To Buy or Not to buy

I saw a listing of bank foreclosed Heritage memorial lots. I asked my assistant to inquire and I hesitantly set a meeting to actually see the location.

Buying memorial lots or plans really seem so morbid and parang naghahanda na talaga.
But before I go any further, let it be known by all the angels and saints, na ayaw ko pa po na pumanaw sa mundong ibabaw.

The realization of the practicality of advance planning is real. To determine where to be buried and advance preparation would spare our children from worrying about these things when that day happens. And that day would surely come.
I hope 40 years from now pa.

Last year, while at the Heritage for the Nov 1 observance, my daughter, all of a sudden, asked me, “How about you mom, where do you want to be buried? Not in Binangonan, it’s too far”. Oyen’s question made my thoughts alive, that yes indeed, I need to prepare. “I answered, not here, I want to have my own”.

When I told my husband about the foreclosed memorial lot, he said he’s not sure.
Syempre talaga ngang morbid. But come to think of it, maraming namamatay na hindi naman sila bumili ng sementeryo lots. My friend Atty. Siguion Reyna eh ka-dami dami ng lots eh 89 na yata sya pumanaw. si Don Jayme din, tila he owned 250 lots in Heritage, eh bakit mahigit otsenta na namatay.

My mother in law has several contiguous garden lots in Heritage. That’s where she transferred Edmund’s father’s remains, her parents’ and brother’s bones. That’s where the baby of Dra. Wilma Yee-Galope was buried too. And Ellen too.

I am trying to analyze, who now decides where to be buried? For example Ellen. Parang napalayo na sya sa parents nya. kasi dito na sya nakalibing.

In my case, shall I be buried with my husband’s relatives or with the Tan’s?
I guess it would no longer matter, kasi souvenir na lang yan. Just like what Edmund had told me a week ago, yun daw libing-libing ng bodies, going to the cemetery, or yung keeping of the cremated ashes, are only for the living. The purpose is only to keep the memories of loved ones pero wala na daw yun, yung iba nga yung ashes ikinakalat. Akin kaya, sa EDSA?

I hesitantly went ahead last Tuesday afternoon. I also inquired from Heritage Park’s sales office. Their prices are higher by at least 20% kasi investors pala ang mga may-ari. Oh see, bakit yung mga INVESTORS na yun eh mga buhay pa. Mga 20 years na daw yun binili yung mga lote for investments lang.

I met with the bank’s representative at 2:20 pm. He showed me where the two estate lots were. Eto yung pwede kang magtayo ng toilet para pag undas eh hindi ka sa dyaryo at lata sa likod ng van nagwi-weewee.

30% down payment daw and 5 – 6 years maximum to pay at 9% interest per annum. Pero kailangan daw bayad na in full bago gamitin. Ang ikli naman ng 6 years, pwede kaya 40 years to pay para mapilitan akong mabuhay pa ng matagal kasi hindi ko pa bayad?

Maraming gusto dito sa Heritage, kasi daw status symbol. That’s crazy. Anong status symbol? Pati ba naman pag tigok ka na eh kailangan pang status-status eh mukha ka ng statwa nun.

Actually maganda yung location, tabing bakod, along the main road. Merong commercial value. Pwede akong magtinda ng banana Q pag undas. Baka mabawi ko yung ibabayad ko.

No decision yet to buy or not to buy. Sobrang mahal. Condominium ba binibili ko?
Anak, duon na lang kaya sa lote ko sa Binangonan? . Overlooking Ortigas Avenue pa.

Parang hindi ko ma-imagine na maiiwan ako sa sementeryo sa gabi. Baka meron dyang hindi pa maka-move on eh mahilig manggulo sa gabi. Ma-stress pa ako at mapabilis ang pag-agnas ko. Sobrang crowded na, hindi ko pati kilala yung mga neighbors doon. Takot pati ako sa multo.

There’s no need for Edmund to bother about this things because he wants cremation. Plus syempre if ever, dito na rin sya ililibing with his relatives. Eh pano ako?
all my siblings live in the US. My parents are buried in Milpitas, Ca.
My Kuya Ben is buried in Binangonan.

This is important to me. I know when I’m gone, there would be days when my children would miss me. There would be times when they would look for me and wish for my presence. Even when they’re old and have their own families to care and love for them. I know that those occasional moments come in every person’s life. I know that, because that happens to me. No matter how imperfect your relationship with your parents became, when they’re gone, you would miss them. And when my children miss me, I want them to have a tangible place to go, visit, and speak to me. I would always be present in their hearts where ever they are. My greatest love for them would embrace them forever.