The Untold Story: So We May Know
Personal letter by Joy-Mari M. Pinpin sent to family and friends about the sudden demise of Atty. Celso Fernandez and Dr. Gertrudo Mirasol.
Dearest everyone,
Hope all is well and fine with you. By the time you receive this email, news about the sudden demise of Atty. Celso Fernandez and Dr. Gertrudo Mirasol has spread; both passed away at early dawn and 7:00 a.m. respectively today, 13th of September.I will try to walk you through the events that happened based on what I gathered from Daddy James this morning. Their Ultreya Group has a scheduled get-together today at the Farm of Tita Ester Porte in Cavinti. But Tito Celso invited Daddy, Mommy and Ninang Meding to go to Cavinti with him yesterday as he was excited to visit his poultry farm. He provided the transpo with Egay, their driver. On the way, they stopped over for lunch at Pagsanjan and Tito Celso was his usual self – bubbly and a non-stop story-teller. He was so jolly and showed no premonition about the tragic incident that was about to happen. Upon reaching Cavinti, Daddy, Mommy and Ninang Meding got off at Rizal Street where they stayed overnight. Tito Celso proceeded to his Mansion for the night with Egay (the driver) and Adora (his caretaker). Just before dawn, Adora got up to use the bathroom but Tito Celso was inside. She started to wonder why he hasn’t come out after sometime of waiting so she instructed the driver to open the door. Both were shocked to see him lying on the floor with blood. With Egay’s presence of mind, he rushed Tito Celso (who was still breathing that time) to Pagsanjan Hospital. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead by the doctor. When Daddy learned about it, he immediately called Kuya Jun on his cell phone to proceed to Pagsanjan.
On their way home, Daddy, Mommy and Ninang Meding passed by Ninang Fe’s place as they were originally tasked by Kuya Jun to do a difficult job of breaking the news to her. When they go there, the helpers informed them that Lara (Kuya Jun’s daugh ter) went out to “pasyal” her Lola. While still at Ninang Fe’s house, Ate Marife called overseas from Australia and got to talk to Mommy. She is flying back home tomorrow and says, she will take care of informing her Mom with Kuya Jun just in case anything happens to Ninang Fe. Meanwhile, she will miss Tito Celso’s wake tonight as she is still clueless of the situation. His body lies at the Christ the King Chapel, Greenmeadows until Monday evening. Tuesday, his body will be transferred to Cavinti where interment will take place the following day.
On the other hand, when we (Mommy, Ninang Meding, Mel and I) visited Ninong Tuding at the Makati Medical Center (2 Sundays ago), he was in high spirits. Daddy was supposed to come with us but Tito Celso invited him to go to Calamba with Tito Ruben (Tito Celso’s brother). While Ninong Tuding looked weak, he was seated on his bed and appeared prepared for his bypass operation the following day . Marigel and her 2 sons (Kenneth and Kiel) were there. Ninang Atring went home to change her clothes while Jim and Gerry were busy attending to the surgery preparation. According to Kenneth, the surgery usually takes 5 hours. Tuesday, Cecil Aranton texted me: “Ninong Tuding was brought to the ICU right after the operation. 7 veins were removed (I suppose this sounds scary in medical parlance) he is very weak and we are just depending on prayers for a miracle to happen”
We thought he was on the road to recovery but we were saddened by the news that he too passed away this morning at 7 o’clock. Ninang Atring was in Cavinti early this morning supposedly for the Ultreya but while she was coming out of the church, she was already in tears after getting a call from Manila that she has to rush back home. Ninong Tuding’s body lies at the Loyola Memorial Chapel at Guadalupe, Makati.
Let us all pray for the repose of their souls. Whil e we grieve over their loss, let us thank our Heavenly Father for setting them free from prolonged pain and agony. May they both rest in peace and pray that the gates of heaven be wide open as they are welcomed to God’s heavenly kingdom.
So long for now. Sorry for any typographical and grammatical errors. I am in a hurry to send you this fresh news. Daddy and Mommy went to the wake tonight. We (siblings) are likewise going there tomorrow after our lunch party here at home. Kuya Jay and I are having a joint birthday celebration (September 8 and 14)
Till next mail. Enjoy life and stay healthy! Take care. Hugs and kisses to everyone.
Love,
Joy
P.S.
Belated Happy Birthday Maybel on September 10 and Happy 17th Birthday to Janna tomorrow, September 14 (just like Kuya Jay)
A native of Cavinti, Lucila C. Oblena spent all her working years as an educator, beginning as a classroom teacher in 1944, then a Guidance Counselor and retired as a school Principal. She is also the founder of CLOTA (Cavinti Laguna Overseas Teachers Association). She is the Editor of Tipakan.com (Cavinti Diaspora).
