Elias Tayco Valentin

Category: Significant Personality

District of Tangalan

Background Information

Date of Birth: April 1921

Date of Death: November 6, 2014

Prominence: History

Birthplace: Regador, Ibajay, Capiz

Age: 93

Biography

Elias Tayco Valentin, also known as Lolo Ely, born on April 1921 at Barrio Regador, Ibajay, Capiz. He was the eldest son among five (5) of Pablo Valentin, a native of Ibajay and Dominga Tayco of Banga. His brothers and sisters were Acenio, Pascula, Apolinario, and Leoncito. Because of poverty and he wasn’t able to finish his studies and attained Grade 3 level only at Naisud Elementary School. He was a responsible, loving, and hardworking man. Being the eldest sibling, he supported his family by planting bananas and other root crops to sustain their daily needs; he also helped his parents in planting coconut trees and harvesting rice in their place. At a young age, Elias already knows the hardships and challenges of life.

After several years, he found a friend named Teofista Sanglitan, a native of Barrio Dumatad, Makato now Tangalan. Teofista is a beautiful, simple, and hardworking woman; Teofista is a “mangangayaw” in harvesting palay together with her parents and neighbors. Elias and Teofista became good friends, and then later Elias developed feelings for Teofista, he courted her with love and sincerity. Afterward, they married each other in the year 1943, month of October at Alibagon, Makato, Capiz by Rev. Fr. Tagle officiated their wedding at that time Elias was 21 while Teofista was 27. They build their own family, and they live with simplicity and contentment with full of love. They had six (6) children namely: Rosinie S. Valentin, Roquito S. Valentin (+), Melinda V. Templo, Ananias S. Valentin, Lucita V. Capispisan (+) and Prudente S. Valentin (+).

A year after they transferred to Dumatad, Makato, Aklan. Elias worked hard for his family. He planted fruit-bearing trees and vegetables to provide for the everyday needs of his family. Sending their children to school is also a challenge for them because of poverty and, aside from that, the distance of the school from their home. But he didn’t hesitate, instead, he serves this as an inspiration to strive hard more. Fortunately, their children finished their studies in high school, and they built their own family too.

Because of the poverty and distance of schools from Barangay Dumatad, it is a challenge for the parents to send their children to go to school, that’s why the Barangay Officials of Dumatad convinced Elias to donate his land for the construction of the school building. Without any hesitation, he donated his land with an area of 5000 square meters equivalent to half hectare, which is situated in Sitio Bukid Barangay Dumatad, Tangalan, Aklan. It is his dream to help every Dumatadnon to have its school and finish the studies of the young.

Lolo Ely passed away at the age of 93, his passing was a big impact on the Dumatadnon especially on Dumatad Primary School. He witnessed some children walking together with their parents going to school and he always says “nalipay gid ako nga makita ro mga inunga”. He is delighted that a simple man with a big heart to contribute to his community, until the next generation.

The Dumatad Primary School became a complete elementary and at present named Dumatad Elementary School in the district of Tangalan.

We are glad and forever grateful to Lolo Ely for his kindness, we are inspired and challenged that Lolo Ely quoted that “Ro kapobrehon hay bukon it upang nga maabot mo ro kadaeag- an ag makabulig sa ibang tawo eabi eon gid sa mga nagakinahangean”.

Significance

Socio-Economic

Due to the construction of Dumatad Primary School, now Dumatad Elementary School, it is the way to lessen the non- literate, it gave great help every learners and to their parents too, that they no longer had to walk far or go to the neighboring barangay school or towns to study. The learners saved on the fare and their “baon”. It is also a great thing that there was employment among the former learners of Dumatad who are now teaching and continuing the legacy.

Historical

Dumatad Elementary School is currently the first school built in Dumatad. It became an instrument in shaping students to reduce those who do not know how to read, count and write. Elias “Lolo Ely” Tayco Valentin, is one of the oldest people in Dumatad and served as a role model for the religion he belongs to, Jehovah’s Witnesses.

References

Key Informants: MS. ROSINE S. VALENTIN, MRS. MEINDA V. TEMPLO, Dumatad, Tangalan, Aklan

Reference/s and Other Sources: Interview

Name of Profiler/Mapper: JAYPEE P. ALAYON, Teacher III, Dumatad Elementary School

Language Editor: DIONADITH GAY H. ISTURIS, Teacher III, Numancia Integrated School

Layout Artist: JOEBEN A. DUMARAN, Teacher I, Ondoy National High

Content Validators: JOSEPHINE P. VICENTE, Teacher III, Regional Science High School for Region VI, DENNIS E. BONTOGON, Master Teacher III, Kalibo Pilot Elementary School

Approved: RUBY AGNES B. ESTRADA, PhD, Education Program Supervisor

Date Profiled: May 6, 2023