Tita Belita

"Enjoy! I'm at church counting money" ..... And just like that, those were the last words of Tita Belita to me, as texted last Dec27, 9:33am
Simple words that I think exemplify her very essence. ENJOY! She loved life and lived her life to the fullest. One would always find her at the center of things in family gatherings and parties - making the smallest of occasions a bigger event by inventing new ways of doing things... Some of which others may find off-putting. But you've got to understand that it's all in the spirit of fun and just go along with her for the fun ride. She also demanded that we do the same... Perhaps that's why there was an exclamation point after enjoy! In her text to ensure that I and we follow her bidding.
She enjoyed eating and would savor every bite of a good meal - ever since and even until the very last, just resting a bit if she felt 'spasms'... I don't know about most of you, but for me - whenever I am at a good buffet, or eating a good restaurant meal, or simply enjoying a good home-cooked one - I think of her. I think of her because I knew she would have loved that very moment and I would have loved spending and sharing that good meal with her. I think she loved it not just for the food itself but also for the opportunity to talk, to bond, to share life stories and to spend time together. She was happiest doing these simple things.
I'm at CHURCH... She may have been at that time here at her parish church but I think church meant not just the physical place of worship for her but the community of the faithful - of friends and family that she so loved, served and were very much a part of. Tita Belita was a woman of faith, we know... But more than that, she was a woman who lived her faith - of service, of generosity, of love as best as she can. She may not have been successful in having her own children - so instead, she made me, my sister Jessica and brother Topet ... As well as her other siblings' children as if we were her own. She made her siblings' children's children her own apos. She made the Remase community her adopted family, and she made others too many to mention, her own children and grandchildren - spending time, sharing blessings with them. I myself would perhaps not be who I am today if not for her generosity and time. She was indeed like a mother to me and for that, thank you so much Tita Belita.
Counting money. That was her duty in this church and she was a firm believer of doing one's duties in the best possible way. A woman of service, as I already mentioned, she took on extra duties she may not necessarily have been obligated to do but did so out of her own volition. Moreover, she accepted no less than the same diligence to duty from others. Sometimes, she would be misinterpreted as being harsh and exacting when all she wanted was for people to be mindful of others sentiments, and do the right thing.
Money was of particular interest to her - precisely because of its sensitivity and likely because of her work experience from her days in ACA and Landbank. To this church, she counted money... To the Macaraeg clan, she was the secretary cum treasurer keeping track of the collections and disbursements among the siblings. We are all witness to her integrity and trust her on money and other sensitive matters for that. She did these things with such diligence and took everything to heart. Like the viejas' Christmas goodies from our cousin Wilmett, which was a regular thing already- but it was something she'd talk about and prepare for weeks ahead to ensure her siblings in Davao got the best mix of Christmas goods needed.
She liked to play Santa Claus in family gatherings and did it naughtily, making us her nephews and nieces then, and now the 3rd generation work for it thru games, performances and by running around after her. Her only consolation I think comes when she sees the joy in our eyes, the smile in our faces and these were enough for her.
Tita Belita, you are very much loved and will surely be missed. Thank you so so much! We grieve because you have shared a lot of yourself with us. You left so suddenly and after such happy times - Christmas and your 77th birthday - and without much fanfare, just the way you said you wanted it.... Suave lang. hipos, way samok. 77 is indeed a nice number, Tita - not because of luck or anything else but because those 77 years were lived to the fullest. As you said - steady ka na lang dyan- you will forever be 77. You will forever be in our hearts as you now rest with the Lord. Child no6, our Queen of Wisdom - do pray for us and continue to guide us even as we move on with our lives here on earth.
To Mader, my titas and titos, the rest of the family and all those whose lives have been touched by Tita Belita - let's not cry, she wouldn't have wanted that. Instead, let's celebrate her life! Thankful for the opportunity and privilege of sharing her life.... And in her death, knowing that she is now with God... And hopeful that we will someday be with her again in God's kingdom.
