It’s been a year and my heart still hurts the same. I miss you every single day. I love you Jen.

Jennifer was my wife’s cousin. I was lucky enough to travel the world with her. She was an important part of a very special travelling party that included Jen’s sister Steph, my wife Charity, their cousin Sweet, and myself. We saw incredible things, ate amazing food, drank fantastic wines, and enjoyed one another’s company very much.

Jen was only a couple of years older than me and we got along great! We made each other laugh a lot. We had a great rapport with each other that allowed us to discuss pretty much anything. I loved to make her laugh. She was playful and confident and because of that confidence we could playfully tease each other about virtually anything.

Many, many years ago Jen, her mother, my future mother in law, and myself visited the Disney parks in Anaheim. We were there for much of the day and we had a blast! Jen’s mother Betty encouraged Jen and I to do everything there was to do at those parks and we did. We pretty much rode every ride there. Since that was Jen’s first trip to Disney and I was the person that was riding every ride with her I would tease her about being scared on every ride. I would tease that because she was from the Philippines that American rides would intimidate her. Of course, this was all in good fun because she did everything there was to do at Disney and then some! So, the go to phrase on the rides became, “If you are scared, you can hold my hand.” On every ride, I would say that to her in one form or another. We would laugh and she would keep to herself and I would keep to myself and enjoy the ride. One of the last rides we went on at Disney’s California Adventure that day was a ride called the Mali-Boomer. This ride strapped you in and shot you up a hundred feet into the air! As we are in line we are having random conversation and I can see her looking at this ride, watching the people. We get to the front of the line & we get strapped in side by side by the ride operators. They make sure we are properly secured and they move on to the next couple to verify they are properly secured as well. This was when I went to that well again. I said, “If you are scared, you can hold my hand.” We laughed and a few seconds later I felt her hand in mine. She was so brave and willing to try anything.

I miss you, Jen.

One of our most recent conversations while sitting and waiting for her covid swab in CHH mandaue..
She looked at me and asked, why are we so different kaya?
She was probably referring to why I was always so frazzled, so rattled, so stressed, so disorganized, so not as good as she was in managing life in general…. Jen certainly was the best in living life and wanted only the best for everyone. She wanted everyone to be the best they could be.
Grabe si Jenjen ka strong. She inspired many people. She was so amazingly strong, I cannot imagine even being half as strong as she was. Wa gyud siya mo surrender. In one of our last visits to the onco center, the doctor told her to be prepared na, there is no guarantee the chemo will work. Her voice broke when she asked how long if di mag chemo.… but Dr couldn’t give her a definitive answer and only said that everyday is a miracle … after a while, she looks at me with a little laugh and said Ning Surrender na si Villegas.. Si Jen didn’t surrender.. she still went for that last chemo treatment. She didn’t want to leave us, her family, just yet even when it was already tough for her and she was tired.
I feel regret that I left her in Manila 16 years ago when I could’ve spent even more time with her... But I know she lived a good life separate from mine. I try to console myself by telling myself I left her with my very good friends who took good care of her…..but she went and found her own way.. So proud and happy to see her become even more successful at work, our Manila girl, always the perfect host when we are in Manila, showing us the best Manila had to offer…So happy to see her grow into such an elegant, classy, smart, confident, accomplished woman, meeting new people, making new friends, doing everything she wanted to do: yoga, marathons, surfing, pole dancing, salsa dancing, travelling… so full of life gyud especially during the years she lived with the cancer. She grew even more beautiful and more alive. Murag wala siyay sakit. She was always on the go. So active. And that’s how I will remember her always, everyday of my life.. so full of life and so loving and generous, most especially to our mom. She was always thinking about mom..
Pinangga kayo niya si mommy. Everything mom wants or thinks mommy will like, she will buy… in every color pa. If she buys for herself, palitan pod si mommy. Si mommy ra iya worry gyud nga mabiyaan niya. Grabe kayo love ni Jen for mommy.
She was so responsible, so reliable, so dependable, so clean and organized in every way. At work, at home, Ever since pa gyud kuno na pagbata pa, when she was 4 years old kuno, mom remembers… She and Dad went to watch a movie, came home late and couldn’t get in to the house kay nakatulog ang yaya. Jenjen was the one who opened the door, she couldn’t reach the lock but she found a way, found a stool and opened the door by herself, Didn’t wake up the yaya, just got it done.. She was always abtik, she will do what needs to be done. I cry because I was counting on her to be there.. the one we can turn to for advice, for arrangements, to be the planner, to get anything we needed done, ako lang unta to mo pack and carry the luggage… 
They say God takes the good ones first.. I pray Jen is now an Angel watching over us all. She will always be in my heart. I will always be missing my sister, my best friend, my best person. She was a real beauty inside and out. I can only hope to be half as strong, half as good as she was in every way. I learned a lot from her, how to make life better, live life fully. I hope everyone remembers her as I will. She loved all the family, Ama, the aunts and uncles, the cousins, the babies, she loved the parties. She would always try to come home to Cebu for the parties. I pray that she has gone home to God who welcomed her with open arms and a big party..

