* A Eulogy TED "Nonong" TUMBOCON HARESCO delivered in remembrance of the late Eusebia Santamaria Tumbocon–Miraflores during the Necrological Program on October 22, 2011, Ibajay Sports Complex, Ibajay, Aklan.
Two years ago, I reflected at our Sto. Niño celebration. Of all the 178 countries in the world, there is the Philippines we would rather be in, of all its 79 provinces, we chose Aklan to go back to, of all its towns, there is our common ancestry/heritage, Ibajay.
And of all its villages and houses, there is a home. And in this home, there was this person, smiling in her gardens. This was Nay Benny, who would always ask "nag kaon ka na?" She was almost always in and at peace with the world, living and always preparing for God to take her anytime. A beacon, enriching our lives with her faithfulness, trust and love.
At age eight, she was orphaned by her beloved mother, Prima. She became surrogate to her little sisters Anan, Meling, and Angga. At 28, God tested her anew with another life storm – she became a widow with three children, Joeben, the eldest was only four, the youngest, Mariles, one year old. Yet she showed her faithfulness to God and adored husband, Jose – remaining single. This beautiful widow wore black for 40 years, strove/strained to raise her children to be responsible and Christian as well as to excel. Nay Benny’s 2nd virtue is trust. God/Mama Mary/family is central to her life. She started the day in communion with God, thence in community with those in needs. She ends her day with prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and special novenas for those she loved, like for the baby of a nephew – Dr. Tonet Tumbocon, for her friends who go through their dark valleys and for so many others.
Her complete abiding trust in God led Nay Benny to his greatest gift – Love. She could go to all the funeral wakes of her friends, relatives, acquaintances, even strangers. With a mere school teacher’s salary, she felt terrible when she could not comfort those who mourn and weep…in the remotest village…amongst the poorest of the poor families. Looking back and looking on Nay Benny’s life, the storms, winds, and rains – an ordinary person would have despaired, become harsh or aggressive. No she was not an ordinary person. With Nay Benny, God became a verb. Alive. Dynamic. Clothed with Mama Mary’s humility, Nay Benny – without power, without title, without wealth was God’s beatitude in the flesh. When he said "blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth". There were groups and troops of people to console as well as to pray and sing songs of alleluia as Nay Benny celebrated finally her eternal life with our Lord. And "blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven".
Nay Benny neither envied nor attracted to the glitters of the world, achievements, attainments of her family, her brothers or sisters. She was constant. In joys or sufferings, "blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall see God". Nay Benny was always there. Listening, soothing…no reprimand…no recrimination…no opinion. Perhaps, the only one amongst us who above all conflicts/differences, diversities/divisions – knew and saw God’s tapestry of unity in diversity.
Indeed, I see now, we can not have the same faces, same skin and same opinions. Nay Benny, she chose – faithfulness, trust and love. Like God’s flower, she became silent, beautiful and prayerful even in sufferings. Nay Benny as they pray to you sings loud into your grandchildren’s ears, Joen, Luann, Miguel, your grand nieces/nephews led by Jose, Emilio, Gio, Alex, and Sofia and others the lyrics of the song Tinay once sang. And I quote: "When you walk through a storm; Hold your head up high; And don’t be afraid of the dark; Walk on through the wind; Walk on through the rain; Though your dreams be tossed and blown".
As we go to you in angelus, whisper softly to your little sisters Anan, Meling, Angga, and your brother, Reynaldo, to Joeben, Lulu, to Tina, Detlet, Mariles, and Capo, to Julia and I.
"Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart".
Nay Benny, goodbye does not quite describe how I or we feel right now. See you soon may sound presumptive unto God especially to Nanay. The French have a better phrase. Au revoir – meaning until we, you and all of us here come together – living in God’s eternal joy. /MP
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