MAIDEN'S DREAM
(Mimi's Story)
by Konted
For the Orioles, Kingfishers, Fairy Blue Birds, Finches and Hanging Parrots of the Sierra Madre.
___________________________________________
My hats off to you Konted, for chronicling the testimony of your mother. She will always remain in the memories of the people she touched. But as memories can, and will fade, your faithful recording of her life's story will remain intact.
What an incredible woman!
- Nonoy Quimbo
Founder & CEO
Calabria Company Limited
Makers of Novellino Wines
___________________________________________
- Konted
Sta Maria, Northeast of Manila
Everyone has a beginning. And Mimi, for sure, was no exception. She didn't come into this world through a bolt of lightning that flashed across the sky. Curiosity or the deep desire to know Mimi's origin leads us to hitherto unfamiliar places and takes us back to the distant past. We trace back, we travel a thousand country roads.
Mimi first saw the light of day, some 98 years ago, in a quaint house in the quiet town of Sta Maria in Bulacan. Sta Maria is about 32 kilometers northeast of Manila. It was relatively so peaceful then as it was still lightly populated. Vast tracts of land were intended for farming and animal raising. The Spanish colonizers established the town of Sta. Maria in 1792.
With the family comfortably settled in Poblacion, which was the town center, Mimi was close to her mother Felicitas. On Sundays and religious holidays, very young Mimi and her other siblings, wearing smart casual attire, would make their way, with mother Felicitas leading the pack, to the old baroque style church named La Purisima Concepcion Church. One trait Mimi took after her mother was that of being deeply religious.
In summer, when there was much time to spare, Mimi would tag along whenever her mother would hie off to a very wide farmland owned by Mimi's maternal grandfather Jose Serapio. The place used to be a bush land but through clearing operations by skilled farm hands, it became a leisure farm. Soon, fruits such as Siniguelas, Duhat, Caimito and Balubad, which were abundant in that area, could be harvested.
One summer day, when the sun was at its brightest and the wind blowing gently, mother Felicitas, with light frame and frail-looking at that, mounted an Appaloosa-like horse and, with body and legs firmly and rightly positioned, rode through the paved portions of the farm. She was holding a whip. Mimi was stunned, really stunned. Only then did she know that her mother was formally trained to ride a horse at an early age by grandfather Jose.
On moonlit nights, Mimi, under the tutelage of her mother, would break the placid silence by playing the piano. She would play well known musical compositions. She was a sight to behold, with her hands stretching gracefully on the keyboard. She had a calm and neat playing style that was complemented by her pretty face. This would serve her in good stead as she would show off her exceptional playing skills on social occasions and during special events. Her preferred ones, as the years progressed, were Maiden's Dream, Over the Rainbow and Autumn Leaves.
Mimi's maternal grandfather was an insurgent. He was a colonel in the revolutionary forces of General Emilio Aguinaldo. His name was Jose Serapio. He was from the town of Sta. Maria and was capitan municipal or town mayor for many years. He was an uncle of Aguinaldo. He was always in the thick of the battles in and around the towns of Bulacan.
Colonel Serapio and his men, and other rebel groups as well, employed the guerrilla tactic of attacking the enemy by surprise. The invaders were waylaid on deserted roads and in rugged terrains which were unfamiliar to them. The road leading to San Jose Del Monte, Sta. Maria, Norzagaray and, ultimately, to the other towns of Bulacan was called "Daang Tulisan" as countless ambushes were carried out by the insurrectos against Spanish soldiers along this dirt road which is now known as Quirino Highway.
The rebel forces had their strongholds in subterranean caves, notable of which were the Biak na Bato Caves in San Miguel and the Pinagrealan Cave in Norzagaray. The caves were their hideouts as they seemed impenetrable and undetectable. Aguinaldo and his men conducted meetings at Pinagrealan Cave during their fight against the Spaniards.
During the Philippine American War, Aguinaldo again sought refuge at the Pinagrealan Cave on his way to the North as the American Forces under General Henry Lawton and, later on, under General Frederick Funston were relentlessly pursuing the rebels. Pinagrealan Cave was Aguinaldo's sanctuary. There, he and his men rested, planned their moves and called the shots. Colonel Serapio was one of Aguinaldo's conduits in that eastern part of Bulacan.
