Esther Faralan Tumanut was born on March 12, 1922 to Barbara Collado Pableo and Monico Pestejo Faralan in a little town called Echague in the province of Isabela, Philippines. Named after Queen Esther in the Bible, she was born with brown eyes and black hair and was the sixth of seven brothers and sisters. They are Rosalina, Samuel, Rebecca, Miguela, Isabela, Esther, and Eliseo.

Even though she had no bicycle, roller skates, or ice skates, Esther's childhood consisted of many games. Among them were Sung Ka, Patintero, Hide and Seek, and Jack Stones. Her favorite toy was a handmade doll.

Instead of watching the television or playing with a pet, she often played with friends. Her best friend was a classmate and neighbor. They like to play make believe house and school. With such a good friend, there was no need to run away or hide from home. Things were cheap those days, so cheap that you could buy things like fruits, cakes, candies, and ice cream for just a nickel. At home she had chores like setting and clearing the table and washing dishes.

Her house was made of wood, bamboo, and galvanized iron roofing. Oil lamps and electric lights lit her home. The bathroom, made of bamboo, was located outside. Since they lived in a tropical country, there was no need for a fireplace.

There was no Valentine celebration, but her family did celebrate town fiestas with brass bands and side shows. Thanksgiving was celebrated after the rice harvest. In church they had a party with delicious foods. On Esther's first Christmas, they went to church. They also attended programs and received gifts from relatives.

Esther attended a public school, which was a walking distance from her home. Students went to school all day except for lunch. Her favorite subjects were arithmetic, language, arts, and music, but hated geography. She did not participate in sports - however she joined a calisthenics competition. Esther liked school and never played hooky.

She started dating at the age of 17. Benito was introduced through a mutual friend. Coincidentally, this first date turned out to be her future husband. On that date the couple went to the movies.

After two years of dating, they married on September 10, 1941. Following the marriage a small party was held at the husband's home. The newlyweds stayed at Esther's in-laws for a few months. After that they immediately built their own home in the same town. All eight of her children were born in Santiago, Isabela, Philippines. The first, Benesto, was born on August 2, 1942. Second was Kelmman, who was born on September 28, 1944. The third, Vincent, was born on January 25, 1947. Carolyn, born on December 7, 1953, was the fourth and the first daughter. The fifth, was Oswaldo, who was born on November 16, 1955. Marcial, the sixth child, was born on April 6, 1957. Carmelo was born on October 17, 1959 and was the seventh of eight. The last and second daughter is Cynthia, born on December 13, 1963.

Esther hoped to be a nurse, but after high school, she took a competitive examination for a teaching job. She later taught as a grade school teacher. Her salary was $45 a month, but increased as years passed. She earned a Bachelor of Science by attending extra classes.

When the Japanese forces occupied Esther's town during World War II, she was pregnant with her first child and was forced to deliver him in an evacuation shelter. Benito joined the underground movement Guerillas. The group was pursued by Japanese soldiers, so they moved to a remote place near the mountains. When the American Liberation forces arrived, the Japanese retreated, but a crazy man killed many Filipino civilians. Luckily, they escaped by taking another trail among tall grasses and thick wooded areas with their two babies.

After the war they bought two army surplus trucks and started a logging business with their savings. It was successful until the Huks (government rebels or Communist Party) infested the forest and kept harassing and threatening them. The couple went to transporting rice, tobacco, and fertilizer to Manila and other places.

Today, Esther lives in Salinas, California with her youngest son, Carmelo. She has retired from teaching and loves to take care of his three children. She does crossword puzzles, sews, watches Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, and takes pride in her 14 grandchildren.

Marco Tumanut is twelve years old and in sixth grade. [Written in 1995-1996 as a school project.]

Last updated July 28, 1997 by Bong Tumanut