It’s hard to say goodbye

JUST recently, we said goodbye to two lovely people inside out - poles apart in personalities, yet equally beautiful souls.

Rose Gamboa Ramos joined our maker some weeks ago. Despite knowing that she has been battling with an on-again off-again illness, it was not easy to hear that she has passed on. I have journeyed with Rose for many years, being a fellow member of our Preasidium Mary Help of Christians in the Legion of Mary.

Rose has been a most spiritual lady whose simplicity and fidelity to duty has made her over the years an exemplary Assumptionista. An Assumption girl to the core, Rose was simple-no frills, no frivolities.

In Assumption, simplicity means when you are called to the task, you just do it - no nudging, no coercion. When Rose was well enough to do her community and spiritual “duties,” her presence was always dictated by her sincerity and her loyalty.

As a legionary, whose mission to evangelize and bring God and His word to the least and the loss, Rose was indefatigable in penetrating puroks in campaigning (not in politics which seems the fever these days) for marriage validations, enthronement of the Sacred Heart and more or just to listen to the woes of those who have less than nothing in life.

Legion work is a silent task. There are no uniforms to identify you. It is the vocation to work weekly on your assignments and report them during the weekly meetings as well. Sometimes what is asked of the legionary is just to be there and listen. No words, just a ready ear with no judgment.

Rose was likewise a member of the OCDS, the ladies in brown who belong to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. Active work must be blended with silent prayer. A time to be still and commune with the Lord. This perfect blend made Rose the wonderful, joyful person she is inside and out.

Rose will be missed terribly by her family. She gave undivided attention not only to her children but her nephews and nieces as well. We will miss her as a co-legionary but most especially the warmth of her friendship.

Another wonderful lady, whose demise was a shock to most people, was the vibrant Ivy. There is no other Ivy, but Ivy Visitacion. When I opened my Facebook and saw some vague comments of her apo about missing her, I did not want to think of the worst. I thought it was just mere separation by distance. To my disbelief, indeed an official announcement was made by her son, Anthony.

I cannot visualize Ivy, the epitome of life and energy now devoid of just that-life and energy. Ivy has had a successful career in multi-media communications. She was station manager of ABC-DYRH, Bacolod from 1973 to 1985. She was a radio host for her “Dear Inday Ivy” for Bombo Radyo for 13 years, where people would call and seek counsel. She was a Tabby awardee for Best English Newscaster and for Best Cultural Drama Program “Pinalangga Kong Inday Ivy.”

She was a translator, producer, and the voice of radio commercials. In fact, recently I saw her in a television commercial.

Ivy was also producer-emcee of radio stage shows: Darigold Jamboree, ABC-DYRH singing contest, etc. and has played host to gatherings of the community organizations.

A society journalist, her readers will miss her “Behind the Scenes” and had an advice column “Tell Your Tita,” where she has been a regular contributor for the past 20 years. Just recently, Ivy was a recipient of the Rotary Club of Bacolod–East Lifetime Media Achievement Award.

I will miss Ivy for her bubbly persona. She has always made our occasion times together filled with laughter, stories, and jokes. I love her candidness and her passion for life.

But all good things must come to an end sooner or later. Ivy’s life was a storybook with pages bursting with beautiful and inspirational chapters.

To Rose and Ivy, Godspeed! It is hard to say goodbye and we will miss you. But we know you are in a far better glorious place, enjoying God’s embrace. You may be gone from our sight but the memories you have sown will forever linger in our thoughts.

Thank you for your friendships!

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph