Adios Mamita
October 8, 2008 by lisa
Filed under family & friends
Ma. Paz ‘Pacita’ Zaragoza vda de Araneta
February 19, 1911 – October 8, 2008
Earning her Music Teacher’s degree from St. Scholastica’s College Manila, Pacita Zaragoza Araneta began her career of stewardship and community service. She was active in religious and socio-civic work for organizations such as Daughters of Isabella and Damas de la Caridad. She became National President of the Catholic Women’s League of the Philippines in 1976 and awarded the Pro Ecclesia by Pope Paul VI a year later. She was the sole representative of the Dominican Laity Philippine Province at the 1983 conference in Bologna, Italy. - source: 100 Outstanding Scholasticans
The lady in the photo was my paternal grandmother, and had I written this article yesterday, I would have written “the lady in the photo is my paternal grandmother” because my Mamita, as she was fondly called by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren passed away this morning after being in a coma since yesterday.
I cannot believe that I am writing my first obit, and eulogy, or that this site would ever be the venue for one. But as I wait to travel to Manila in an hour or so to attend the ceremonies for her cremation, and the masses and novenas in her honor, I figured I would take the time to bid her a proper farewell.
Pacita, beloved of Vicente
Mamita married Daddy (this is how we called my paternal grandfather Vicente Araneta y Zaragoza), despite their being first cousins. Many of Filipinos, and even other nationalities would aver that the rich would intermarry to keep the money in the family, but this was not the love story of Vicente and Pacita.
They fell in love.
He was sent away, and got engaged to a woman in Spain called Lolita. Before marrying her in Spain, he asked to go home to the Philippines to bid his farewells. But upon arriving in Las Islas Filpinas, and upon seeing his beloved Pacita, he never went back to Lolita in Spain.
Decades after they were married, Daddy asked Mamita if he could go back to Spain and make his peace with Lolita, but when he got to her house in Madrid, he was informed that she had been buried the day before. And Daddy wept and wept. Lolita had stayed true to her love for him and never married.
But who was this woman who held the heart of one of the scions of one of the oldest families in the Philippines in her Patrician hands?
“Paching” was a beautiful woman, and I mean a BEAUTIFUL woman. The photo above was taken when she was probably past 80 years old already. One of the most beautiful in my clan. She was a compleat woman, too — a wife, mother, amiga, abuela, a gifted concert pianist (women during her time were not allowed to be anything else other than teachers or pharmacists).
Mamita, Baguio and Me
She was also the grandmother who would insist on teaching me how to make a bed properly (”You must fold it so that the part that touches the head will never touch the part that touches the feet”), the woman who deprived Daddy of all the Dunkin Donuts I would bring him because he had diabetes, she was the woman who personalized Canon towels by embroidering beautiful floral designs thereon, she was the one who insisted on teaching my female cousins how to crochet on our vacation as young children in our farm in Bukidnon, Agricultural Research Farms, Inc. (ARFI)
Oh, I got out of that by convincing Daddy I was more interested in the Ford equipment his company, Gregorio Araneta Machineries, Inc. (GAMI), was selling; that I should be with the boys and ride the tractors, explore the 1,000 hectares on horseback, and hopefully go fishing in one of the ponds.
Much later, as my female cousins were making pretty good money selling crochet-covered wooden hangers did I regret that move of mine. (But just so you know, I eventually learned to crochet and cross-stitch on my own — folks are surprised at how well I can do these things because they simply don’t “become” me)
Mamita was also pretty groovy. Well, at least compared to Daddy, who was so puritanical. There was a time I was up in Baguio for a few days in January in the early 1980s when my favorite second cousin, Diane McCann knocked on our Europa unit to invite me to her 15th birthday party. Because she was accompanied by her boyfriend, Randy Kier, Daddy told them I was already asleep (it was 5pm) and literally closed the door on their faces. This was not because he did not like Diane, but merely because he saw a man, no matter how nice or decent looking, at the door!
Mamita climbed up to the loft where I was and told me what happened, apologized for my beloved grandfather’s extreme act of misplaced protectiveness, then chastised Daddy and made him walk down to the Europa Legarda office below, to find the number of my tita Carmir’s house and tell Diane I was coming. And then they both drove me to Wagner Road where my cousins lived.
It also was in Europa that Mamita screamed repeatedly, “Ang doctor, tawagin ang doctor! Patay na!” on December 27, 1983 when my grandfather had a massive heart attack after driving the car up to Baguio via Kennon himself, on that trip to inspect the water supply system he had caused to be created for Europa Condominiums when he was president. My brother Alfredo, Jr. was with them, on Christmas break bringing his high school barkada along, and could not understand why Mamita was so upset about the “doctor having died,” until he realized that Mamita’s native language was Spanish and that’s not what she meant.
