HOTSPOT

In July last year, our Tito Ollie called me in the middle of his Manila visit and we quietly made plans to surprise Mama weeks ahead of her 73rd birthday. Despite a delay, the advanced birthday surprise pushed through at a mall in Bulacan. Mama, of course, was happy to see her youngest sibling. They kissed and hugged tightly as soon as they saw each other. They talked over coffee, checking on one another. Mama was extra fond of him for a number of reasons. First, Mama was the eldest while Tito Ollie the bunso. For big families such as theirs, that already means a lot. Second, he always made time and effort to see Mama whenever he visits from the States. Third and perhaps most profound to Mama is that Tito Ollie also became a teacher. Nothing makes Mama happier than teaching and being a teacher. Last January, his school honored Tito Ollie as Teacher of the Year. Mama surely would have proudly shared the citation, photos and videos in her Facebook. Tito Ollie and Tita Emily made a visit to Manila this April. I was both excited and anxious to meet them this time. I didn’t know what to say. But whatever concerns I had vanished when I saw them. A quick hug was enough. I was happy to see them and talk with them over breakfast at BGC. As you could already imagine, Mama’s siblings have been a source of strength and support since she passed. They checked on us frequently in the most difficult time of the wake, around the inurnment day, and after. They still do so. I don’t know how we could have made it if we didn’t have their loving support. The plot twist is, most of them live in the States. The distance didn’t matter. Perhaps the strongest light comes from our Tita Anag, short for Liwanag. Our Liwayway may be gone, but our Liwanag still burns brightly. She called or messaged almost daily starting in October, listened to us, answered our questions, advised and counseled us, and championed us. Thanks too to Tito Paul, Tito Lennie, and Luis, who are all also in the States, and to Tito Larry and Tita Ligaya who are here in the country. Fighting tears, Tito Larry lovingly spoke at the tribute held at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa. Tita Ligaya visited Bulacan on the first night of the wake. Mama would have turned 74 yesterday Friday. Masses were offered at Quiapo Church, Christ the King Church, Manila Cathedral, Sto. Niño de Cebu Basilica, National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Walsingham (UK), St. Barbara Parish Church (US), and other churches. I thought it would be hard and painful to write this, but I am consoled by the idea that Mama had been reunited with her own parents, and by the memory of Mama’s last birthday with our visiting Tito Ollie. Looking back, that last meeting between Tito Ollie and Mama might have meant something more profound and a reminder of Mama’s faith. Tito Ollie’s name 'Lazaro' is that reminder. New life.  (Follow me on Threads: @tonyocruz)