I have
observed something else in this world of ours. The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle.
The wise are often poor, and the skillful are not necessarily
wealthy. And those who are educated don't always lead successful lives. It is
all decided by chance by being at the right place at the right time.
-Ecclesiastes
9:11 NLT
The educated doesn't always lead successful lives. This was a quote I happen to read from a book I bought entitled "Successful and satisfied-for men" by Stephen Kuo.
I bought the book a few weeks ago and just after opening it, I became uninterested because I expected a lot from it, only to find out that it was just a compilation of quotes from various sources aimed at inspiring men. But then last night, I felt like reading a quote or two and found the verse from Ecclesiastes. Contrary to popular sayings that tells you to value education cause it's your only tool to success, the quote mentioned that the educated doesn't always lead successful lives. And Mr. Tony Cachero of Cauayan City, Isabela is a living proof of such a quote.
I guess one of the perks of working in the field is being able to
hear the lives of different individuals. Although unintentional (kasi di ko naman talaga trabaho alamin ang mga buhay ng mga lot owner, they just happen to be so friendly that they share their life story), through these small conversations, I often find
myself amazed, inspired, and in a way, influenced by the people I meet on the
field. And one of them is Mang Tony Cachero.
I was searching for this Mr. Antonio Cachero (lot owner of
the proposed towers 88 and 89) since yesterday. However, I wasn’t able to meet
him on the same day for his house is located far from the towersite. The dead
dates for the submission of the lot sketches is coming and I have to finish all
the research work for the preparation of the sketches.
Though Mang Tony’s house is located far from the city of
Cauayan itself, searching for his domicile was effortless for almost everyone
from the adjacent barangays know his name.
Mang Tony met me with such humble and lowly aura and pleasingly
provided us with the necessary lot data that we needed. He later talked
about how he had acquired his properties. I was even more astonished to know
that the lots found in front, at the sides, and at the back of his huge house
are all his. Not to the mention the 23-ha farmland found a few blocks from his
house. These properties are apart from the properties he own in Cabatuan, and
still apart from the lots affected with the to-be constructed towers.
Being unable to stop the questions lingering in my mind, I blurted
how he’d acquired all his properties, and how much money does a farm land
business really can offer. He hasn’t finished a degree, yet I found in him a sense of
contentment, a feel of pride in a humble way I can’t explain.
He offered us snacks (the only lot owner who did), laid back,
relaxed and began telling his success story. Way back 1958, he applied
for a job in the National Irrigation Authority as heavy equipment operator and
was rejected for he was just 19 yrs old back then. The next week, he re-applied
and told the interviewer he’s already 21. That day was the beginning of his
career in NIA.
From his wage (Php 6/day), he started out by saving a portion of
his income in order to purchase a 1-ha piece of land. He started cultivating it.
Sadly, the first harvest was spent on his hospitalization. He got a leg injury
while doing the harvest and was rushed to the orthopedic hospital in Manila. Not losing hope, he continued the cultivation of his property
in Cabatuan and spent the earnings from his second harvest in purchasing other
properties. Everything turned out well and today, he continues to purchase more
and more properties of which are now named to his sons.
He often hear people telling him, “Ano ba namang makukuha sa
pagsasaka?” and answers them just with a smile.
He told me the farm business is very profitable just as other
businesses are. If you spent a million for the expenses, then you’ll get a
million after the harvest. “Nadodoble naman”, he said.
One of his brothers-in-law even commented, “Bago pa yumaman
si Tony, dapat tayo muna. Wala namang pinag-aralan yan. Tayo, meron.” But he proved them wrong, now Mang Tony is the owner of vast
acres of land both in Cauayan and Cabatuan.
Indeed, “The educated doesn’t always lead successful lives”,
sometimes the uneducated does.
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| PHOTO: those piled envelopes contain titles of Mang Tony's properties |