My father, Alfredo (known to all as Freddie Araneta), had taken up residence in Baguio by the late 1970s and was living then in the Crystal Cave area. The family driver my grandparents brought along with them had the presence of mind of repeatedly honking the car horn up and down Marcos Highway with what we called the “Araneta vocina,” the tot tot-tot-tot familiar to all members of our immediate family, until my father rushed out of the house and went to his parents in nearby Europa Condominums.
We just...
My deepest condolences, Lisa.
My condolences to you and your family…I have come across her name years back when i was studying at St. Scho…have a safe trip back to Manila.
My condolences, dear Liza…
It would be nice if you could read this as a eulogy during the wake. May the blessings be!
oh what a beautiful tribute to your mamita. condolences to the family.
My condolences… Lisa on the passing of your abuela. Beautiful tribute to her.
Thank you Resty, Lalaine, Chi, Mia and Joe…
Lisa, this is beautiful! Truly, Tita Paching, Mamita to you, was a special woman. All through the years, I could never understand how she coped with burying her husband and children. I always admired her strength. She endured the pain of losing her beloved Tito Vicente (Daddy) and her three other children (Gene, Vince and Freddie) plus the ones she lost when they were babies is a feat for a woman to take. She took it all with strength and still remained faithful to God and did not chastise Him for the loss of her family. En fin, she remained faithful to God’s will in her life.
Lisa,this is so beautiful. I learned more about Mamita in this 2 pages which I had not known before. You have been given the gift of writing just like your mother. I have not seen you in ages but I am sure that Mamita will be so proud of you. She is now resting and finally with her entire family. love you Tita Charuca
Hi Lisa,
That was beautiful, at least now where she is there is no more pain. My love to you & your mom.
Lisa
I join in your grief. It’s the end of an era. I got to see her one last time in 2006, when I was in Manila for a HS reunion. She gave me a copy of her book, which I read on the flight back to Sydney.
I had the pleasure of spending a few days with your dad in Sydney, in the early 80s. He was so happy to find a place to buy big clothes, where I used to go shopping. He left his old clothes in Sydney, which I had shipped back to Manila through one of papa’s shipping agency principal’s ships.
Tito Vicente was my ninong. In fact I was baptised Joaquin Juan Vicente Jose Maria. The Vicente was because of your lolo.
Love to everyone, especially your mom.
Quinito
Tita Ditas,
I’m sure you understand her grief at having lost a beloved husband, (and children unborn), with Tito Elias having left us at such a young age. It’s a good thing you and Tito Elias, like Mamita and Daddy, hardly spent a minute apart, so quantitatively and qualitatively, you were together more than other married couples I know.
Thank you for finding this site and telling the Zaragoza-Garcias about it, because your comments came in succession! It must be Facebook!
Tita Charuca,
It’s sooo good to hear from you! I have never visited Australia and with so many of you there now, maybe it’s time to go.
More than any other cousin of mine, I MISS YOUR MOM! Tita Nena was so much fun, and I LOVED HER, especially when Jaime and I were in UP together, and gang mates, and we used to carpool for school and for gimmicks, so I got to see her, with brandy snifter in hand, all the time!
Tito Javier,
It’s so good of you to write! I haven’t seen you in ages, and am hoping that we can have a Zaragoza reunion sometime, which will take pretty long to plan because so many of you away from the Philippines already.
I remember my mom always talking about how Freddie loved his cousins Javier, Quinito, Chito and Elias, I suppose it was because you all grew up together in the compound, and especially because he had no younger brothers, and because Papa especially loved Tita Nena and Tito Tony!
Tito Quinito,
Papa talked about Australia all the time, and the fun he had with you! It’s funny how he enjoyed shopping there because he was not a clothes shopper at all! He came home bringing me a tangerine bathing suit WITH AN ATTACHED SKIRT (hijo de Vicente) and some jewelry.
Maybe because he was living in 1980s Baguio then, which was a small mountain town, and nothing cosmopolitan about it… and come to think of it, the Philippines itself wasn’t offering pants that were size 42!
How lovely that you were able to say your hellos, which turned out to be perfect goodbyes…
To Titas Ditas and Charuca, Titos Javier and Quinito,
I LOVE YOU GUYS. You were my childhood. And I will tell Mama you send her regards, and I will have her join Facebook, too.
And please send my love to Jaime, whom I hear is in Cambodia.
Hi Lisa,
I just happened across this article when I decided to googles Mamita’s name. I have forwarded it to my siblings. It is beautifully written. Thank you for bringing back so many wonderful memories about our beloved Mamita. Best regards to you and your family.
Love,
Patsy
Hi Patsy!
I’m so glad you found it. Sylvia gave the eulogy so let’s see about getting a copy of that and publishing it too, or emailing it to you at least. Your mom did a wonderful job all these years, taking care of her, and what a sacrifice! She’s suddenly head of the clan now…
Hope we can get together in the near future … it’s been such a long time! My love to you and yours …
Hi Lisa,
Give me your e-mail address and your mom’s so I can keep in touch. You are a very talented writer. I am very proud of you. Give my love to your Mom and the rest of the family.
