And as I scanned every single page, I also read them line by line and then page by page and my already deep admiration for Nanay became deeper.

The message of Pons on the “munting bilog ng kanin” touched me most as it was a manifestation of how Nanay had lovingly nurtured them through the years. Ivy’s message of “walang hanggang pagmamahal” on the other hand, was full of love and longing. I was deeply touched with her wish for another day to be with Nanay knowing that her wish is not possible anymore. The great grandchildren, Aaron, Nicole, Aubrey, Charles, Allen, Shashing & Wacky also expressed their love through their countless innocent colored drawings. Shasha’s (Apple’s daughter) simple drawing of a flower with her message “This flower is for you Lola.” caught my attention. What an innocent expression of Love!

Jun and Chie’s message of “life will not be life” truly expressed their real feelings. I can attest to that. Ate Zeny’s “magkamukha message” was very thrilling as it did not only show Ate Zeny’s affirmation of her “beauty” but also her strength and her excellent way of accepting the loss. Nakakainggit! She was so composed both physically and “theoretically”!

The writing prowess of the family came out in these messages. Josh joined the group with his short poem message of “hinding-hindi makakalimutan” for Nanay. Cheche’s “coolest Lola” was the closest description of Nanay that I saw! And Kuya Boy’s sentimental message added to the beautiful poems that were dedicated to Nanay. Tita Lydia, Rey and Igi Boy gave their own “good bye and thank you” message to Nanay.

Relatives, friends and neighbors gave their outpouring messages too. And they were all very touching.

After a day and “almost sleepless night” of scanning all the messages and having printed one good compilation ready for Ate Zeny’s trip to Canada, I didn’t feel tired. Instead, I felt happy because I know I have known a person who was not only kind to her relatives and friends but also a mother to everyone. . . and they all come from all walks of life. . . a driver, a yaya, a neighbor, an innocent child and many more. I felt proud that I met a person who was not just an ordinary person in the neighborhood but is being considered as one Very Special Person by everyone.

And to top it all, I can honestly say that if Nanay was proud of having known me as THE EXECUTIVE, I feel equally proud to have known her – - She is very special to me and. . . . .

IT WAS WORTH KNOWING HER! My Love goes to Nanay wherever she is now.

I thought that I have seen enough of Nanay having known her for a number of years but after having weathered the “monotonous” stories of Loochie and Ivy over a plate of “ginataang halo-halo” . . the more that I admired Nanay. Yes, they were monotonous in the sense that there was only one lead character. . . and that was Nanay Paring. But who cares? She is such a very interesting person and that makes her a superstar in the eyes of those who love her truly and I am no exception.

They never stop telling stories one after another about Nanay. . . . enough to complete a library of short story books about Nanay. And they never run out of stories everytime we meet. . .

And when I started inquiring on the background of those people I met in the wake, one short story led to one another. . . . . all about the greatness of Nanay!

Businesswoman With Excellent PR

Ivy said that Nanay knows how to combine business and “pakikisama.” When young men would make “tambay” in her store to drink beer and the like. . . she would go out of her cashier table and talk to the young lady buyers and in a hearing distance of the girls she would advise the boys not to tease the young ladies. . . . that’s her way of getting sales from the young girls aside from not being afraid to go near her store thus generating more sales. . .

VAP – Very Accomodating Person

Chie would remember the times that their house in Dungo had so many rooms in the ground floor so as to accommodate relatives from Bicol who would love to stay with them and how Nanay had lovingly treated all of them with her own brand of kindness. Some of them were there in her wake like Tio Eli, Tio Ping and his family, Tio Naning and his family, Tio Mer and his family and Tia Sinay’s children. According to Chie, Nanay inspired Conching to study dressmaking while Ate Zeny helped her in her cosmetology course. Nanay would go out of her way to get clients for Conching so she can practice her dressmaking and manicure/pedicure skills . Truly admirable!

The Adviser

She was the adviser of a couple who temporarily lived in a jeepney near their house. . . and everytime they quarrel, they would ran to Nanay for advice who readily patched things up for them. She then offered them a simple decent meal. What a wonderful adviser she was! Her advise comes with a set of meal!

“Para Piso Lang”

She was the kind of “lola” to others who generously gave

one peso daily to a young kid in the neighborhood for his daily ice candy. And there’s another kid who expected a glass of mango shake from Nanay everyday for free and that kid would even invite other kids to ask from her and she would readily accommodate all of them for free. She would say “para piso lang, makakatulong ka pa sa mga bata”

The “Kunsintidor”

Inspite of the objections of Chie re Jun’s smoking and drinking, Nanay would always get her way of sending Jun a bottle of emperador or 2 bottles of San Miguel Beer from her sari sari store to their house’s ref. . . . the bottles will go with a message na “para dalawa lang!” She knows how to meet half way with making other people happy and at the same time being responsible for their actions!

A Mother to Everyone

Emma is one story by herself. Emma stayed with Nanay’s family for a while, sent her to school but finally Emma got married and left their place. When Emma decided to come back, Nanay readily accepted her again and treated her like her own daughter. When Emma made “lambing” that she wants a wallet as a birthday gift , she readily offered one of the wallets that is for sale in her store! No questions asked! Emma loved Nanay as if she was her own too!

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On April 13, 2007, eve of the interment of Nanay, Chie and Ate Zeny asked me to prepare a personal message at the necrological services for Nanay but knowing how poorly I can handle my emotion. . . I requested that I be spared of the “task”. Nevertheless, I prepared one just in case.

But I never got to read one because Chie’s family respected my request but on hindsight I regret for not having participated. If only I bravely stood there in front of everyone. . . . .

I could have said a lot of things. . . . .I could have told them that from the point of view of a family friend who have seen the family in good times and in bad times, it was one wonderful experience. I learned so many things!

I could have said I was a witness as to how everyone in the family loved her unconditionally . . . I saw this in their indescribable ways of caring her. Of giving everything. . . . of not saying “no” for every little thing that she asks. . . Never mind if it was reasonable or not! All they could say was “Opo, ‘Nay”.

I could have said that I did not only learn how to be stronger in times of trials, but I have learned to love my parents more. I am fortunate to have told this to Nanay Paring when she was still alive through a short note that I gave her. This note still forms part of the many mementos that are being displayed in their Marikina home.

I could have said how I have admired Jun, her son-in-law for having loved and cared Nanay with the same amount of attention that Chie, and the rest of the family accorded her. To me he is a “one of a kind” son in law.

I could have said how close were the kids to her. . . Ivy, Pons,Josh, Aaron, Cheche and the rest of the grandchildren. And that losing her was truly devastating . .

I could have said how proud I was to relate stories to my relatives and friends on how Chie and the rest of the family treat her. That it was a totally different kind of “caregiving”. . . . caregiving that was full of love! Unconditional love that is!

And finally . . . .

I could have said how the family had grieved over her loss and such grieving was so infectious. . . .

I could have said that I do understand the grieving because I too experienced it myself and so did everyone who loved her so dearly.

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