| Bro. Bimbo Tecson : Hoodlum no more |
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By Sis. Rose Minas
Roots A native of Cebu City, Bimbo was able to graduate from high school despite his situation. He has five siblings. Once, they had a lot of money because of the illegal and unlawful profession his parents were into. But then, they were never a happy family. His parents would always quarrel. His father's womanizing made her mother furious. He barely came home and would prefer to stay out of the house. His mother would lock herself in the bedroom and won't eat even for three consecutive days, leaving the kids unattended and cared for. He grew up just like his parents. He became a drug user and pusher to support his own vices. He learned the trade soon and fast. Trials one after the other
Years came by and trials set in. Money became scarce and was soon gone. His grandfather got sick and was brought to the hospital, but died later. His father got jailed several times and was eventually salvaged. He was found dead with 16 gunshot wounds. Their house burned down and not a bag of clothes was saved from the fire. They erected a house just enough to shelter them but after several months, it was included in the demolition. Nowhere to go, they just stayed near the boundary and built a shack.
Living in the dark
Life went on for Bimbo. He was always outside the house and would rather not go home. He learned that his mother was jailed because of drug pushing. His three brothers were sent to his uncle and aunt. His remaining siblings stayed with him. With no permanent job, he learned to rely on his ability and tactics. He became a hold-upper, snatcher, robber and member of “akyat bahay” gang. He couldn't help but hurt people who tried to When he felt that the “heat” is on him, he decided to cool off for a while and stayed home. Then, once, a police officer invited him to the precinct for questioning and had his photo taken. This same officer incited to him to be a pimp - easy money, less hassle. Soon, he became one. He discovered there is a lot of money in the flesh trade. He began to deal with big-time customers. He sometimes cheated them, robbed them, and forced some women into the trade. This went on for eight years. He became worse than before. Anything that would make money, he did. He was a hoodlum in the area. Later on, he found a friend. Just like him, he became his “ka-kosa”. He was a gangster like him. They shared the same thoughts, style and tactics. They shared a common goal – to live no matter what. On July 2, 2005, a commotion woke him up. It was his mother and a neighbor who was quarreling. Defending his mother, he accidentally struck the neighbor with a knife. But it was his mother who went to jail because she admitted to the crime. He soon realized how bad he was. He later found out that he and his friend were in the list of “vigilantes.” The police was on the hunt for them. The next thing he knew, his friend was dead. That was the time he decided to go Manila. He called his grandmother who lives there for help.
Opening the door
Bimbo's grandmother went to Cebu to fetch him. She advised him to change his ways and she will help him with it. They went to a church and entered the Adoration Chapel he recalled to be a “room.” His grandmother left him there while she talked to some people and arrange his stay before they leave for Manila. Later, three persons entered the room and prayed. Since he didn't know how to pray, he just knelt and talked to a “cross” and said “Alam kong totoo ka pero kailanman ay di ko naisip na tawagin ka sapagka't kilala ko sarili ko. He slept for almost three hours at the adoration chapel while waiting for his grandmother. When she finally came back, they went to a convent and Bimbo stayed there for three days. All he did was confess and attend mass twice a day. He even celebrated his birthday there last July 21, 2005. After sometime, they now ticket for Manila.
Out of the dark
Bimbo's life in Manila was the exact opposite of what he had in Cebu. Here, he learned to go to mass every day.
One day while entering the church, somebody gave him a flyer - an invitation to a Catholic Life in the Spirit Seminar sponsored by the Friends of the Divine Mercy Community. Without second thoughts, he attended the seminar, which was held on October 2005-Pasay(Batch 3). This paved the way for his conversion – from a life in the dark to a life with light and love. Life is still a struggle. But according to Bimbo, life has never been the same. It is full of hope, trust and forgiveness that he has never felt before. There is joy serving God through the community and the knowledge that He loves Bimbo and will never forsake him. Today, Bimbo is an active member of FDMC-Pasay and currently heads the General Services Ministry. He always volunteers himself to the ministry service and strives not only to improve himself but also to be more of service for the good of the community. You will see him busy holding the video camera, recording the proceedings during Jacob’s Well every Wednesday and during monthly Treasures. Now, a Lay Minister at Our Lady of Airways Parish at the same time doing ministerial service during Treasures. Indeed, Bimbo shows that there’s hope in the love and mercy of the Lord. Who would have thought that he would be one day on the road to salvation and not on the road to perdition? His turnaround story is a gleaming example of finding true life in the presence and service of Him who makes all things possible. A hoodlum? No more! Bimbo is out of the dark and is now in the light of the Lord who loves him!
(Bro. Bimbo from Pasay Chapter is Face of Faith for October 2006.)
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Notorious, that's what he was known for. Born in the midst of an environment where crime is rampant and drugs abound. A son whose father was a hired killer and a mother who was a drug pusher, he grew up to be one of them. Who would think that Bimbo would find a life with Jesus?| < Prev |
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