A beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and cherished member of her family, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2026, at the age of 69 years old.

She was a strong, loving, and caring woman whose greatest gift was the love she gave to her family. She may not have always expressed everything with words, but she showed her love through everything she did. Her family and friends was her world, and her love will continue to live on in everyone she left behind.

She leaves behind her only child, Belle, her beloved son-in-law, Jr, and her precious grandson, Ernest, as well as her brother Raul and sisters Tessie, Nhey and Santa, nieces and nephews, extended family, friends, and so many people whose lives she touched.

For me, losing my mom means losing a part of myself that can never be replaced.

Mama, mahal na mahal kita. Sana alam mo kung gaano kita kamahal.

You were the person who always accepted me for who I was. Kahit ilang beses akong nagkamali, kahit may mga panahon na hindi ako naging perfect na anak, you always found a way to forgive me. You never made me feel like I had to be perfect to deserve your love.

Salamat, Ma, dahil kahit nagkamali ako, anak mo pa rin ako sa puso mo. Hindi mo ako sinukuan.

You were my safe place. The person I could always come back to. And now, I wish I had more time.

I thought we had more tomorrows. More conversations. More vacation to go to. More chances for me to tell you how much you mean to me. 

I'm sorry for all the things I didn't say enough. I'm sorry for the moments I thought we had more time.

But please know this, Ma: you were loved. You are loved. And you will always be loved.

Your love will live on in me, in your grandson, in my husband, in your brothers and sisters, your nieces and nephews, and in everyone whose life you touched.

I will tell your grandson about you. I will tell him your stories, your recipes, your laughter, and how much his grandmother loved him. I will make sure he knows who you were and how much you meant to us.

And Mama, please don't worry about us. Alam kong kahit wala ka na, mag-aalala ka pa rin sa amin. But please rest now. We will take care of each other.

Thank you for being my mother. Thank you for accepting me, forgiving me, loving me, and believing in me through every version of myself.

Salamat sa lahat, Mama. Salamat sa pagmamahal mo.

If you can somehow read these words, I hope you finally know what I sometimes struggled to say while you were here:

Mahal na mahal kita. Hindi kita makakalimutan. Hinding-hindi mawawala ang pagmamahal ko sa'yo.

I wasn't ready to say goodbye. I don't think I ever could have been.

But I promise to carry you with me for the rest of my life. 

Pahinga ka na, Ma. Hindi mo na kailangang mag-alala sa amin. We will be okay.

Until we meet again.

Magkikita tayo ulit ma, I love you!

Forever your daughter.