“Time Out” is a new series of introductory stories on Dr. Vidalino (Jones) Raatior, written by Alex J. Rhowuniong, a Guam-based Chuukese freelance writer, journalist, educator, and cultural practitioner.
WHO EXACTLY IS DR. VIDALINO (JONES) RAATIOR?
By Alex J. Rhowuniong
Simply, Dr. Vidalino (Jones) Raatior is a candidate for the Federated States of Micronesia Congressional seat for the Northwest region in the state of Chuuk… Election District #5.
With his permission, I am running a series of stories about him online to give you, dear reader, a better idea of the kind of person he really is.
Why?
Perhaps some of us in the NW region in Chuuk may believe we know all there is to know about Vid (his friends call him Vid, and for our purpose we will also call him the same). We may even tell ourselves we know him very well, in fact.
But there is truly more to this young man than what we see with our naked eyes.
(Actually, Vid is no longer a young man physically. He is, in fact, 52 years old. [Sorry Vid for the revelation of fragile info., LOL!]. But truly he is young at heart.
Vid, by his age alone, has already earned the respectful Chuukese distinction of a mwan mirit, a repi… full of wisdom! Now, when you add his level of education, he becomes a soloist… in a league of his own as the first Northwest bona fide educator with a Doctor of Education (Ed.D), degree under his belt.
But, as much as I may wanted to, I am not really here to brag about this man. I am here for you, dear reader, to shed light onto a man entering the arena wanting to be your representative, your voice, in the FSM congress. So that when you stare at his name on the ballot on election day, March 5, 2019; you won’t have to wonder about Vid anymore.
Questions like: “Who is this guy? What kind of a person is he?” would be non-existent in your mind because you’d have already
learned much about this man, Dr. Vidalino (Jones) Raatior.
So, please, come with us. Follow along in our series as we take you back in time to explore the colorful life of this man in the past. So you can understand your future… if you so choose to put him in office, not just to be your voice; but also the voice of your children.
Remember, he grew up and lived his young life wearing afitita, attended the same public schools, experienced the same struggles of outer islanders, and heard the same encouragements from the elders to return home after finishing school to help our people. Then, Vid went on to graduate from University of Guam and entered the seminary to study as a Jesuit for 10 years to be a man of service.
But did he become a priest?
No, he did not. Instead he left the priesthood because he felt that God was calling him to a different way to serve His people as a lay person.
A year after leaving the seminary, he met and fell in love with a beautiful Californian girl, Desha Staley, whom he later married. And now they have two of the most beautiful Chuukese-American children on the face of this earth: Keala Naihangiluk and Keoni Rahutow,
Now, how colorful can one’s life get?
But the story does not end there. And the sparkling colors? Oh, they continue to fly…
Wait! You’ll just have to follow us in order to find out about all these.
So, hop on board. And hold on tight for the ride…
***
Coming up tomorrow is our first installment in the series.
We’re going to pull the curtains apart. And show you exactly what Dr. Vidalino “Vid” Raatior is currently doing as we speak.
***Where is he?
***Is he campaigning?
***Is he working?
***Or is he just sitting at home relaxing and killing time waiting for election day?
All these and more will be revealed in the coming days!
