A peek into “I Remember Mina”

Text Wein P. Gadian
Photos: Chris A. Fernandez

Nothing beats the memories of our homeland. The people we grew up with, the friends we have and the family whom we share our daily blessings with. As one song describes it, ‘There’s no place like home…when I think of home, I think of a place where there is love.”  Perhaps, these have made a lot of people to write stories about their places. One woman who brought back old time memoirs is Dr. Emolyn Defensor – Hussaini in her book entitled “I remember Mina”. Her book was formally launched last October 11 at their home in Mina.

Emoline as fondly called is a pediatrician and newborn specialist. She’s married to Dr. Syed Aijaz Hussaini, also a pediatrician with specialization in pediatric neurology. They have been partners in the pediatrics office for the past 29 years and reside in Madison, Ohio, USA. She has two children, Yasmeen Ilana and Amed. Emoline is the second among the four daughters namely Maride D. Perez, Araceli D. Ang and Josette D. Mausisa of Concepcion Marin and the late Atty. Jose Defensor. Emoline was brilliant since she was a kid having received various honors in academics: first honors in her elementary education, class valedictorian in high school at the Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus. Her excellence in academics also made her on top during her College years. She was awarded as an Outstanding Intern (Class’71) in the University of the Philippines (UP), College of Medicine. She took her bachelor’s degree in pre-medicine UP Iloilo City. Her pediatric residency and neonatology training was at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. She has been into Pediatric practice for over thirty years. She’s also both a diplomate and Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Her specialization includes Pediatrics and Neonatology and has been a past president of the Ashtabula medical Society.   

The Book

Emoline’s love for her hometown triggered her to write the book. Mina as she calls: “the “dearest little town in the whole world” is full of beautiful memories. And writing a book about it is a ‘dream come true’ because Mina deserves to be praised. She explains: “As a physician, I thought the making of it (book) is like pregnancy. Where there is the long conception, the long drawn-out pregnancy, the difficult labor, delivery and the miracle of birth.”

We all love stories. Be it romantic, action or even tragic. “I remember Mina”, is a collection of the author’s experiences. A narrative essay compiled in one single book that tells the culture, tradition of the “dearest little town in the world.” The author discusses the simplicity of life then. The all-time favorite past time: mahjong for the older ones, swimming in their Suague River of the children and teeners are only among the leisure in the little town. It also talks about the other tradition of the people, on how the elders were respected. Even in decision making of marrying whom were also discussed.

There is also the mention of the Mina Rising Star Association (MRSA), founded on the philosophy of the elders that accomplishments must be recognized, and the ‘harana’, where the man serenades the woman in order to win her heart. The celebration of fiestas that costs a lot of money, but costly or not, the fiesta are considered as one of the most memorable event. Apart from these, there are stories that will also make the reader realize how life then is compared to the now much modern civilization.

So much can be said about our hometown but for the author and to the people of Mina, “Mina will always be in our hearts …no matter what we do, no matter where we go…” she said.

The book is 38 pages composed of five chapters and sold at P50 each. It is also the first book written about Mina. Proceeds of the book will go to the Mina High School as a gift from the author. For inquiries text or call Maride Perez at 09158412692.