A humble and thoughtful man. That's how I would describe my late uncle Luisito Samaniego who passed away on 21 January 2020. Tito Sito, as we would fondly call him, was my mother's older brother, the eighth son of Augusto Sr and Laureana Samaniego.
When we were kids, we would often see him and his family every time we would visit Kawit, Cavite. He and his brood used to live there, but migrated to Amadeo, Cavite in the early 80s. They would, however, go to Kawit during special occasions such as Christmas. And when they do, they would bring packs of fruits they have grown in Amadeo.
When we used to live in Tita Lilia Reyes' house (Tita Lilia is his older sister), Tito Sito would often pay us a visit. As we were growing up, he taught us some household chores such as fetching water from the poso (artesian well), scrub the floor, etc. He would scold us every time water would splash on the floor when we carelessly carry the bucket inside the house. Tito Sito was an unassuming man, who works behind the scenes. If one needs something done (be it fixing something at home, cooking a meal, or bringing something from Kawit to Manila), Tito Sito was the man. On a few celebrations in the past, I worked with him and enjoyed his company.
I saw Tito Sito on Christmas Eve 2018. He was surprised to see me and my family in Kawit then and told me that had he known, he would have prepared a pack of his produce. I appreciated his thoughtfulness. Many Christmastimes ago, he took out from his wallet a piece of paper and asked me to sing it. It was the Coros Villancicos (more popularly known as Vamos a Belen), sung during the Midnight Mass in Kawit. I think, I haven't made a copy. I still remember the lyrics until now; the same lyrics which I taught Chiara when she sung it during the Maytinis in San Diego, California in 2013.
Way back in 1998, my uncle asked me to write the lyrics of the Salve Regina. I am not sure if he kept it, but part of the lyrics go like this: Et Jesum benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exilium ostende (And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb Jesus).
Tito Sito, thank you for your love, thoughtfulness, and good example. You have been like a father to me, my siblings, and cousins. Thank you so much. May the Ina ng Laging Saklolo (Mother of Perpetual Help), to whom you were devoted, show you now her Son Jesus who will surely bring you healing and mercy. Rest in peace po.
To Tita Precy, Manang Jocelyn, Bryan, Jersey, nephews and family, my heart goes out to you in this time of sorrow and bereavement. Stay strong. We are here for you.