While the Americans were continuously spreading a dragnet, Colonel Serapio saw it unwise to continue fighting in the face of insurmountable odds and decided to surrender to the Americans. This angered Aguinaldo. He wanted Serapio to continue the fight. But Serapio was steadfast in his decision to give up to avoid further loss of lives.
Now here was what Mimi would recall time and again. While in custody, Serapio endeared himself to the Americans. He was knowledgeable and could speak English and Spanish. Not only was he released, he was, after several months, appointed Governor of Bulacan by the powerful Taft Commission. It was a unanimous choice. Serapio was Bulacan Governor in 1900 and 1901. Aside from the transfer of the seat of government from Bulakan town to Malolos, his legacy to Bulacan was the establishment of town councils which we now call as Sangguniang Bayan.
Mimi was very proud of her grandfather and held him in high esteem. As described by a Malolos paper, Serapio was a "towering disciplinarian, imposing leader and romantic adventurer". Pampered by the Americans, he had vast landholdings in Catmon, Poblacion, Gulod, Pulong Buhangin, all in Sta. Maria, and in other parts of Norzagaray. At a time when horse-drawn carriages were used by the privileged few, he had an elegant limousine. Whenever Mimi would be at the Provincial Capitol in Malolos, she would look at the huge framed picture of her grandfather and would point and say, within hearing distance of everyone: "He's my grandfather."
Near The Ridge Of Bayombon
Bayombon, an area situated at the highest peak of the town proper of Norzagaray, was then sparsely populated. Strolling near the ridge where Santol trees grew in abundance, one could see a very wide open space with the famed Angat River, with clean and clear waters, flowing over and around boulders and grey pebbles. He would feel free and lighthearted, what with the beauty of nature unfolding before him.
To the right of the river were large parcels of land planted to corn, systematically arranged and neatly aligned. In between were string beans growing on vines through poles or stakes. Near a dirt, lonely road were camachiles that grew naturally. Animal-drawn implements and a few mechanical equipment were used. Farm hands were paid according to the concept of "a fair day's pay for a fair day's work." A great portion of the land was owned by the Serapios.
Mimi's father Eustaquio grew up in Bayombon. He belonged to the De La Merced clan. Always chomping around with a cigar, he was partly bald but, for convenience's sake, he would have his head completely shaven. He was a patient man, not one easy to get irritated. He had that ready smile when seeing friends or acquaintances. Though a brother became town mayor and he had lots of friends, he was not inclined to politics. When he married Felicitas, they stayed for awhile at Sta Maria and, later, moved to Norzagaray, a neighboring town.
Eustaquio was a math master. Throughout school, taking mathematics was a breeze. Classmates and friends would consult him or ask for help when it came to numbers. And he was willing to assist. When the time for him to work came, he was hired as accountant by Manila-based Helena Cigar Factory which was owned by S. Frieder and Sons of Ohio. With a good-paying job for the head of the family, they relocated to San Miguel District in the heart of Manila.
Chapter 4
Moving to San Miguel District in Manila was to Mimi's liking. She was very pleased. Her siblings--Linda, Pepito, Nitang and Totoy-- liked it too. San Miguel then was a decent and serene community. Huge acacia trees lined the streets with their yellow flowers adding vibrancy to the surroundings. Mimi, strolling around the neighborhood, would pick a fallen flower and, like a child at play, would look at the five petals. In summer, she was thankful for the shade the acacia trees provided.
Malacanan Palace, the official residence of the American governor general, was only a few blocks away. San Miguel Brewery, Inc. was on Calle Aviles. Mimi would spend Saturday afternoons looking at the regal houses of the rich and famous. And early Sunday mornings, without fail, Mimi, and the entire family, would hear mass at the old Church of San Miguel de Manila. Sometimes alone, before sundown, she would pray at this ancient church asking for a particular intention or seeking divine guidance. It was her firm belief that prayers would give her inner strength, a clear and open mind and the courage to stand up to pressure.
Mimi, through diligence, finished her secondary education at the Manila East High School, which had jurisdiction over San Miguel District. For her tertiary education, she passed the entrance examination at the University of the Philippines on Padre Faura St. in Manila. She took up law and hurdled the bar examinations in 1941. UP was only several rides away from San Miguel District. Life was getting better but the challenges were getting harder.