Thank you to all for all the prayers and the love, especially to Candace, Auntie Bing for starting the novena and getting everyone together.

Jen, it saddens me you are gone and I am so happy for the little time I got to spend with you and your family. I admire your courage and willingness to fight and am in awe of your vibrance and joy. You have encourage me to live and love more vibrantly. Jen, you will truly be missed. Rest well. I will see you on the other side with a bag of your favorite chips: Lay's Flamin' Hot. My heart and prayers to your family and friends.  Love, AJ

I am so sorry I wasn't aware of your struggles, Jen.  Several years back, I faintly heard that you got sick, but I never knew exactly what it was. I am so sad to hear that you are gone...mostly because you are gone so soon, so young. But come to think of it, no more suffering and pain for you. You are resting now. 

I will always remember you as a spunky little girl. Seeing you in the younger grades at SHS-G, and having lived in close proximity with Ah-ih Betty and all of her children at Guadalupe Heights, and both our moms being close friends...but all this time, my memory of you stopped with you as a little kid. You were one heck of a feisty, fiery, little girl. You already exuded strength and a Don't-mess-with-me kind of attitude as a young child. I am not surprised to read that you faced life head-on and grabbed the bull by its horns, so to speak.

I am deeply moved and warmed to the heart by all the tributes to you on this page. It is amazing to see the grace you showed in your fight to live....to TRULY live. Is this poem by Mary Oliver one of your favorites? I love what it says! How inspiring to read and hear about what your life meant to others. Your life makes me want to strive to be my best self at all times. Many times I forget to be my best self and simply allow myself to be "swallowed" by daily tasks and routines. Thank you for this important reminder to be intentional with the way I spend my time!

By the way, you look beautiful in all the pictures here...so stylish and chic!

Thank you for living life the way you did.

May the choirs of angels come to greet you;
May they bring you to paradise.
May the Lord enfold you in His mercy;
May you find eternal life.

Rest in peace, Jen.

Our condolences to the entire family...

Sincerely,
Eloisa Albano Chan (& family)

Jen, I am blessed to have known you. You are the epitome of strength and courage. Ever since you were diagnosed with cancer, you have not ceased to amaze me. You continued your life full speed. I remember our dinner in Okada and the light show after. Quiet, elegant, wonderful - the dinner, the show and you. You will be missed by everyone whose lives you have touched. Now, more adventures await you in heaven. 

Achi/Auntie Jen,
You are deeply loved and will be sorely missed. You will always be an inspiration to us. Thank you for loving us and allowing us to share your joys and pains till the very end. Rest peacefully in heaven. We love you so much! ❤️❤️❤️
Joanne, Ben and Gene

Jen,

I'm sorry we missed each other for the last several years. Although I was in touch and met with your sister, Tiptip, now and then, I wish I had known what you were going through. A light has been extinguished. You were one of the bright lights in your class at Sacred Heart. The world has lost a smart, beautiful, and vibrant woman who could have shared so much still. May you be happy and at peace in paradise!

Vivien

Jen, you showed the world how to embrace and enjoy life - vibrant till the end. Despite your great battle, you were never held down. No complaints. Always on the go. Always on to the next adventure. Constantly aiming for more and achieving new goals. Determined. Selfless. Even when you needed care, you still cared more for others especially your family. Yours was truly a life well lived.

Because of you, I will never look at life the same way again.

You are strength.
You are courage.
You are inspiration.

Thank you, Jen.

It's time to go home.
You will always be loved and forever missed.

Thank you po dahil naging part ka ng aming buhay salamat sa friendship sa mga memories. Napaka bait mo samin dito sa La Union "elyu" ito yung place na palagi mong binabalik balikan lalo na pag na stress ka pumupunta ka dito para mag surf para makalimot sa mga problems mo. Akala namin ni Fernando mag kikita pa tayo ulit pero hindi na pala nakakalungkot isipin na yung mga chat natin lastime Yun na Pala ang last na makaka usap ka namin. Bigla kaming na tahimik ni Fernando nung na laman namin Yung balita nalulungkot kami dahil wala kana hindi ka na namin ulit makakasama makaka usap at makakasama sa mga tawanan. Salamat po sa lahat lahat ambait mo samin ni Fernando kami yung tinuturing mong pamilya dito sa elyu. Ang swerte namin dahil na kilala ka namin nakapag strong mong tao hindi ka natatakot harapin Yung mga fears mo sa buhay. We love you Jen. Rest now Alam na din naming pagod kana sa mga nararamdaman mo katulad nga nung sinabi mo lastime na nag chat tayo Kaya Pina palakas namin Yung loob mo at Pinag prapray ka namin palagi ni Fernando. Again thank you so much we will miss you Jen mahal ka namin

Love,
Your Elyu Family Fernando And Jenny

Thank you Jen for being the bravest and strongest person I've ever met, for accepting and loving everyone, and for being someone that impacted the lives of so many. You will never be forgotten.

