Joaquin “Bucky” Sta Maria Bogayong is also called Uncle Nito by family.
Bucky was probably a derivative of “Joaqui” which later became Bucky as surmised by son Karl. He is gentle, soft spoken, kind, generous, and religious. His son Karl has this to say about him: “Dad was always a good provider. He would always try his best to always be with us inspite of his busy schedule, if not on weekdays, then during Sunday lunches. And this continues to this day. He is a friend to many and he values peaceful relationships.”
He was the only child of Dolores Sta Maria (widow of Mauricio Oteyza) and Joaquin R. Bogayong, brother of the late former Baguio mayor Virginia “Gene” de Guia and of the late Victor Oteyza, playwright and painter, after whom the Victor Oteyza Community Art Space (VOCAS) was named. Gene was his role model and adored sister and Emily is his dearly loved wife. The couple is nearing their diamond wedding anniversary.
Happily married to Emily Romero, the daughter of the former Baguio vice mayor Antonio Romero, the couple is blessed with five children namely Terence Joseph (Terry), Karen Marie (Karen), Karl Michael (Karl), Lizelle Marie (Jhelle), and Gerald Gregory Raldy).
This gentle soul was the seventh president of Rotary Club of Baguio North from 1981 to 1982. He is a Gemini, born on June 20 nine decades ago. Which makes it apt to also greet him a happy birthday and Happy Father’s Day this Sunday.
Interesting was his love for drama, piano, and dance when he was young. His exposure to drama came at an early age when he acted as young “Felito” in the play ‘My Brother Cain” presented at the Manila Grand Opera House and directed by Severino Montano.
In high school, he also acted in plays written and directed by brother Victor Oteyza – a playwright. Following the same love for drama and art, sister GeneOteyza (de Guia) also acted in a movie with Rogelio dela Rosa during her college days at the University of the Philippines “Nagkaisang Landas.” Bucky learned Japanese during the occupation from the Chinese School which used to be a Buddhist School. He also speaks a little French.
He was the Boy Scout representative of Baguio to the World Jamboree at Moisson, France right after World War II. His trip made him a globe trotter visiting places like Europe – Lourdes, Paris, Rome, Italy, Switzerland, London, different parts of the United States, Canada, and Asia. He even had an audience with Pope Pius XII. Uncle Nito, as we call him, took up pre-medicine, but discontinued and shifted to Business Administration at UP.
There, he joined the prestigious Xenia InternationalForeign Trade Fraternity. Among his classmates and fraternity brothers were former Prime Minister Cesar Virata, Minister of Education Onofre Corpuz, Vice Governor of Metro Manila Ismael Mathay, Central Bank governor and later NCCA chair Jaime Laya and former Ambassador Oscar Carino, who he considers as a very good friend.
His business acumen sharpened by the change of course led Bucky to establish the former Strike and Spare Bowling lanes now Joem building, Take Your Pick Grocery and the Cold Bar, a mini resto at the La Azotea food court. Son Karl and daughter-in-law Maria Theresa “Coots” Co Bogayong, now own Sweet Stop.
I asked him if he could have dinner with three people on Father’s Day, who would they be? And he answered, “My wife Emily, my sister Gene and Ambassador Oscar Cariño.”
Bucky taught right after graduation at the University of Baguio. He went back to Manila to pursue his MA. On his return to Baguio, he taught at the Saint Louis University, College of Commerce as department head of Economics from 1973 to 1976. He also became president of the Children’s International Summer Village.
He was encouraged by the success of his contemporaries, one of them was Arch Joseph Alabanza, the first city architect, who he later joined in the Economic Committee in the Development of Baguio.
Uncle Nito said: “In my state of life today, I feel very accomplished and loved. My late sister Gene and late brother Victor were always after my welfare. They encouraged me a lot. I have taught for 30 years and Emily and I are members of the Catholic organization Familia. I love my children, grandchildren and great grand-child. I enjoyed my rapport with my students, one of them was lawyer Benny Carantes. I have been happily married for 57 years. In fact, Gene and I used to celebrate both her birthday and our anniversary every December 26. I am now writing my autobiography which I hope to finish soon.”
Happy Father’s Day to all!
