Continuing our APY-Gagalangin's 24th anniversary celebration, allow me to pay tribute to two AP Elders who were there during our group's infancy period: Emelina "Mely" Co and Mercedes "Mercy" Isla.
While preparing for my formal investiture as a member, Sis. Lita Aquino, AP Choir Organist (a role she shared with the late Tita Baby Buenaventura), asked me if I would like to join the choir in the summer of 1988. I accepted the offer and in that choir I met Sis. Mely who came across as a pleasant colleague. I learnt that she has a son, Rumel, who was an altar server, and a daughter, Rushelle, who would later become an APY the following year. (In the choir, I also met other young members such as Herminia Castillo and siblings Ma. Christina and Ma. Angelita Biado. I later invited a classmate in Letran, Jonathan De la Llana to join us after our investiture as members. Initially, we never thought of setting up the APY as a separate entity. However, from the choir came the core group that would bring APY into birth.) Sis. Mercy would join us a few months later.
Our closeness with these two ladies intensified when APY was finally inaugurated. Both lived quite near the church - Sis. Mely in Pampanga Street while Sis. Mercy in Sunog Apog. Apart from seeing them in choir rehearsals and Masses, we would often be talking to them - Sis. Mely especially when we would see Rushelle.
Sis. Mely wasn't the strict type of person and so it was easy for us to relate with her. Although we had an Adviser from the AP Elders, Sis. Mely became the shadow adviser as she was always there when we had our vigils before the Blessed Sacrament every last (?) Saturday of each month, our Pabasa every Holy Wednesday/Maundy Thursday, our Visita Iglesia every Maundy Thursday, summer outings, and other activities. More often than not, when there is no available room in the parish center, we would hold our meetings in her house - even on short notice! We were always welcome in their place!
Apart from that, she would hear from us or even witness how we were treated by her fellow AP Elders, a handful of officers particularly. Her late husband, Bro. Ruben, who was a devotee of the Blessed Sacrament, would encourage us every now and then to spend time adoring our Lord in the appearance of bread.
Such was the relationship we have with Sis. Mely that when we were told to choose another adviser (following a complaint we made against our current adviser) she was our only choice. It wasn't an easy task for her to accept though due to the politics in the AP at that time (e.g. Her predecessor is the AP Elders President's daughter). True to her name, she worked hard to make us feel looked after. To make us feel that we indeed have a Nanay.
When I had a rift with the AP Elders (there were several that previously happened, but this one was the last straw that broke the camel's back), it was Sis. Mely that I spoke to and handed in my resignation. She didn't convince me to reconsider because she understood my situation.
Sis. Mercy (also known as Sis. Didi), on the other hand, got involved in the APY because of her closeness with Sis. Mely. A widow with already grown up kids, we would often invite her to a number of our activities. Realizing that we need as much support from our elders, we saw it fit to appoint another adviser in the person of Sis. Mercy. As her name would suggest, this soft-spoken and humble lady is someone who wouldn't jump into conclusion straightaway. Furthermore, like Sis. Mely, she was kwela!
When I left APY, I still worked with these two women through the Cofradia de San Jose where each of us were elected to various posts: Sis. Mercy as Vice President (later she would become President), Sis. Mely as Assistant Secretary (later she would become Secretary), and me as Youth Chair (and later as Auditor). I also worked with Sis. Mercy on collating parish organization's history during my short stint as Parish Centennial Chair a decade ago.
In a Leadership Training I attended together with other APY Prexies in the Archdiocese of Manila ages ago, I learned that activities are not enough to keep the group moving. Building up relationships matter. This, both Sis. Mely and Sis.Mercy generously and unconditionally nurtured us.
Thank you, our beloved mothers for your dedication and support. Wherever you are, may the Sacred Heart of Jesus,whose zeal and mercy for souls you have shown, continue to bless you and yours!
