Pre-Japanese Colonization Era

A year and months have passed until the moment of truth for my grandfather Teddy comes. In April 1936, he finished his studies with a two-year course in Bachelor of Arts in English. His Mother arrived from Lubao, Pampanga to visit her son. After receiving their diplomas, my grandfather Teddy, Jose, and their other classmates shook hands and congratulates each other on their success. On the following day, my grandfather Teddy and his Mother left his sister's house from Caloocan to Lubao, Pampanga for Summer vacation. My grandfather had to leave the city to relax for a month-long and to plan a better step toward his new beginning as a more knowledgeable person. He spent his summer with his cousins and friends in Lubao, Pampanga at the same time, he also volunteered to help his Mother in selling Mangoes. They have Four Mango Trees at Victorio's residence at the time and my grandfather used to be the harvester of mangoes while having his vacation. He told his mother that he wanted to work in Manila as the city is the center of business and technology. He theorized that he can find a suitable job in Manila that is fit for his field. His Mother agreed with his idea and told him that sooner they will be settled in Manila. On the following day, my grandfather Teddy left their house to visit Felix and Rafael at Victorio's residence. He found his cousin Rafael reading a textbook under the oldest Mango Tree, he came closer and had a short conversation with him. His cousin Rafael told my grandfather Teddy that a Bachelor of Commerce degree is in demand and he should've chosen the course instead of the Bachelor of Arts in English(AB English). My grandfather replied, that he had friends in UE who took a Bachelor of Commerce degree and they told him the same thing. He said it was in demand because the American government has many projects to make the country a progressive nation in several aspects, like Agriculture, Commercial, Military, and Marketing.

In May 1936 while my grandfather Teddy was having his vacation, he decided to take his 2nd course, a degree in Bachelor of Commerce. He told his mother that he wanted to pursue his studies as a Commerce student because the country demands such graduates to work in the government and it is another great achievement for him if he finishes a Bachelor's Degree. In the final week of May 1936, he enrolled his 2nd course at the same school where he studied Bachelor of Arts in English, at the University of the East. This is a new beginning for my grandfather, but this time he is not going to stay at his sister Rosita's house. His mother decided to rent an apartment in Caloocan City, a half-kilometer away from Rosita's house. My great-grandmother told her son that she was going to stay with him because she is worried as my grandfather Teddy is alone in the apartment. After the enrollment and search for their apartment, they traveled to Lubao to prepare the things needed for their settlement in Manila. On the following day, his cousins and friends in Lubao visit their residence to see him and his mother for the last time before they arrive in Manila. They gave him a warm hug because they knew he will be lost for a few years. The following day after arriving in Manila, my grandfather decided to look for a part-time job as he realized that there were minor subjects which are credited by the school and he'll be using his leisure time to work, his mother agreed with his decision. He applied at the University of the East as an assistant librarian, he was hired and assigned to the high school library.

In the first week of June 1936, my grandfather Teddy started his studies as a commerce student at the University of the East. He found new friends some of them were fresh graduates from their secondary education. This time, he is no longer a shy type of student. Every weekday, my grandfather works as a clerk in their school during his vacant period. Being a hard-working individual is not unusual for my grandfather, he divided his class and working hours to manage his studies and a part-time job well. On February 1, 1937, he met a young lady from Limay Bataan, who settled in Caloocan City, her name was Antonia Gutierrez de Guia. My grandfather Teddy met her at Sampaloc, Manila when my grandmother Antonia went from the market. My grandmother accidentally dropped her basket on the road while my grandfather was on his way home. My grandfather Teddy saw her and had to pick the fruits and vegetables which were scattered on the ground back into the basket then he hands them to her. My grandmother just smiled and say "Thank You, Mister?" My grandfather replied, "David, Teodorico David, you can call me Teddy Miss?" My grandmother replied, "Miss de Guia, Antonia de Guia". My grandfather Teddy replied, "Nice knowing you miss Antonia." From there, my grandfather and my grandmother Antonia walked together and had a conversation to get to know each other. My grandfather Teddy told his mother about my grandmother when he came home, and my great-grandmother was very happy for his son because she saw the radiance in the smile of my grandfather while telling some things about my grandmother. At the time my grandmother Antonia was settled in Gracepark Caloocan City with her Sister and Aunt, it is just a few steps away from my grandfather's apartment. They entered courtship and then became lovers in 1938. My grandfather Teddy asked my grandmother Antonia to pursue her studies and offered to support her in college, my grandmother agreed with his idea then eventually she enrolled at Greg Business College at Sta. Cruz Manila and they lived together with my great-grandmother Maria in the Ancestral house of my grandmother Antonia in Gracepark. My grandmother took a secretarial course, and my grandfather used to visit her in his leisure time. My grandfather Teddy was very inspired in his studies and at the same time in his part-time job. He was encouraged to study and work hard for his inspirations, the two women of his life.