___________________________________________
Chapter 1
Sta Maria, Northeast of Manila
Everyone has a beginning. And Mimi, for sure, was no exception. She didn't come into this world through a bolt of lightning that flashed across the sky. Curiosity or the deep desire to know Mimi's origin leads us to hitherto unfamiliar places and takes us back to the distant past. We trace back, we travel a thousand country roads.
Mimi first saw the light of day, some 98 years ago, in a quaint house in the quiet town of Sta Maria in Bulacan. Sta Maria is about 32 kilometers northeast of Manila. It was relatively so peaceful then as it was still lightly populated. Vast tracts of land were intended for farming and animal raising. The Spanish colonizers established the town of Sta. Maria in 1792.
With the family comfortably settled in Poblacion, which was the town center, Mimi was close to her mother Felicitas. On Sundays and religious holidays, very young Mimi and her other siblings, wearing smart casual attire, would make their way, with mother Felicitas leading the pack, to the old baroque style church named La Purisima Concepcion Church. One trait Mimi took after her mother was that of being deeply religious.
In summer, when there was much time to spare, Mimi would tag along whenever her mother would hie off to a very wide farmland owned by Mimi's maternal grandfather Jose Serapio. The place used to be a bush land but through clearing operations by skilled farm hands, it became a leisure farm. Soon, fruits such as Siniguelas, Duhat, Caimito and Balubad, which were abundant in that area, could be harvested.
One summer day, when the sun was at its brightest and the wind blowing gently, mother Felicitas, with light frame and frail-looking at that, mounted an Appaloosa-like horse and, with body and legs firmly and rightly positioned, rode through the paved portions of the farm. She was holding a whip. Mimi was stunned, really stunned. Only then did she know that her mother was formally trained to ride a horse at an early age by grandfather Jose.
On moonlit nights, Mimi, under the tutelage of her mother, would break the placid silence by playing the piano. She would play well known musical compositions. She was a sight to behold, with her hands stretching gracefully on the keyboard. She had a calm and neat playing style that was complemented by her pretty face. This would serve her in good stead as she would show off her exceptional playing skills on social occasions and during special events. Her preferred ones, as the years progressed, were Maiden's Dream, Over the Rainbow and Autumn Leaves.
Chapter 2
Mimi's Rebel Grandfather
Mimi's maternal grandfather was an insurgent. He was a colonel in the revolutionary forces of General Emilio Aguinaldo. His name was Jose Serapio. He was from the town of Sta. Maria and was capitan municipal or town mayor for many years. He was an uncle of Aguinaldo. He was always in the thick of the battles in and around the towns of Bulacan.
Colonel Serapio and his men, and other rebel groups as well, employed the guerrilla tactic of attacking the enemy by surprise. The invaders were waylaid on deserted roads and in rugged terrains which were unfamiliar to them. The road leading to San Jose Del Monte, Sta. Maria, Norzagaray and, ultimately, to the other towns of Bulacan was called "Daang Tulisan" as countless ambushes were carried out by the insurrectos against Spanish soldiers along this dirt road which is now known as Quirino Highway.
The rebel forces had their strongholds in subterranean caves, notable of which were the Biak na Bato Caves in San Miguel and the Pinagrealan Cave in Norzagaray. The caves were their hideouts as they seemed impenetrable and undetectable. Aguinaldo and his men conducted meetings at Pinagrealan Cave during their fight against the Spaniards.
During the Philippine American War, Aguinaldo again sought refuge at the Pinagrealan Cave on his way to the North as the American Forces under General Henry Lawton and, later on, under General Frederick Funston were relentlessly pursuing the rebels. Pinagrealan Cave was Aguinaldo's sanctuary. There, he and his men rested, planned their moves and called the shots. Colonel Serapio was one of Aguinaldo's conduits in that eastern part of Bulacan.
While the Americans were continuously spreading a dragnet, Colonel Serapio saw it unwise to continue fighting in the face of insurmountable odds and decided to surrender to the Americans. This angered Aguinaldo. He wanted Serapio to continue the fight. But Serapio was steadfast in his decision to give up to avoid further loss of lives.
