Efraín Borrero E.
A few days ago, the tribute organized to honor the exemplary life of Rubén Darío Ortega Jaramillo, born in Loja on September 15, 1929, took place. The Theater of the House of Ecuadorian Culture Núcleo de Loja was packed to the brim, using the expression coined at the time by bullfighting reporters to say that there was no room for one more person.
It was an effusive manifestation of affection for the gentlemanly, spontaneous, upright man and sincere friend; as well as the recognition of his virtues and his brilliant intellectual, professional and public service career.
The event was dressed with distinction and sobriety, both because the circumstances warranted it and because that was the purpose of the group of organizing ladies, among whom are: Susana Álvarez, Sonia Ruiz, Cecilia Moscoso and Gloria Barba.
The speeches were enough to express the greatness of the honoree. Diego Naranjo Hidalgo, director of the House of Ecuadorian Culture Núcleo de Loja, with his outstanding and renowned oratory, presented the event. The authorities of the province, the National Assembly and other local institutions adhered to the tribute.
The use of vocatives was measured, avoiding repeating them over and over again as generally occurs. Juan Fernando Salazar, a columnist for Diario El Comercio, commented a few years ago that he had attended the “Seville Universal Exposition” in Spain, and that, above the magnificence of the event, what he liked most was the use of vocatives and short speeches at official events. He said that, when the kings were present, the mention was: Majesties, ladies and gentlemen. Not being there, simply ladies and gentlemen.
A great friend who held important functions in Poland told me that, in formal events, whoever acts as master of ceremony or presenter mentions at the beginning the people who make up the board of directors and others that he wishes to emphasize, and that in the interventions planned below the names of these people are not referred to again.
Rubén Ortega along with his beloved, inseparable and faithful wife, Alba Isabel Cabrera Bayancela, the first pathologist in the city of Loja, enjoyed at the main table the excited applause that those present warmly gave.
When he was a student at Colegio Bernardo Valdivieso, Rubén Ortega saw Albita Cabrera for the first time, since she was designated queen of that emblematic educational establishment; but that was in passing. Then they met circumstantially in the Boquerón River, in the Catamayo Valley, a place where Loja families went to enjoy a swim sheltered by the climate.
Each one was with his group on the bank of the river that they had taken possession of. The conditions were not conducive for Rubén to bring out his great quality as a swimmer as he did in the municipal pool built next to what is now the Reina del Cisne Federative State, a place where he frequently went to practice his favorite sport. .
With his special style, Hernán Soria Celi says that it was easy to spot Rubén Ortega when he appeared along the extension of Lourdes Street with the towel hanging around his neck, greeting with a gentle smile and a very unique appearance due to his original walking style.
He says that on one occasion he was able to witness that Rubén, after taking a refreshing shower, dove in without raising any water and began a slow and long journey to the delight of the spectators. Some little boys happily chanted the corresponding number each time they reached the respective “length”: one, two…five…twenty…one hundred, and many more. It was not the speed that was surprising, as in the case of Johnny Weismuller, the legendary Tarzan, but his ability to resist.
On another occasion Rubén and Albita met at the municipal cemetery for a funeral, and it was there that they exchanged words feeling something strange inside them. I’m sure it was the crush that started an idyll that grew stronger over time.
In that romantic relationship, Rubén broke away from the usual social protocol, which consisted of finding the appropriate moment to declare his love to the woman of his dreams and waiting sixty days for the response. His personality was not enough for that and he acted frontally and bluntly: to the bread, bread, and to the wine, wine. Albita accepted this state of affairs because her love for him was also growing.
The way the marriage took place confirms that assertion. Albita says that they didn’t think much about getting married. The two were on vacation in Loja because Rubén lived in Lima for work reasons at Muñoz Hermanos, owners of the famous Selections Bookstore, and she in the Perla del Pacífico for her studies at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Guayaquil; That’s why they saw each other occasionally.
