The Aratilis Tree at the Old Lasmarias Yard
by Oliver Carlos
My Uncle Vic and Auntie Vicky Lasmarias is a one-of-a-kind couple. To begin with, their names are very similar. They celebrate their birthdays on the same day. They are both honor graduates; Vic is a Chemical Engineer from the National University, while Vicky is the first female cum laude of the BS Forestry program of UPLB. Obviously, they’re geniuses, and so are their 4 sons. Their eldest child Vincent was my age, and we were playmates growing up.
In the early 1980s, they started to build their home on a large corner lot in Umali Subdivision, just outside UPLB. Their house was a modest bungalow with 3 bedrooms, but their yard was one of my most memorable places in my childhood.
There were 2 very attractive things for little kids on the Lasmarias yard. The first one was a playground. They had a slide, see-saw, monkey bars, and a couple of swings. These are stuff one would normally see in school, but the Lasmarias family had them just outside their doorstep. Secondly, they had an aratilis tree (Muntingia calabura) that was so low in height, that a little boy like me can climb and pick fruits. The aratilis fruit looked like tiny red apples the size of pebbles. When one bites into the fruit, a sweet grainy pulp will ooze out. I loved the tree more than the playground. I really looked forward to every time I would go over to the Lasmarias yard.
One thing I really admire about the Lasmarias couple is that they heartily opened their home to dozens of little kids in the neighborhood to play in their yard. Beside the Lasmarias compound was a community called Raymundo. On certain days, the kids were free to use the slide, see-saw, swings, and monkey bars to their hearts’ delight. They were also allowed to eat as much aratilis fruits as they can pick.
Those special days happen when that the yard becomes a Sunday School. The couple invited another aunt of mine, Paz Tamolang to teach the kids Bible lessons and songs. Autie Paz really loved teaching kids. She brought me, my siblings, and the Lasmarias boys to join the Raymundo kids in the Sunday School classes. On special occasions, we would also have kids’ parties. There would be games and the raffle prizes, all courtesy of the Lasmarias couple.
In one of those Bible classes, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. My sister Joan celebrated her birthday in class on that day. Auntie Paz invited all the kids to pray the prayer of acceptance. After the prayer, Auntie Paz said, “Remember this date, Sept. 24, Joan’s 9th birthday. That’s the day you got saved because you let Jesus in your heart.”
It’s nice to look back and realize that so many people are going to heaven because of that ministry. I believe that many of the kids in that Sunday School have also made a decision for Christ and have grown in the faith. Who would have thought that the simple aratilis tree and playground can be used by God to save souls? Much more fascinating is the generosity of the Lasmarias couple. Whatever they had, they gave it to God. For them, their possessions are at God’s disposal.
Whenever I pass by that Lasmarias house, I remember the story of the boy who shared his dinner in the feeding of the 5,000. In John’s book, Jesus was with a large multitude who were hungry, but they’re in a secluded place with no stores in sight. His disciples brought to him a boy who was willing to share whatever little thing he had. And the rest is history, Jesus made a miracle out of the boy’s offering. Meanwhile, here’s the account of Matthew of the same miracle:
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said….. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves…. They all ate and were satisfied…” (Matthew 14:18–20, NIV)
What do you have? Would you like to put them in God’s hands so they can be used for his glory? It doesn’t matter if it’s small or few in your eyes. What matters is that you gave something with all your heart.
The whole Lasmarias family is now based in North America. A new owner bought their Los Banos property some years ago. Today, the aratilis tree in the yard is no more, as a 3-storey dormitory stands on that same spot. But the seeds of God’s Word sown in that Sunday School have sprouted and reaped a bountiful harvest that would last for eternity.
