The Quiet One

There's hardly ever a group of people, where everyone is just as loud and outspoken as the other. Normally, in a group of four or more, there is at least one quiet one. But with the "silence" comes power. Usually, when the silent one speaks, everybody listens.

The voice of the quiet one is often filled with a resonance and charm of churchbells as the ring and reverberate as cherubs in the sky. The messages they bring are simple yet lasting.

Such was the case of our late chairman, Sen. Sotero H. Laurel. I will admit, I never knew him. I never even met him. And yet, he is spoken of in the highest regard by everyone whose lives he has touched. He was not a man of the spotlight, and yet, his very existence has brought about many great things to our people and to our country.

He has left behind a great legacy in Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU), as it makes its way towards its 60th anniversary. Being a bastion of Academic Excellence in the country as its founder,Dr. Jose P. Laurel envisioned, LPU was nurtured and cared for by Sen. Sotero, as he brought Lyceum from Manila to Batangas, Laguna, Makati and Cavite.

Sen. Laurel was also "one of the ‘Magnificent 12’ who voted against the extension of the United States Military Bases" in the Philippines in 1991. Thus, as if to honor him for his participation that nationalistic act, he was taken peacefully in his sleep on the 18th anniversary of that historic moment.

Sen. Laurel was not a politician. He was a public servant. He was an educator. He was not one to take the mic, but when he did, people listened. People, the Filipino people, remember and will remember him for his life and what he did with it.

I cannot help but allude and compare Sen. Teroy (as he was fondly called), to the late, great Beatle George Harrison (as Music is the only way I can express my thoughts well). George Harrison was not as vocal and outspoken as Paul and John. He was not as distinct as Ringo. But when he spoke, people listened. When he cracked a joke, people laughed. And when he played his guitar, people lived.