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Milton Fernan |
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Milton Fernan [March
10, 1918] Click here for various family photos. Click here for photos of Milton's 81st Birthday. |
Milton was born in Bogo, Cebu in March 10, 1918. The youngest of 13 children of whom nine only survived. In 1920, Emerenciana and Pedro Senining (from San Remegio, Cebu) migrated to Labinay, Ozamis Occidental taking her brothers Isagani (Ganing), Clemente (Mente), Milton and sisters Monica (Moning) and Martha with them. Ascion died before the family was relocated to Mindanao. Milton was told his mother died when he was only 2 years old.
Wenceslao Fernan (Bences) was a
lawyer when he sent for his brothers and sister so they can
continue their schooling in Cebu. The young Milton went to
Tejero Grade School from grade one to grade six. His first
year of High School was spent at Abellana High School, then
the second to fourth years at the University of Southern
Philippines. Milton remembers his nephews and
niece being taught piano by Nena, their piano teacher. He
was keen on learning piano too, like his nephews and niece.
Instead of mocking around or playing marbles, he would
sometimes practise when no one was around. He learned to
play piano (oido) through jamming sessions with
childhood playmates and neighbours like Momoy del Castillo,
Francisco Atillo and Carlos de la Rosa. He was not allowed
to play the piano inside the house by his sister-in-law,
Margarita, so as not to distract the children from learning
piano 'properly' (that is, reading scores) most especially
when Alejandrina was around. His repertoire includes
Sentimental Over You, Stardust, Tenderly, Laura, It's a
Sin to Tell a Lie, The Nearness of You, Sunshine of Your
Smile among others. After High School he went to Lala,
Lanao del Norte and stayed with sister Monica who returned
to Mindanao earlier and got married. In 1941, he joined in
the Fertig guerilla unit and earned a position as
Lieutenant. During the Liberation he served in the Army that
assisted the American operations in Davao and in Cotabato.
After the war, he applied for a
teaching position in Kulambugan District. His co-teacher was
Paulino Oligo, brother of Angela Oligo. In 1957, Milton and Angela decided
to 'seek greener pastures' in Cebu. They stayed with brother
Pablo (Amboy) in F. Ramos Street until they found a place to
rent in Junquerra Street.
Melchor and Maria Alejandra were born
in Cebu City. In
February 1991, Milton and Angela migrated to Australia to be
with daughters Mila, Flora and Maria Alejandra. They have
lived mainly in the suburb of Karama since then, tending to
their garden and participating in family, community, and
church events. On November 27, 1992, Milton was
one of the elderly Filipinos who attended a meeting
organised by LINKCARE Community Option Project. The
objective of the meeting was to find ways and means to
uplift and enhance the physical and emotional conditions of
the elderly Filipino migrants in Darwin, Australia. Milton
proposed that the group be named Filipiniana Senior Citizens
Group; everyone agreed. The Filipiniana Senior Citizens
Group is an incorporated association of elderly Filipinos
coming from different organisations, languages, religions,
and backgrounds living in Darwin. Recreational activities
such as folk dancing, seniorobic exercises, singing, indoor
games take place every Monday. Milton was the editor of the first
1992-1993 FSCG Annual. That year was the busiest time for
Milton since he arrived in Darwin. He painstakingly gathered
members' bio-data, organised pictorials, and collated
information for the Annual. It was exciting too not just for
Milton and Angela but also for every Filipino senior citizen
who, as new settlers, often lack or miss the close family
unit which we Filipinos are accustomed to. To quote Tina Black, FSCG's First
Vice-President, "FSCG has benefited from Milton's many wise
counsels .... one of the reasons they want to keep him in
the Management Committee." Again, in 1996-1997 he was
elected Second Vice-President and General
Marshall/Ceremonial Officer. Milton and Angela visited daughter
Aida and her family in New Jersey from April - September
1995. Being an acrophobic, the 20-hour flight from Darwin to
New Jersey was the longest and scariest flight Milton has
udergone. In December 1995, Milton and Angela
toured key cities in Australia with daughter Flora and
son-in-law Eric. This time they took the bus. Milton and Angela went home to the
Philippines in December 1997 to visit sons Dodong, Milan,
Melchor and daughter Maria Alejandra (who was based in
Manila then) and their families. The second reason for
visiting home was to pay respects to deceased brothers and
sisters in Cebu City and in Ozamis City. As son Melchor who
was with them in most of these visits commented, " Papa
would stay close to the tombs. Says hello and identifies
himself. After saying his prayer, would mumble a few words
and says goodbye to whoever he has visited." Milton and Angela were fortunate
that during the1997 visit relatives were there and they were
entertained warmly.
In Australia
Filipiniana Senior Citizens Group
Visit to the USA 1995
Around Australia 1995
Philippines 1998
At present, Milton declined holding any position with FSCG due to health reasons. He still attends the weekly meetings and get-togethers as Monday is the day almost every FSCan looks forward to.
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