Tita Erling

Hanging on Manong Don Samaniego’s living room is an interesting painting. Quite bucolic, it portrays a vast rice field ready for harvest. At the background filled with trees and other natural resources a farmer, though busy, glances at the foreground where a lady is sat next to a little girl. It seems to me that the lady and the girl are the farmer’s wife and child. Looking more closely, the people’s faces in the painting become familiar – Tito Otie (Manong Don’s father) as the farmer, Tita Erling (Manong Don’s mother) as the lady/farmer’s wife, and Donita (Manong Don’s youngest daughter) as the little girl.


For me, this portrayal of Tita Erling presents to us in a nutshell her essence as a wife, mother, and grandmother. Apart from having that talent in dressmaking, she also possessed that skill in managing finances. She was also an excellent cook. I guess these are but some important aspects of being a good homemaker.

Reflecting back on that lovely painting, I could see her leaning towards the little girl, not removing her eyes from the child. It’s as though regardless of what happens around, her focus is on the little one. Tita Erling comes across as a caring person, someone who would go out of her way in order to be with her loved ones. She may not be always present in family reunions in Kawit, Cavite but that absence is compensated by the way she treated us like VIPs in her home or the pleasant conversation we have had when we saw each other.

During the last years of her life, she had a stroke and was subsequently bedridden. I paid her a visit on New Year’s Day a year ago when I was in Manila. When I came to her room, Tito Otie asked her if she knew me. She looked at me and said in her soft voice “Si Piet!” (It’s Piet). I won’t forget that visit. That final visit to her.

Tita Erling has left us three values. When hatred seems to get the better of us, let her kindness take hold of us. When we want to complain about everything - even petty things or annoyances - let her forbearance prompt us to remain calm. When all our efforts fail, let her faith inspire us to carry on in our mission.

Tita Erling, thank you for touching our lives in your special way. You have been a light for your family till the end. We will keep that light burning. We will pass it on. Rest now, dear Aunt, in the abiding presence of God. We love you!

Sincerest condolences to Tito Otie, Manong Don-Ate Ellen, Manang Mae-Ariel ,Manang Ping-Groovee, and their children.