Nanay is a very sweet, loving Mother, so much loved by us and those whose lives she has touched. The outpouring of sympathies and love has been immense so far, a proof of how she lived her life. She is prayerful and would frequently remind us to pray and have faith in God. She starts and ends the day with prayers, usually the rosary, and by reading the Bible. Even her favorite TV channel is EWTN, where she would hear mass every night.
She loves the family so much, and that's not just me, Kuya, Marlon, and her grandchildren, Arlo, Gio, and Nala. Family to her includes the whole clan of Fernandez and Aguila. Even LRA, where she spent her entire work life, is a family to her. I know for a fact that she is very joyful whenever she receives a message or a call, more so, a visit, from any of us. She values it deeply, especially when the pandemic started. She felt lonely when we didnt allow her to go out, for fear of infection. We tried to compensate through frequent video calls, but I know that she longed for the hugs, kisses, and the mano/blessings that she would normally give us all.
I know she was quite unhappy that I had to move abroad with her apos. But, she fully supported that difficult decision just the same, knowing that it is for the future of her grandchildren whom she loved so dearly. We were blessed that she and Daddy were able to visit us a number of times in Malaysia, then Singapore, until the pandemic. We were still looking forward to the time when she can come and visit us again, to hug and kiss Nala and Gio, when the pandemic is over.
But then, I am comforted that she is now in a much better place, incomparable to any place on Earth, with our Father God, Daddy, Nanay Taba (her Mom), Tatay Tandoy (her Dad), all her Ates, Kuyas, and her youngest brother, Tito Nebur, and other dearly departed, waiting for her up there to start a new life where there is no pain and suffering.
We love you so much and you will be dearly missed. Daddy said to me when I was a kid, when gratitude is deep, it cannot be expressed in words. I knew what it meant, but this moment has taught me the depth of that saying. Til we meet again, Nanay. Pls hug and kiss Daddy for me. I love you both.