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MOMS EULOGY

Our mom was propped up in a hospital bed in MCU just a couple of days ago, and if

she saw herself then she would be alarmed. Believe me. She didnt like to be out of

the house especially if her hair wasnt combed or her eyebrows undone. I can not

begin to tell you how many times I sat in the car, waiting to go to her regulardoctors check-up, grocery store, a birthday party or even at her house in

Valenzuela and counted seconds, minutes or even hours while she dons her make-

up, focusing on perfecting her eyebrows. Lets just say that she took her time, and I

was a very impatient kid. My children would always tell her, La makalimutan na

ang lahat, wag lang magkilay and she would laugh gracefully and would answer

them: Of course naman! But there was a reason she wanted to perfect her

eyebrows: She wanted to make sure she looked beautiful.

And in the hospital last week, ravaged from illness, with her heart trying so hard to

beat, with her lungs trying so hard to breathe, my mother wouldnt have thought

she was beautiful. But I would tell you, beneath those lines on her face and saggyskin, my mom even without make-up looks perfectly stunning.

As she lies on that very same hospital bed and everyday as we come to visit her,

she exerts all her very best effort to open her eyes for just a few seconds and

breaks into a smile that lights up her entire face with a joy so sheer and absolute

that it brought tears to everyones eyes. She was indeed beautiful. But her beauty

didnt come from her eyebrows, or even from her smile. That beauty came within

her soul. It came from her undying love for us.

Our mother was an expert in love. Even on her last days, with her eyes closed, with

a tube in her mouth to help her to breathe, a failing heart and with shaky hands,she took all her might in writing the lines To all of you: I love you over and over

again on a piece of bond paper.

And proud? She was brilliant at proud. Every grandchild was a trophy to her shiny

and gleaming full of light and importance. She polished them with her love and

words and pride in their deeds. Her eyes would glow as she boast and amplify the

qualities on each of them. Of all the roles she assumed in her life, I think being a

grandmother is where she shone most brightly. She is like the sun to all of her

grandkids, shining their path in every step they make.

My moms pride didnt just extend to her grandchildren. She was so proud of herchildren and friends as well. She would tell stories of us, her 7 children to her

grandkids. She would say, she George yan mabait, si Rey lagi ako pinagda-drive, si

Rolly mahilig magbutingting at magaling mag-ayos ng sira, si Jojie matalino yan, si

Jun malambing, si Lolet ayan lagi nya kong sinasamahan sa doctor, si Baby ayan

maalalahanin. And you would see the glimmer in her eyes, the pride of what she

had accomplished as a mom. She would also say good things about Tia Remy, of

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how she constantly visits her in Valenzuela and in our house here in Bulacan. (ADD

more of the relatives if you want)

My mom may look elegant, but she is very simple. She would much rather give than

receive. She would ask you what she can do or ask you what she can offer. And she

would, with the best she can, help you and give you even the very clothe on herback. Sometimes, we would ask her if she would want a new bag or a new

sapaton because thats her thing. For the younger generations, sapaton means

shoes. Sometimes my kids, would tell her a joke when shes sick, lola.. sapaton

lang kailangan mo saka hamburger at French fries.. tara SM tayo! And she would

laugh and we would go and she would feel better.

But now, no more shopping for sapaton and bags, no more of the best Dinuguan,

Arroz Valenciana and Kare Kare on Christmas and special occasions. No more

apples and oranges on Christmas for her APOs. No more January 4th gatherings for

her birthday. No more of the sight of you eating your favorite snacks which is lugaw

of Edison and marie biscuit with a cup of warm milk, and especially No moremommy nor lola or la to call.

She had such energy and strength it is still hard to believe she had grown so tired.

In the end, her body needed rest though her spirit never did. Any sadness we feel

today, we feel not for Mom but for ourselves because we will miss her presence in

our lives. Eighty-seven years, a well lived life by mom. Eighty seven years of

Mommy Ising spreading her kindness, love and legacy to every life she

encountered. Please forgive us of any loud stories or outbursts of laughter; they

mean no disrespect. After all, we have it on very good authority that sometimes

you really do have to laugh to keep from crying.

For now, Mom, Ma, Lola, La, Grandma, Mommy Ising, farewell. As it says in the

book of Matthew, Well done, my good and faithfulservant.