Tita Paulyn

When I was still living at my Tita Lilia's house in Poblacion, Kawit, Cavite, we would often attend the 9am Sunday Mass at St Mary Magdalene Parish Church. We would bump into the Castro Family who were regular attendees of the same Mass. During those times, there were no Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration yet so after the Mass, my cousins and I would come closer to the Blessed Sacrament altar to spend some moments with the Lord. As the tabernacle is in the middle of the statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, we would take the chance to venerate these images. As we leave the church, I would often spot Tita Paulyn Castro (she was still single during that time) kneeling alone in prayer. I would smile at her and she would smile back at me.

Like her Mom, Lola Urs (RIP), and sisters Tita Enjing (RIP) and Tita Tel, she was an active member of the Apostleship of Prayer and Confraternity of Lourdes. During the feast of the Immaculate Conception in 1985, as a traditional celebration in preparation for Maytinis, a grand procession in honour of Our Lady was held. A few months back, the parish organised block rosary groups to promote the Rosary in every Catholic household in a block. In Poblacion, Tita Tel looked after the block along Calle Real, Lola Nenang Santos (RIP) was in-charge of Gitnang Kalye, and Tita Lita Magadia (RIP) was coordinator for Third Avenue. (That's how the people during that time called those areas.) Our home belonged to that last group. As the block Rosary was on full swing, all groups were invited to the procession, bringing along the statue of Our Lady that we use in our devotion. Our group brought the statue of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal while the Castros brought the statue of Our Lady of Fatima. I was asked to carry the statue of Our Lady of Fatima and was walking close to Tita Enjing and Tita Paulyn. During the procession, Tita Paulyn asked me if I need help to carry the statue. I said to her that I was alright. 

Like most families, we would reunite on various occasions. We were together in saying the Rosary at Tita Floy Ybadlit's house when she became Ina in 1994. It felt like a mini family reunion because Tita Lilia, my cousins Erwin and Eldin, Tito Roland, Lolo Tony, Tita Enjing, and Tita Tel were in attendance.

I realized that she was an alumna of UST College of Science and was a former classmate of Mrs Mary Martin, my Analytic Geometry teacher in the same university and college. 

Tita Paulyn comes across as a quiet and caring person. She was also religious. I remember my mom remarked how Tita Paulyn, despite being heavily pregnant during that time, stayed in church to attend the three consecutive Masses on All Souls' Day. 

In 2006, Manong Alvin Reyes showed me and Nidz the property he bought in Barangay Tabon. While looking at the place, a car stopped near us. It was Tita Paulyn!  I was pleased to know that she lives across Manong Alvin's would-be house. The next time we visited and stayed at my cousin's home, I met Tita Paulyn and family. It was after the Maytinis 2010. They also came from church where one of her daughters sang in the Belen as an angel.

I kept in touch with Tita Paulyn through social media and would exchange messages every now and then. One of the messages I shared with her was a picture of a bouquet of flowers to celebrate Mother's Day. She appreciated it. I asked her how she and the family are doing and she told me that they were staying indoors due to the high rate of infection due to Covid-19. That was the last conversation we had. 

Months later, I was told that she was ill and needed prayers. On 22nd August, the Queenship of Mary, she passed away. I note Ate Judith's story of how the family gathered in prayer during her last moments. It was a touching send-off for her. An active parishioner, Tita Paulyn lived a life dedicated to her family.

To my fellow Thomasian and Scientist, but my aunt first and foremost, may God bless your kind soul, Tita Paulyn.

Gift of Touch

Have you ever experienced being lost for words when you came in front of someone you would like to converse with? It happened to me years ago when I attended a funeral Mass for a deceased relative. I wasn't able to speak to the bereaved family beforehand so I decided to approach the widow after I have received Holy Communion. Dressed in black with a matching black Spanish veil on her head, the widow was on her knees praying. As customary in the Philippines, I held her right hand and placed it on my forehead (a.k.a. Mano po). Strangely, as my eyes met hers, I couldn't say a word. I simply clutched her hand for a few minutes and then went back to my place.  

