Lola Upeng had to struggle through life. Her husband, a recaudador municipal (Municipal Treasurer) in Mampising, Mabini and Pindasan, died due to sudden unexpected nocturnal death. She was left to raise 5 children on her own.
She was around 30++ then and her youngest child my mom was only 7 years old. She knew that her life would be difficult. But she was willing to take the sacrifice so that her children can live better lives.
She spent the next 3 decades of her life facing the harsh realities of poverty and inequality. Still she was able to send my uncles and aunties to big universities in Manila except for my mom who was the youngest and Mama Nene my Auntie who preferred to stay home with Lola and assist her. All finished with honors and special citations.
Most people who reach their 60s and 70s stop working and start living the rest of their lives like they were on vacation. This was not the case for Lola Upeng. For her, retirement was never an option. She tend to her small farm without any qualms or assistance from any of her children.
At 70 years old, she was still taking care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She did not want to leave the care of the ones she loved in the hands of other people. She walks around the farm refusing to use her baston.
She was a woman of discipline. My mom, uncles and aunts always recalled how Lola Upeng would give them the stick to make them behave better. I think she was successful in doing so since all of her grandchildren are now living honest and happy lives.
Lola Upeng did not finish school. She only finished Grade 6 but she was as eloquent in English and Spanish. She even boasts of her teaching skills and most of all her embroidery. She left us, her family, with no material wealth. But she left something greater and more lasting - her legacy - a life of meaning, responsibility and giving.
She was a giver. More than life, she gave her family an example to follow. Through her, my family learned the value of perseverance, hard work, determination and most of all, faith.
She was a classic example of an ordinary person who lived a heroic life. She was victorious in all the challenges that life gave her. She stood strong after every storm of life. She was passionate in whatever she does as long as she has her tobacco.
In her last days, I know that she was happy and fulfilled. She saw all her children and grandchildren attain the better lives she dreamt for them. She lived to see 3 generations of her family - a feat that most people only hope to achieve.
I only shed tears of joy and gratitude for the generous life that she lived. It was a blessing to have been part of her family and to have learned her story.
After 97 years of hard work, she now, at last, came back to the presence of her Creator. But perhaps, she still won’t stop working. Knowing how she loved us, I know she’ll guide us through everything we will face. She would have been 101 years old come December 12, 2013.
