In this issue, we gathered some personalities to reminisce and relive memories of their loved ones who have passed away. We who are still living give utmost importance on the wonderful experiences we had with the ones who left us.
· SYLVIA MUŃOZ–ORDOŃEZ
Executive director of the Center for Asia Pacific Women in Politics (CAPWIP)
"My uncle Tatang Carding (his formal name was Dr. Ricardo Juico) was a doctor. His whole life was dedicated to serving as a medical practitioner at the University of Santo Tomas (UST). During my young years, my faint memory of him was one where we could come from the province each Christmas to pay our respect to relatives.
When I grew up and he became a widower, my mother and he spent more time together. The whole family become closer to him. We made it a point to bring him to all our family gatherings, big or small. We all loved him even more as he grew older… and more sensitive and sentimental. We all loved his stories about his experience with the death march.
When my own Tatang passed away, Tata Carding became my Tatang. I was happy to look after him…in my own way… even happier seeing how happy my mother was just being with his beloved brother, whom she loved very much. We all loved him, too.
· LORRAINE SHUCK
Former Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia and executive producer of Miss Earth
Maryann Aleirmo Esperidion died early this year of cancer at the age of 51 in Jacksonville, Florida USA. She was the youngest sister of my Mom. She was like my older sister. In the year 1987 when I got pregnant to my daughter Samantha, I stayed with her in the US and she took very good care of me.
She was my friend and even came with me to the Lamas class I took, in spite of her hectic schedule. We were so much alike (naughty and crazy), we had the same zodiac sign, we are both Leo’s.
I should tell you first about Jacksonville, that time I felt like I was in a province, so you could just imagine the place, quite boring and mostly old people around you.
With her around, Jacksonville became a memorable place for me. What I cannot forget is, I was eight months pregnant and she got me to do a show for the Filipino community in Florida, it was a musical sitcom ("Pag-ibig Masdan ang Ginawa Mo"). My role was a young girl who got pregnant because of love. It was really fun and the best part is all the baby gifts I got, "big savings" for me, I did not have to shop anymore. I can go on and on – there were just so many good memories.
When I found out she was sick of lung cancer I went to visit her. It was a month before she passed away. She was just glowing, she did not look sick at all. She look young and pretty. I can’t recall her looking that way before. I know that my Tita Nanette (that’s how I call her) is out there still watching over me. I would like to thank her for the love she showed me, which I could not do when I visited her because I did not want her to see me hurting. I wanted to show her that everything is alright and that we are happy because she will be happier than ever. I love her so much and I miss her.
· CHRISTINE JACOB
TV host, Mobile Kusina
What I miss about Rio (Diaz) would be the funny stories she would tell, her contagious laughter, the way she would take care of me and look out for me and of course, all our little secrets.
· LETTY CORPUZ SYQUIA
Philanthropist
My life with my late husband, Ike (Amb. Enrique Syquia), is one big beautiful memory of so many wonderful moments, that the 41 years of our shared life, sped by so fast that it all seemed too short.
I remember the time when I became pregnant with our first child after two miscarriages. He was very proud, happy and excited. He told me he knew I will be an excellent mother because I was an excellent wife. He said how lucky I was because I will be able to catch their first cry of pain, to feel the first tooth coming out, to see the first step, to their first prayers, to correct any semblance of a lie just to avoid punishment, to take their hand when they are ready for school, to catch and correct their unhealthy habit or expression imitated from others and many, many more.
At that time, I was teaching at the UST, and he knew I loved my profession, but that was his subtle way of asking me to stop working, to make me realize what an awesome responsibility I was facing — to raise a God-centered family. He didn’t ask me to resign, I volunteered to do it. It was my decision and I never regretted it.
He gave me a heartshaped diamond ring and after I told him of my decision and I gave him five wonderful boys, one became a priest, another a doctor, two became lawyers and one went into business management. I miss him but I always thank God for His gift of Ike, husband and father and the beautiful memories.
· BENJIE O. GOQUINGCO, JR.
Radiologist
Now that our mom, National Artist Leonor Orosa-Goquingco, has gone and left the world, the remaining members of our family will surely reminisce about her. Most memorable about my mother was her intense and passionate dedication to her work whether it be her art–dance or her writing.
She would tirelessly repeat and rehearse a dance until she got perfection. Something Filipinos should learn from her was her endless quest for excellence whether in art or in work. "Puwede na" was never in her vocabulary.
Another endearing trait of my mother was her intense curiosity and openness to new ideas. Can you imagine a septuagenarian guffawing and thoroughly enjoying a performance of Eve Enster’s "Vagina Monologues" with the like of Monique Wilson? She was not shocked at all. She thought it was ground breaking. That was my mother, curious, passionate and a perfectionist. That was Leonor.
