#fyla

It was Sunday evening, last May 5, 2013. I'm at Tagaytay having our Team Building with some Debate Team members. It was a happy evening, we cooked dinner for the team, laughed and had fun all night. One of my friends told me that someone has been calling me since my cellphone is upstairs... I went upstairs and checked my phone. It had almost twenty miss calls from my mom, I checked my inbox and I read my brother's message: "patay na si tita fyla"... "nasunog sasakyan niya" (tita fyla's dead, her car engulfed in fire) I was stunned, I don't know what to do, I texted my mom and she immediately called to inform me of my aunt's demise. My mind was full of questions. Why? What happened? Are we sure? How about the kids, her husband? The situation was more than worst because of their location, they are residing at California, we're in the Philippines. We can't do anything. It's frustrating. She was part of those five Filipinas who died during the limo fire at San Mater Bridge, CA. (http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/05/us/california-limo-fire/index.html)

I was not able to contain my grief, I just cried in disbelief. Tita Fyla is the epitome of a perfect and traditional Aunty. She is very close to us, never failed to help our family, her sister, my mom. She was there when we were unable to pay for the operating expense of my mom when she was sick. She was there when my father was not able to support my high school education in my crucial years. She supported my brother during his Nursing License Exam. She never failed to remember us every holidays. It's a long list of unending and unconditional love which I will never be able to repay. 

Fascinating lady she is, a lady with so many plans, a goal oriented person. She knows what she's doing. My mom would always describe her as a person who prefers quality in every action, may it be her children's education to their clothes. Workaholic, she would never stop until she reach her goals. Finally they went to California, found a suitable job and established their own home in USA. They are a happy family, whenever we would talk to her through skype she would always tell us that someday she will take our family there for us to experience the American Life. Today these things might not happen.

just three years ago, their eldest brother died. She immediately came to the Philippines to pay her respect. I remember that night, very clear. She told me that she wants me to sleep beside her before she leave for California in a couple of days. She will always be that mother material that would make me hug her. I want that time to repeat. If only I knew that  it will only take three more years and I will not be able to talk to her again, I would have hugged her for much long. I suddenly remembered my Lola, whom I always call Nanang. Her last days were characterized by me always sleeping beside her and hugging her to the fullest. Today I miss two of the ladies that brought change to my life; Nanang Arsenia and Tita Fyla. I love you so much. I miss you and I we'll see each other in the future.

Life is such a short time, we never know when that exact time will come. It might be when we're riding a bus home, or while we're working or when age comes to free us in this mortal world. Tita Fyla, and to the four other ladies who died with her, your family will never forget you. You have changed them so much. You will forever be a part of them. It constantly reminds us to never forget to communicate. Never forget to tell I LOVE YOU to someone you love. Never be lazy to stand up and bid a kiss to someone going out... because we never know. We just need to be prepared.

To Tita Lumin/ Fyla I know that you're in good hands now. You're probably looking at us from somewhere. Rest. You've worked hard for so long. Do not worry. Trust your husband. He will always take care of your Yari and Gero. Trust your children. They will never forget that in their life, they had a mother so special. They had you and will always have you. Trust us, your family. We will never take for granted of Tito Aldrin, Yari and Gero the same way you've never want even an inch of a scratch on their body. We will always be here for them. Guide us always, I still believe that Nanang, Uncle Roman, Baby Angel, Lolo and you tita Fy will always guide us.

I love you so much :((