A Tribute

Below is a tribute my brother wrote for our Tita Cris

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We would like to share with you a song, sung by the group Bukas-Palad, that best describes how (Tita) Cris lived her life. She followed and loved God above all and that all she did was for his greater glory.

Pilgrim's Theme

Tired of weaving dreams too loose for me to wear
Tired of watching clouds repeat their dance on air
Tired of getting tired of doing what's required
Is life a mere routine in the greater scheme of things

Through with taking roads someone else designed
Through with chasing stars that soon forget to shine
Through with going through one more day - what's new
Does my life still mean a thing in the greater scheme of things

REFRAIN 1:
I think I'll follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silent song it sings
I hope to find my place
So my life can fall in place
I know in time I'll find my place
In the greater scheme of things

Each must go his way, but how can I decide
Which path I should take, who will be my guide
I need some kind of star to lead me somewhere far
To find a higher dream in the greater scheme of things

The road before me bends, I don't know what I'll find
Will I meet a friend or ghosts I left behind
Should I even be surprised that You're with me in disguise
For it's Your hand I have seen in the greater scheme of things (REFRAIN 1)

BRIDGE:
For Yours is the voice in my deepest dreams
You are the heart, the very heart
Of the greater scheme of things (REFRAIN 1)

REFRAIN 2:
Why don't we follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silent song it sings
One day we'll find our place
For all things fall in place
For all things have a place
In the greater scheme of things

This song best describes (Tita) Cris. The refrain says it all, "I think I'll follow the voice that calls within, Dance to the silent song it sings, I hope to find my place, So my life will fall in place, I know in time I’ll find my place, In the greater scheme of things".

She, maybe unconsciously or unknowingly, accepted a mission from God. This is to inspire each and every one of us to follow God and to strengthen our faith in him.

(Tita) Cris has, in one-way or another, deeply touched our lives for we wouldn't be missing her and we wouldn't be reminiscing our memories with her. She is the epitome of strength and grace, a beautiful and endearing lady who extends her infectious charm making our glum face shine and radiate with delight. Even through her tough trials, one can still see a glow in her. You wouldn't see her pain for she would always be smiling, sometimes subdued but most of the time gleeful, making you smile in return. You would know that in her every smile comes a love that truly emanates from her heart. Her loving and cheery nature is her way of telling us that we are not alone and that God is always with us. Even in our darkest hours, (Tita) Cris is telling us that God is also there. He is there calming us, sometimes he is there to carry us over our hardships, and he is there always sacrificing himself so that we would be redeemed from our own wrongdoings.

(Tita) Cris indeed followed the voice that calls within. And this enabled her to find her place in the greater scheme of things. And now that she is with our Lord God and our loving Mother Mary, she is still inspiring us to "Follow the voice that calls within, dance to the song it sings, so that we'll also find our place, and all things will fall in place, because all things have a place, in the greater scheme of things".

We love you (Tita) Cris. You're always in our hearts. With you, we'll follow the voice that calls within.


-- from all of us:
Maning and Sit,
Cez, Marlon, and Caitlin,
Joseph,
Noel and Waw.

The Inevitable Happened

Just this morning, I was restlessly surfing the net, looking for a flight to the US. It's been a few days and the only news that we have is that Tita Cris is still in a coma. I wanted to go and see her even for the last time. Unfortunately, the earliest flight that I could take is still in December.
Just after lunch, we received the news... Tita Cris has passed away. We knew it was just a matter of time. We knew it was coming, but that didn't ease the sadness I felt. I willed myself not to cry... at least, not while I was in the office. But I couldn't concentrate. Lots of memories flooded my mind. I found myself browsing pictures of her (in my laptop) and reading emails I received from her the past years. I still couldn't believe that she's gone.

But I am consoled by the thought that she is no longer in pain and that she is in heaven with Papa Yoyong and Ninang Juliet.

I will really miss you, Tita Cris!

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Here are some of my memories of her...


during my 1st trip to the US


my bridal shower in NY - Tita Cris giving a toast


Outside the restaurant where my surprise bridal shower was held


At home in NJ


A stopover, on our way to CT


At Padre Pio's


As our Ninang


At our wedding

Sad news

We received some sad news today.

Tita Cristina, Dad's youngest sister, is in a coma. She has been suffering from the Big C for several years now.

I just prayed... God's will be done.