Now here was what Mimi would recall time and again. While in custody, Serapio endeared himself to the Americans. He was knowledgeable and could speak English and Spanish. Not only was he released, he was, after several months, appointed Governor of Bulacan by the powerful Taft Commission. It was a unanimous choice. Serapio was Bulacan Governor in 1900 and 1901. Aside from the transfer of the seat of government from Bulakan town to Malolos, his legacy to Bulacan was the establishment of town councils which we now call as Sangguniang Bayan.
Mimi was very proud of her grandfather and held him in high esteem. As described by a Malolos paper, Serapio was a "towering disciplinarian, imposing leader and romantic adventurer". Pampered by the Americans, he had vast landholdings in Catmon, Poblacion, Gulod, Pulong Buhangin, all in Sta. Maria, and in other parts of Norzagaray. At a time when horse-drawn carriages were used by the privileged few, he had an elegant limousine. Whenever Mimi would be at the Provincial Capitol in Malolos, she would look at the huge framed picture of her grandfather and would point and say, within hearing distance of everyone: "He's my grandfather."
Chapter 3
Near The Ridge Of Bayombon
To the right of the river were large parcels of land planted to corn, systematically arranged and neatly aligned. In between were string beans growing on vines through poles or stakes. Near a dirt, lonely road were camachiles that grew naturally. Animal-drawn implements and a few mechanical equipment were used. Farm hands were paid according to the concept of "a fair day's pay for a fair day's work." A great portion of the land was owned by the Serapios.
Mimi's father Eustaquio grew up in Bayombon. He belonged to the De La Merced clan. Always chomping around with a cigar, he was partly bald but, for convenience's sake, he would have his head completely shaven. He was a patient man, not one easy to get irritated. He had that ready smile when seeing friends or acquaintances. Though a brother became town mayor and he had lots of friends, he was not inclined to politics. When he married Felicitas, they stayed for awhile at Sta Maria and, later, moved to Norzagaray, a neighboring town.
Eustaquio was a math master. Throughout school, taking mathematics was a breeze. Classmates and friends would consult him or ask for help when it came to numbers. And he was willing to assist. When the time for him to work came, he was hired as accountant by Manila-based Helena Cigar Factory which was owned by S. Frieder and Sons of Ohio. With a good-paying job for the head of the family, they relocated to San Miguel District in the heart of Manila.
San Miguel District: In The Heart Of Manila
Malacanan Palace, the official residence of the American governor general, was only a few blocks away. San Miguel Brewery, Inc. was on Calle Aviles. Mimi would spend Saturday afternoons looking at the regal houses of the rich and famous. And early Sunday mornings, without fail, Mimi, and the entire family, would hear mass at the old Church of San Miguel de Manila. Sometimes alone, before sundown, she would pray at this ancient church asking for a particular intention or seeking divine guidance. It was her firm belief that prayers would give her inner strength, a clear and open mind and the courage to stand up to pressure.
Mimi, through diligence, finished her secondary education at the Manila East High School, which had jurisdiction over San Miguel District. For her tertiary education, she passed the entrance examination at the University of the Philippines on Padre Faura St. in Manila. She took up law and hurdled the bar examinations in 1941. UP was only several rides away from San Miguel District. Life was getting better but the challenges were getting harder.
Chapter 5
UP Law Class '41
It was a time when a brilliant, dashing young man named Ferdinand Edralin Marcos was making waves. It was a time when the UP Campus was located, not in Diliman as we know it today, but on Padre Faura Street near Taft Avenue in Manila. It was a time when female students would not look at the Oblation statue, manifesting the high standards at that time. Or rather, how conservative they were.
Mimi's contemporaries were those made of sterner stuff. To name a few, there were Hermogenes Concepcion and Nestor Alampay, who both became Supreme Court associate justices. And who would forget the bright and beautiful woman, Leonor Ines Luciano, who was appointed as associate justice of the Court of Appeals? And, later on, contributed greatly to the amendment of the Family Code of the Philippines. And another Court of Appeals justice, Floreliana Castro Bartolome. There was Mary Concepcion Bautista who became Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights.
Mimi would talk, in several instances, about their sophomore class President, sugar baron Carlos Ledesma, who was, in her own words, a true gentleman. She also had fond memories of two classmates who became top-notch legal practitioners, namely, Dakila Castro and Norberto Quisumbing. Some dabbled in politics. There was the longest-serving Governor of Laguna, Felicisimo San Luis. Mario Garcia became mayor of Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija for a long time. Cesar Climaco was Zamboanga City mayor for many years until his untimely death. Three other classmates who were close to her heart were Ching Manotok Ibay, Naty Racadio Manalang and Judge Naty Fermin Ignacio.
