A Tribute to Prof. Nicanor F. Zaratan, Sr.

(written in 2012, Founder's Day Celebration)

 

Prof. Nicanor F. Zaratan founded a single proprietorship school in Salasa, Bugallon, Pangasinan in 1945 and named it Zaratan Institute, to be later known as Zaratan Junior College. Thereafter, he established the college and changed its name to Zaratan-Quimzon Memorial Colleges with branches in Bugallon, Aguilar and Labrador.

 

He was a visionary with a mission-vision of giving adequate education to the poor who could not send their children to Manila. He invested what he received as his war damages compensation from the United States of America for the houses he built in his subdivision in Cebu City. He had about 23 houses before the war which he sold to buyers in the subdivision he made because he was also one of the first realtors accredited by the Bureau of Trade, then headed by Eliseo Quirino, the brother of the late President Elpidio Quirino.While he was a professor of UP assigned in Cebu, he took up real estate and insurance businesses aside from teaching. He graduated 1st honor in Pangasinan High School and from the University of the Philippines in 1926.

 

He was born in June 21, 1900 as the eldest of three siblings: Perfecto and Soledad. Perfecto remained in Salasa while Soledad settled in Aguilar. Nicanor was named after a religious brother serving as the Parish Priest of Salasa. His father, Don Doreteo Zaratan was one of two brothers, the other, Saturnino owned properties in Aguilar and donated the land where the former ZRI stood ground. Nicanor married Pilar Alonzo Manikis in 1932, also a U.P. graduate: 1927 BSE major in Biology and Spanish and BSHE in 1932. Pilar served as a public school teacher in Cebu City (Avellana High School) and taught in several private and public schools in Manila. She is the daughter of a lawyer, Don Fernando Manikis, who was admitted to the Bar in 1905, a native of an illustrious family, Frieto Manikis, the 1st Filipino Justice of Peace of San Miguel, Bulacan. Pilar is a descendant of Carlos Manikis, the 1st Manikis who settled in San Miguel, Bulacan, Philippines, a lauded sentry married to Honorata Puno, a daughter of the Cabesa de Barangay of the said town.

 

Prof. Nicanor F. Zaratan sealed his future in Cebu City. Four of his children (Hipolito, Maximo, Patricia and Nicanor, Jr.) were born in Cebu - Maximo is the father of the late beloved ZEI principal Ms. May L. Zaratan. As for Nicanor's daughters, Marcelina was born in Manila while Martina and Teresita were born in Magtaking and Salasa, respectively. Five of his children are UP graduates. As a BSE Library Science major, Nicanor was first assigned in Manila, and then Cebu City. With the outbreak of WWII, he re-settled back in Pangasinan to avoid being engaged in the hostilities. He was the standard bearer of the Nationalista Party for Congressman in 1945, but after felling ill, he gave up his candidacy in favor of Juan de E. Rodriquez of Mabini, Pangasinan, a good friend who won and became a Representative of the 1st Congress and a Governor of Pangasinan. Nicanor is the cousin of the former Secretary Francisco Quimzon Duque, who hailed from Aguilar, Pangasinan.

 

In 1958 or whereabouts, when Zaratan Rural Institute was being run on a shoe-string budget because the students could not afford the tuition fees, Nicanor Zaratan engaged in the insurance underwriting business for the Star Life Insurance, Insular Life and Philam Life where he was always the top sales agent. That was how he was able to sustain the school and helped his family. He lived a colorful life during his younger years as member of the Bachelor Club of Cebu and was a Vice-President of PRISTAP (Private Schools and Teachers Association of the Philippines), and as a realtor, a Director and Vice President of PAREB (Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards). He never retired from active work until he taken ill at the age of 79.

 

He passed away at the age of 83 and buried at the Manila North Cemetery beside his beloved Pilar Manikis in the latter’s family mausoleum. People who knew and whose lives were touched by Nicanor F. Zaratan will always remember him for all his good deeds and for what he has done for his town mates and friends. The legacy he established will remain in the hearts and memories of those he helped in his life’s journey. He was an epitome of honesty, hard work coupled with the necessary education to elevate people from poverty. He will always be remembered as a friend and a philanthropist. Others will say more which only history will unfold.