I Left My Heart in Candelaria, Quezon.

Meeting Everyone

The sun hasn’t shown up yet when me and my friend Sieg boarded a bus to the little town of Candelaria in Quezon yesterday. We went there for the funeral of DJ’s grandmother who passed away earlier this week. It was a 2-hour ride and I was having mixed emotions along the way. I was nervous because i’d be meeting DJ’s dad for the first time. A little excited because i’d be meeting most of his relatives from his father’s side. Curious because it’s actually gonna be my first time to attend a funeral.

We got off the bus and got to the house right away since it was so easy to spot and the directions given to me by DJ’s cousin was clear enough for us to be able to get there hassle free. I was immediately greeted by his cousin, Kuya Carlo and his daughter Lae. Then followed by DJ’s aunts, Mommy Tess and Tita Ea,  whom I have already met and had lunch with twice. And then I was introduced to Tita Joy, their eldest sister who has been in Quezon since that time she arrived from the States.

After saying his and hellos to everybody who were there at the receiving area, I walked towards the casked and said a little prayer for Lola Catalina or Lola Nena. I wish I met her earlier. DJ told me before that should we have a daughter in the future, he would want us to name it after her.

Soon after, I got to meet DJ’s dad. It went okay. I gave him DJ’s NMAT Registration Forms and the phone I got himThen we were ushered to the kitchen for breakfast and we sat down with his dad, Tita Joy and this  family friend of theirs who was making kwento about his travels. After breakfast,we just hung out and waited for more people to come. I got to meet more relatives and family friends of DJ. There was this certain pride everytime his titas or dad would introduce me as “girlfriend ni Jay”. It was music to my ears. Oh and what’s really nice and touching is that his relatives were even the ones approaching  me and they’re all so nice, friendly and very accommodating. We were talking as if we’ve known each other for a long time. I just felt so at home. It was just sooo overwhelming.

Before lunch, Sieg, DJ’s Dad and I were just hanging out waiting for more people to come. I was also talking to Tita Glo, the wife of Tito Rod, DJ’s tito. She was very very nice and she told me a lot of stories about her family. Such a sweet sweet lady. Then I finally got to meet Ate Flor whom I have only seen thru Skype when she was still in the States.

The Eulogy

So after lunch, we went to the Church nearby for the eulogy and the mass. I fell in love with the church. There was this deep profound feeling that I just wanna be there again, and I wish DJ would be there the next time I visit the church or the whole of Candelaria. The eulogy was short and meaningful. I learned more and more about Lola Nena as each person took his/her turn talking about her. She was a beautiful woman. A person of strength and of character. Someone who always smells so good. Very religous, generous and full of love. I felt bad I didn’t get to meet her before.She and her husband, Lolo Mac, have been married for 60 years. I know, right? WOW.

The Funeral

We went to the cemetery after for the funeral. It was tough. I don’t really know Lola Nena enough but the last glimpse before laying her to rest had me crying so bad. It’s like I felt everyone’s grief. Sieg told me that he likes going to funerals because that’s where true emotions come out and after that, there’s this temporary relief. He was right. After that, there was this light feeling upon retuning back to their house. We had merienda and everyone was back to normal. Talking, laughing, eating. The atmosphere wasn’t as heavy anymore. I know it’s for a brief moment only since there’s still a lot of people around. But come night time when everybody starts going home, that’s where it’ll sink in that she’s gone.

To Lola Nena, I wish I met you earlier but even just for a brief moment. Im glad I get to catch a glimpse of you and be with you til the very end. I know you’re in a better place now with Lolo Mac. I’ll take good care of DJ and love him as much as I can. Hopefully we’ll get to be like you and Lolo Mac.

Conclusion

All in all, the trip to Candelaria was an amazing experience. It’s very owhelming. I was missing DJ so much the whole time I was there. I fell in love with him again..through his family and relatives and Candelaria. I don’t really know how to explain it. I’m still on a high. It was really sad when Sieg and I got on the bus to Manila. I wanted to stay more and mingle with them. It feels as if I stayed there for more than a day! It’s weird. Maybe because I felt so welcomed and loved and at home. I didn’t expect such treatment and accommodation. I thank the Lord for the opportunity of bringing me there and meeting everyone. I hope that I get to do that again, a happier occassion and not a funeral anymore. Hopefully i’m gonna be going  with DJ by that time.