Chapter 6
Post-war Love
At the north side of the UST campus, which served as the rear gate, was a street called Asturias. Named by the Spaniards after a beautiful region in Spain, Asturias was between Dapitan and Laong Laan streets. It ran perpendicular to the back gate of the campus. One of the few houses along that street was a Spanish colonial type one, similar to the house of Jose Rizal in Calamba.
Almost everyday, a young man, dressed in all-white attire with pomade applied thickly in his hair, would emerge from that house. He was a doctor and the eldest son of a brilliant lawyer, prolific writer and poet-lauriate. His name was Dante Gener. He was Mimi's boyfriend. Theirs was a doctor-lawyer tandem. If Dante was an extrovert who loved telling stories to everyone including strangers, Mimi was the reserved type. She partly kept to herself. If Dante would occasionally burst into a loud and boisterous laughter even in public places, Mimi would laugh with restraint.
As Mimi's boyfriend was athletic-minded, he would take her to the ballgames. But Mimi had no inclination to athletics. Even when the game was a cliff-hanger, it didn't matter to Mimi. She was not interested in the outcome of the game. Her mind was somewhere else. She was more interested in the beautiful flowers that grew outside the gymnasium.
When watching movies at the Ideal theater, the two would stay at the orchestra, for Mimi did not relish seeing the movie from the balcony. While Dante would be engrossed when John Wayne was about to shoot the villain in a western cowboy thriller, Mimi would be fast asleep. When dining at Toho Antigua on T. Pinpin Street in Binondo, Dante would eat to his heart's content while Mimi would savor the food lightly. She would eat a little of this, a little of that. Despite the disparities, they enjoyed each other's company and tied the knot on December 28, 1947.
Chapter 7
Finding Work
Mimi found work with the United States Army's Manila Office. From the Americans, she learned what being systematic meant. Everything was organized, everything was in place. Right was right and wrong was wrong. And there was nothing in between. She loved her work and learned new things each day. When Mimi married Dante, she bade the American officers goodbye. This was with a heavy heart.
Mimi joined her doctor-husband in his provincial sorties, reaching far-away places such as Coron in Palawan and Boac in Marinduque. For Mimi, Coron was paradise. Its pristine beaches would put to shame the much touted tourist attractions in other parts of the country. Birds such as Mynah, Orioles, Blue-naped Parrots and other colorful feathered creatures were a common sight.
In Palawan, Mimi made her first court appearance. She was handling a land dispute case in Coron but court hearings were held in Puerto Princesa. Mimi solely took the trouble of preparing all pertinent documents. She made a good presentation and her arguments were plausible and strong. In the end, the court ruled in favor of Mimi's client, who later on, became a daughter in law of the influential Reyeses of Malbato in Coron. In Marinduque, her husband worked as resident doctor of Marinduque Mining Corporation owned by the Elizaldes. By this time, they had been blessed with four kids, namely, Rene, Teddy, Nini and Ronald.
Chapter 8
Back to Manila
Mimi was now with the Land Registration Commission (now LRA) on Azcarraga Street in Manila. Land Registration Commission is responsible for issuing land titles and has jurisdiction over all registry of deeds and clerks of court in land registration cases. She was Division Chief. Peers and subordinates would describe Mimi as having a strong work ethic. Throughout her 27 years with LRC, she emphasized the core values of excellence, hard work and discipline. For Mimi, integrity is paramount. For her, integrity means doing the right thing, in the presence of others and, more importantly, when no one else is around.
For Mimi, any kind of work is a profession and the person doing it should be a professional. The lowly-paid janitor, Mimi would cite as an example, is considered a professional if he reports on time and does his assigned tasks properly. Mimi would stress, from time to time, that work is both a right and a duty. It is one's right to earn a living but it is his duty to work well.
Mimi was short of being persnickety in her work. She would pay particular attention to small details. For her, a slight deviation from the original could prove costly especially if it would involve legal documents. A slight mistake could decide the outcome of a case. It could be annoying for some, but that was the way Mimi worked. For her, a certain degree of redundancy may be needed to ensure that accuracy would be adhered to and that deadlines would be met. Followup, follow through, reminders and feedback are essential.
