Mommy Lita

As a teenager, I used to take notice of her as the conductor of the Apostleship of Prayer Choir in Gagalangin Parish.  Their choir usually sings during first Friday (morning and evening Masses) as well as every Friday and Sunday mornings. Their organist was the revered Honorata "Tita Baby" Buenaventura.  

I finally met and introduced myself this lady conductor one Sunday afternoon during the monthly meetings of the Apostleship of Prayer (AP).  We were all sat near the back of what was then the Ultreya Hall of the church.  Sis. Lita Aquino, as she was called,  was reminding some people (who seemed to be choir members) about their practice. She later turned to me and asked if I would be interested to join. I said "Yes", but it took awhile before I really joined them.  During the following AP meeting, she caught sight of me and told me when they would have their rehearsal in church. This time, I made sure I will be there.

Indeed, I turned up and saw her playing the organ while some ladies were singing. I was at first hesitant to approach (I got late as I initially didn't know where to get in as all the doors in the church were closed), but she bid me to come.  The songs they were rehearsing were for the Easter season. As I got nearer them, they were singing this Communion song: Kayo ay muling nabuhay, kayo ay muling nabuhay na si Kristo ang katambal, na si Kristo ang katambal. Isipin ang kalangitan, Kanyang kinaroroonan. Aleluya, aleluya, Siya ay awitan. (Freely: You have risen from the dead, you have risen from the dead with Christ as your companion, with Christ as your companion. Think of heaven where He is. Alleluia, Alleluia. Let us sing to Him.)

I enjoyed being part of the AP Choir. The first time I sang with them was at the choir loft with Tita Baby playing the pipe organ. The experience was overwhelming.  Soon I saw myself joining them during the Flores de Maria (It was May 1988 when I became a choir member.) as well as the other Masses of the week their service is required. I recall the many Fridays of 1988 and 1989 when Jonathan De la Llana and I would wake up earlier than usual to sing at the 5:30am Mass before proceeding to Letran Manila. Sis. Lita, who preferred to be called 'Mommy' by young choir members, made me feel welcome. 

There were also some events outside of Gagalangin that we took part in such as the Thanksgiving Masses presided by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin at the Manila Cathedral during his birthdays. On one of these Masses, Mommy Lita had a break - she played the Cathedral's massive pipe organ!

When I became a choir member, the parish had quite a number of choirs and choir organists. Strangely, during the early 90s, the number of organists dwindled.  Mommy Lita, who was then focused on the AP choir, was tapped to look after other choirs.  She and Tita Baby split the choirs between themselves.  

When I became a lector/commentator, I liaised with Mommy Lita who, as organist, was situated near the commentator's lectern.  One thing I can't forget is when I was serving as commentator during the Monday evening Masses.  I keep an eye on her as she might be signalling that the choir might sing (or not) some parts of the Mass (e.g. Gloria or Sanctus). At times, I would cover for the choir when everyone would go to receive Holy Communion and no one else is there to sing.

Mommy Lita have occasionally provided the musical accompaniment when I sang during parish celebrations.  Nicanor Abelardo's Bituing Marikit comes to mind.  

Apart from music ministry, Mommy Lita was also involved in the Cofradia de San Jose where she served as Secretary for a number of years. She was also a member of the Mother Butler Guild and the Samahang Birhen ng Medalla Milagrosa.

Recently, I heard that she is afflicted with ovarian cancer and is hospitalized.  Yesterday, a friend told me that she won't last that long.  

Mommy Lita, my thoughts are with you at these trying times.  Thank you for giving me the chance to serve the Lord through singing. Thanks for the many happy moments we shared in the parish. Keep up the faith, Mommy! We love you!