I’m on facebook too.
Patsy
Lisa,
Hello from Beverly Hills Michigan USA. You did a fantastic job writing this. Patsy sent me the link and I am so glad she did. It brings back so may memories of Mamita and Daddy. The last time I saw Mamita was 1984. That’s also when I saw most of the cousins. Please say hi and send my love to all. I have very fond memories of Dapitan St., Grassland, Baguio City, GAMI, Alfredos Steak House.
Fede
fcalero@enovateit.com
Hi again Patsy.
I will send you our email addresses in a bit. I am also creating a special “facebook-like” site for just our family so we can share photos and info at http://araneta.ning.com and will invite you guys to join as soon as it’s up.
You were Mamita’s absolute favorite, you know. No one can compete with THE eldest grandchild!
And hello Fede!
Do you still use that nickname? Or is it just so I would recognize you? It’s been 24 years! And I bet your kids are ‘all grow’d up’ already. Mamita was always longing for you guys, she loved visiting you in the States and I’m sure she missed traveling, too.
We really should plan a huge reunion a couple years hence, because so many of us are scattered around the world now…
Thanks for dropping by.
Lisa
p.s. Alfredo’s is now 40 years old, very much alive because God has bee so good to us, and we’d love to have you and your family come over for dinner anytime you please…
Wonderful write up Lisa. Can’t wait for the photos and the facebook type of website.
Bubs
nakikiramay at nakikisa ako sa iyo at inyong pamilya sa pagpanaw ng iyong mahal na lola. ang dasal ko ay para sa inyong pamilya na nagluluksa ngayon. pasensya na at huli ng konti ang pagbasa ko sa iyong blog. medyo busy kasi naghahanap ng trabaho dito sa baguio. yap, dito na naman ako. pero iba na cp nos ko. eto pala if ever, 09293879247. muli, isang taos pusong pakikiramay.
Hiya Bubs,
I will be sending invites as soon as I get the site prettied up.
Mamraming salamat Francis,
At mabuti namang bumalik ka na. Mukhang may-plano ang ating gubierno ibigay and pagmamahala ng mga iba’t-ibang lugar sa ating lalawigan sa mga NGO kaya marami tayong pag-uusapan. Magkita tayo kaagad pagbalok ko ng Baguio.
Hey Lisa,
My deepest condolences to you and to your Mom and your family; my deepest sympathies to all in the Zaragoza and Araneta clans as well.
That was a beautiful eulogy you’ve written: it taught me so much about Tita Paching that I never knew! It’s a beautiful tribute to your Mamita…
And it’s been a very long time between drinks! Let’s save that for a BIG REUNION. That would be something else, I reckon…one day…
Lots of love,
jimmy
Jimmy, my friend!
Philip Trapaga was in Baguio and his wife was asking why we were not having reunions, and we responded, “Because there are only two of us left in the Philippines, three if you count Dits.” (even Peachy has moved to Canada)
They say you’re in Cambodia. Getting closer to home…
I am going to broach the idea of a grand Araneta-Zaragoza reunion two years hence (to give everyone ample time to prepare) on Mamita’s last novena day, which is Thursday.
Now I have your email address… see you around the web, my beloved cousin-uncle-troops-friend.
Love you,
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I enjoyed reading your article. It brought so many memories back. Riding in the same car with Freddie to go to school during our grade school days; our trips to Grassland Farms with our friends; our going to the movies at the “Times” theatre; our boy scout camping trips; etc..During one of my visits to Manila, Freddie rang me to say he would catch up with me on my next trip to Manila because he was tied up. We never saw each other again after that because of his early death. I still remember also his trips to Sydney. I should be talking more about Tita Paching but I just can’t help the memories your article brought out in me. Hope to be able to catch up with all of you in the planned reunion. Regards to your Mom and to everyone. All the best, Lito
Tito Lito!
That’s right — you and Papa were closest in age! And thanks for sharing your memories with him. None of us knew about school, the movies and the camping trips. So you and he were painting the town red together as young men? My siblings would love to hear your stories.
Hope to see you again soon.
My sincerest condolences Ate Lisa. I’m sorry for your loss. Hugs for you. Your Mamita had a wonderful life.
Thanks Tina,
She was the sister in law of your Papa’s bosses, Tina and Rosita, who were the siblings of my grandfather, Vicente. I’m sure your Papa met her too, once upon a time.
My deepest sympathies to you and to all in the Zaragoza and Araneta clan
(Irene Worrell).I enjoyed reading your awesome article about your dear
Mamita.Best regards to you and your family.
Carol Reyes
Chicago,IL.
Hi Lis, beautiful article. When I saw you call Jimmy Boy “troops” it hit an emotional chord in me.. beautiful past we all had as the troops…
Ei, PIT!
My best memories “growing up” were the fun times we had. Mom always says that among the groups I have hung around with, the Troops was the one she liked the best.
Funny how you and are the only ones left in the Philippines…
Love you…