Chapter 9
Sta. Mesa Heights: Back In The Day
With the tranquil surroundings principally considered, Mimi and husband Dante built a two-storey house on Mayon Street in Santa Mesa Heights. With steady jobs, they were able to send their children to good schools. Even while employed with the Land Registration Commission, Mimi took it upon herself to look after their children's welfare, monitor their standing in school, check their extra curricular activities and encourage them to make friends or form good relationships with others.
Everybody was expected to be home by 7 p.m. or earlier. Dinner time was 7:30 p.m. Each had a specific seating assignment with assigned glass, spoon and fork and sauce dipper. If somebody missed dinner without any justifiable reason, that would be an infraction of house rules. If by 10 p.m., someone was still unaccounted for, Mimi would call by phone and trace the whereabouts of that family member. If that turned out to be negative, she would continue her search by visiting homes of that person's friends until she would get positive results. It would look embarrassing but, again, that was the way Mimi handled such situation.
Late evenings, as their children would be winding up their studies, husband Dante would play songs of Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Perry Como and Tony Bennett with Mimi comfortably seated in an old armchair, with a foot swinging back and forth. She felt relaxed that way, with the lines, rhythm and melody of old songs soothing her tired mind and body: "Your arms opened wide, And closed me inside, You took my lips, You took my love, So tenderly."
Sunday was exclusively reserved for church services. One was expected to wear smart casual attire. Definitely, plain T-shirts and rubber shoes were not allowed. Church would either be Lourdes Parish or Santo Domingo Church. Next would be dining out in Binondo, particularly at a restaurant on Carvajal Street where they served good Chinese dishes. Favorite items then were Crab and Corn Soup, Sweet Green Peas, Pork Asado, Camaron Rebosado and Pata Tim.
Mimi and husband Dante established an exemplary pattern for a simple yet happy family lifestyle. So noticeable were their efforts and determination that it prompted a reputable organization to hand Mimi the Gintong Ina Award, a prestigious and timely recognition. She bested countless other nominees nationwide. It was a crowning glory for Mimi that made the rest of the family happy and proud.
Chapter 10
At The Foothills of Antipolo
By this time, Mimi's children had all graduated from college, had started working and had families of their own. Nearing retirement, Mimi again took it upon herself to look after her grandchildren, making sure that they had the best education, right upbringing and healthy environment. She was always there to lend a helping hand, even attending PTA meetings at the Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle University and University of the Philippines.
Summer months were months devoted by Mimi to her grandchildren. During these months, she would tell them to hone their skills or pursue new worthy endeavors. She would ask a grandson to join a basketball summer camp, would ask another to take swimming lessons or take special lessons on acoustic music. And she would personally accompany them. For Mimi, free time should be productive time.
On special days, Mimi would take her grandchildren to Antipolo Church, which was only half an hour by car. There, they would light special candles, tow the line to the image of the Virgin of Antipolo, buy rosaries or stampitas and say a little prayer. Then Mimi would buy bundles of Rice Cake and Cashew Nuts. On the way home, the group would feast on a bucket of KFC Fried Chicken near the ridge overlooking the Metropolis. And oh, the squabble over the gravy would begin.
Chapter 11
Back To One's Roots
After her doctor-husband passed away and after travelling to the USA, Italy, France and other parts of Europe, Mimi decided to settle in her hometown of Norzagaray. She was now fully retired but would not want to be idle. She still wanted to render service to her town mates and, in no time, she was elected as President of the Federation of Senior Citizens of the town. In concurrent capacity, she was OSCA Chairperson.
During her term, which was a long one, the organization flourished and became a dynamic one. All these years, Mimi manifested professionalism and dedication to the tasks at hand. With the help of other officers, and the members as well, the federation became well-organized with its yearly goals almost always achieved. Coordination with town, provincial and district officials was smooth.
Main agenda for that day's meeting at the mountain sitio was raising funds for the senior citizens' program called Damayan. Members would pay a yearly minimal amount which would help defray expenses during contingencies. Discussion was cordial with senior citizens voicing out their take on issues and concerns. That was the way Mimi wanted it. She wanted communication to be free-flowing. After two hours of exchanges, meeting was adjourned with the next one set for the following week at Brgy Bangkal, south of the Sierra Madre.