On a certain night Rubén went to Albita’s house and suddenly told her: let’s get married tomorrow; I know you don’t doubt my love, but if necessary I open my chest and show you my heart. Albita accepted with firm decision, despite the fact that the proposal defied the opposition of the parents.
His friend Marco Aguirre Apolo was in charge of the negotiations with Javier Riofrío, who was the political leader, as well as the parish priest of the Church of San Sebastián. Only the two of them went to the temple. The priest demanded that there be at least one witness. Rubén left in a hurry and returned with the first one he found.
Since then, the marriage of Rubén Darío Ortega Jaramillo and Alba Isabel Cabrera Bayancela has been an example of virtues and values faithfully transmitted to their two outstanding daughters: Lucía and Judith, and to their descendants, one of whom, Rubén Astudillo Ortega, triumphs with his notable sculptures in Italy and stands out as a student at the Florence Academy of Art. In recognition of his merits, the Illustrious Municipality of Loja distinguished him with a medal, on November 18, 2023.
Rubén Ortega Jaramillo declared at some point that “marriage is not a contract; On the contrary, it is the most important company in life, where communication, respect and love must abound.” In this line of interpretation it would be necessary to say, colloquially, that the management model applied has been very successful, because he and his family, in addition to the merits and achievements achieved, have won the affection, sympathy and consideration on the part of the local community.
On the occasion of the Golden Wedding Anniversary he wrote the poem titled Recuento, whose first verse reads: “Not only is he happy who has fulfilled/his ambition to reach a goal; / It is also as that prophet said / who goes on the path he has chosen.
Heading towards his 95th birthday, Rubén Ortega Jaramillo intensely enjoys family affection and feels happy and fulfilled. Hélder Cámara, famous Brazilian archbishop, said: “Happy is he who goes through his entire life having a thousand reasons to live.”
We meet the “Gatos” Ortega from the long-awaited neighborhood of Sucre, between Catacocha and Lourdes, at whose intersection was the house of his parents, the distinguished poet and teacher Emiliano Ortega Espinosa and his wonderful wife Julia Jaramillo Carrión. Our friendship was a brotherhood; We thought we were cousins or something like that. They called my father uncle.
At that time I was barely completing my primary studies and Rubén Ortega was completing his university studies at the Faculty of Jurisprudence of the National University of Loja. After a few years we found ourselves in the same Faculty when he was my luminous teacher in the subjects of Introduction to Law, Higher Grammar and Legal Ethics, in whose teachings he instilled a love of freedom without which neither law nor peace nor justice is possible. justice.
The relationship of friendship with the Ortega Jaramillos made it possible for me, with my dear and remembered Benjamín, to get along like a soul brother; This is how he told me repeatedly. Through him I learned that Rubén Ortega, who is the eldest of them, with his example and actions became the idol of his brothers, as well as a reference for great virtues, such as solidarity, especially since when Don Emiliano, as we affectionately called him, , died on March 25, 1974.
With his pen, Rubén Ortega Jaramillo has masterfully explored the field of literature in various genres, as well as Law. He likes music and with his simplicity and spontaneity he joined the Rondalla of the Loja Bar Association. He has practiced several sports disciplines such as swimming, chess, tennis and soccer. In the Judicial Branch he has held various positions and in various areas; and, as mayor, he gave all his ability to ensure the development of Loja. Due to his career, he has been awarded multiple decorations, including those from Lima and Trujillo in Peru. That is surely why the prominent writer from Loja, Stalin Alvear, stated that Rubén Ortega is one of the most recursive and complete that he has known,
Heartfelt congratulations to his worthy wife Alba Isabel Cabrera Bayancela and his charming daughters Lucía and Judith, for the well-deserved tribute to the illustrious and blameless son of Loja, Rubén Darío Ortega Jaramillo, to whom I renew my feelings of friendship, admiration, affection and respect.
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