· EDGAR "BOBOT" MORTIZ
Actor/ TV director, Goin’ Bulilit
When I was still courting Millette, her mother, the late- Nora Navarro-Santos talked to me and I was told "Huwag mong lolokohin si Millette."
I was kinda spoiled by Mommy Nora. Everytime I visit Millette in her house, Mommy Nora prepared a special menu for me and my barkada, the members of Bad Bananas. When Millette gave birth to our first child, I remember Mommy Nora so excited about the baby and she was the one who took care of her first grandchild for three months.
We both loved standard songs. We idolized Frank Sinatra and she was the singer’s number one fan.
· BENNY T. CLEMENTE
President, Belco Marketing, Inc.
My fondest memories of Tatay (former Mauban, Quezon mayor Amado A. Clemente, Sr.) were those times we spent hanging out when I was young. Growing up in a small town, we amused ourselves with outings to the "sabungan" (in Mauban and in neighboring towns) as well as drinking sessions with friends and relatives.
During our trips to Lucena and Manila, he would treat our family to dinner or lunch at Chinese restaurants, like the old-time panciterias and tea houses in Ongpin and Sta. Cruz. Even as I got older and was studying and worked in Manila and eventually married, my visits with Tatay were always filled with easy-going conversations and laughter. When he passed away in 1998, I felt that I not only lost a father, but a very close friend.
· PAULINA T. SANTOS
Ballet dancer and communication arts student, Miriam College
The times I would go to my Lolo’s (Atty. Romeo R. Ticzon, Sr.) house, I would just enjoy the moments we had. He would help me out with my home work, we would even take naps together in our favorite spot in his sofa. I would eat meals with him and he would always make sure I had ice cream or mangoes for dessert.
What I loved the most was whenever he would check me out from the stairway if I was on my way to his house. Remembering the expression on his face just made me happy. To me, it was a sense of security having him around.
I only spent time with my Lola Nena (Encarnacion Lovina-Ticzon) in my later years. We would occasionally go to eat in hotels and, of course, enjoy the ambiance there. Whenever I visited her in her condo, she would be very particular about my putting a towel on my head for a long time after I took a bath. What I loved most about her is whenever she would create music by tapping the table. She also played the piano for us, which is so fascinating since she knew the notes of the songs even after many years.
Life is so short so knowing how to make a difference or to make your mark in people’s lives is important. Like my grandparents, I may not have known their other achievements but what I do know that they did a great job as my grandparents… that I am very thankful for.
· MEL CHIONGLO
Film/TV/stage director
When Lino Brocka was alive, our day usually began with early morning phone calls and ended with a late night call. If there was something on TV, like a local film awards night, the night calls were incessant with Lino making his trademark running commentaries. It was all in jest and really funny.
It’s well-known fact that Lino was passionate about everything, especially issues. If there was an anti-censorship rally, he would always be in the forefront. We could synchronize our schedules; shoot our films in the morning and run to the rallies after lunch. Placards were made the night before in his apartment behind what is now the ABS-CBN compound.
One time, I had to stay overnight at the Chinese Hospital for a check-up. Lino suddenly appeared in my room, announced he was sleeping over to keep watch and plunked himself on the couch. I almost fell off my bed.
But he was such a friend, he dragged me to the Toronto Film Festival where he shared a room and introduced me to all his festival friends. During our first couple of nights in Toronto, he suffered jetlag, woke up at 2 a.m. To let me sleep, he got out of the hotel and walked down midtown Toronto. After walking, he had coffee and Danish at the coffee shop beside the hotel before going back to the room. Only later, did he tell me of his wee-hour-of-the-morning walks.
Lino was a man of contradictions. He could be so energetic and have 10 appointments a day in different places. He could also stay inside his room for days, just reading and watching TV. He devoured junk food. One time, he finished a big pack of watermelon seeds in one sitting and complained later his lips were painful and dry.
He never missed your birthday. Unannounced, he appeared at the house, bringing some lunch, chatted with the family. He was like the wind.
· OSKAR A. ATENDIDO
Events director, segment producer of "F" on Studio 23, John Robert Powers instructor
He was a love in a time when we both needed love. He was on the verge of seeing a real "Bad Boy" from Tondo when I met him. His first real job was in Coco Banana during the drag days of the ‘70s, first as a janitor, maintenance man, security guard and "taong-bahay", all rolled into one.
Later, he rose to become the best disc jockeys in the famous disco of Ernest Santiago. His name is Alex Baez. I loved him for three years until we lost contact when Coco Banana finally closed in the early 80’s.
After a year and a half, I learned from his best friend that he was murdered. I miss him, his sensitivity, his thoughtfulness, his funny stories, his favorite spot at the back of the Folk Arts, his smile and most of all, his great company.
