologist. However, the differences of our professions did not deter us to remain friends.
Last Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at the arrival section of the San Francisco airport, seeing Robert again was like meeting a new person. I saw a new Robert, still young-looking yet exuding a “sense of becoming” in contrast to the old Robert whose aura was more of a “sense of being”. He is not just himself anymore. He chose to perfect his person with Abbie, his lovely wife of two years.
A lot has happened since I last saw Robert. His hard work results to having a management position where he rediscovered his leadership and organizational skills. But importantly, I find it most impressive that Robert remained persistent in following what his heart has moaned to have. He fought a good fight in winning over the heart, mind and soul of the person he had loved the most, Abbie. They got married in 2006.
Seeing them together for the first time as a couple, I discovered a different Robert. There is certain sweetness when he looks at his wife. There is something soulful whenever he talks to Abbie. I am convinced that they both trust each other and they are seriously trying to make their relationship work. It is nice to see Robert grow up as a husband to Abbie, who equally demonstrates care, support and honesty.
Abbie is expecting to give birth to Cheska this coming August 2008 and whenever I see Robert touching his wife’s six month old belly, no words can describe his smile. Robert will continue to become a husband to Abbie and soon, he will become a father to Cheska.
So little Robert is no more. He has grown-up to be a more meaningful person.
