The rich heritage and faith of the St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Kawit, Cavite would not be complete without mentioning the name of Ursula V. Tria Tirona-Castro whose natal day will be celebrated on June 18.
The fifth child and second daughter of Carlos Tria Tirona and Rosalia "Lola Chaling" Vida (Lola Chaling was my great grandmother Valentina "Lola Tinay" Samaniego's first cousin), Lola Urs (as we call her) was a church organist who looked after the parish's Schola Cantorum. In collaboration with the late Fr. San Juan, Lola Urs composed the "Awit kay Santa Maria Magdalena" which has been sung on Thursdays (the day of devotion to the saint) and in July (when the patronal feast is held). She is also the composer of other religious songs such as "Viva Santo Niño" (sung in January) and "Matamis na Birhen" (sung in May). Together with Dr Ching Alto-Agahan, she translated the "Coros Villancicos" (sung during Maytinis) into Tagalog.
Lola Urs was also an active member/officer of a number of church organizations such as the Cofradia Sagrada Familia which is responsible for the annual Maytinis celebrations. She was the "Ina" (Female Principal Sponsor) in 1973 (I was still in my mother's womb then!).
When I began to watch and later help out in the Panunuluyan (Maytinis' main attraction) with my aunt Mommy Rosie, I always saw Lola Urs serving as Commentator for the Midnight Mass (In those times, she was the commentator whenever the Cofradia hosts the Mass). She was excellent in giving instructions to people, encouraging them to sing, and in supporting those doing the readings (e.g. the Ama't Ina). There were moments when she would literally stay next to the readers (or if they're in a different lectern, stay on the mic and act as prompter) as some of them seem to have altar fright! (I remember one Ama asking her something, unmindful that he is already being heard by a host of churchgoers. Or an Ina who read something that Lola Urs has already done - it was actually an introduction to the reading!)
One summer long time ago, after the Mass, my mother and I went near the sanctuary to pray for our departed relatives (There is a long standing custom in Kawit that right after Mass there is an opportunity for people to gather and pray for their dead loved ones). Lola Urs, bringing the prayer booklet, suddenly announced "Pietro is going to lead us today". As this was my first time to lead, I struggled to enunciate the prayer, let alone 'compete' with those who knew the prayer by heart that they recite it as though they're on a horse ride. She stood by my side patiently and slowly recited the prayer to keep me at ease.
An alumna of the Far Eastern University Conservatory of Music, Lola Urs is a Lyric Coloratura which, according to her youngest son Sancho "...is a finer differentiation among sopranos". Tito Sancho also told me that she participated in vaudeville programs in theaters in Manila during the Japanese Occupation as well as sang Japanese songs in radio shows. She was the "ghost singer" for post war movie actresses such as Susan Magalona and Dina Valle.
What fascinated me most with Lola Urs was not so much her religious fervour nor her musical prowess, although these used to be what I admire about her. Tito Sancho recalled that she had a promising career right in front of her when she decided to give it up to be a full time mother of 7 children. Indeed, there comes a time when each of us are faced with similar situations. Which one will be our top priority?
There are 2 important values that we could learn from Lola Urs:
1. Family first. There is a temptation nowadays where we tend to be magaling to other people, but not to our own. Lola Urs' sacrifice has bore fruit - all her children are professionals and have been serving the Church/community in many ways. Her first daughter, Sr Caritas Maria belongs to the famous Pink Sisters. Others such as Tita Paulyn, Tita Stella, and Tito Sancho are lectors/commentators in the parish.
2. Performers are good, but we need nurturers. You may be talented, highly skilled, or religious, but if you don't nurture those around you, what's the point of having these attributes? "Faith without action is dead", wrote St James. Mommy Rosie, when she was still alive, related to me the moments how Lola Urs supported her as a choir member of Schola Cantorum. She was close to Lola Urs who once intimated to her husband Lolo Tony how she loved Mommy. I think Schola became a training ground for Mommy so she could later assume the role of Cantora Mayor for the Maytinis and Holy Week celebrations.
Happy 90th Birthday, Lola Urs! To have reached such a venerable age is truly a blessing. May you continue to nurture us so that we may become authentic witnesses of the Lord, singing together His praises forever! God bless you more! We love you!