Years went on, we would bump into each other during special occasions. Those gatherings became a way for me to be in touch with her and her family every time I would visit their town. In 2005, during my first visit back to the Philippines since migrating to the UK, while in church, her youngest son who told me and the rest of my brood who were with me to come and visit her. Luckily, we saw her making her way to church after Mass. Incidentally, as she came in, the choir was singing "Viva Santo Niño", a song she composed for the parish which is sung during the feast of the Santo Niño. She was singing it too as she was walking to the altar to check on her statue of the Holy Child which was on display at that time. We followed and walked with her.  That was the last time I saw her. Returning to the England, I wrote her a letter expressing my delight to have seen her.

Unfortunately, I didn't had the chance to see her in my subsequent visits. As she aged, her memory, I was told, became weak. Later on, she became bedridden. Just after Christmas, she was hospitalized. I was hoping and praying that, if I would come home, I will be able to pay her a visit, to hold her hand, for a blessing and to tell her "I am here".  What I was pining for was shattered. Yesterday afternoon, she passed away.

Lola Urs, thank you for being such a loving and warm grandaunt to me. Thank you for touching my life through your active witnessing to the Lord and your love for culture. I am sorry I wasn't able to see you. I guess God has better plans for you up there. Perhaps a dance with Lolo Tony? Or a trio with Mommy Rosie and Lolo Bert, with Lolo Gusing conducting?  Whatever it is, you are now in a better place. You are now at home. May you rest in peace. May we be inspired by your example to touch the lives of those around us. We love you!

Three Celebrants, One Birthday!

Three people share God's blessing as they celebrate their natal day today, July 25.

First in the list is Laurentino "Tito Larry" Albano, my father's older brother.  Tito Larry is the third child of Lolo Paul and Lola Piling.  An excellent basketball player, he used to be the Coach of the Basketball Team in Letran Manila.  Our family would normally watch the games then to give my uncle and his team moral support.  Little did I know then that I would return to watch similar games years later - as a student of that august institution.  Apart from coaching, he was also the President of the family business.  Because two of his older brothers were in the States, Tito Larry acted as the panganay among his siblings in Manila.  Following the footsteps of Lolo Paul, he became Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus (St Joseph de Gagalangin Parish) for some time; he was also Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council during the late Msgr Feliciano Santos' time.  

I used to hear people call him "Godfather", but until now I'm still in limbo as to how he got this monicker. I asked folks from the States, but it got more murky as another uncle is called the same from their end. There are still those who call him "Tata Larry" (Tata is an Iluko word for 'father').  Indeed, he was looked up as a father by his employees.

Tito Larry's kids - Banjo, Champ, and Leia particularly - were our kalaro  since we all grew up together.  In the early 80s, Tito Larry and later his family moved to the States. Yet, we continue to get in touch through letters, pasalubongs (of which they are very thoughtful), and e-mails. Tito Larry was one of the first in the second generation of Albanos to go 'online'.  I could feel his fatherly guidance and assurance whenever I read his e-mail, regardless if the message were brief or not.  One e-mail I cannot fail to forget was when I thanked him for his kind words upon hearing the news that Chiara was born. His reply? "But of course she (Chiara) is our grand daughter!". I may be sentimental, but his message was really inspiring particularly that we don't have any family members near us when Nidz gave birth.

Cheers to you, dear uncle, on your 70th birthday!  May you continue to grow in God's grace, mirroring His fatherly care to all whom you meet!

***

Second in my list is Sancho "Tito So" Castro.  He is the youngest child of Lolo Tony and Lola Urs.  Like our first honoree, he is also active in church, serving as a Lector/Commentator at the St Mary Magdalene Parish (Kawit, Cavite).  A faculty member at the De la Salle University (Dasmarinas), Tito So is also active in a male chorale group.  We see each other very often in parish celebrations whenever I come home. We also keep ourselves updated from time to time in Facebook.  Tito So as well as his siblings continue to bring the light of Christ to the people of Kawit.

Many happy returns on your special day, beloved Tito! Keep up the good work in the Lord's vast harvest!

***

Last, but not least is Hershey Joy Mauricio-Reyes, the newest member of the Samaniego-Reyes clan, the wife of my first cousin Eldin.  I have not yet met Hershey, but I have in touch with her through social networking. Thanks to her, I was able to send a message to Tita Lilia through Voxer.  I was also able to hear my aunt's voice using the same technology.

Wishing you all the best, Hershey! This year is truly a great year - in January you and Eldin tied the knot; this December you will both be welcoming your bundle of joy! Looking forward to see you all soon! God bless you 3!

Lola Urs

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!