Paalam, Ginang :(

It was Spring of 2009 when I decided to take her class. I wasn't really serious about it initially, but I really enjoyed it. . .so I continued to take her upper level class. She was one of the nicest and most approachable person I knew in the academe at that time. Her expertise in her field was unquestionable. She was intelligent, but she was humble. She was also like the granny I never had.

Perhaps my fondest memory with her was when she treated us for lunch at an expensive hotel during Spring break 2010.

. . .She was simply addressed as "Ginang."

I asked her to write me a recommendation letter for a study abroad program. That was in 2011. She singlemindedly said yes.

When I graduated from College, I, again, asked if I could use her as a reference. With no reservations, she said yes.

Undeniably, I owe her a lot.

And then I noticed that her name was no longer in the course catalog. So I wondered and asked Tita Ime. She said she was sick. . .

Today, just out of the blue, I asked how Ginang is doing. The response was: She's gone.

My eyes grew. I wanted to cry. "What do you mean gone?" I uttered.

"Gone. . namatay na siya"

My heart crashed.

Last night, I was ominously looking at this photo of my classmates and Ginang during one of our many memorable "field trips." Little did I know, she had passed away.

 Today was her funeral. I would have attended if I knew. I still couldn't believe it. Rest in Peace, Ginang.

I will never forget her warm and motherly smile.