Chapter 12
Old Age Catching Up
In her 90s, Mimi had also begun showing difficulty in recalling names, places and events. At first, it was manageable. She would take down notes. She would write the names of the persons she talked to and the date the conversation or meeting took place. She would jot down significant events. But as days and months passed, her condition worsened. She was now having a hard time recognizing what were once familiar faces. She would call a son by another name. She could not remember what transpired a few days before. Clearly, Mimi's memory was slipping away.
Not to her liking as she wanted to maintain the status quo, Mimi was taken to her eldest son's house in a Metro suburb. The consensus was that she could no longer stay in her place in Poblacion. As a precautionary measure against spills, she was confined to a wheelchair whenever moving from one spot to another. It was advised that home companions should engage her in a conversation as a way of slowing down memory loss. At times, she would have clear memory. But often times, she could not connect.
In different surroundings, Mimi felt lonely. Out of the blue, she would talk about her late husband Dante. She would tell stories about the Japanese Occupation, of how her family fled to the Sierra Madre mountains to elude Japanese troops temporarily occupying the town proper. She would recall the times when she and several friends would hear mass at the ancient Church of Sta. Monica in Angat. Then she would tell of how she had been missing old friends who had gone ahead. Plainly, these were times when she would feel the keen sting of loneliness.
Chapter 13
Destiny Meets Eternity
Wiping off the milk residue on her lips with a Kleenex, Mimi asked to be taken to the piano area which was only a few meters away. She had been feeling sluggish for days, complaining of difficulty in breathing. This was diagnosed as phlegm accumulating in her lungs. Seated on the piano bench with someone holding her on the lower back to prevent her from tipping over, she began testing the sounds emanating from the keys, hammers and strings.
Mimi was asking for a particular music sheet. It could not be found but she started playing that piece anyway. It was Maiden's Dream popularized by Adolph Bauchman in the old days. Mimi was now engaged, with her hands arched and her fingers partly curved. Maiden's Dream was Mimi's favorite in her younger years. She would do it so well that she would win the accolade of the appreciative crowd. They would give her that thunderous applause. Now nearing the century mark, nothing seemed to have changed. But this time, no one was around to listen. Nobody was there to applaud.
At a hospital along the highway, after several days, Mimi passed away. At the precise moment when Mimi breathed her last, there was a heavy rainfall. With the grey skies turning black, the rain was relentless, literally with no let-up. In just a few minutes, there was flash flood and vehicles were at a standstill along the highway. The heavens were apparently weeping. The celestial gods were mourning the passing of a woman of substance, a woman they called 'Mama ', 'Abogada ', 'Attorney Mimi ' and 'Pangulo '. She was 98.
Photo Gallery:
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| Dr. Dante and Atty. Mimi dancing the night away. Photo taken in the late 40s. |
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| Siblings Rene, Teddy, Nini and Ronald |
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| Mimi's mother Felicitas |
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| Mimi with siblings Linda, Pepito and Nitang |
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| Mimi's grandchildren |
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| Ted and family |
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| Ted's eldest son Alex and family |
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| Ted's 2nd son Allen and Kristy |
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| Ted's youngest son Albert and Monette |
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| Mimi's eldest son Rene and family |
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| Mimi's grandsons Argie and Pochi with Abby |
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| Mimi's youngest Ronald and family |
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| Ronald's eldest son Ryan and Bridgit |
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| Mimi's grandchildren Manolet and Melissa Gener Leviste. Manolet is a barrister in the U.S. |
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| Mimi's granddaughter Melissa |
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| Mimi with only daughter Nini |
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| Mimi still physically fit about 5 years ago |
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| Friends and neighbors at Santa Mesa Heights: Rene G., Freddie Reyes, Boy Cuaderno, Ted G, Plenny Cobarrubias, Menggie Cobarrubias and Bonjoc Reyes |
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| Don Ricardo Silverio, then Bulacan's 3rd District Congressman, with Federation President Atty. Mimi Gener. |
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| Atty. Mimi with Supreme Court Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas and his lovely wife |
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Bulacan Governor Nacing Santiago, Councilor Ted Gener, Mayor Amading Dela Merced, Atty. Ponciano Hernandez, SMC SVP Rene Gener and DPWH District Engineer Virginio Gener
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