As many Filipino members know Brother Zinc, the Filipino-intl community as well as the new members since the time Brother Zinc was shifted to the Business Department, don't know more about him.

As today is his 4th anniversary of his ascension, pls allow me to share a few lines about this man I know very much since our college days.

His hobby of playing chess made him say yes to go to the center in Davao when Oscar Datuin, my first sp son and I invited him. But he doesn't like to go to the center if his co- Cocofed scholar Mario Devilleres won't go with him. So Oscar and I made our best push for Mario to come together and make sure a chess board is available at the center as well. That was a start in 1980 in Davao.

Zosing in his old nickname and later changed to Zinc was his popular name. He moved-in and stay in the center in December 2, 1980 and become fulltime misisonary after the school year in March of 1981. On his first day in the center, he managed to give a lecture on the Principle of Creation without using the chart, but directly using the board and chalk with the Level 4 Outline as his guide. He was sent to different centers like Cebu, Iloilo, Taft, and other centers. But the UM Education Dept had taken him in the mid 80's and asked him to join Mr. Gary Flieschman in that department. That led him to be one of the first Filipino national lecturers who could give lectures for 21-day workshop, to 40 day intl seminar-workshops.

He was blessed in 1989 to a Japanese sister named Yoshiko.

They started their family in 1995 when he and I tricked his spouse to come immediately to Philippines to see Zinc in his very troubled time, suffering and sick. When his spouse came, it led them to have their long delayed 3-day ceremony and start their family.

They have 4 children. Three girls, Chie Grace, Hanna and Hazel; and one boy, Lemuel the youngest.

In September 2003 so timely that there was a 7-day Nation-wide Leaders Training, a strong typhoon passed-by in La Union where an accidental typhoon-cut electrical wire hit Bro Zinc and electrocuted him. He was rushed to the hospital. To save him, his leg and arm had to be amputated. During his conscious time, he asked a member beside him if he could survive the test. After three days, Zinc passed away. His wife Yoshiko at his side offered a warm kiss to him that moment.

Paul Uba, Felix and Au Sanchez, Alma and Serge Degamo helped the family during that crucial time together with the La Union members. During his Seung Hwa Ceremony, the National Leader Mike G. Zablan, Fil-Jap Representatives Edgar Nacorda, Cirilo Jagupaas and Sis.Sanae came; IWC representatives like Mr. Bernard dela Cruz, Paul Uba, and Executive Directors of NL and other regions offered their eulogy and messages. Zinc's sp son Mario on the phone has no other words but only his long cries could be heard from the phone who was in Japan that time.

Last month, August 2, 2007, I took time to visit Yoshiko and the 4 children of Zinc. It was an emotional moment to me being a spiritual father of Zinc. I asked the kids to come with me to La Union to visit their dad in there. To my surprise, Chie Grace answered, "Daddy is already in heaven." I got speechless with that answer.

Yoshiko shared that last year, their apartment in Cavite was drowned by a heavy rainfall and flashflood due to the damaged damn nearby. The entire first floor of the apartment was full of water above head-level according to her. They transfer all their things to the 2nd floor including their gas stove and stay there for a couple of days. They were shouting over the window asking for help, but nobody could come. God's blessing to them made them survive.

But to think of it, Yoshiko never think of going back to Japan or leaving Philippines after Zinc's ascension. She stayed at first in La Union Center and with the help of the IWC staff, she got a training to be a part of a call-center based in Cavite. And she survive bravely and dedicatedly took care of their 4 children. I feel so proud of Yoshiko's spirit and commitment to be loyal to the mission of her husband serving Philippines even beyond physical life.

Today August 7, the whole Bacalares family are in La Union visiting Zinc in his tomb in San Fernando City. Felix and Augie Sanchez accommodated them in their home in Bauang. They are our heart and peace ambassadors in La Union.

To Bro Zinc and Bacalares Family we love you all and Mabuhay!!!! Banzai!!!!!! Eog Mansie!!!!!!