LAST Saturday, Pedro M. Sacro Sr. of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte celebrated his 95th birthday.
Already frail and oftentimes wheelchair-bound, he gathered his children and grandchildren and other relatives and friends for dinner in celebration, he says, of what may very well be his last birthday.
He has lived longer than the average Filipino (I think our average lifespan is 70?) and has outlived his beloved wife Nancy by six years now. Indeed at 95 by all counts he is on overtime or, as some might put it, living on borrowed time. But the sadness among his kin aside, it cannot be denied that “Col. Pete,” as he is fondly called by many who know him, has many reasons to remain celebratory at 95.
Like, how often do you get a personal video birthday greeting from the President of the Philippines himself?
As I’ve written in this space at least twice before, Pete Sacro and Bongbong Marcos — now His Excellency Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines, go a long way. All the way to England, in fact, and to the 1970s when the young Ferdinand Jr. was a student in London and Pete was the intelligence and security man chosen by the young man’s father himself for the job.
‘… how often do you get a personal video birthday greeting from the President of the Philippines himself?’
Old man FM not surprisingly trusted Genuine Ilocanos for the job. And that was Pete.
The loyalty spanned decades. When the first Marcos passed away in Honolulu and his mortal remains were brought home to Laoag, Pete gathered his whole family and joined the mourners that welcomed home the body of their Apo.
Five years ago, to celebrate his 90th, Col. Pete intimated to me that he had only one wish — to once again see his old ward, at that time former Sen. Bongbong who had just lost the vice-presidential elections. With the help of Matthew Manotoc, not only did Sen. Imee herself arrive at Col. Pete’s celebration but a day later BBM himself arrived at the Sacro residence in South Cembo, Makati. Was Col. Pete surprised — and deeply moved!
It was a touching reunion. They went over old photographs and newspaper clippings that Col. Pete had saved through the years. Then BBM brought in some food and they shared a light meal.
As his former ward bade leave, Col. Pete’s comment was, “I want to see you become President.”
In May last year, Col. Pete trooped to the polling station to cast his vote for BBM. That July, for his 94th birthday, he was gifted with an autographed photo of the new President.
This year, it was a video greeting — plus a huge birthday cake from Sen. Imee.
Do you still wonder why the old soldier remains loyal to the end?
