‘I help because I still can’

Tan Ko poses for a photo while holding his book and a photo of himself as a young boy. (THOMAS MANGLONA)

When the church bells ring and the cathedral lights illuminate the altar on daily morning Masses, churchgoers can thank Francisco Palacios, 84, better known as Tan Ko’.

Waking up at 4am to open the doors of the Mt. Carmel Cathedral has become a normal part of Tan Ko’s morning routine over the past several years. Before turning on the lights to the church and preparing for daily Mass he kneels at the altar and prays.

Ever since his pre-teen days Tan Ko’ has been selflessly serving the church, after being asked by then-Monsignor Tomas A. Camacho to serve as a volunteer for the diocese nearly three decades ago.

Fr. Ryan Jimenez, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, said that he cannot imagine life in the parish without Tan Ko’. “He lives out his faith daily by serving the Church. At daily Masses we all take our go-signals from him. I have a deep respect for him and I think he sets a great example on what service is all about. He continues to give himself to others.”

There is a slight tremor in his voice when Tan Ko’ speaks but he says his commitment to the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa remains untarnished over the years.

Before permanently residing on Saipan he was sent to attend school in Palau during World War II in 1943. He came back three years later and started working for the Navy in 1947. After nearly 34 years of service Tan Ko’ ended his service in 1981. Not long after his retirement he immediately started work for a tour agency where he spent the next 17 years, up until the time when his wife, Rufina, passed away.

“She died a natural death. One morning I was waiting outside ready to go to church and she was in the restroom. I was waiting to go to church…she could not open the door and so we called for help.

We brought her to the hospital, where she died,” he said.

This moment in Palacios’ life is something he said he will never forget and is what truly kindled his passion for living a life in service of others and the Lord.

After attending Mass every day he walks to the cemetery to pray for his wife.

His wife is survived by Tan Ko’ and their 14 children. His grandchildren are also following the example Tan Ko’ sets as they serve as altar servers at different parishes on island.

After years of serving the church, he later became the official record keeper of the money collections the church gathers during Mass. For this interview, he slowly pulled out an old dusty record book and showed it to this reporter.

“I have been keeping these records for the past years. They date back to the 1990s,” he said.

Palacios, who is also the co-author of Saipan Baseball: From the Beginning, is not only responsible for giving cues during Mass and keeping track of the diocese’s money collection. He is also the sacristan of the Mt. Carmel Cathedral Parish, takes care of all funeral preparations at the cathedral, is in-charge of the Mass at the Chalan Kanoa Cemetery every first Monday of the month, and prepares the chapel for the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Friday.

Many personal friends and colleagues of Tan Ko’ describe him as a person who epitomizes the old saying: “Give more than you receive.”
When asked why he continues to volunteer his time working for the church, he said, “I feel strong. As long as I feel strong I will continue to help.”

Tan Ko’ will be turning 85 years old this year on the 14th of July.