Building Heritage, Not Just Inheritance: A Family’s Journey of Faith and Stewardship

 

The Prodigal Son: A Lesson in Legacy

In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32), Jesus tells us about a man with two sons. The younger son, eager to enjoy his inheritance, demands his share and leaves home. He squanders his wealth on reckless living and finds himself destitute, longing to eat the food of pigs. When he finally returns to his father, broken and repentant, he is embraced and restored.

This story resonates because it mirrors what happens to wealth and inheritance in many families. Proverbs 21:20 warns, “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” Wealth often fades in the hands of those who lack vision, discipline, or purpose. The prodigal son’s story is a reminder that it’s not enough to leave wealth behind—we must leave a legacy of values, purpose, and impact.

Inheritance vs. Heritage: Building a Legacy

An INHERITANCE is what you leave FOR your children—a sum of money, property, or material possessions. A HERITAGE, however, is what you leave IN your children—a set of values, principles, and a sense of identity that shapes their lives and guides their decisions.

The prodigal son inherited wealth, but he lacked the wisdom to steward it. Heritage, on the other hand, endures. It’s the foundation upon which generations build, ensuring that not just wealth but purpose, faith, and resilience are passed down.

What Does It Mean to Be a Mascarinas?

Growing up, I wasn’t the smartest, fastest, or the most talented. In fact, I was often the one who got teased the most. But I had two things that shaped my life: I was observant, and I was gullible—gullible enough to believe that anything is possible.

That belief came from struggle. It came from watching my parents in Bohol find ways to put food on the table, even when there was none to be found. It came from playing with sticks and stones when we couldn’t afford toys. It came from wearing “Ukay Ukay” clothes—hand-me-downs that didn’t always fit but taught us to appreciate what we had.

Our parents taught us to be resourceful. “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” (Proverbs 6:6). That’s the Mascarinas way—making do with little and turning it into something great.

I’ve learned so much from our family:

• Auntie Winda and Uncle Ram with a very large shoe to fill... taught us the value of helping others. Their medical missions and starting a 911 system in Bohol are a testament to creating lasting impact.

• Auntie Am and Uncle Ran instilled in me the values of hard work and persistence. Auntie Am was my coach when I didn’t have one, cheering me on through her letters and encouragement.

• Auntie Babie and Daddy Bebs showed us leadership and resourcefulness. When no apartment would take us, they helped us secure a home.

• Mommy Chit and Daddy Rudy brought joy to our lives, giving us small things like video games that meant the world to us. Teaching us to always embrace the present and be grateful for the little things. 

• Auntie Jan inspired us by breaking glass ceilings and traveling the world, showing us what it means to aim higher. She often spoke of life as a box of stones—each new skill or lesson you learn is like picking up a new stone to add to your box. Over time, your box becomes filled with tools you can draw from, whether for public speaking, building rapport, or facing challenges. Auntie Jan was also the bridge between generations, bringing the young and old together. She was the glue that meshed us all and the "fun aunt" who brought joy and unity to the family.

• Manoy Winnie and his gang often got into trouble—not because he intended harm, but because he was curious and adventurous. His escapades teach us the value of learning through mistakes. It’s okay to stumble as long as we grow from those experiences.

These lessons have shaped what it means to be a Mascarinas. We are resourceful. We create impact. We don’t just hand out fish—we teach others to fish so they can feed themselves for a lifetime.

The Proposal: A Legacy for Graham

To honor our family’s legacy, I propose that we transform the ancestral home on Graham into more than just a property—it will become a heritage center that reflects what it means to be a Mascarinas.

1. Ownership by Trust

• I will offer to purchase the property for 1 peso from each sibling, including Tatay.

• No single person will own the property; it will belong to a Mascarinas Trust.

• The trust’s role will be to generate income, with 50% reinvested into the property for repairs and upkeep, and the other 50% allocated to charitable programs in Bohol.

• My contribution will be to build out the initial 4-5 unit commercial space so the property can start to generate revenue for repairs and upgrades.

• The trust will be specific that it cannot be sold unless forced by government or nature. Its primary role is to protect and sustain itself, fix itself at the minimum, or acquire additional property to generate more revenue using the same model.

2. Family-Driven Giving

• Each sibling will have an equal say in where their share of the charitable funds goes. They can name specific programs to support, such as foster homes, aid for rape victims, healthcare for the poor, entrepreneurship initiatives, diabetes awareness and treatment, support for battered women, foster care programs, scholarships for students, sports development, or other worthy social programs.

• Future generations of the immediate family will retain the right to direct where these funds are sent, ensuring the legacy continues.

3. Sustainable Revenue

• Initially, we will fix the ancestral home and create a commercial unit to generate income for its bills and repairs.

• Over time, we will develop a lodging unit for family members returning to Bohol. This space will meet American standards, beautifully decorated with touches of Bohol heritage, so family feels both connected and comfortable.

• We will also develop some of the land in the future for additional revenue, exploring the best options to maximize sustainable income.

4. Preserving Our Story

• The property will serve as a living museum of our family’s legacy. We will document the achievements of each branch of the Mascarinas family and their contributions to the world.

• A section of the home will display our history, values, and impact, ensuring that future generations understand what it means to be a Mascarinas.

5. Special Amendment for Original Siblings

• Original siblings/owners of Graham who sell their share to the trust will have the option, when in the Philippines, to reside in the property and take their proportional share of the property’s income for living expenses during their stay.

Teaching the Next Generation to Fish

An old proverb says, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” This proposal is about teaching future generations of Mascarinas what it means to fish: to be resourceful, to create impact, and to give back to the community.

By establishing the Graham property as a legacy center, we are not just preserving our history—we are actively shaping the future. This space will teach our children and their children the values of hard work, faith, and resilience that define our family.

It’s also about learning where we came from and understanding the humble beginnings that shaped our lives. When we reflect on the sacrifices of our parents and the resourcefulness they demonstrated in raising us, we develop a deep sense of gratitude and perspective. This gratitude forms the cornerstone of our family’s identity, reminding us to remain humble, generous, and faithful stewards of all we’ve been given.

Building a Legacy

The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30) tells the story of a master who entrusts his servants with varying amounts of wealth before going on a journey. Upon his return, he finds that two of his servants have multiplied what they were given, while one buried his talent out of fear. The master rewards those who multiplied their talents and condemns the one who squandered the opportunity.

This story teaches us about stewardship and the importance of multiplying what we’ve been entrusted with. Graham is not just a property; it is a talent that we must nurture, grow, and multiply for the glory of God and the benefit of future generations.

Tony Robbins said, “Legacy is not leaving something for people. It’s leaving something in people.” This proposal isn’t just about preserving a home—it’s about preserving who we are.

By creating a trust, investing in the property, and giving back to Bohol, we ensure that the Mascarinas name stands for something greater than wealth. It stands for impact, resilience, and faith.

Les Brown reminds us, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” Let’s aim high with Graham. Together, we can build a legacy that future generations will be proud of.

"As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15) Let this be our mission as we carry forward the values of being a Mascarinas.