Book launching "This be our World" on February 21

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL / Panay News

KALIBO, Aklan - The Dr. Beato Aguirre Dela Cruz Educational Foundation is launching the book of a remarkable man from Aklan on February 21 at the historic Museo it Akean.
Entitled, “This be our World,” the 230-page book is a compilation of short stories, poems and other writings of Dr. Beato Dela Cruz from 1928 to 1975 that speaks about his struggle and achievements as a writer, educator, poet, family man, world traveller, revolutionary fighter and historian.

Acknowledged as Aklan's literary legend and distinguished educator in the mold of Dominador Ilio and his brother Roman A. Dela Cruz, the late Dr. Beato is the former Schools Division Superintendent of Aklan, former Dean of the School of Graduate Studies of West Visayas State University (formerly West Visayas State College) and has served in the Propaganda Corps of the 66th Infantry Combat Team, 6th Military District (Panay) during the World War II.

Dr. Beato's works were published in Philippine Journal of Education, The Sunday Post Magazine, Philippine Outlook and the Philippine Prose and Poetry. His literary works were included in Guerilla Flower, an anthology of war time creative writings.

As a journalist, he was a newspaper correspondent for The Manila Times, The Philippine News Service and The Evening News and a staff member of The Announcer of Kalibo.

Born on February 21, 1912 in Barangay Tinigaw Manabayan in Kalibo, Aklan, Dr. Beato is the grandson of Roman Aguirre, one of the revered 19 Martyrs of Aklan. He also contributed in the birth of a World War II guerilla paper "Kalibo War Bulletin," the widest circulated paper in the entire Panay Island.

Sangguniang Bayan member Emmanuel Soviet Russia Dela Cruz, a second generation of Aklanon poets and authors, said the insightful book is a lasting gift to the present generation of Aklanons.

"His (Dr. Beato) works could inspire our young and budding writers in Aklan," he added.

In the words of veteran journalist Atty. Ronquillo Tolentino, "he (Dr. Beato) was a man close to the hearts of many people, he being an educator all his life. He belonged to a breed of few who dared to accept the challenge and intrepidly conquered the odds and led a noble way of life."

Dr. Beato, who died on December 31, 1982, is married to Josefina Mirasol Icamina and blessed with seven children - Advers Zita C. Evensen, Gualterio Zola, Josefina Aida Celeste C. Constantino, the late Aloysius Pacelli, Grazia Athena C. Zaulda, Beato Amiel Vinci and John Guidon Macciri.
The book was a gift to Dr. Beato's wife and a lasting legacy for the Aklanons who discover the beauty and meaning of his wisdom and intellectual works, said his youngest son and businessman John Guidon Macciri.