In the Summer of 2012, we went on a European trip with the PUCA class of 1972.  Merlinda had been really excited about going with her beloved class and played a keyrole in planning an preparing this trip over year in advance.  They prepared a special service in her honor on the ship.

When we were arranging mom's life celebration, we came across a difficult time trying to find a lasting momento that was both representing of her and appropriate to end her program.  While scanning through her laptop to find pictures and such, I accidently stumbled upon this slideshow that she had been secretly working on.  Needless to say, it brought tears to our eyes, but warmth in our hearts.  As created by Merlinda herself, here's a little video she titled, "A Lifetime of Love." 

My Tribute is a piano rendition originally arranged by Dino and modified by mom to her liking... making it pretty much her own.  Wine gets better with age, and likewise, every time she performed this, it gained a sense of majestic overtones, elegant power, yet sensitive to the soul.  No one can ever play this like you do mom.  

There comes a time in every man's life when he finds the ONE, that special person that becomes his friend, his lover, and his soul mate.  Many years ago, dad took the original film reel from his wedding and transferred it to video.  I took that video, created a minute version and scored it with Adam Sandler's "Grow Old with You."  Though it's quick, it's long enough to show that the beginnings of a bond created on Earth that will continue throughout eternity in Heaven where perhaps, they could do this all over again. 

Written Apr 23, 2012 2:50pm derived from CaringBridge.org

My Mom, Amparo Galang was Merlyn's first grade teacher at Sampaloc SDA Church Elementary School.I was then a first grader too at PUC Elem school. Many nights at the dinner table Mom would talk bout this very "bright" student that she has. She described her as very cute, the littlest girl in a small class.She said that she almost didn't have to teach her anything new as she knew everything that even a 3rd grader needed to know.When Mom was teaching other students their ABC's and 123's she was already reading the Reader's Digest and doing multiplications.I met Merlyn early on in one of their several school programs. Mom assigned her to memorize a loooong poem , "Between 2 Angels" and she memorized it to her the very the next day, then delivered it with actions and heart rending emotions in one of those school events.

Sampaloc SDA School had a very good Rondalla Group headed by Mr Ricafrente.She was the youngest member of the group.In one of their performances in one political rally, Merlyn sat at the very front looking only at the conductor as her nimble little fingers of her left hand flew across the frets of her banduria, a 14 stringed instrument. A revered political figure was in the audience, the Vice President of the Philippines, Vice President Pelaez who was only looking at the tiny girl in the very front. "Surely", he thought, "she is just pretending to play music, this piece is too fast for her to hit the notes right." So, he got up from his chair, approached the group playing and put his ears right next to Merlyns instument and discovered with delight that she was playing the lead and didn't stop until the rendition was over. What followed next was a thunderous applause and a photo op with the Vice President.Oh I would love to see that picture again. She knew how to play all the instuments in the rondalla. You name it, she knows how to play it, banduria,octavina,guitar, piccolo, even that gigantic base. But no, the Prof would not let her do it because she had to stand on a chair to play it. She later played the accordion at school events and camping trips. She would sit at the edge of the chair and sway her body to maneuver the heavy instument. She used exotic chords and she played in triads and octaves making the instrument sound like a symphony. She has perfect pitch, and truly a gifted gift from God.

Merlyn: always excelled in MUSIC, loved MEDICINE, and the greatest MOTHER to 3 lovely sons.

We love you dearly. God Bless you and all your loved ones.

your classmate and friend,

Jocelyn Galang Belonio