Uncle Firmo and Tita Eva

We lost two relatives last week. Or rather, they have moved on beyond life. Beyond the daily grind of living and surviving through old age.

Uncle Firmo was my mom’s elder brother. He had lived alone with his grandchildren for nearly 17 years since the death of his wife, Aunt Mary, in 1990.

He lived in their old house in Cubao. It was just a few meters from our own old apartment in 64 West Point Street. During the 70s, whenever I would come home from ICPS (Immaculate Concepcion Parish School), I would just drop my bags, run to their house and meet up with my cousins. We would play basketball or race Matchbox cars.

Today, we are all grown up. Uncle Firmo’s two sons live and work in the States. His eldest son, Ricky, flew in Tuesday from the States to attend the wake. Another son couldn’t come home. Only Atok was around and had worked on all the funeral arrangements.

Tita Eva joined her husband, Tito Nick, nearly one year after he died. She died last Friday, 11 May 2007. And will be cremated on Wednesday. Boyet and Tessa and their 3 kids, Chuchay, Chino and Chinky had been with Tita Eva through long days and nights. Cared for her. Kept her company and spirit high despite her growing tumor.

Here is a link to what Chuchay wrote about her grandmother. http://www.thecitylifestylist.com/

Photo shows Kuya Boyet reading God's words during Mass last Sunday.

Both Uncle Firmo and Tita Eva died peacefully in their sleep.

Both had been parents to our cousins who continue to face the challenges of raising their own kids the way their own parents probably would have raised them… with a lot of Christian love, uncompromising care and moral guidance amidst a fast-changing world.

Uncle Firmo and Tita Eva…good luck on your journey to meet Christ and give my dad a tight hug when you see him along the way!