From Jerome
Clock strikes midnight and the pain is so much real again…
JULY 22, 2020: I remember having to let you go one afternoon in that dreadful ambulance a day after my birthday without any clue when I will see you again. Days passed on that hospital bed and you’ve shown us time and again how strong and faithful woman of God you truly are. I was always looking forward to visiting you, feeding you, giving you as much attention you might need, with the hope of easing out the pain you may feel deep within.
As I look back, those were equally the simple moments I remember of my childhood days in the Philippines – whenever you pick me up from school, bring me to the nearest Jollibee, Greenwich, or Mcdonalds, and make me the happiest kid in the whole, wide, world with my favorite chicken, spaghetti and sundae in front of me. I also will never forget the daily routine of asking you before leaving the house in New York City, “Mommy, may naiwan ba ako? (mom, did I leave anything?)” – then you will go ahead and enumerate things from wallet, to cellphone, to metro card, to bag, to food… (and the list continues) while I consciously make sure I am perfecting your already-set master list. Moreover, you also would never fail to ask me before even stepping out of the door, “anak, may pera ka ba? (son, do you have money?)” — and even of me not asking, you will gladly offer: “dito lang naman ako sa bahay, dalhin mo na yung nasa wallet ko (I’m not going anywhere, just take the cash in my wallet)”. Then, I will recall myself always getting so emotional of that simple act… knowing that’s all the money you’ve got. — Mommy, I will always remember you as that person who is selflessly so willing to let go of your own comfort, just so others will feel warm and taken cared of!
From today, I will have my entire lifetime to tell stories of how amazingly wonderful you are as a servant of Christ, a mother to us, a wife to daddy, a loving daughter, sister, tita, lola and friend; but forgive me for I also will have to save those treasured memoirs to myself, so every time I’ll be sobbing in tears from missing you such as this time, I know the unspeakable joy of us having been blessed by you can easily surpass the constant sorrow.
TO MOMMY INENG: I commit to love God and love others wholeheartedly as you have greatly exemplified in this life. I will carry you right inside my heart and promise you to see my ultimate dreams unfold in my own very eyes. And even if it will never be the same not having your hand to hold when that day comes, I will make sure my tiny, humble voice will reach the vastness of the heavenly realms and make it known to you: “WE FINALLY MADE IT, MOM!”
Thank you for everything Mommy! Even if that future wife of mine comes, I certainly know you will always be the most perfect expression of beauty the baby eyes of mine have first gotten a glimpse of. I LOVE YOU more than you have ever known… ‘til we eternally meet again someday! – Your Forever Bunso, Jerome
“… this virtuous woman lives in the wonder, awe, and fear of the Lord. She will be praised throughout eternity. So go ahead and give her the credit that is due, for she has become a radiant woman, and all her loving works of righteousness deserve to be admired at the gateways of every city!” (Proverbs 31:30-31
From Jay
Thank you, dear family, for being with us, we praise God who is still good and faithful even during this moment of grief. I would also like to take a little time to extend my appreciation to my cousins who have made this occasion possible and stress free for our family: Ate Eunice, Kuya Keith, Ate Love, Kuya Teddy, Ate Holly, Kuya Jasper, Kuya Nats, Ate Ai, Ate Faith, Kuya BJ, Iby, Ate Ellen, Ate Claris, Aaron, Noreen, Alvin and Shai. As you can see, I am reading a prepared message…reason being is I am the cry baby in the family and I just want to make sure that I will be able to finish this message without spending much time and shedding of tears. Also, at this point of our lives, I abide with a rule and that it is only Judah (our 6-month old son) who is allowed to cry uncontrollably in our home.
Mommy is mostly referred to as “Ineng” a name of endearment as she shares the same name with her mother, our beloved Lola Belen. Ineng is indeed like a child in many ways…(and my message is about those three things). First being the baby girl in the family, she oftentimes receives the preferential treatment from Lolo Esen and Lola Belen and, that of course has a trickledown effect to her children, especially to myself. Secondly, mommy has little to worry about the mundane things in life: being raised in a somehow comfortable fashion cruising in a Mercedez Benz during her college days, driving hours to Cavite just to grab that tasty halo-halo, cooking is one of those things she worries less about. I can still remember the two occasions where she tried to cook hotdogs for us: the first one tastes rubbery while the second one feels like eating a rock. Maybe she failed to read the cookbook or the one she got was misprinted; but sure, she did not see that a hotdog needs to be peeled from its plastic casing first and be defrosted before frying.
Thirdly and last but which I believe is the most important, mommy had lived a life having the heart and faith of a child. As most of us here know, mommy had a long battle with sickness. While babies’ first words were usually “mommy” or “daddy”, Jerome’s first words included Prothiaden and Artane…just some of mommy’s medications for her condition. Having been in that struggle, it had been impossible for her to keep a day job, and she never had an idea of what making a living is, nor creating a financial plan…all the more piling up wealth to sustain retirement. To her, it is praising God in the morning and waiting for the mana to come; to have just enough light—to see not the horizon but to have a guide for her feet and path just to make the next step. With this child-like innocence and total reliance on the goodness of God and others, she also never had an understanding of what having and being entitled to meant: to her everything is a gift—freely received and freely to be given which is the essence of grace—the very foundation of the faith we all profess. This is the reason why she can empty her wallet again and again for others with so much joy, the reason why the only vanity she owns was a small plastic bottle of baby powder, probably picked up from the dollar store and which she would gladly share or give to someone who wanted it. The reason why she was rather uninterested with anything Jhen and I had tried to offer her while we were in Paris, Rome and London. This is also probably the reason why every time mommy Ineng gazes at anyone, she passes no judgement and just sees the beauty of that person who is of course made in the image and likeness of God…the exact sparkle and awe I see in Judah’s eyes every time he gets to meet someone new.
