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LovedOne

LovedOne
In Mario Stories

Tio Mario, A Thoughtful Uncle, by Virgie Tolosa Medina

Tio Mario is my Papang’s (Sammy Sulit Tolosa) first cousin. I first met Tio Mario when my Mamang (Josefa Tolosa) took me to see Lolo Islao, the late father of Tio Mario, who lived in Manila. Since then, while attending Cruzada church , I always saw Tio Mario because he was an elder of the church and, of course, when we visited him and Tia Ganding at their house in Roxas District, Quezon City.

In 1973, before I got married, I asked my Mamang, “Who’s going to walk me down the aisle?” Mamang suggested Tio Mario as he was the closest male relative of my deceased father. When my children were attending the Sunday School in Cruzada, their fond memories of their Lolo Mario included receiving treats from him like candy and gum.

When I found out that Tio Mario and Tia Ganding moved to the States, I tried to give them a call every time I was here visiting from the Philippines to reconnect and tell stories about my children. Tio Mario was always glad to hear stories from relatives about what is happening in their lives and also never forgot to send me a Christmas card, whether I was in the Philippines or in the States.

I know he is already with the Lord and Tia Ganding. In God’s time, I will see him again with our Creator. I love you and will miss you, Tio Mario.

–Virgie Tolosa Medina

LovedOne
In Mario Stories

I have fought a good fight, by Lita Sulit-Cajudo

I just want to share a poem that I put on Dad’s 90th birthday photobook.

“Go a little slower , Dad” said a little girl so small.
I’m following your path and I don’t want to fall
Sometimes your path is very fast. Sometimes it’s hard to see.
So go a little slower Dad for you are leading me.
Now I’m all grown up , I am what you want me to be.
So go a little slower Dad. I have children now that are following me.
I want to lead them right, just how you led me.
It is okay if you are going slower now Dad. I’m still following you.

Our Dad or Tatay led a full and blessed 91 years. He was a faithful husband, great father, caring grandfather, loving great grandfather and most of all–a faithful servant of the Lord. When my mom passed away 4 years ago, that left a big void in his heart. Because of his faith and trust in the Lord he knew He was going to be there for him every step of the way.

He told everyone he spoke to that he was ready to see his eternal home. But the Lord still had work for him to be done. On Dec. 27, 2009, our oldest brother Roby and his wife Mena arrived in the U.S as immigrants. You could feel the joy and elation in Tatay. He said, “You are all here now”, meaning all of his children are here now in the United States. He added, “Now I can rest”.

Still the Lord had work for him to be done. On Sept. 18, 2011, Mario Jr. or Jun, our youngest brother and the baby of the family (although he is taller than all of us, especially me and Sam) got married to May Ortega. Words are not enough to describe my Tatay’s smile that day.

He told us again, he can rest now. And on August 2 , 2012, the Lord finally answered his prayer. He went home to his eternal home in the arms of our heavenly Father and there waiting for him, is Nanay – the love of his life for 60 years, Niel, my brother, and the rest of the relatives and friends who went before him.

As I close I want to read two verses from The Bible and they are found in 2nd Timothy Chapter 4 verses 7-8 and I quote, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith, now there in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord will award me on that day”.

We will miss you Tatay. We love you. It is not goodbye but we will see you later.

 

– Lita

LovedOne
In Mario Stories

Not Uncle, but Father, by nenette pacoli

I guess I had the privilege of being his not-really-daughter daughter, growing up as I did with his youngest daughter, Lita. Ever since I can remember, I was always at their house on weekends, and I would go wherever the whole family would go. I felt like a real part of the family, and Uncle Mario (and Tita Ganding) never treated me differently from their own children. When I was able to understand and put words to what it was that made me secure around him, I realized that Uncle Mario showed me unconditional love – like he did most people. Only for me, it was constant, enduring, up close and personal.

He was ever-present in my teen years and the many milestones in my life – college, work, marriage, parenthood. He loved Bert and my children unconditionally too. And when he and Tita Ganding emigrated to the US, it was he who reached out first: he sent me birthday cards, every year, without fail! (The last one I received was on my 54th birthday, which he had underlined twice and in bold capital letters!!!) I wrote him whenever I could, he wrote as much as he could.

When Bert and I visited him last year, I felt our relationship had changed somewhat: I was still his not-really-daughter daughter, but this time, I was also an equal and a friend. I had a few heart-to-heart talks with him then and in all these conversations, he always declared God’s goodness to him and his great love for Tita Ganding. All his life, I saw how he adored, cared for, respected, indulged, understood, even teased her, and last year, he told me their whole love story. Misty-eyed but with a fond smile on his face, he said: “When I laid eyes on your Tita Ganding, I knew she was THE one for me, nobody else mattered.” Then, growing serious but with an even bigger smile, he said, “I was faithful to your Tita Ganding, I was never unfaithful to her, never!” And I thought of all the times he openly, unashamedly declared his love for Tita, and how we would all be tickled that he did, when it was so uncommon for men to express their feelings.

Uncle Mario also talked of each of his children and grandchildren, and how he was proud of them and of what they’d become. He felt privileged to have seen great-grandchildren. He said he was ready to go any time, eager to reunite with Tita Ganding and other loved ones who had gone on ahead, so sure that God would be happy to have him in heaven.

All of us have seen him walk his talk and live out his faith, but I am forever grateful that he let me see his heart, and that he had made me and my family so much a part of his life too. He was a great husband and father, uncle, lolo, lolo-lolo, friend, teacher, mentor. He was not perfect, but close to it – and I am guessing you won’t disagree with me.

Nenette Domingo Pacoli

(The picture I am posting is not of me or my family, but of Uncle Mario and how he had thoughtfully collected and kept all the newsletters that our ministry – Good News Productions, Int’l – sent him through the years. He was proud of what I was doing – and it showed!)

LovedOne
In Mario Stories

Memories of Tatay Mario, by Maynard and Nelia Petelo

It was sometime in 1999 when Maynard and I were first introduced to Tatay Mario and Nanay Ganding. At our recollection it was at the home of Bro. Ignacio and Dinah Alava during Anna’s (one of Tatay Mario’s granddaughter) Bridal Shower. Anna was going to be married to our youngest son, Paul Petelo.

As we approached tatay Mario and nanay Ganding to give them a handshake and a hug, we can see that big jovial smile at tatay Mario’s face expressing a friendly gesture.

Since they became an extended family to us, we get to know them more. We discovered that he is a very likeable person, always have something to say to start a conversation. And he never fails to greet you with his big smile. Although we did not get to visit each other that much, because of our distance, we always meet them on family gatherings, funerals, and church social activities.

One thing also that I noticed with tatay Mario is his very caring and loving attitude toward nanay Ganding. The last time they came to visit us is when nanay Ganding has problem walking, and she can’t get around so well. That was the time I found out that she and I have something in common, collecting porcelain dolls, so I pulled out one of my dolls to give to nanay Ganding. Nanay Ganding look very happy as I handed it to her. I can sense that tatay Mario was happy too to see his wife happy. He went out the door holding that doll
with his two hands for nanay Ganding, which often times man would not do.

It was a shock to all of us when we heard from Paul and Anna his passing away as we know he is still active and our mother (Uping Nolasco 91 years old) is the one who is bed-ridden.

Tatay Mario, your friendship will always be cherish by us. Your generosity and your love for people will always be remembered. Our mother will never forget how you have shared and supplied her with Ensure, and she is very appreciative of that.

We would like to extend our deepest and heart-felt sympathy to the Sulit Family. Knowing that your love one is now at peace and in a better place with his Creator may bring you comfort and consolation.

Maynard & Nelia Petelo