From rags to riches At eleven, the son of Isaac Dalisay and Marciana Franco learned to eke out a living, travelling many a kilometer on weekends to bring farm products to his family. At fourteen, he sought his future in Manila. Despite hardships, he graduated from elementary school at the top of his class. Then he enrolled at the University of Manila from where he graduated in 1923. From Manila, he ventured into the city of the disgustingly delicious Durian fruit, Davao, working as a stevedore at the pier. Naturally intelligent, he rose from the ranks and became the highest official of the Luzon Stevedoring Company, the company he gave his faithful service to for three and twenty years. A clash of opinions with the headman, however, forced him to organize his own stevedoring company. That was when he found his pot of gold. Following is a string of accomplishments of Desiderio: In 1929-49, he was a labor leader and President of Davao Stevedore Mutual Benefit Association In 1952-54, he was a member of the Labor Management Advisory Board, Department of Labor (labor side), in Manila, and also regional vice-chairman of the National Confederation of Trade Unions, Mindanao and Sulu. From June to September of 1952, he was adviser to the Workers Delegation to Geneva and Tokyo (ILO), this time taking management’s side. From 1960 to the 1980s he was (a) member of the Labor Management Advisory Council for Mindanao, again taking management’s side; (b) first chairman, Philippine Mental Health Association, Davao Chapter; (c) life member, Philippine Veterans Legion, Davao Chapter; and (d) life member, Philippine-American Guardian Association. For a few decades was director/incorporator of the Community Chest and Council of Davao. For many years starting in 1971, he was a life corporate member of YMCA (Card No.3372.). Starting in 1972, he became president for life of Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc. In April 1973, he became a member of the Board of Trustees, Brokenshire Memorial Hospital, Davao City. In October 1974, he became a life member of the Philippine Constitution Association (PHILCONSA). Desiderio always had the poor in his heart. Thus, he often delightedly told his audience that there was a time he went home weary and tired, seeking refuge in a bed that was not there. Later, he would write the following: Among the greatest gifts a man possesses is his willingness to give a portion of his time, talent and treasure to the poor. We shall never be able to pay in full the ransom for the poor but we can freely and nobly pour into their lives our love and services. Not even the comfort of his well-cared office made him lose his concern and care for the disadvantaged. Hence, he would remind his brother Masons: While we may enjoy the comforts of our swivel chairs and air-conditioned rooms, let us also give time to listen to the poor for they, too, have their story. Let us pledge that our works of charity shall assume greater and wider dimensions than ever before, that the nameless widow, the lost orphan and the wary traveller will have less tears to show because of our willingness to do acts that only love can bestow. We must resolve that the noble tenets of the Fraternity that we know by heart shall never become tinkling cymbals but become arrows that shall pierce the veil of indifference and unconcern. Desiderio’s charity transcended the confines of Davao City into places where people needed his moral and financial support. Among his many works of charity are the following: - Puericulture Center building, Panabo, Davao del Norte - School building; Sta. Ana District, Davao City - School building, Barrio Paradise, Davao City - School building and lot, Dalisay Village, Manay Panabo, Davao City - New municipal building, Carmen, Davao del Norte. - Girl Scouts’ building, Tagum, Davao del Norte - One unit of Nissan Jeep and two units of Dump trucks, Tagum, Davao del Norte - Twenty-five years of continuous financial support to Catholic missionaries in Northern and Central Luzon - Free elementary education to company worker’s children for many, many years in Manay and New Carella. - Bridges for Carmen, Davao del Norte. - Children’s playground, Ibajay, Aklan - Hundreds of pesos monthly cash contribution for life to the Good Shepherd Sisters, Davao City. - Another monthly cash contribution for life, this time to Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc. Perhaps because, as a student, he was not given the necessary financial support, he decided to become godfather to disadvantaged but deserving students. He sent many of the promising poor through college. In 1947, Desiderio joined the Mystic Order. On September 20 of the same year, he became a Master Mason. In July 1952, he became Charter Member of Laong-Laan Lodge of Perfection, Davao Bodies. From 1971 to 1973, he was Worshipful Master of Shangrila Lodge No.196. During his second term, his lodge was voted the “Most Outstanding” subordinate lodge of the Philippine Grand Jurisdiction. As a Mason he received these awards: Jose Abad Santos Medal of Honor, the Zerrubabel Key, International Order of DeMolay, and the Legion of Honor of the International Order of DeMolay. In 1976, he was crowned 33° SGIG. He had other awards than those mentioned earlier. His own city gave him the highest award, the DATU BAGO Award, in 1973. In 1977, the Davao Integrated Press Club gave him its highest award for civic achievement, namely, the Plaridel Plaque of Honor. He was so involved in business that he frequently missed lodge functions. A close associate, Tiburcio Cervantes, listed these financial interests, thus: President of Desiderio Dalisay Investments, Inc.: of Davao Stevedore Terminal Co., Inc., of Desidal Fruits Inc.; and of Glorious Resurrection Memorial Park, Inc. Chairman of the Board, both of Panabo Planters, Inc. and of Desidal Fruits, Inc. Director of Mindanao Chemical Industries, Inc. Proprietor of the following subdivisions: Spring Valley Subdivision, Buhangin, Davao City and Desi Heights Subdivision, Digos, Davao del Sur Proprietor of the following concerns: Desidal Realty Development Co., DD Homes, Daluz Recreation Center (Panabo, Davao), and Cine Dalisay (also in Panabo, Davao). Such business involvement, experienced by one with less mettle and staying power, would have brought the doctor in haste. But, for Desiderio, pressure was pleasure. Indeed, despite his pressing business activities, time he always has had for civic involvement. Humbly, he confessed in his inaugural address: Prior to my elevation to a seat in our Grand Lodge, I had for 20 years been only a paying member of the fraternity. I must, therefore, catch up, with lost time and with your attention and assistance, I shall move faster and push further the aims and purposes for which our founding brethren have deemed fit to create the Craft. This, he did as Grand Master, travelling from North to South, his physical condition notwithstanding. In a trip to Marawi City for instance, Desiderio found it difficult to climb the stairs. No one knew, except probably his wife, Patricia Sienes-Dalisay, the physical pain he suffered. Yet, without showing on his face the excruciating pain he was going through, he accomplished his task. Later at the Manila Hotel, after having served the Grand Lodge as Grand Master, he would be heard by the brethren, saying, “I will go abroad for a much needed respite.” Yes, the man who was elected as the sixty-first Grand Master more than made up for the years “lost” in minding his vast business enterprise. As a man, he soared from humble beginnings to heretofore-unknown heights. As a Mason, from a slow start, he ended his term as Grand Master able to “…push further the aims and purposes for which our founding brethren have deemed fit to create the Craft.” On September 19, 1989, Dalisay met his Creator.