Thank you, mommy, for your life, I would have never understood God’s love for me apart from you. And I take comfort on the fact that you can completely forget about your medication and is now singing and reigning with Jesus together with all the heavenly in eternity. I would pass on every good that you have shown me: to Jhen, to Judah, to our family, and to our neighbors…except maybe for your hot dog recipe which I will closely guard as a family secret, I love you so much.
From James
A Legacy of Life – Love, Faith & Hope
2 Timothy 4:7 – “I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race, I have kept the faith…”
From your eldest son, James
Love
Belencita and Romulo’s LOVE story started in Bagong Bayan, San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines where both of them were born and grew-up. Belencita was Romy’s inspiration from elementary, high school and up-to his college days. Romulo would even walk from J.P. Rizal… Manila…Quiapo…Taft Ave. just to see Belencita in PWU (Philippine Women’s University) where she was taking up a degree on Medical Technology. Romulo would even extend the walk all the way up-to San Lazaro Hospital just to be with Belencita during her internship program. Furthermore, Romulo would accompany Belencita and her friends from Manila to Cavite and back to Belencita’s dormitory which is a 130-150 km journey just to enjoy their favorite halo-halo/palabok/ube. Belencita was ever loving/supportive to Romulo, to cite an example, she would always take charge when Romulo has been missing or rather hiding in the Comfort Room (CR) for more than 15 minutes, as he is schocked after seeing the restaurant bill.
Faith
Romulo accepted Jesus Christ before being married to Belencita and upholded that covenant that they would love and be faithful to one another. As a result, they were blessed with 3 sons named – James Patrick, Jay Marvin and Romy or Jerome.
During our childhood day, mommy would always ensure that we set aside ‘study time’ in our home’s basement library. She would also go down to check on us if we need any help or just inform us by saying “ James, Jay, Jerome ‘your favorite food is ready.” She will also be involved and will oversee Mamay, Ate Soseng and Nanay Gloria as a chief quality food inspector. Mommy also served as our tutor/mentor and but gracious to allow play as much as we want but ensuring we are not missing any important assignment, projects, and milestones. She will also, at times delegate tasks to Jepoy, our boy helper – I will not go into the details of when Jerome asked kuya Jepoy what’s the English for “Sabon?” and what his reply would be…
Further, Mommy will always ensure that we attend Sunday service religiously (she will play the Piano with her favorite songs as early as 6am just to make sure her boys and daddy will wake-up in time for Sunday service at San Diego, Church of Christ). Mommy also never missed to enroll us on summer Bible school (DVBS) / summer camp (CIY, LCCYF) to also develop our social, leadership, management and personal discipline that would arm us to become more flexible, God-fearing & responsible citizens.
Because of mommy’s guidance and continuous encouragement, we were able to also complete our bachelor’s degrees with honors from San Beda University, Ateneo De Manila University and Borough of Manhattan Community College – City University of New York (BMCC/CUNY) respectively. This will not have been possible also without daddy’s support and guidance during our college days. Thank you also daddy!
Belencita’s Faith to God was also exhibited when she encouraged me to bring Marie to Christ before entering our marriage. I honored it and I was very thankful for her also on this matter. Her faith further manifested when God gave her grandsons/daughter – (Liam Patrick M. Robielos – my eldest son, 7 years old; grade 2 at La Salle Green Hills; 1st honor; best in conduct & penmanship); Liza Marie M. Robielos – my daughter, 4 years old; pre-k at Sacred Heart Academy; 1st honor; best in computer and science) and Judah – my 1st nephew, 6-month old, very handsome and very adorable).
Liam, Liza & Judah, Lola Ineng’s wish for you is to become smart, healthy & God-fearing grandsons & granddaughter!
Hope
Belencita’s hope will always be simple. To have a simple, happy, Christ-centered & family-oriented life. She was hopeful that all of us will have a decent/Christ-centered life/family life. She was hopeful also to live a simple life in the US with her loving husband Romy. She was hopeful to see us flourishing in our respective careers and would always cheer-us up for every accomplishment we had.
Mommy was also selfless since she was willing to re-assign a paid Hong-Kong/Europe trip to further build someone’s love with one-another. Unfortunately, she didn’t hesitate to accept a paid Puerto Gallera holiday with her prince charming Romulo!
Lastly, she was once hopeful that me and Jay would also see the beauty of what God has given her/siblings by encouraging us to pay a visit to the US. I told her, Mommy, I’ll promise to be there in God’s time, though I might not be with my entire family, but I will be there for you.
Mommy, I will always cherish the time we were riding, as a family, a J train in Queens NY; walking the entire stretch of Wall Street; enjoying Statue of Liberty Park; shopping in specialty shops; attending Hill Song/Church of Christ Sunday worship; supporting as distinguished guests during Jerome’s graduation in Madison Square Garden or just eating at your favorite Chinese or Filipino restaurant in Woodhaven after a long day walk…
I will end this with a quote from 2 Timothy 4:7:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith…”
Mommy, thank you and indeed your Life is a Legacy for us, but you even exceeded the standard of Legacy by giving your un-conditional Love, un-bending Faith and exceeding Hope for the goodness and inspiration of everyone until the end.
We love you and enjoy your life now with God.
Your eldest son James,
Daughter-in-law Marie,
Grandson Liam and
Granddaughter Liza
Belencita Orillaza Robielos 