Rest in Peace Jen. 
My prayers are with your family.

love,
Ton

I was blessed to have known you through your older sister Steph. Grateful for the time we got to spend together in Singapore. You have been an inspiration for your courage and strength. And you always had a positive and joyful spirit. You fought long and you fought hard. Now you can finally put your battle gear down and rest in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. We shall miss you here on earth but we know you are safe and free from pain now.

2 Tim 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

I have known you to be the very charming, sexy, intelligent, organized person but with a very cheerful, loving, kind and generous heart. You opened your house to my family when I have no place to stay in Manila and even allowed Mandy to board for free. I remember the nice restaurants and shopping places we went with your mom, Achi Betty who is also very dear to me and Angela. We comfort each other and find solutions to the problems at hand. Never to give up because there's always a brighter day ahead to come. Self pity is never a part of your daily struggle and how I wish I have just half of your strength and faith that everything will be OK again. I will miss talking to you. Goodbye for now. I surely miss your time but hope to see you later in our eternal home.

Dico Jen, thank you for bringing me along some of your trips in Japan, Korea, etc. Thank you for all the great memories we had there and for being patient with me. You always cared for me and loved me. You were a very strong, thoughtful and understanding dico whom I loved so much. I know you were in a lot of pain, but you are in a much better place now. I will always miss you and love you, dico Jen. Fly high ~

My dear sweet cousin Jin Jin, how I miss you so. I feared the last time I came back home in 2017 would be the last time I would see you face to face. I cherished those few hours talking to you. You finally got to meet my family. You were glowing then. Who would’ve known you were battling the big “C”. Through your posts on fb, I was able to go with you on your adventures. I’m thankful for technology - it allowed us to keep in touch, miles and miles away. I think back to our childhood - the sleepovers, the “Co cousins dance troupe” with Steph as our choreographer. We were as close as sisters could be. I could go on and on with memories that I will forever cherish. You are an inspiration to us all. No more tears, no more pain. You have a glorious new body in heaven and I look forward to the day when we see each other again. Love you! Praying for A-em, Antit and Steph.
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:20-21

It has been years since we caught up Jen, back during our AIESEC days. Whilst I know you will be missed, I also know you are in a better place with God. I will be praying for you.

Jen was the very first classmate who welcomed me and assisted me on my 1st day of school as grade 4 transferee in Sacred Heart - Girls. She was really a cute , charming , intelligent girl for having done that, taking initiative to welcome a lost, disoriented girl like me moving to a Chinese school from a Benedictine school in a different city and province at that. She never wore our uniform which I found odd, but was always in white dress.with black pin only to find out that they lost their father that year. Thanks for the memories Jen.I know you're in a happier place now. God bless your family.

Mabuting tao. Positive vibes. Always. In the end, those are the only things that really mattered - and she generously shared it. Thank you for the privilege of having met you and worked with you.
Rest easy in eternal peace, my friend. You will surely be missed.

Jenn, I have always admired your quiet strength and resiliency. You are indeed a beautiful soul. Thank you so much for the wonderful friendship through the years. I will miss our get togethers but I know you are in a much better place now and will no longer be in pain. Thank you for touching our hearts and sharing your life with us. ❤❤❤

Love you Jen. What a beautiful and courageous life you lived and how you inspired and touched many including myself. You are like a younger sister to me and so blessed that you were part of my life. I still can hear your boisterous laugh, one that is infectious and so full of life and energy. I will dearly miss your presence but so glad we got to spend time in LA, Hongkong, and Egypt. I was hoping to travel again together. I will treasure those memories but look forward to seeing you again in heaven.
Corinthians 5:1
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by humans hands.

Jen, you are a huge part of me: my strong, beautiful, loving and smart sister. Caring and generous and driven. LOVED Mom and family. Always looked forward to Christmas with the family. Always organized, always ready for anything. The best travel companion, always fun to shop and eat with. I loved every moment we shared together - the quiet and the fun adventures we had.
Jen, you were supposed to grow old with me! What will I do without you?!!!

I love and miss you so much Jen.. ALWAYS!

I pray you are safe and happy in God's loving arms.

My dearest cousin, Jen - You will forever be loved and remembered for your caring spirit, infectious smile, and beautiful love of life. I cherish and am grateful for the many adventures and laughs that we shared. Thank you for being such an inspiration with your strength and desire to live life to the fullest. You will truly be missed. Love you always!