"Enjoy! I'm at church counting money" ..... And just like that, those were the last words of Tita Belita to me, as texted last Dec27, 9:33am
Simple words that I think exemplify her very essence. ENJOY! She loved life and lived her life to the fullest. One would always find her at the center of things in family gatherings and parties - making the smallest of occasions a bigger event by inventing new ways of doing things... Some of which others may find off-putting. But you've got to understand that it's all in the spirit of fun and just go along with her for the fun ride. She also demanded that we do the same... Perhaps that's why there was an exclamation point after enjoy! In her text to ensure that I and we follow her bidding.
She enjoyed eating and would savor every bite of a good meal - ever since and even until the very last, just resting a bit if she felt 'spasms'... I don't know about most of you, but for me - whenever I am at a good buffet, or eating a good restaurant meal, or simply enjoying a good home-cooked one - I think of her. I think of her because I knew she would have loved that very moment and I would have loved spending and sharing that good meal with her. I think she loved it not just for the food itself but also for the opportunity to talk, to bond, to share life stories and to spend time together. She was happiest doing these simple things.
I'm at CHURCH... She may have been at that time here at her parish church but I think church meant not just the physical place of worship for her but the community of the faithful - of friends and family that she so loved, served and were very much a part of. Tita Belita was a woman of faith, we know... But more than that, she was a woman who lived her faith - of service, of generosity, of love as best as she can. She may not have been successful in having her own children - so instead, she made me, my sister Jessica and brother Topet ... As well as her other siblings' children as if we were her own. She made her siblings' children's children her own apos. She made the Remase community her adopted family, and she made others too many to mention, her own children and grandchildren - spending time, sharing blessings with them. I myself would perhaps not be who I am today if not for her generosity and time. She was indeed like a mother to me and for that, thank you so much Tita Belita.
Counting money. That was her duty in this church and she was a firm believer of doing one's duties in the best possible way. A woman of service, as I already mentioned, she took on extra duties she may not necessarily have been obligated to do but did so out of her own volition. Moreover, she accepted no less than the same diligence to duty from others. Sometimes, she would be misinterpreted as being harsh and exacting when all she wanted was for people to be mindful of others sentiments, and do the right thing.
Money was of particular interest to her - precisely because of its sensitivity and likely because of her work experience from her days in ACA and Landbank. To this church, she counted money... To the Macaraeg clan, she was the secretary cum treasurer keeping track of the collections and disbursements among the siblings. We are all witness to her integrity and trust her on money and other sensitive matters for that. She did these things with such diligence and took everything to heart. Like the viejas' Christmas goodies from our cousin Wilmett, which was a regular thing already- but it was something she'd talk about and prepare for weeks ahead to ensure her siblings in Davao got the best mix of Christmas goods needed.
She liked to play Santa Claus in family gatherings and did it naughtily, making us her nephews and nieces then, and now the 3rd generation work for it thru games, performances and by running around after her. Her only consolation I think comes when she sees the joy in our eyes, the smile in our faces and these were enough for her.
Tita Belita, you are very much loved and will surely be missed. Thank you so so much! We grieve because you have shared a lot of yourself with us. You left so suddenly and after such happy times - Christmas and your 77th birthday - and without much fanfare, just the way you said you wanted it.... Suave lang. hipos, way samok. 77 is indeed a nice number, Tita - not because of luck or anything else but because those 77 years were lived to the fullest. As you said - steady ka na lang dyan- you will forever be 77. You will forever be in our hearts as you now rest with the Lord. Child no6, our Queen of Wisdom - do pray for us and continue to guide us even as we move on with our lives here on earth.
To Mader, my titas and titos, the rest of the family and all those whose lives have been touched by Tita Belita - let's not cry, she wouldn't have wanted that. Instead, let's celebrate her life! Thankful for the opportunity and privilege of sharing her life.... And in her death, knowing that she is now with God... And hopeful that we will someday be with her again in God's kingdom.
About this Eulogy: I wrote this eulogy early morning of my Aunt's burial last December 30,2010. My aunt, Isabelita Macaraeg Lodronio (Dec 26, 1933 - Dec 27, 2010) or Tita Belita, was like a second mother to me having no children of her own. She actually wanted to adopt me when I was little and out family was struggling financially. That didn't happen. Instead she became my second mom, a constant fixture in my life as confidant, voice of wisdom, and sparring partner of my mom - for which I am forever grateful.