Happy Burol

Except of course for the presence of the coffin and flowers, there wasn’t any gloominess and morbidity at the wake of Ka Lydia, it’s one happy burol. One of her sons Atty. Vic Simon Maycacayan indeed said that hers was one happy death. She died on March 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Her brother Dr. Amos Callanta and son Riroy were able to visit her at the hospital two weeks ago and they had happy moments together. Nine hours after they flew back to Los Angeles where they are based, ka Lydia passed away.

Vic Simon said he was the one who started her mom’s devotion to the Our Lady of Guadalupe when in 1993, he visited California and Mexico. He bought a novena booklet, photo and other replica of the OLG. The photo was hung on the wall behind Ka Lydia’s headboard. The Our Lady of Guadalupe became her constant companion since all her children lived away from her. Vic Simon said kaya she died on March 12 and she had a very peaceful death.

(Left to Right)- Vic Simon, Tess Pons- Co, Tina Lingat, Girlie Patag- Mejorada, Designer Gener Gozum, and yours truly.
When I was choosing what to wear for Binangonan, I aready knew that it would be humid kaya I picked this cotton blouse.

Adel and Liza Balignasay stayed with us when we were all studying at the University of Santo Tomas. I was so glad to have seen them again after 20 or 30 years. I’ve always wondered how they were. I didn’t know they read Oh My Buhay kaya they’re updated with my life.

Police Inspector Arnel Anore, Rowena Chulvo- friends of Matet Maycacayan.

Diplomas of the Maycacayan children were prominently displayed at the colonial house’s sala. The pride of every mother.

There was a video camera and a guy holding huge lighting equipment documenting every thing at the happy burol. Edmund and I felt uncomfortable when they focused the camera and lights on us. Edmund didn’t want to go up the second floor of the house where the happy burol was. I think maiilawan ang bumbunan ni Edmund. Ako naman, while I was signing on the guest book, the cameraman kept asking me “tumagilid kayo, hindi kita ang mukha mo”. Eh ayaw ko ngang makita ang mukha ko kasi maiilawan naman ang mga rinkols ko. Kung camera lang sana, eh nakakailang yung kaliwa-liwanag na ilaw. Parang Lights camera actionnnn!!!

Regina Floriza de Saez, friend of Matet and my sister Aileen. Reggie lives in Madrid, natyempo she came home for her own mother’s First Death Anniversary. I was really surprised when she mentioned that she too, reads ohmybuhay.

((left to right) Yeng Marinaz, Melinda Rivera, Reggie Floriza, Rowena Chulvo.

Cristina Ojeda, Lorna Antazo, Flor Figueroa, Evelyn Martinez, Marissa Magtoto and Ed Celestial

So many people came for the mass and biglang ang daming tao at ang sikip, hanggang hagdan. So Edmund and I decided to leave na and we’ve been there naman for quite sometime na rin.

I was in a hurry when I took this photo of siblings JUN AND DEL AREVALO. Sayang.
These two were very nice to us when we were still living in Binangonan. Their family was so affluent then, enjoying the trappings of wealth. Their house was sprawling with a huge garden and swimming pool. I remembered Jun driving for me when one time I was going to an office in Ayala, Makati to pick-up a package sent by my Kuya Lito from the US, then he dropped me off at my boarding house near UST, at the house of our relatives Justice Capili and Ate Salud.

Del lent me a pair of bell bottom pants for a dance number I was joining in when I was in high school. She was very accommodating and sweet.

Their parents suffered financial losses. But Del and Jun are fine and happily living a simpler life with their respective families.

Before going home, we bought a dozen pandesal muna,

Although we had dinner at 7 pm before heading to the wake in Binangonan, we ate a few pandesal with peanut butter as soon as we’re home.