Stories for Mamang; It Used To Be

Today is All Saint's Day. It is a national holiday back in Philippines.Today marks the first year that you are there not to light candles for our dearly departed but as a beautiful soul already watching above us.

How are you Mang?? Sorry I did not attend mass today, and hey, it's only now we learned that November 01 is a day of obligation.I went to work in Glendora, and the 7 pm mass in SFRC is in Spanish.

Cleng readied the flowers and candles for you. I will visit the tomb when I get back there. I know though that you are with us here in California. Crazy it may be but I'd like to think that the whole family is now complete here in California. You, Papang, my Koyas, my sisters-in-law, and your grandchildren. COMPLETE in a unique kind of way.

It used to be that you stay the whole day in the cemetery - "Banten ku la ri Tatang ku. Ika naman, misan mu pabanua."

We may not be there, but know that you are deeply engraved and remembered in our hearts.

I miss you each day.I love you Mang, my truest and best friend in the world.

Mamang. Love. Forever.